Category: Activities

Cinema and Rice Fields

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I just can’t get enough of these green luxurious landscapes. Wes suggests that I grab a breakfast at Sari Cottage. The only way to access this all organic and vegan coffee shop and restaurant is by walk or by scooter. If your heart is well hang in your thoracic cage, you might be able to drive there without having a heart attack. I only half dramatize when I say there is just about enough space to drive on a paved elevated path with one scooter. When the local cross you, you better stop on the side and try to squish between the border of the path and a high fasted paced vehicle coming your way. Of course, if you miss a turn, go too fast or are not careful with all the pot holes, you simply end up in… The water of the rice fields.

It is just the right amount of danger for me and it makes me feel like arriving safe and dry, and grabbing a delicious breakfast in this secluded place is worth the effort. It does feel good to just be, observe and have fruits after an intense drive!

The afternoon, I buy a ticket to see a documentary about Miles Davis in a REAL CINEMA. I always have been a movie fan. When I was young and living in Paris, I used to go to the movies three or four times a week at least. Back then, the unlimited pass for young people was only 20 euros. In between my university lessons, when a promising moving was coming up, or when I was bored, when it was rainy outside or too cold, I was hoping in the first cinema around and spent delightful hours in the dark, living my emotions to the fullest.

After nearly five month of backpacking, Ubud is offering this sweet feeling of being back home for a moment, by opening the doors of a Movie Theater.

Coming out of the theater, the sun already set. Time to grab dinner. I lost myself in the little streets and grab a bite somewhere. The hundred of restaurants along the way look more appetizing than the other and I decide that I would come back one day to try them all.

I come back to my room and enjoy the solitude. The last time I will get lonely this trip? It always sting a little, even knowing it will probably be the last one in a long time. Being a long term backpacker means accepting this dual feeling of loving being alone but also feeling the pain of it.

Gamelan

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I sat down at the first row. I was not the kind of student who used to sit right next to the teacher in class but after all, it’s not everyday that I’ll be able to see a traditional Balinese show. And after the few first notes of the Gamelan resonated in the big room, I knew it was probably be the last time!
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Rastafari

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Back home, there is few things that really annoy me. People pushing me in a crowded place and not apologizing. Being late and people who are late. Even if I must admit being late at all my meetings. It’s in my genes, I can’t fight it, it’s my Latin blood! I hate cold espresso, bicycling under the rain and also tomato sauce stain on a white blouse. Let’s not talk about guys in the street asking if I want to grab a drink with them. No. I don’t want to know you. I’m busy and you are scary. Leave. Me. Alone. Please.
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Circle 

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Being on an island could describe the sensation of being trapped, of running around in circles. Like Johnny Cash, you have been everywhere, explored all the caves, inspected under every bushes and walked on every path. All around you is the ocean and you are certain: you have seen it all.
Under the rain or on a sunny day, the island have no mystery for you anymore.
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Tanah Lot

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Old Man’s + Pretty Poison = Terrible Hangover.
But eh. You are travelling, you are still young and you have a new mate. So you wake up, drink a lot of water and you shake the fog around to feel better and do something with your life. Actually, you don’t shake it too much, your liver will never forgive you too much energy right now.

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Sashi

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We are at Old Mans, in Batu Bolong, a beach bar. I am still working on some articles, enjoying the sunset with two beers. Two. Because when it’s the happy hour, at Old Mans, you can’t get just one. I must look a bit nerdy with my iPad, alone at this big round table and my two drinks that I hardly sip. 
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