Love your work Wayne. I really enjoy listening to your escapades and chatting with the Ubudian’s. I’ve just returned from a stay in Ubud once again - this time with a short hop across to LOMBOK. I’ve been coming to Ubud since 1986, it’s changed a lot - and still continues to - at a worrying pace. You should start a Bahasa phrase book too. You’re a natural. Good on ya🤛
Howdy 🤠 Wayne. That lady at the mini Mart was very honest. Glad you didn't lose it because you'd've been in one heck of a tight spot. Nothing like that has ever happened to neither on holiday nor as a traveler. 🙏🏻😎
I really liked the music 🎶at the beginning of today's video. Wow, so good you retrieved your money belt intact. I am fortunate, i have never had a mishap in Bali, I'm most thankful for that. Have a great afternoon.
I loved the story of your money belt. Many years ago I caught a Bluebird Taxi from the airport to a hotel in Kuta and arrived very late at night. On check in when asked for my passport I realised I had left my backpack in the taxi. It contained everything ! Passport, wallet, cash, telephone, camera. You name it I had lost it. My friend remembered the taxi number and the hotel called Bluebird. 3 hours later the taxi came back to the hotel with my back and everything intact. I was so grateful and paid for the taxi fare to bring the bag to the hotel, and also a very handsome reward to the driver for his honesty. A lesson learned and now I check every car I get out of for my belongings.
That's a pretty good story yourself, TAG. Losing everything but the clothes you stand in can't be much fun. Good to know there's still some honest types around.
OH yeah think we all have had that sinking feeling , once sent my laundry off and didnt empty my short pockets $400.00 Australian in them . Hahaha happy to report went straight back and all was good . presented $20.00 for the honesty. As usual Wayne another great Blog, although I was disapointed there was'nt one yesterday ! Kidding many thanks !!!
Hi Wayne my wife and I came across your channel in the last few weeks and as lovers of the wonderful island of Bali we have really enjoyed watching your videos each morning. We've had 3 visits to Bali and were incredibly fortunate to meet a beautiful Balinese driver on our first airport transfer. This young man has great English and is highly intelligent we spent a week travelling the island with him last time we were there and he has a great depth of knowledge about the religion and history of the island. His English comprehension is also great. We were wondering if you might like to meet up with him at some point for one of your videos. He lives in Denpasar but has his own vehicle and works as a driver sp travels to Ubud a lot. He is an absolute gentleman and I know you would enjoy meeting him. Happy to pass on his details if you think it might be of interest.
Hi Crowes. Having someone like that can be the difference between a good holiday and a great holiday. I'm going to be traveling for a month but you're welcome to send his contact details if you like to fiascodagama@outlook.com. Thanks.
8:04 ● Scooter + youth + S.E. Asia + expecting the road rules to be the same as your home country and adhered to = danger. ● Scooter + youth + S.E. Asia + expecting the road rules to be the same as your home country and adhered to + alcohol &/or rain &/or night time = disaster. ● Scooter + maturity + S.E. Asia + thinking of traffic more like a school of fish + 360° situational awareness + expecting the unexpected = freedom, independence, and adventure. I saw enough bandaged bodies in hostels and airports across Asia, Greece, Croatia to never jump on a scooter until I was 45 years old. My non-negotiables are a well maintained bike, the right sized bike (I'm a big guy. Centre of gravity is important), never mixing scooters and grog, never riding at night and avoiding wet roads when possible. I also rarely ride above 45kph (Unless it's to avoid danger). I'm yet to have an accident in my 8 years of scooting 🤞 Additionally, I've always been a pushbike rider in city traffic. That comes with a wider sphere of situational awareness than car drivers who usually only have to worry about what's happening in front of them and are physically protected from any issues behind them. One of the things I like about Bali riding compared to other S.E. Asian countries is that car drivers and other bikes will give you a respectful little toot of the horn to let you know they're about do something you should be aware of. As a scooter rider, your biggest danger on the road is probably tourists. Regardless of what country or vehicle you're in or on, the number one rule of defensive driving is BE PREDICTABLE.
Pretty hard not to agree with all of that, Ben. As would be expected from someone who I know has been around the region and beyond. "..traffic more like a school of fish".. - nice analogy.
I have been living in Makassar for a year now and i really miss Bacon and Pork Sausages.. I did find some once whilst walking around in a Chinese shop, but guess who forgot where it was!! Arghhhhh.. Nice to see the Balinesse people again, some wonderful people. A good tip when shopping is if you know a local get them to go into the shop to buy, many shops have higher prices for foreigners.🙏
Yes, that happened to me 3X n all 3X, it came back to me. I had $$$ in my fanny pack @LAX n the UA flight attendant found it n gave it back to me n was so grateful.💕I was Xmas shopping in the Philippines left my suitcase full of items n the Merchant returned it to me was so thankful.❤Forgot my purse in the movie theatre in Hawaii n the worker found it while cleaning n gave it to me was so happy.🥰
Unusual Experience In Ubud some 20 years ago I was wondering about early morning and came across a large compound and stopped photograph a nice Mercedes in the drive A pleasant chap in a suit came out and I was surprised he spoke excellent English, I assumed he was the driver After a long chat we shook hand and he patted me on the shoulder, a nice gesture I though Crossing the road I saw a cafe with big bowls of fresh fruit The storekeeper came out & was Very friendly, fantastic fruit salad and coffee When I went to pay , he just smiled and said No Charge for good friend of the King………my new best friend wasn’t a driver after all, really made the day special.
Yes, I know about that sinking feeling of loss…. Left my iPhone in a Hanoi cab … blood sweat and tears for 3 hours when the driver came back with my treasured possession! I couldn’t believe his honesty …. I cried and he cried when I gave him US $50
Good feeling to get ure dompet Balic.. I've had few. Likes this yes ..all return.. it's the most orribal. Feeling. Running back. Thinking. Thinking negative.. haha. Great content in ure journeys in Ubud .. Om Shanti Shanti. Om.
