Bali Bus Adventure

Sunday the first day of the week began with workers preparing the road outside our house for the cement pavers that were delivered the previous evening. There are no day or time restrictions on construction here.  They just start and finish when the team leader decides.  Praise the Lord we were out most of the day.  When we returned around 3pm the asphalt was down and being smoothed out in preparation for the pavers.  The work started just in front of our driveway but permitted us access to get out.  They were still working late into the night preventing me going to bed early.  Around 9:30pm the noisy compactor machine was going over the finished pavers! Thank God it didn’t last long, even so I couldn’t sleep till well after 11pm.  Waking around 4am I read my daily devotionals, having a quiet time with the Lord before the day began. I then tried to sleep again and was able to get another hour or so before waking again.

Backtracking to Sunday, it was a busy day at church with lots of newcomers: some locals, a couple from the States, a young family from Darwin and an English man with his five year old son who had never stepped foot inside a church before.  He had lived in Bali for ten years.  I could see that he was interested in all that was happening and was nodding in agreement as Pastor Gayle preached.  It was a great sermon continuing on from the previous week’s message on the old and new wine skins from Matthew 9. This week Gayle emphasised filling the new wine skins and leaving our old way of life behind and making room for the Holy Spirit to conform us to the image of Christ.  She finished with prayer for those wanting change and for healing so I too went up.  Over the following days I could really feel the difference.  This time I’m praying it will be a permanent healing.  Amen thank you Jesus.

I sat at the back of the room as I find the music a bit loud, vibrating the tinnitus causing more irritation and ringing in my ears.  On one side of me sat my gardening buddy, Ibu Rosa and on the other my new buddy Oma.  I felt very welcomed and accepted by many.  After the service we had time to chat to the newcomers and fellow members before heading for some lunch with Damon, one of the pastors, his wife and family.  We tried out a new place which was really nice and quite close.  The major problem was parking!  The streets are not made for parking and if the shop doesn’t provide space in front then it can be hard to find a park  Fortunately on Sundays some shops are closed so we can use their parking space or just park in front of them.

Another stop at a supermarket en route home to stock up on a few things and to buy some ingredients and a long bread roll for the Vietnamese Banh Mi.  At home we realised we still didn’t have some of the sauces we needed, so I made up something from a variety of ingredients we had.  It surprised me that they turned out to be quite similar in taste to what we wanted.  The pork belly was roasted in the air-fryer, carrots marinating in our new sauce and salad ready to be added to the bread roll which was divided into three then made crunchie in the air-fryer.  Yum!

Monday, I tried again to download the Teman local bus app from Apple store, this time using a VPN showing I was in Indonesia.  It still wouldn’t allow it, stating the app is not available in my region!  I’d thought I could bypass the restrictions by showing I had an Indonesian URL.  I don’t know any other way to try and get around it!

As we didn’t plan to go out, I decided it was a good day to cook, using up some of the vegies we had bought at the market, plus frying up some of the chicken also bought there.  Joshua wanted crumbed chicken, I wanted plain and Gayle wanted herbs no crumbs. All were done in the air-fryer while I stir fried broccoli, onions and heaps of garlic with oyster sauce and a carrot dish without all the FODMAP foods.  I also made some chia seed and coconut milk dessert.  That evening I planted the coriander roots and seeds from the fruits we bought at the market.  I do hope some will come up. I thought these could be kept and planted on the new land which the church is believing in prayer to buy and build on.

That evening Gayle and I had hoped to do some more market shopping but we were unable to take the car due to the road being resurfaced. So instead we walked to the main road, where we hoped to buy durian.  En route we took a short cut through Gosha coffee shop which I hadn’t known was there.  Passing through we took a look at what was on display then returned shortly after when we realised the durian ute wasn’t there.  It was nice just to sit and chat over an ice cream for me and a coffee and cake for Gayle.

