Morning Departure with Gratitude
On February 18 in Bali, I woke up early and prepared to leave. The room I had stayed in was wonderful—comfortable in every way. It had been a long time since I enjoyed such a wide sink, something so simple yet so refreshing.
Thanks to my WarmShowers hosts, my stay was more than pleasant. They were also preparing to leave, heading toward Lombok Island. I felt grateful to share a small part of the journey with them. If I had more time on my visa, I would have joined them. Unfortunately, with only 24 days allowed in Indonesia, I had to move on.
Dogs on the Road
Once on the road, I faced one of Bali’s little challenges: dogs. I had been told beforehand, “Bali dogs don’t bark.” But reality was different. I was barked at, and even chased.
Of course, there may be ideal dogs who don’t bark or chase, the kind people like to call “friendly pups.” But on the streets of Bali, it’s safer to assume that dogs will bark. With a burst of speed, I managed to shake them off and reach the main road.
By 8 a.m., traffic was already building. And I knew that by 4 p.m., the real gridlock would arrive, making cycling nearly impossible. Timing matters in Bali.
A Rare Street Stall
I soon came across a small food stall. Bali, unlike Java, is filled with modern restaurants that look stylish and clean. But local-style street stalls are harder to find. Discovering this one felt like a gift.
I ordered Soto Ayam, one of my favorite Indonesian dishes. Knowing that in just two days I would no longer have the chance to eat it, I wanted to enjoy it while I could. The price was creeping up—250 rupiah—but still incredibly affordable compared to many other meals.
Waiting and Writing
Since my hotel wouldn’t allow check-in until later, I spent time at a nearby café. There, I reviewed my travels so far and organized my thoughts before heading to Australia. It felt like an important pause, a moment to reflect.
The Biggest Challenge of the Day
Today’s real challenge, however, was not on the road but in logistics. My host from yesterday had kindly offered me a cardboard box suitable for packing my bicycle for the upcoming flight.
But the question was: how to move it? Carrying it on my bike was impossible. If I packed the bicycle into the box, I would have no way to transport my other luggage.
My current plan is to use GoJek or GoCar tomorrow to deliver the box directly to my next hotel. Still, I can’t help but feel a little uncertain. Until the box arrives safely, this remains an unresolved part of the journey.