I was living in the USA and went home to the UK for a visit. I arrived in London and made a phone call from one of the iconic red phone boxes ( this was a long time ago.) Two minutes after leaving the phone box I realised I'd left my wallet on the shelf in there, dashed back - but this being central London it was gone. All my holiday money and cards.
I do know that sinking feeling . . not to go into too much detail, but having two passports can be a disadvantage (rarely, but awful when you get confused!). Glad but not surprised that you got your stuff back, I would feel much more confident in Bali than many other places in the world. The language thing seems to me to be a reflexion of the strong Hindu roots of Balinese society. In strongly-Muslim Java caste is relatively uniportant, but age, particularly in the family, is very much the determinant of how people speak to each other. In public life, mainly work in my case, in my 30s I would be bapak to much older staff members, and I would likely say bapak to some even younger but more senior members of the firm. Oh, and I do understand the occasional craving for the familiar tastes of home, it's why Swiss and German bakery shops are so frequently seen in Thailand, India, Sri Lanka . . .
My brother left his phone in a taxi which was not a Bluebird. Our Hotel was in a laneway off Melasti St in Legian but we got out of the Taxi in Melasti St at the end of the laneway. We walked to our Hotel and once we realized the phone was left in the Taxi we thought that was that but to our surprise the Driver remembered the name of our Hotel down the laneway and chose to return the phone to our Hotel. A very generous reward was given and he was over the moon. We hoped it was a good lesson for him in honesty 😊
Hello from CA. My first trip to Bali was significantly impacted & terrifying when I was robbed by a traveler I shared a room with in Kintamani. Nobody would help me in the village. Peter of Made's Warung in Kuta came to my rescue. I was reading, "Serpentine" by Thomas Thompson & felt I was living it at the time of the robbery. Any news of the two tourists who have been killed by a falling tree in Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest in Bali? Must be heavy rains & winds now.
That' must have been an awful experience to have, Liz - and on your first trip! The winds yesterday were the strongest I can ever remember here in Ubud, and it doesn't surprise me limbs of trees might have fallen.
I once left my jacket on the back seat of a taxi. My passport was in the jacket. Fortunately the taxi driver was kind enough to bring it back. Sheer, white panic came over me when I realised what I'd done. Much more than a sinking feeling. I've learnt my lesson and now I have OCD with checking everything over and over again. I also left my son's graduation certificate in a folder in an Indomaret. Same thing, fumbling with money and I put it down. Great fully it was there when I walked back. The joys of getting old and absent minded
Ha! I'm glad I'm not the only one checking and triple checking everything, Dale. I met a woman in India last year and after chatting for a while we both got up to leave noticing each other's ritual of looking in pockets and patting ourselves down - we spent another couple of minutes agreeing old age doesn't come alone. You've had a couple of scares yourself it appears.
Once in Malaysia I was visiting the famous Kluang Railway Coffee for breakfast in Kluang, Johore. As I left, and unbeknown to me, my wallet had slipped from my pocket. A passerby had seen it happen and had picked it up. He came up to me grabbing my arm by the elbow speaking in Malay and in his other hand was my wallet. I thanked him profusely as the wallet contained my only bank card, my driving license and some cash. He even refused my cash offer as a thank you.
That's pretty good fortune to have someone not only see it happen so as to know who the wallet belongs to but also honest enough to give it back. Nice.
Sooooo many mishaps for me Wayne,very costly ones but what changed my plans was the monkey 🐒 bite in Palawan from a monkey I never saw and was asked to keep my middle finger raised whilst recovering. Hence,I am no fan of monkey forest and you were lucky to have an honest worker and hopefully in future you can keep a safe in your room Cheers
@fiascodagama1 My motto should be if something doesn't go wrong then I truly have not been away 😌 I think though I manage better on my own than with some dramatic friends previously as life happens regardless of where you are.
I think weve all had those horrible moments where weve lost something or thought we had and panicked. I left my wallet in my hotel in Cambodia last year and didnt realise until Id left the country. It was a nightmare because all of my cards were in it and I had to request new ones from the UK and it took weeks to get replacements. I also had two good cameras stolen in Bali. No matter how careful you are something is bound to happen sooner or later so always best to have a back-up plan. I see lots of foreigners driving their scooters like lunatics. Its easy to get caught up in the insane driving that goes on there. Worth remembering that deaths do occur and quite a few foreigners have been killed on the roads. Just crossing the road can be very challenging in Bali. You really cant take enough care. Stay safe and well.
I think you're right, rb - if you're out here long enough or often enough it's almost inevitable something will be misplaced, lost, or perhaps even stolen and having backup cash or a plan to get you through is a good idea. Young foreigners are often in the news for having had accidents in Bali and unfortunately that will continue to be the case I think.
I know that feeling very well, when I was travelling in Thailand, a group of us went to a jetty restaurant over the water put my bumb bag under the table as not to loose it and forgot about it when leaving, we all rode our bikes about 2 kilometres down the road and then a got stopped for a licence check, by the boy's in brown, no bumb bag no international licence and no passport,they all had to stay there as I high taled it back to the restaurant to hopefully retreaved by valubales, it was handed back to me without a word spoken,a big shy of relief as I looked inside everthing was still inside. Rode back to the others who were not happy to wait 30 minutes for me.
