Day 1: Morning bus from Ubud back down to Kuta. I wasn't exactly overwhelmed with excitement after the last time but was keen to give surfing another go and it's also nice and close to the airport.
We arrived late morning, checked into the same place we stayed before and then hired a couple of boards (without the sandpaper top this time). The waves were fairly decent for surfing but it still made no difference to me. Clearly, this is not my thing.
Then, late in the afternoon when I was literally just about to give up (probably forever), somehow I managed to stand and stay on the board all the way into shore. I'm not sure how I did it but was obviously delighted, as demonstrated by my triumphant scream of "YESSSS" to the random people on the beach. A lot of frustration put into that let me tell you. Unfortunately, Jay missed my moment of triumph as he was too busy getting pissed off with the waves again.
Needless to say, it must have been a complete fluke because I had no further luck for the rest of the day and was back to face-smashing the water. Something to build on hopefully though.
That evening, Jay and I headed out to check out Kuta's nightlife by going to a club called Skygarden. Being St Patrick's day, the place was heaving and we took full advantage of the green pints on offer. Olivier was also in there and we all ended up getting suitably wasted. Well earned after a hard day trying to surf and was a quality night from what I can remember.
Day 2: Both feeling pretty ropey, we managed to make breakfast before going our separate ways. Jay was heading down to a surf camp in the south of Bali for the remainder of his trip while I had one more day in Kuta before my flight to Singapore. A quality couple of weeks with him and we had a great laugh cruising around the island.
I spent the rest of the day on the beach trying to surf one final time. Olivier was also down there so we got some boards and got involved. No luck again though and the waves were far too strong and powerful for a beginner like me. The rip-current was so strong that people were being swept out to sea needing rescue from the guys on the beach. A Russian guy near me was screaming his head off but I had no idea what he was saying and was having enough trouble trying to stop myself being swept away. Not a good day for surfing - probably just as well.
While back on the beach, which was completely covered in litter by the way, I was amazed to see that the guy selling the Crossbow and Arrows had actually convinced a couple of guys to buy it! I couldn't believe my eyes. Guess that's why they are so persistent - they know they will find someone stupid enough eventually.
After handing my board back in, thinking to myself that it could well be the last time I hire one (surfing is clearly not for me), I then had to walk the gauntlet of street sellers that had aggravated me so much the last time. Needless to say, they were just as annoying but it was made worse by one of them grabbing me as I walked past. I can handle them saying whatever to try and make a sale but this was one step too far and I didn't take kindly to it.
Walking around a different area that evening sorting out a few last minute bits, the same thing happened again with another guy and he got the same reaction from me. I literally cannot stand these guys.
Unfortunately, it's no exaggeration for me to say that I hated Kuta and have absolutely no desire to go back there. The town is pretty grubby, the beach is filthy and the sellers are enough to test anyone's patience. I hated walking around and the fact they actually resort to grabbing you is out of order in my opinion. Horrible place.
Thankfully, my experience of Kuta hasn't tarnished my view of Bali as a whole and I'm really pleased we based ourselves in Ubud and saw so much of the island. A really stunning, scenic place that is definately best explored on a motorbike. If you ever come to Bali, make sure you don't spend all your time in Kuta because it won't give you the correct impression of the whole island. Aside from those few days, I really enjoyed it here.
Next, up at 4am to get a flight back to Singapore - one of my favourite places so a nice way to wash Kuta off. One day there, then it's the end of my time in Asia and onto Australia.
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