Thread: The Bali Paradox

OK Roy,will do.
Actually, my first visit to Bali was in 1967, as a visitor. I came to Indonesia to work in late 1974, and was resident in the country until late 1980. My area was East Java and Eastern Indonesia, and I lived an worked in Bali for just over a year, 1976 to 1977. I was based in Surabaya for most of that time, but, course, with frequent visits to Bali on the public holidays etc.

I was young, foolish and impressionable then. Now I am a bit older, probably more foolish, and even more impressionable.

There were several "characters" living in Bali, one of whom was "Captain Jack", and american pilot who used to fly an old beat up DC7 between Bali and Kupang. Victor may be acquainted with him. He used to take anything on the plane, passengers, cargo, live chickens etc, and he was quite well known on local scene in Kuta. Our local watering hole was known as "The Pub", which used to be right on the corner of Poppies Lane, at the cross roads. I used to live in Sanur, in a bungalow complex across the road from the Tanjung Sari, and owned by the Hotel. Captain Jack, and a colleague of mine visiting from Jakarta were sleeping off the effects of a pleasant night in the spare room, and a reasonably severe eartrhquake visited us. I noticed it first when the chain suspended lights started swinging. At first, I blamed it on too much Bintang, but when the floor and walls started moving, everybody ran outside. The thing was, my colleague from Jakarta weighed about 18 Stone, and was "minimally" dressed. It so happened that there were three beautiful french air hostessess who were taking their ease by the swimming pool. One of the best conversation starters you could wish for.

Captain Jack, as I recall, was one of those notorious members of "Air America." There is another, of whom I will not say the name, or where on earth he has built his own paradise.

Nuri's on a Thursday night...like right now...would indeed open up a lot of doors into Bali expatriate history.

As Mats writes:

eccentricity seems to be a pre-requisite for long-term expats!

Totally true my dear, totally true!

Nope, ma'af Mats, but Nuri's is not my Pura. At best, these days, I am there once a month, if that.

I'm a "home body" with my work, and my family. Sure, I love a Thursday night at Nuri's...who woudn't, but for me now, it ain't my "regular" thing.

Not to worry about Bert, or his wife Dewi. They know very well that the doors into my house are always open to them, and they've both been to Nuri's as well.

Sure, if it's "meant to be" then yes, it would a very fun time, I think, if we all were to get together....anywhere, so long as it's Bali. :D