G,day Wayne I haven’t watched all your vlogs, I enjoy them, however I’ve always shied away from Bali because of the tourists. Would you do a vlog of the tourist areas, Kuta etc I probably wouldn’t go there. Not my cup of tea really. I prefer local areas such as yourself, but I would like to see what it’s about. Cheers
Oh now I remember a blunder I made in Vrindavan, India 🇮🇳. I paid the very first night for a whole 30 days after having negotiated the price that included using the kitchen to cool my meals as I was traveling on a tight budget. I should'vs just paid for like 3 nights with kitchen use included to see if I was comfortable with the place and people. The very next day I was told I couldn't use the kitchen. I couldn't get my money back because it was an illegal guesthouse. I couldn't go to the police because it was their word against mine a d most cops don't speak English. I had to suck it up and stay because I didn't have the money to go elsewhere. The matress was more like styrofoam , the people there where very noisy, I was moved from my room once and basically it was a roach motel. Very valuable lesson learned the very hard way. Never again will make that monumental blunder.
That's a lesson learned for sure, Eddie. It can be difficult to tell what a place is really like until you stay for a while. Good tip for other travelers.
@@fiascodagama1 I hope it serves tghose who read it that are travelers like you are and I used to be. I'm retired now because life's circumstances and I'm all good with it.
Hell yeah- I was in Old Delhi of all places and had sat down on a wall. A full 15/20 minutes after I’d got up and walked off I realised I didn’t have my brand new iPhone on me! Did the same thing, sprinted- well, as a gentleman of a certain age too- swiftly hobbled as fast as I could back to the couple of shops I’d visited and then finally to the wall where I’d been sitting. There it was, in its new case, face down exactly where I’d left it!! In a city of millions of some of the poorest people on earth it simply hadn’t been noticed! Two years ago now and I *still* haven’t fully exhaled that sigh of relief. Luck of the devil.
That was extremely lucky not to have lost that iPhone for good considering you were in Old Delhi which isn't known at times for the upstanding character of some who get around those parts. I agree it may have only still been there because it wasn't noticed. Gee that was lucky, munky.
Long story short, when you take cash from ATM's in Bali, it does the opposite to European and Australian ATM's. It gives you the cash first, then the card. People have a habit of walking away when they grab the cash, thinking they already have their cards, and it gets gobbled up by the machine for security. A real problem when you only have one card with you.
Do you always carry your passport and other documents on your person whenever you are out and about? I always leave those in my hotel room and I don't even use the safe, just in a side pocket in my bag or something. Do I need to change my methods?
I personally do carry everything but it's out of habit more than anything. I think we all have our own preferred method of making sure our documents are secured.
My dad gave me a small book many years ago that has some basic Bahasa Bali words in the three different casts, with English translation. I decided just to focus on Bahasa Indonesia, especially because I couldn't tell from looking at a Balinese person, which cast they were. You can tell from their names, but if you don't know their name, which cast language to use? 😅
Yes Bali parents are not really creative regarding names. There are Gede, Made, Wayan, Komang und Ketut in use. And someone told me years ago the first born given the name Gede, second one Made and so on. Basically they just number their children...1 2 3 4 5
There middle name is there real name The first name is cultural which is related to their casta hence why u hear the same names . Ayu for example means girl So it would be Ayu etc etc if they have casta it would dewa Ayu Etc etc dewa is on the casta or family they become the dewa family Other casters are ida bagus ,agung,Gusti,dewa etc etc
Hey Wayne. Interesting about the caste system in Bali. Do you not feel safe leaving your stuff in your room or with the owners where you stay? Why not please? Thanks
It's an old habit, ian, that stems from traveling in particularly bad areas for theft where the best option was to always have your documents and money on your person close to the skin.
I have worn a money belt overseas for years, once against pickpockets and now against forgetfulness. I fold it in half, tie it to my belt, and tuck it in my underwear so I can access it without it leaving me.
@@fiascodagama1 I am that Dottery now, that I keep my small cash and hotel key in a small purse on a lanyard around my neck. My cell phone is on a lanyard attached to a belt. (and in my side pocket)If I fall in a river I will get tangled up and drown.😆😆
Hi Leo. Places to stay are many and it depends a bit on what you need as well as your budget. I don't disclose the name of where I stay sorry. Thanks for stopping by, Leo.
My husband went to pay for a bintang at a kuta bar many years ago(he has been going to Bali since the 1980s) handed the lady 3 x $100000 for one $30000 bintang, she was going to take it happily, lucky I saw what he was doing.... 😊😊😊
Getting familiar with the money is one travel tip you don't often hear people offering but many have paid a little too much early on their first trip. You were on your toes, Deb, and saved a few dollars. Nice.
Ten years after i got married and from then on that sinking feeling got heavier and heavier, advice for any married/relationship folk, if your partner starts on a negative quest to undermine anything you say or do, it means they are no longer into you. Its time to move on before it gets worse and depression sets in, being in a sh-t relationship is not good for ones health. Get out while you are young, start again and probably stay single is the safest route. Personal Opinion.
Oh, that sinking feeling. I had arranged with our daughter to buy her a new car as her car was seriously unwell. We entered the car yard, arranged to buy a car, I reached into my pocket for my share, 20K and it was not there, Oh, that sinking feeling, sadness and tears, my daughter's car was not to be I thought. I retraced my steps, Nothing to be found. Then I told our daughter and she followed me in retracing my steps. I Opened the car door, nothing to be found, then as I was closing the car door, I saw something between the seat and the seat pillar, on the floor, it was the edge of my envelope, barley visible. My jacket pocket had a hole and the envelope just slid down and was hiding in a very safe place. Needless to say, we bought the car and were all relieved. You meet some wonderful interesting people.
