Tourist time.

Bali.

Sun. Sand. Scantily clad people. Freedom and lack of responsibilities, a party everywhere you look and a thousand tourists prepared to invite you into their play world.

The first thing I noticed when I stepped off the plane in Jakarta was the smell. That unmistakable scent of the south asian tropics - dripping with humidity, layered with pineapple and mango and a hint of sea spray. Within a few seconds, olfaction was overpowered by touch, as the 30 degree heat created a fine glow over my entire body. Palm trees swayed in the breeze, flowers bloomed, reggae beats pumped in my ears.


Southeast Asia....I'm back, baby.


Vacation time.


It seems strange to consider this a vacation, when some might say that my entire year has been a vacation. And yet, this is a vacation. A break from being a traveller, replaced by something simpler, something a whole heck of a lot easier.



Here the locals don't stare at you as you walk down the street (even if you're just wearing a bikini!!). Here there's McDonalds and Starbucks to appease the nervous westerners who fear local cuisine. Here the streets are clean, the temples are hidden from view, everyone speaks English. Here you get to be:

just.

another.

tourist.

Which is a-ok. Because after the chaos of the last seven months (seven months!!) of being a traveller in central asia, being in the relative calm and anonymity of Indonesia's white sand beaches is like a breath of fresh air. Constantly fighting to understand the local culture, being completely confused and lost at all times, battling pollution and poverty tends to take it's toll on your system. I don't think I had really realized that until I got here.

But let me tell you, it sure sunk in pretty quickly as I lay on the beach in my tattered shorts and bikini top. The warm breeze seemed to be chanting to me "relax. have a massage. buy something pretty for less than 3 dollars. take a break. we are here to make your stay as pleasant and easy as possible. no challenges necessary."

How can you say no to that?

Sorry mama and papa, I might not be seeing too many temples during this round. But I'll bring you back a nice souvenir to forgive my lack of cultural exploration...

Surf's up kids.