Last day in Bali, I had some big plans of walk on the beach, swim in the pool and facial - I know my life, right?
The hotel had an airport transportation service as part of the room, but I also had this set up through Oka. So Oka was supposed to come and get me at 6 pm for my 9:30 pm flight, simple?
At 1730, I headed downstairs and settled my bill and got my bags brought down. I was told that Oka would be late because there was a traffic accident on the road. I sat in the lobby and waited and got devoured by mosquitos - covered in red welts.
Oka was late, but not that bad maybe 20 minutes. We had a new driver that disappeared for about 10 minutes - Oka was getting frustrated. We finally get everyone in the van, and we are off - it's about 15-20 miles to the airport.
Knowing the traffic was bad, they looked for a new route, which involved taking a paved path through a rice paddy that was not designed for a van and had big bollards up at the entry and exit to prevent vehicles from getting onto it. It took some very careful driving to get on the 'road' and then once we were on it - well, there were piles of bricks, people, mopeds...
Then they decided to drive though Simenak - which I thought odd as the traffic seems to be bad in Simenak, like all the time. It was bad - very bad. An hour later, we still were not out of Simenak.
At about 8, both Oka and I are getting a little anxious. He asks when my flight leaves, and I remind him. He says I think we will have to take a motorbike. I say Oka, we cannot take a motorbike with my luggage, besides I only have 30 minutes left where I can check in.
Oka hops out of the car and starts running down the street - he quickly disappears. The driver is now frustrated as the road clears, but we cannot go as there is no Oka - tick tock, Oka shows up 5 minutes later - he's really agitated now. At 8:25, two guys on motorbikes yell at Oka, and he says this is we have to go.
So we puts me with my handbags on one motorbike, and Oka get on the other with my backpack on his back and holding my suitcase in front of him while the other guy drives.
Off we go, my guy is good. He is also nice because he slows down at puddles so as not to splash me, but he doesn't really know where he is going and has to keep stopping and looking for the other guy. The absurdity of this makes me giggle most of the way to the airport - sometimes we go very fast, sometimes slow, sometimes on the sidewalk or other side of the road - whatever is clear.
We arrive on the outer limits of the airport at 0850 and then Oka runs off for the terminal. Once in, I can plainly see that the ticket counter is closed, but I rudely interrupt someone to ask if there is anyway they can check me in - the answer is no.
I return to Oka - who thinks that maybe if he had gone to the ticket counter with me they would have checked me in - I roll my eyes. He reluctantly calls his office and gets a telling off. Then he apologises on behalf of all Bali and says, I guess we need to find someplace for you to stay. As we are leaving the airport, the monitor says that the flight for Singapore is boarding...
The first place he takes me requires too much security. The security guards practically climbed in the car with me to let us through the gate. I tell Oka, I am not staying here. He says there is another place that has a room, but I will have to check out by 12 and then waste time until the next flight - okay I say.
At 11 pm, we arrive at my new hotel Tandjung Sari in Sanur. The kitchen has just closed - so there will be no food for me. I try to change my ticket for the flight tomorrow as the girl at the airport said I could do online, but it won't let me because the flight has already left. After a frustrating hour and 2 Bali Hais, I give up and go to bed.
I think; this room is really nice - and it is. When I get up after a very fitful night, I have 3 e-mails from my travel agent who has sorted the ticket, paid for the change fee and called the hotel in Singapore. See, it all works out.
HOLY COW!
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