I discovered an old notebook from one of my early trips to
Bali in 2004. It caused me to be excited
about the upcoming journey in 2013 with the community in Palm Desert, CA to
Bali again. The customs experience is
much improved now; nevertheless, it was interesting to visit the memory of our
early trip.
"The Bali Hyatt is beautiful. Our guide, Ketut (John) picked us up at the
airport where the customs experience was interesting. It took us over one hour to get through and
all the while waiting bold signs reminded travelers ominously that the penalty
for drug or arms trafficking is death.
Once through, travelers are preyed upon by airport porters who assume an
official posture encouraging passengers to think they are being singled out by
officers on official business. What they
are trying to do is carry the luggage and get a tip. At the hotel we decompressed by walking on
the clean and serene beach and then through the town of Sanur. We ate at
Ketut's recommended restaurant where I suggested Chris have the traditional
Nasi Goreng, fried rice, fried egg, satay, sometimes fried chicken. Chris would later call this Nasty Goreng,
because I ordered it all the time, and not because
