Keeping up with Beth

Since we’ve covered most of Canggu’s time, it’s time we move on. I wasn’t sure what to expect of our next spot, whether there was much to do, whether we’d enjoy it, what was even there to offer but on the map, it made logical sense and we’d booked accommodation there. What more do you need! So without further ado let me introduce you to:

Kuta

We moved into our room and we’re struggling to find much resemblance between the photos and our room. But knowing it was temporary and cost 450k RP for the 3 nights (~£25) we couldn’t moan. And it was a good room for the time we were there!

Our first task was honestly finding food. We had a hunt around the local area on all these small back roads and fairly swiftly found this cafe called ‘The Treehouse Cafe’ and serves a variety of food and was all super cheap so obviously we couldn’t say no! And after that, we were ready to head down and see a little bit of Kuta!

We found the shopping centre of Kuta which had a whole boardwalk and puts WestQuay to shame really. We were mostly on the hunt for a GoPro with no luck but it was nice to experience a moment of normalcy walking around a shopping centre of things I can’t afford and being stressed out from looking around pointless shops for the sake of it. Ahh, the joys of shopping.

We enjoyed the view from the top floor though and sat for a minute just appreciating the sun and pending golden hour before walking out to realise the beach was literally across the road.

We couldn’t say no could we!

We sat along the seafront for a while, enjoying the calmness of the waves compared to Canggu and the soft sand, it was bliss for the while we sat there to enjoy the views and sounds. We got to calm down and figure out what this new destination offered for us.

The next day we both had our own goals so spent the morning apart with our separate tasks. Jack headed off to find a massage and see if the Balinese Massage lived up to it’s highly recommended standard or not. When he got back, he seemed pretty impressed and I can confirm from my later visit to a different spa I also recommend a stop by when you’re visiting!

My task was to replace my camera. I’d been researching whether I could get a GoPro again, what model etc or whether there was another one I could get in the mean time. I ended up finding a significant cheaper Indonesian version, which – for now, may do. I’m pretty happy with it for the money I spent and the translation isn’t so hard after just a little bit of research – maybe I should have accepted the shops offer to set up the camera for me, too independent for my own good.

It was a productive morning for the both of us, and it was our first day we’d really made specific plans without each other, but equally we both could have gone long. It’s a different kind of travel with someone but to be able to go off solo and tick off your own list. I like this place.

We decided to explore a little further beyond our own back alleys and found this monument which neither of us could understand but after a little Google translate we were moved at the sight of it.

It was powerful to see the names, the nations and pure quality of the monument in memory of such an event that happened in my own lifetime. We spent a few moments taking it in and translating, reading the names.

The rest of our day was pretty slow which we enjoyed so we just ate, enjoyed the space, walked around and saw Kuta. And obviously had a little beach walk again- even managed to find the Bali Sea Turtle Society in the hopes there would be a real ease in our time there that we could go to. Unfortunately we missed out by one day and we didn’t think we could justify the GoJek cost and early morning there and back from our next destination.

Our final day we decided to enjoy the real holiday energy and head down for a real beach day, real swimming in the sea, sitting and tanning watching the waves and I had to try a coconut along the beach while Jack enjoyed a beer. It was beautiful, the waves were less ferocious. My brain was still clearly envisioning Canggu waves as I screamed in preparation of every wave expecting to be dragged under and washed ashore like before. Yet it rarely did.

Our final night was bliss. We wandered right up to the turtle sanctuary as there were people around and someone peering over the big turtle model outside so in our eager and curious state we decided to intrude. And it was well worth it.

In side the turtle was a sand pit filled with buried turtle eggs and all the sign posts of when and where they were rescued. The girl who was engrossed in the sand pit told us that she’d just watched a few of the eggs hatch right before her, and we’d just missed it!

But we were also informed, just inside, there was a few live baby turtles, recently hatched swimming around until they were allowed to be released. So

Naturally we had a look right. Naturally.

The staff monitoring there told us there would be a release soon that we could attend and be part of, one of the few animal encounters you can pretty safely justify participating in now and not morally be shaken. We considered it but it didn’t work with our moving dates and how far away we would be from the location we were at. But to have been able to based them,watch them for moments and seeing real nature at play before us was thrilling. We sat there just enjoying their little swimming fins for a good 10 minutes enraptured by them.

So we ended Kuta on a high. For a city still building post covid, it’s for sure underrated and must be on your list if you make it to Bali.