Jason Lunn.com/ Portfolio of a life…..

What a great day!

Oh how things can really turn around in a moment, firstly I went into an flight and Hotel information centre in Kuta High Street, I just felt an urge to see how much flights to Australia were from Bali just as a back up plan. The local Indonesian behind the counter was a slim and calm collected guy, his job was to promote 5 star hotels in the area I explained that I wanted to stay for a while and I asked if he knew where somewhere really affordable and good would be…

What a result!

He was a surfer and was totally down to earth, knowing that I was not a prospectice customer for any of his employers services he pulled out a map and literally drew an x on the spot where he said surfers in Bali stayed for long periods of time.

Secondly, he told me that this was the best place to stay as depending on which way the wind was blowing I could access all the surf spots quite easily by moped.

So I go back to my room,check out, flag down a taxi driver show him the map and for 80 pence he takes me past the beach, at last the sun is beaming down small waves are peeling like glass , the beach is a hive of activity with people surfing fruit vendors and literally hundreds of surfboards for rent are neatly arranged along the whole length of beach like a 70s Hawaiian postcard.

Palm trees are now bright green sea crystal blue and golden sands, Oh yes feeling good! Then the taxi driver turns right down a street named Poppies2, It is a narrow street with stalls selling everything form leather bags clothes jewellry etc the whole length. Then we start passing surf shops every 50 yards with at least 50 display outside every shop. Local Indonesian surfers are all reclining in chairs waving down tourists with their big smiles that pass on foot and moped.

I am feeling all excited as I start seeing tour operator banners with pictures of famous waves thatb I have legendary tales from surfers in the Uk that have been here before, “trips to Lakey Peak” “G-Land Jungle trips” “Sumbawa Surf”, “Dreamlands” “Uluwatu”type any of these into You tube and you will see that I am in surf heaven. The smells of surf wax cocktailed with incense sticks and the aroma of fresh Indonesian street food is just an amazing awakening to all my senses!

Yehaa! the sun is shining, weather is sweet, make me wanna move my dancing feet….

Oh yes and the colours, surfboards surf shorts t shirts, bikinis and sarongs on display everywhere. Brown bareback surfers and slim, fit Australian and Indonesian women in short skirts and bikinis everywhere like walking into a rainbow and flesh fest in the sun, everyone is smiling and happy!! Oh yes what a result!!

New accommodation,

Ok, taxi driver takes a turn into a quiet side street and parks in a small tidy car park surrounded with beautiful tropical plants, about 15 mopeds with surfboard racks on the side are parked. I walk into a beautiful well kept tropical garden to a reception and the owner comes to greet me. He is a friendly smile and great English, I said long stay? he said no problem 1 week 2 months no problem, whatever, I said good price? he said all my customers pay 50,000 rupees per night per room for a twin bed (£2.94) I said yes.

Transport

I said I need a moped with a surfboard rack? he said no problem 20,000 rupees (£1.18 per day with helmet) so as you can guess I said yes! as I saw these beautiful buildings set in a beautiful peaceful garden right by the main beach with convenience stores only a stones throw away

Cost per day; Room and transport £4.18 per day! so to all of my friends in England that are tired of hearing about global recession as the weather and news gets colder and gloomier I have a room with a spare bed that will cost you just over £2 a night if you would like to come and learn to surf with me.

Things Change just need a bit of faith instead of fear, So now I have completely forgotten about the first three days and feeling lonely all I am thinking is what an absolute result, a quick thank you to God, count up all my blessings for the day and remember all the reasons I planned on coming here in the first place…