Tuesday we were all out early, Gayle off to the bank and to the tax office to retrieve her tax file number which she needed to collect some goods ordered by a friend. This whole process has been very difficult as Gayle thought she had misplaced the number when she had packed up to go to Australia after her husband had passed away. Having looked in all the obvious places and online, in the end she had to go in person to the tax office. The first place she went to wasn’t correct, she was directed to another which fortunately was just around the corner. It was then she was told the old one had expired and she needed a new one.  Praise the Lord for His provision.

Meanwhile, I had taken another motorbike taxi to the Home of Hope where I was going to go with the teachers and some of the Compassion students from 11 – 15yrs to Rangkung swimming pool.  Once again we clambered onto the Arms of Love bus and another smaller van, taking lunch and more rujak with us.  It took about half an hour to reach our destination.  The team set up large beanbags, of many colours, to sit on. Praise and worship followed with games, lunch and a swim. This time I came prepared with sunblock. I wasn’t going to go in but when one of the girls asked me to show her how to swim, I changed my mind.  It was nice in the water although I didn’t stay there long. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I wandered around and took photos of unusual flowers. One had attracted a very large butterfly. Coming home I had hoped to buy some durian but it seemed the price was similar to the guy at the end of our street so I decided to wait.  I still needed to take the motorbike taxi back and carrying a very spiny fruit might be a little uncomfortable.

I arrived back just before Gayle and Joshua went out. I walked to the durian man’s van and brought one home to share with Gayle before she left. Just before leaving Joshua asked if I knew I had a very large gecko in my room. It was around 22cm! Eeeekkkk!  I was horrified!  I didn’t know the regular household gecko grew so big!  Usually they are cute little things that run around the house eating insects.  I thought it might have come through the door which I left open all day or the open windows at night.  I sent out a prayer request for its removal and received some unsympathetic replies. They hadn’t seen the size of it!  Gayle wasn’t very sympathetic either saying it was something interesting I could include in my next blog.  Thanks Gayle.  The following day Joshua told me he had had a similar one in his room, it didn’t make any noise and just wandered around giving him a fright every time he saw it.  After a while he became accustomed to it being there.   I had a feeling it wandered from his room to mine!  Despite the extra company I had a quiet evening. I’m sure it was due to all the prayers, that I had peace about going to bed that night, I just trusted the Lord to keep it away from me.  It was under my bed at that stage!  Who knows it may have been living in my room for some time and I just hadn’t seen it.  My theory is what you don’t know doesn’t frighten you but now that I do know I’ll pretend I didn’t know

Early Wednesday, it wasn’t the gecko’s presence that disturbed my sleep.  I woke at 3am, I knew it was three as the night-watchman chimed out the hour.  I knew I wouldn’t sleep for a while so I had a quiet time with the Lord and read my devotional emails. I then slept around 5am and woke at 7:30am which surprised not only me but the rest of the household. I was going to get a lift with Gayle as she went out for a meeting but decided I didn’t need to renew my mobile data till Friday.  Later when I checked the telecom app it said my data would expire today at midnight but my number won’t expire till the 23^rd of June!  I thought I’d bought a 30day plan!  So what is going on?  This system is very complicated!  I had tried previously to top up with my debit card which I’m able to use on most supermarket charges but they wouldn’t take my card for data top up, only a local bank card or a local money app.

Later Wednesday morning, after Gayle left, I did a few things around the house till Joshua had completed his study assignment and needed a break.  We then walked to Gosha coffee shop where he continued on his computer over a coffee.  From here we walked to another little shop hoping they would be able to give me the mobile plan I wanted.  I only needed 9GB for 30 days as I am only using mobile data when I’m out and needing to order a ride home or to message someone. I was unable to top up as they could only put on more than I wanted.  I decided to wait and try again at the official Telkomsel store; surely they could do it.  As we walked back to the house we picked up some spicy egg, veg and rice for lunch.