My credit card is now on my phone and it works In most places in Legian . The advantage is it needs a 5 number pin to get the phone open before you can use the card. I believe you can get your licence on your phone passports will be next I just need it to start my car. I do have photographs of my passport and driver's licence in that phone 🗣🗣😁
Definitely an advantage to have a pin to unlock it all, and I agree it might not be long before everything we need or use for money and ID will be reduced to a single chip
im glad you paid her.. but please give to people if you use there time ,, be nice.. when i was in bali a drink woukd cost me local price a dollar in my country so i would give them 5.. or buy a couple and give them a decent price.. to be paid mindfully if you have the means
Learning to ride a scooter in Bali is very dangerous. Ask any Indonesian if they have had a crash on a bike and 99% will say yes. Two French tourists staying in a small village with me in Aceh over 20 years ago died in a horrible accident that I didn't actually witness but the whole sorry saga I will never forget. I hold my Australian motorbike licence and do ride in Indonesia however I ride very slowly and stick to the left! Your word today when speaking to the lady about motorbikes is bahaya = dangerous
There are definitely too many stories of locals and visitors coming undone riding here. As they say, you can be the best rider/driver there is but if the other guy...Your commitment to my language development is appreciated, Daniel.
i was given tickets on the fast train to Paris ( including return ). Gave my family an updat on how I liked it and told them was I was going to do the following day. Reply from family : why are you still in Paris ? I was supposed to have been on the train going back. Has to negotiate a deal to let me on a train the following day, without paying again....no big drama, but always check the date on your tickets...😀 It only cost an extra 10% to get home.
Ive left my wallet before, by accident. I strike up conversations and saunter on, only to realise, holy moly! It was there waiting for me on the counter, untouched. They all laughed. I'm in Sanur, and have never had an issue with theft 🙏🏻 A lying, cheating Balinese ex-husband yes, but wallet ok 😅 I'm on my own here for the next 5 weeks and loving it 💃 Anyone interested in buying my pink motorbike? 😁
It’s not ADHD, we’re just getting old, mate. I did the same thing with a backpack about 13 years ago in the Solomon Islands. Luckily a mate picked it up after I left the bar …
Haha… we just returned from there last month… And indeed, the money changer tried to rip off 1 million rupiah out of a 3 million exchange, but I caught him cause I know the deal… And I just gave him the death stare so he gave it back…
So if I have to use footage from another day to fill a video it doesn't look different. David Attenborough has been wearing the same clothes for sixty or seventy years for continuity. :)
(Long post, sorry about that. You have a lot of comments to read from a lot of viewers and I don't mean to write too much) Recently I was going back into an apartment and I got distracted by something. Later on that day I was about to leave again and I couldn't find the keys to the apartment. I looked everywhere but the keys weren't inside the apartment. Then I thought to check and open the door. There were the keys, still in the keyhole of the door. They had been there for hours. Never had I ever forgotten the keys to an apartment and left them just hanging outside of the door still in the keyhole. I was honestly kind of disgusted with myself that that happened because of my carelessness, and I just could not accept the possibility of that happening again, so I resorted to a foolproof option. I simply got a drawstring that was attached to my pants and also to a clip with the keys on the other end. So, that way it was impossible for me to forget and leave the keys hanging in the door and walk away, because if I did my pants would also be attached 😂. I love that term, "Foolproof", and foolproof ways can sometimes be the only way for me to not be a fool sometimes, haha. █ (Skip here if it's too much to read all that) █ Maybe if you get some kind of drawstring to clip and attach your money belt to your belt loop or something like that, it could prevent that from ever happening again and you will never lose money. Great show, keep up the good work please. It's great to see Bali through your eyes. All the best, take care.
you know what if you talk to people and they take the time,, i think you should pay them even 50 thousand in bali rupee.. you may be walking around talking at your leasure.. be nice to pay them
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There is something soothing about your videos. Great to see your perspective of Bali. I haven’t been there since 1988.
Hi Jeff. I'm really glad you enjoy them, thanks. Appreciate you taking the time to say so. Cheers.
Love your work Wayne. I really enjoy listening to your escapades and chatting with the Ubudian’s. I’ve just returned from a stay in Ubud once again - this time with a short hop across to LOMBOK. I’ve been coming to Ubud since 1986, it’s changed a lot - and still continues to - at a worrying pace. You should start a Bahasa phrase book too. You’re a natural. Good on ya🤛
Hey John. Very kind of you, thanks. I bet you've seen some changes over that period of time coming to Ubud. Appreciate you dropping by. Cheers.
Howdy 🤠 Wayne. That lady at the mini Mart was very honest. Glad you didn't lose it because you'd've been in one heck of a tight spot. Nothing like that has ever happened to neither on holiday nor as a traveler. 🙏🏻😎
It sure was lucky, things could have got pretty painful from there if I didn't get it back. Cheers, Eddie.
@@fiascodagama1 Cheers Wayne.
I really liked the music 🎶at the beginning of today's video. Wow, so good you retrieved your money belt intact. I am fortunate, i have never had a mishap in Bali, I'm most thankful for that. Have a great afternoon.
Hi Sandie. You're well organized and careful it seems - well done on not having had any unforeseen unlucky accidents. I liked the music as well. :)
I loved the story of your money belt. Many years ago I caught a Bluebird Taxi from the airport to a hotel in Kuta and arrived very late at night. On check in when asked for my passport I realised I had left my backpack in the taxi. It contained everything ! Passport, wallet, cash, telephone, camera. You name it I had lost it. My friend remembered the taxi number and the hotel called Bluebird. 3 hours later the taxi came back to the hotel with my back and everything intact. I was so grateful and paid for the taxi fare to bring the bag to the hotel, and also a very handsome reward to the driver for his honesty. A lesson learned and now I check every car I get out of for my belongings.
That's a pretty good story yourself, TAG. Losing everything but the clothes you stand in can't be much fun. Good to know there's still some honest types around.
OH yeah think we all have had that sinking feeling , once sent my laundry off and didnt empty my short pockets $400.00 Australian in them . Hahaha happy to report went straight back and all was good . presented $20.00 for the honesty. As usual Wayne another great Blog, although I was disapointed there was'nt one yesterday ! Kidding many thanks !!!
Hi Wayne my wife and I came across your channel in the last few weeks and as lovers of the wonderful island of Bali we have really enjoyed watching your videos each morning.
We've had 3 visits to Bali and were incredibly fortunate to meet a beautiful Balinese driver on our first airport transfer.
