Padangbai and the Blue Lagoon

I stayed in Kuta on Sunday and wandered around, talked to some locals and tried not going into any shops...That was the hard part! Kuta is a crazy, little beach town with tons to do. It's the Aussie paradise. There were so many Aussies there, most people were surprised when I told them I am American. I guess the American population died down after all the bombing trouble. I talked to some people selling things on the beach...Which, by the way gets very annoying! The guys would try to sell me something and after saying no, they would just sit down and talk to me. Their business is hurting from the lack of tourists. There weren't many people on the beach at all. I sat there for awhile and watched the hottie surfer dudes do their thing on the waves and then wandered around some more. After walking forever, I found a guy selling drinks, so I sat down with him and some other Balinese guys and talked. They were quite funny! I am used to talking to people with accents, but I had lots of trouble understanding them. Their English is very good, but their pronunciation needs work. Listen to me...Nazi English teacher! They talk with ease and don't really care about saying the words right. But, now I think I'm getting the hang of it. After the sunset, I said see you later to my new friends I walked down the street and found a little, airy bar to chill in. I started talking to the man next to me and was amazed by his stories. He's from Wisconsin and has been sailing around the world for 6 years now. He's stuck in Bali until the winds change and he's leaving again. I'm guessing this guy must be loaded with money to last that long. I think he's a little of the ladies' man trying to find willing girls to wine and dine and take sailing. He was telling me about these Swedish girls that he had to send home because of an eye infection. He is now on the hunt for new bombshell to take their places. He was eyeing the working girl sitting next to me as I was leaving!

I got up this morning and made my way to a bus to bring me to Padangbai, about 2 hours east of Kuta. The drive was nice, especially in the air conditioning. I got attacked by people trying to sell me a hotel room when I got out of the bus. So, I got flustered and walked to find one on my own. I did find a great one for about $4 a night. It's a cute, 2 floor bungalow made out of bamboo. After lunch, which was this delicious grilled fresh tuna, I took a walk and ended up finding the cutest, little beach called, Blue Lagoon. I sat there the whole day and went snorkeling and read. I got stung by something in the water, but it was very relaxing and beautiful besides that. I sat in the little restaurant in front of the beach and got some water. I chatted with the owner for a bit. He was really nice and he made the place by himself. I played with his cute baby boy for a bit. That was my day...Are you jealous? I think there is a full moon party on the beach tonight, so I'm gonna try my luck at that.

By the way, I have been typing with lizards watching me. They are my friends now...Bob and Sharon!