When Gayle returned in the evening we went out for another grocery shop, where I found a pair of secateurs and some coriander seeds for the garden.  This local supermarket also has a food hall with delicious soursop smoothie.  Again we tried to get more data on my phone at another phone shop but to no avail. On checking my app one more time I noticed four of the data packets were going to expire but one still had 4GB on it till the 30^th of June!  Praise the Lord I had more time.

Thursday, was another busy day.  Gayle had a meeting with the Compassion team so I went with her and took a walk around Kuta for a couple of hours.  I wanted to see the memorial at Ground Zero for the Bali bombing and Kuta Beach.  Gayle had suggested a coffee shop to try out but unfortunately it was under renovation. I walked to the end of that street then down towards the ocean. It was a very hot walk and although I brought my long sleeved top I regretted not bringing my hat.  By the time I reached the beach I was pooped!  I found a shady, free spot to sit beside a lifeguard.  I say free as the chairs and umbrellas were all for hire.  While sipping on my iced coffee, brought from home, I chatted to one of the lifeguards.  Gayle later informed me that the Aussie lifeguards had come to train the Bali’s team.  That’s why they looked so familiar in their red and yellow swimwear and the familiar red and yellow beach flags.  I walked back along the beach towards the road that led back to the Presbyterian Church where the meeting was.  I missed the road which looked like another small laneway and took a shortcut through a ritzy hotel stopping to use their toilet. Then out the back to more small laneways back to the main lane.  It’s always interesting to get off the beaten track to see what’s in the lanes behind the main thoroughfare.

En route back I passed a mobile data shop and decided to give it a go knowing their English would be better here in the tourist belt.  The sales man was very obliging helping me add more data and yes, I still had to pay the extra 3,000 Rupiah ($0.30 AU) but that’s just the way it’s done here.  He also told me the 4GB from the old plan would expire on the 30^th June and I’d still have the 9GB till 20^th which was after my departure.  I was delighted.  Arriving back at the church I was just in time for lunch, an Indonesian rice and spicy condiments.  The Lord is so gracious.

As we returned home we stopped off to see the progress at the church, Joshua was here helping out with the painting, then another stop at the markets to stock up on more bananas, papaya and jackfruit.  Our last stop, you guessed it! The durian van.  I bought, what I thought was a good fruit but when we opened it over half was spoilt by a burrowing bug!  Joshua and I took it back and the fellow kindly replaced it with another. Joshua then went out to look at a base guitar he had seen as a private sale, we didn’t realise he hadn’t taken his house keys.  Both Gayle and I had gone to bed early after our exhausting day but were woken by Joshua who came home just after I’d dozed off.  He had some exciting news to tell us.  The guy who was selling the guitar was an Indonesian Christian.  After much discussion around ministry and a bit on the guitar he wanted to give Joshua a cheaper price.  The guitar was really good quality and well-kept and within Joshua’s price range so of course he bought it.  What a beautiful testimony of God’s grace and favour.  I slept well after that.

Friday was to be a day of bus adventure but first a coffee at the Gosha café.  Gayle had lent me her bus pass but said seniors should be able to ride free.  She was right but on the first leg of my journey the bus driver didn’t know what I was inquiring about.  Two stops later I arrived at the terminal where I had to change bus. Actually it was the same bus but after the bus had a bit of a clean.  While waiting I chatted to one of the bus personnel who monitored the comings and goings of the buses.  He wanted to practice his English.  I asked him who can ride for free and was told, through google interpreter; toddlers, disabled and elderly.  I explained seniors was a better word for elderly and yes I was eligible but needed to show my ID.  I had brought my drivers licence for such an occasion so the remainder of my travels was free.  The bus took me right to Sanur Beach where I jumped off noting the bus stop for my return journey then wandered along the tourist strip and back past the restaurant where Ririn, Mariati and I had eaten lunch nearly a month earlier.  While waiting for a return bus I had to stop four before mine finally arrived.  I’m glad I stopped and asked every one as I thought I was told bus 3T but in fact it was 3B.  Understandably ‘T’ and ‘B’ sound very similar especially with an Indonesian accent.  LOL  En route home, Gayle called on WhatsApp saying she had forgotten to give me or leave me a key.  Unfortunately as we were talking the bus sailed right past my stop and I only realised when we reached the Tiara shopping centre. I decided to get myself a soursop drink and a takeaway meal before returning.  It was only after I had ordered that Gayle contacted me saying that one of the church members was bringing me the house key, I was to wait at Gosha café where I’d had my morning coffee.  It was too late to cancel my order so I waited and missed two buses as the hawker had another order to fill before cooking mine.  By the time I got to the bus stop it was another 10minute wait. Praise the Lord my courier hadn’t had to wait long before I arrived.  Then a short walk home to relax.  Now knowing how to catch the buses I felt much more liberated for although they took longer to get places, I now knew what was on their route and how to get to the beach if ever I felt the need.  Plus it was free.  Thank you Jesus.