This young man has great English and is highly intelligent we spent a week travelling the island with him last time we were there and he has a great depth of knowledge about the religion and history of the island. His English comprehension is also great. We were wondering if you might like to meet up with him at some point for one of your videos.
He lives in Denpasar but has his own vehicle and works as a driver sp travels to Ubud a lot.
He is an absolute gentleman and I know you would enjoy meeting him.
Happy to pass on his details if you think it might be of interest.
Hi Crowes. Having someone like that can be the difference between a good holiday and a great holiday. I'm going to be traveling for a month but you're welcome to send his contact details if you like to fiascodagama@outlook.com. Thanks.
8:04
● Scooter + youth + S.E. Asia + expecting the road rules to be the same as your home country and adhered to = danger.
● Scooter + youth + S.E. Asia + expecting the road rules to be the same as your home country and adhered to + alcohol &/or rain &/or night time = disaster.
● Scooter + maturity + S.E. Asia + thinking of traffic more like a school of fish + 360° situational awareness + expecting the unexpected = freedom, independence, and adventure.
I saw enough bandaged bodies in hostels and airports across Asia, Greece, Croatia to never jump on a scooter until I was 45 years old. My non-negotiables are a well maintained bike, the right sized bike (I'm a big guy. Centre of gravity is important), never mixing scooters and grog, never riding at night and avoiding wet roads when possible. I also rarely ride above 45kph (Unless it's to avoid danger). I'm yet to have an accident in my 8 years of scooting 🤞
Additionally, I've always been a pushbike rider in city traffic. That comes with a wider sphere of situational awareness than car drivers who usually only have to worry about what's happening in front of them and are physically protected from any issues behind them.
One of the things I like about Bali riding compared to other S.E. Asian countries is that car drivers and other bikes will give you a respectful little toot of the horn to let you know they're about do something you should be aware of. As a scooter rider, your biggest danger on the road is probably tourists.
Regardless of what country or vehicle you're in or on, the number one rule of defensive driving is BE PREDICTABLE.
Pretty hard not to agree with all of that, Ben. As would be expected from someone who I know has been around the region and beyond. "..traffic more like a school of fish".. - nice analogy.
I have been living in Makassar for a year now and i really miss Bacon and Pork Sausages.. I did find some once whilst walking around in a Chinese shop, but guess who forgot where it was!! Arghhhhh..
Nice to see the Balinesse people again, some wonderful people. A good tip when shopping is if you know a local get them to go into the shop to buy, many shops have higher prices for foreigners.🙏
Getting a local friend to get prices is a good tip, Loopy. Cheers.
Yes, that happened to me 3X n all 3X, it came back to me. I had $$$ in my fanny pack @LAX n the UA flight attendant found it n gave it back to me n was so grateful.💕I was Xmas shopping in the Philippines left my suitcase full of items n the Merchant returned it to me was so thankful.❤Forgot my purse in the movie theatre in Hawaii n the worker found it while cleaning n gave it to me was so happy.🥰
Gee, to get valuables back three times after leaving them behind is good fortune indeed.
Glad you got your belt back, enjoying your walk and talks. You must be a bit of a local celeb now.
Hi Neil. It's fair to say I've got to know a few people these last couple of months both local and visitors.
Unusual Experience
In Ubud some 20 years ago I was wondering about early morning and came across a large compound and stopped photograph a nice Mercedes in the drive
A pleasant chap in a suit came out and I was surprised he spoke excellent English, I assumed he was the driver
After a long chat we shook hand and he patted me on the shoulder, a nice gesture I though
Crossing the road I saw a cafe with big bowls of fresh fruit
The storekeeper came out & was Very friendly, fantastic fruit salad and coffee
When I went to pay , he just smiled and said No Charge for good friend of the King………my new best friend wasn’t a driver after all, really made the day special.
Not sure many would have that kind of story to tell after a visit to Ubud. Nice one, Mac.
Yes, I know about that sinking feeling of loss…. Left my iPhone in a Hanoi cab … blood sweat and tears for 3 hours when the driver came back with my treasured possession! I couldn’t believe his honesty …. I cried and he cried when I gave him US $50
It's such a relief, isn't it?
@ for sure
Good feeling to get ure dompet Balic.. I've had few. Likes this yes ..all return.. it's the most orribal. Feeling. Running back. Thinking. Thinking negative.. haha. Great content in ure journeys in Ubud .. Om Shanti Shanti. Om.
Thanks, Stephen. Never a dull moment when traveling. :) Cheers.
I was living in the USA and went home to the UK for a visit. I arrived in London and made a phone call from one of the iconic red phone boxes ( this was a long time ago.) Two minutes after leaving the phone box I realised I'd left my wallet on the shelf in there, dashed back - but this being central London it was gone. All my holiday money and cards.
That' must have been pretty devastating, Nigel.
I do know that sinking feeling . . not to go into too much detail, but having two passports can be a disadvantage (rarely, but awful when you get confused!). Glad but not surprised that you got your stuff back, I would feel much more confident in Bali than many other places in the world. The language thing seems to me to be a reflexion of the strong Hindu roots of Balinese society. In strongly-Muslim Java caste is relatively uniportant, but age, particularly in the family, is very much the determinant of how people speak to each other. In public life, mainly work in my case, in my 30s I would be bapak to much older staff members, and I would likely say bapak to some even younger but more senior members of the firm. Oh, and I do understand the occasional craving for the familiar tastes of home, it's why Swiss and German bakery shops are so frequently seen in Thailand, India, Sri Lanka . . .
I was surprised to see so many Swiss/German type bakeries the first time I went to India - it seemed such an odd thing for a country to adopt.