Surprisingly the bus had been empty most of the way there and back.  It stopped or was supposed to stop at every bus stop whether or not someone was there or not. I was disappointed it didn’t stop more frequently as it seemed that most stops were about a kilometre or more apart, making walking between stops hot.  The buses are all air conditioned and very new and clean. I now knew what was along the route so I could alight where needed to explore further. In the future I would like to try changing buses so that I could go to the local market too.

Saturday by 11am I was back at the Gosha café where I ordered another cappuccino and this time a brownie which was more like a stodgy chocolate cake. I’ve noticed here a cappuccino doesn’t have chocolate on the top and is very similar to their latte. Still the coffee is on a June proms for 20,000 Rp ($2.00) usually 28,000 Rp.  It’s a good brew so I’m not complaining.  I sat enjoying the air conditioning before venturing out into the heat.  Taking my life into my own hands I dodged the cars and motorbikes to cross the road, taking a look at Mitre10 before waiting for the next bus  Two had just gone past, one right behind the other, while I was trying to get to the bus stop.  I did a spot of shopping at the Tiara Shopping Centre, bought another soursop juice and a snack before heading back, this time three buses, one behind the other passed me before I could reach the stop!  So annoying as I then had to wait in the heat for another 10mins before the next one!  I reached the house just before Gayle and Joshua headed out to meet Gayle’s niece and a visiting pastor and his wife from Melbourne. I made a bit of lunch from leftovers that needed using up before veg’ing out watching a bit of Netflix. I was going to go by bus to the market but it was just too hot and I wasn’t in the mood. Instead I filed back two doors which were sticking and fixed the flush on the upstairs toilet. I was in bed asleep before Gayle and Joshua returned home.

Photos:  1. Pagoda flower (Clerodendrum paniculatum    2. Church at Peak Restaurant    3. Supermarket    4. Rangkung Swimming Pool    5. Lunch time at the pool    6. Gosha coffee    7. Kuta Beach    8. Lifeguard    9. Kuta Beach tourist stretch    10. Empty bus    11. Takeaway lunch

Prayer & Praise Points:

Praise the Lord for another amazing week here in Bali. For His divine health, guidance, provision, protection and love.

Praise Him for the work being done on the new building renovations and the prospects of moving in next week.

I thank God for all my new adventures this week and the prospects of more in the coming weeks.

Please pray with me for Joshua as he applies for his Indonesian citizenship. That he will have all the papers and information to complete the requirements and that there will be no problems or delays.

Please continue to pray that I have opportunities to share His love with others.

Please pray with me as I seek the Lord for His timing to visit Lombok.  I have been offered accommodation there and plan to stay 5 to 7 days sometime early July.

Please continue to pray for Jen as she heads off to Work Away in Spain. Pray she will remain safe and well during her adventures and travels in Europe and the UK.

Continue to pray for world peace and for the refugees who are caught up in the suffering this war has caused, both in Ukraine and Russia.

Please continue to keep my sisters, Tricia, Jen and Kat, in your prayers.  Pray that they will come to know the love of Jesus.