My brother left his phone in a taxi which was not a Bluebird. Our Hotel was in a laneway off Melasti St in Legian but we got out of the Taxi in Melasti St at the end of the laneway. We walked to our Hotel and once we realized the phone was left in the Taxi we thought that was that but to our surprise the Driver remembered the name of our Hotel down the laneway and chose to return the phone to our Hotel. A very generous reward was given and he was over the moon. We hoped it was a good lesson for him in honesty 😊
Bluebird are getting some very good reviews here in regard to their honesty. Glad you got yopur phone back, Karen.
Hello from CA. My first trip to Bali was significantly impacted & terrifying when I was robbed by a traveler I shared a room with in Kintamani. Nobody would help me in the village. Peter of Made's Warung in Kuta came to my rescue. I was reading, "Serpentine" by Thomas Thompson & felt I was living it at the time of the robbery. Any news of the two tourists who have been killed by a falling tree in Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest in Bali? Must be heavy rains & winds now.
That' must have been an awful experience to have, Liz - and on your first trip! The winds yesterday were the strongest I can ever remember here in Ubud, and it doesn't surprise me limbs of trees might have fallen.
I once left my jacket on the back seat of a taxi. My passport was in the jacket. Fortunately the taxi driver was kind enough to bring it back. Sheer, white panic came over me when I realised what I'd done. Much more than a sinking feeling. I've learnt my lesson and now I have OCD with checking everything over and over again. I also left my son's graduation certificate in a folder in an Indomaret. Same thing, fumbling with money and I put it down. Great fully it was there when I walked back. The joys of getting old and absent minded
Ha! I'm glad I'm not the only one checking and triple checking everything, Dale. I met a woman in India last year and after chatting for a while we both got up to leave noticing each other's ritual of looking in pockets and patting ourselves down - we spent another couple of minutes agreeing old age doesn't come alone. You've had a couple of scares yourself it appears.
Once in Malaysia I was visiting the famous Kluang Railway Coffee for breakfast in Kluang, Johore. As I left, and unbeknown to me, my wallet had slipped from my pocket. A passerby had seen it happen and had picked it up. He came up to me grabbing my arm by the elbow speaking in Malay and in his other hand was my wallet. I thanked him profusely as the wallet contained my only bank card, my driving license and some cash. He even refused my cash offer as a thank you.
That's pretty good fortune to have someone not only see it happen so as to know who the wallet belongs to but also honest enough to give it back. Nice.
Sooooo many mishaps for me Wayne,very costly ones but what changed my plans was the monkey 🐒 bite in Palawan from a monkey I never saw and was asked to keep my middle finger raised whilst recovering. Hence,I am no fan of monkey forest and you were lucky to have an honest worker and hopefully in future you can keep a safe in your room
Cheers
That sounds like a rather nasty experience, Stephanie.
@fiascodagama1 My motto should be if something doesn't go wrong then I truly have not been away 😌 I think though I manage better on my own than with some dramatic friends previously as life happens regardless of where you are.
I do enjoy the videos with the locals
It's nice to get a small look into their lives and culture, isn't it?
I think weve all had those horrible moments where weve lost something or thought we had and panicked. I left my wallet in my hotel in Cambodia last year and didnt realise until Id left the country. It was a nightmare because all of my cards were in it and I had to request new ones from the UK and it took weeks to get replacements. I also had two good cameras stolen in Bali. No matter how careful you are something is bound to happen sooner or later so always best to have a back-up plan. I see lots of foreigners driving their scooters like lunatics. Its easy to get caught up in the insane driving that goes on there. Worth remembering that deaths do occur and quite a few foreigners have been killed on the roads. Just crossing the road can be very challenging in Bali. You really cant take enough care. Stay safe and well.
I think you're right, rb - if you're out here long enough or often enough it's almost inevitable something will be misplaced, lost, or perhaps even stolen and having backup cash or a plan to get you through is a good idea. Young foreigners are often in the news for having had accidents in Bali and unfortunately that will continue to be the case I think.
I know that feeling very well, when I was travelling in Thailand, a group of us went to a jetty restaurant over the water put my bumb bag under the table as not to loose it and forgot about it when leaving, we all rode our bikes about 2 kilometres down the road and then a got stopped for a licence check, by the boy's in brown, no bumb bag no international licence and no passport,they all had to stay there as I high taled it back to the restaurant to hopefully retreaved by valubales, it was handed back to me without a word spoken,a big shy of relief as I looked inside everthing was still inside. Rode back to the others who were not happy to wait 30 minutes for me.
That could have become sticky if it hadn't been returned. The police might not have bought the "I had my bag a minute ago" story for long.
G,day Wayne I haven’t watched all your vlogs, I enjoy them, however I’ve always shied away from Bali because of the tourists. Would you do a vlog of the tourist areas, Kuta etc I probably wouldn’t go there. Not my cup of tea really. I prefer local areas such as yourself, but I would like to see what it’s about. Cheers
Hi silver, thanks for the request. I'm sure I'll be going through the Kuta, Legian, Seminyak area at some point and will no doubt do a video on them.
@ thanks mate
Oh now I remember a blunder I made in Vrindavan, India 🇮🇳. I paid the very first night for a whole 30 days after having negotiated the price that included using the kitchen to cool my meals as I was traveling on a tight budget. I should'vs just paid for like 3 nights with kitchen use included to see if I was comfortable with the place and people. The very next day I was told I couldn't use the kitchen. I couldn't get my money back because it was an illegal guesthouse. I couldn't go to the police because it was their word against mine a d most cops don't speak English. I had to suck it up and stay because I didn't have the money to go elsewhere. The matress was more like styrofoam , the people there where very noisy, I was moved from my room once and basically it was a roach motel. Very valuable lesson learned the very hard way. Never again will make that monumental blunder.
That's a lesson learned for sure, Eddie. It can be difficult to tell what a place is really like until you stay for a while. Good tip for other travelers.
@@fiascodagama1 I hope it serves tghose who read it that are travelers like you are and I used to be. I'm retired now because life's circumstances and I'm all good with it.
Hell yeah- I was in Old Delhi of all places and had sat down on a wall. A full 15/20 minutes after I’d got up and walked off I realised I didn’t have my brand new iPhone on me! Did the same thing, sprinted- well, as a gentleman of a certain age too- swiftly hobbled as fast as I could back to the couple of shops I’d visited and then finally to the wall where I’d been sitting. There it was, in its new case, face down exactly where I’d left it!! In a city of millions of some of the poorest people on earth it simply hadn’t been noticed! Two years ago now and I *still* haven’t fully exhaled that sigh of relief. Luck of the devil.
That was extremely lucky not to have lost that iPhone for good considering you were in Old Delhi which isn't known at times for the upstanding character of some who get around those parts. I agree it may have only still been there because it wasn't noticed. Gee that was lucky, munky.
Long story short, when you take cash from ATM's in Bali, it does the opposite to European and Australian ATM's. It gives you the cash first, then the card. People have a habit of walking away when they grab the cash, thinking they already have their cards, and it gets gobbled up by the machine for security. A real problem when you only have one card with you.
I didn't realize that, Nicky. Many people must have made the mistake of walking away out of habit.
Do you always carry your passport and other documents on your person whenever you are out and about? I always leave those in my hotel room and I don't even use the safe, just in a side pocket in my bag or something. Do I need to change my methods?
I personally do carry everything but it's out of habit more than anything. I think we all have our own preferred method of making sure our documents are secured.
Cheers 👍
Cheers back at ya. :)
My dad gave me a small book many years ago that has some basic Bahasa Bali words in the three different casts, with English translation. I decided just to focus on Bahasa Indonesia, especially because I couldn't tell from looking at a Balinese person, which cast they were. You can tell from their names, but if you don't know their name, which cast language to use? 😅
Oh, my book only has 3 casts. I must dig it out again. It's here somewhere 😅
I get the sense you'd be an interesting sort to sit and have a coffee/beer with, Jenny. I hope we can catch up some time.
@fiascodagama1 for sure, that would be great. I will be heading up to Ubud at some point. I'm not sure how I would contact you though?
I can't believe how common the name Wayan is.. I just found you and in just about every video I've seen so far, you speak to someone with that name.
When there are only four or five names in use they can repeat quite often it's true.
Yes Bali parents are not really creative regarding names. There are Gede, Made, Wayan, Komang und Ketut in use. And someone told me years ago the first born given the name Gede, second one Made and so on. Basically they just number their children...1 2 3 4 5
There middle name is there real name
The first name is cultural which is related to their casta hence why u hear the same names .
Ayu for example means girl
So it would be Ayu etc etc if they have casta it would dewa Ayu Etc etc dewa is on the casta or family they become the dewa family
Other casters are ida bagus ,agung,Gusti,dewa etc etc
Thanks Wayne😊
@@777-Zee ah, that explains why I’m friends with several Ayu’s 😂 Thanks for the explanation.
Hey Wayne. Interesting about the caste system in Bali.
Do you not feel safe leaving your stuff in your room or with the owners where you stay? Why not please?
Thanks
It's an old habit, ian, that stems from traveling in particularly bad areas for theft where the best option was to always have your documents and money on your person close to the skin.
I have worn a money belt overseas for years, once against pickpockets and now against forgetfulness. I fold it in half, tie it to my belt, and tuck it in my underwear so I can access it without it leaving me.
That's a pretty good way of doing it, pepelmoko.
@@fiascodagama1 I am that Dottery now, that I keep my small cash and hotel key in a small purse on a lanyard around my neck. My cell phone is on a lanyard attached to a belt. (and in my side pocket)If I fall in a river I will get tangled up and drown.😆😆
Do you recommend a place to stay in Ubud? Best of luck & be safe
Hi Leo. Places to stay are many and it depends a bit on what you need as well as your budget. I don't disclose the name of where I stay sorry. Thanks for stopping by, Leo.
@@fiascodagama1 Thanks
My husband went to pay for a bintang at a kuta bar many years ago(he has been going to Bali since the 1980s) handed the lady 3 x $100000 for one $30000 bintang, she was going to take it happily, lucky I saw what he was doing.... 😊😊😊
Getting familiar with the money is one travel tip you don't often hear people offering but many have paid a little too much early on their first trip. You were on your toes, Deb, and saved a few dollars. Nice.
Never trust them
Ten years after i got married and from then on that sinking feeling got heavier and heavier, advice for any married/relationship folk, if your partner starts on a negative quest to undermine anything you say or do, it means they are no longer into you. Its time to move on before it gets worse and depression sets in, being in a sh-t relationship is not good for ones health. Get out while you are young, start again and probably stay single is the safest route. Personal Opinion.
Staying single was my choice although I know of many successfull relationships. Some of us are just meant to wander by ourselves maybe.
Oh, that sinking feeling. I had arranged with our daughter to buy her a new car as her car was seriously unwell. We entered the car yard, arranged to buy a car, I reached into my pocket for my share, 20K and it was not there, Oh, that sinking feeling, sadness and tears, my daughter's car was not to be I thought. I retraced my steps, Nothing to be found. Then I told our daughter and she followed me in retracing my steps. I Opened the car door, nothing to be found, then as I was closing the car door, I saw something between the seat and the seat pillar, on the floor, it was the edge of my envelope, barley visible. My jacket pocket had a hole and the envelope just slid down and was hiding in a very safe place. Needless to say, we bought the car and were all relieved. You meet some wonderful interesting people.
Gee, Silvio, the thought of 20K gone from under you must have been seeing you and your daughter frantic. Glad it worked out OK. Cheers.
My credit card is now on my phone and it works In most places in Legian . The advantage is it needs a 5 number pin to get the phone open before you can use the card. I believe you can get your licence on your phone passports will be next I just need it to start my car. I do have photographs of my passport and driver's licence in that phone 🗣🗣😁
Definitely an advantage to have a pin to unlock it all, and I agree it might not be long before everything we need or use for money and ID will be reduced to a single chip
Yep left phone wallet in back seat of bluebird on way to ✈️ they delivered t✈️ in 45 mins,🙏👍
That's an antsy forty five minutes before you get on the plane. :)
im glad you paid her.. but please give to people if you use there time ,, be nice.. when i was in bali a drink woukd cost me local price a dollar in my country so i would give them 5.. or buy a couple and give them a decent price.. to be paid mindfully if you have the means
I agree some people are quite miserly when it comes to money. Not all of us are that way.
Don’t give them any extra you are not in the States
@@fiascodagama1 yay
Learning to ride a scooter in Bali is very dangerous. Ask any Indonesian if they have had a crash on a bike and 99% will say yes. Two French tourists staying in a small village with me in Aceh over 20 years ago died in a horrible accident that I didn't actually witness but the whole sorry saga I will never forget. I hold my Australian motorbike licence and do ride in Indonesia however I ride very slowly and stick to the left! Your word today when speaking to the lady about motorbikes is bahaya = dangerous
There are definitely too many stories of locals and visitors coming undone riding here. As they say, you can be the best rider/driver there is but if the other guy...Your commitment to my language development is appreciated, Daniel.
i was given tickets on the fast train to Paris ( including return ). Gave my family an updat on how I liked it and told them was I was going to do the following day. Reply from family : why are you still in Paris ? I was supposed to have been on the train going back. Has to negotiate a deal to let me on a train the following day, without paying again....no big drama, but always check the date on your tickets...😀 It only cost an extra 10% to get home.
Checking times and dates is so important - glad you got there.
Ive left my wallet before, by accident. I strike up conversations and saunter on, only to realise, holy moly! It was there waiting for me on the counter, untouched. They all laughed. I'm in Sanur, and have never had an issue with theft 🙏🏻 A lying, cheating Balinese ex-husband yes, but wallet ok 😅 I'm on my own here for the next 5 weeks and loving it 💃 Anyone interested in buying my pink motorbike? 😁
Sorry to hear about your scoundrel. If I bump into someone looking for a pink scooter I'll let you know. :)
@fiascodagama1 thanks. It's a motorbike. I would keep it if I could ride, but I won't ride on the roads here, too scary.
It’s not ADHD, we’re just getting old, mate. I did the same thing with a backpack about 13 years ago in the Solomon Islands. Luckily a mate picked it up after I left the bar …
Yeah, I guess we have to making excuses at some point. :) Always good to have someone looking out for you after a few drinks.
Yes it really did cause a lot of stress. And put a dampener on the holiday
Always had my passport and important things in my money belt!
I don't like to have it off my person either, Bruce.
Not the first time any travellers made a mistake! As long as it didn’t make it a bigger problems!
These things can escalate sometimes, can't they?
I lost my wallet getting out of a taxi in Kuta earlier this year. I wasn't as fortunate as you were. I lost everything and all access to cash
Sorry to hear that, Paul. That must have caused a pretty big headache.
Haha… we just returned from there last month… And indeed, the money changer tried to rip off 1 million rupiah out of a 3 million exchange, but I caught him cause I know the deal… And I just gave him the death stare so he gave it back…
Yeah, unfortunately there's still a few dodgy money exchange guys around - glad you picked up on it.
I don’t use a money belt , that’s what hotel safes are for
Hotel safes are definitely a good option, Peter.
Hotel safes are a false sence of security, cheap and not secure, please do some research, go ask a locksmith near you.
@@allangee9815correct hotel safes are not safe
If you ride in Bali you need an International Licence , I got a fine even though i have a motorcycle license.
Sometimes a little "tea money" is needed regardless it's true.
To be honest I think he was legitimate , but he kept the money lol😂
Why do u always wearing same shirt?
So if I have to use footage from another day to fill a video it doesn't look different. David Attenborough has been wearing the same clothes for sixty or seventy years for continuity. :)
@fiascodagama1 I see
Hi Wayne- do you live more in Bali than in Australia?😊
H Cquin. yes, at present I do. And I hope to continue to do so for some time.
Lucky.
Indeed. :)
𝗞𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻 👍
Cheers.
(Long post, sorry about that. You have a lot of comments to read from a lot of viewers and I don't mean to write too much)
Recently I was going back into an apartment and I got distracted by something. Later on that day I was about to leave again and I couldn't find the keys to the apartment.
I looked everywhere but the keys weren't inside the apartment.
Then I thought to check and open the door. There were the keys, still in the keyhole of the door. They had been there for hours.
Never had I ever forgotten the keys to an apartment and left them just hanging outside of the door still in the keyhole.
I was honestly kind of disgusted with myself that that happened because of my carelessness, and I just could not accept the possibility of that happening again, so I resorted to a foolproof option. I simply got a drawstring that was attached to my pants and also to a clip with the keys on the other end. So, that way it was impossible for me to forget and leave the keys hanging in the door and walk away, because if I did my pants would also be attached 😂.
I love that term, "Foolproof", and foolproof ways can sometimes be the only way for me to not be a fool sometimes, haha.
█ (Skip here if it's too much to read all that) █
Maybe if you get some kind of drawstring to clip and attach your money belt to your belt loop or something like that, it could prevent that from ever happening again and you will never lose money.
Great show, keep up the good work please. It's great to see Bali through your eyes. All the best, take care.
That's a very simple and clever way of warding against losing your keys, Obertay.
you know what if you talk to people and they take the time,, i think you should pay them even 50 thousand in bali rupee.. you may be walking around talking at your leasure.. be nice to pay them
I do mostly. Please remember you only see things when the camera is turned on.
Your comment history is really dire, virgo. I hope you find reasons to be happy soon.
Pay them nothing
wow beautiful gme you are@@peterpoulter1420
@@dummekunst7708 me too.. think i did.. thankyou