Bourne Again - 2/12/2015

On returning to my homestay in Ubud it quickly became apparent that I had managed to lose my Blood testing kit somewhere on the way back from Gili. The last time I remembered testing was on the fast boat on the way back to Bali but in all honesty it could of fallen out of my bag there, in the Taksi back to Ubud or in the carnage and hustle that lay between, each as likely as the other and each giving me very little chance of finding it again. Knowing that this is the one bit of equipment I can ill do without I brought along a spare that uses the same testing strips and a finger pricking pen that uses the same, er, pricks. A short walk and a couple of fresh batteries later and I was able to get my blood level checked and put myself back on the straight and narrow. It's a bit frustrating however that in the last few days I have managed to break or mislay not only this, but my primary phone and my Manfrotto Pixi tripod. However, I know it could be worse so we just carry on and I will try and source more back up gear when I get to the next big city. I did try to get my phone repaired or replaced here but the costs are just as high, if not higher than the UK for a new one and a repair could take 30 days or so, the luxury of which I don't have.

Back in town the following day I decided to sit down and have a brew in the Coco Bistro on the Main street. A tasteful bar serving teas, coffees, health drinks and tonics as well as a good selection of food. As is becoming the norm now I started off with a drink to give me a chance to check my levels to decide whether to eat or not, what isn't the norm though is that for some reason I blurted out the words "Could I try the Detox Tonic Please?" instead of the expected "Could I have an Ice Tea?", ordering a mixture of ginger, mint and lemon all thrown together in something that resembled a jar of garden pond with a discarded saucy stick in it, making it much more appealing. After I had scrutinised it closely and throughly to make sure there was no sign of either frog spawn or pond skaters in the mix I cautiously gave it a taste, and it thankfully tasted a lot better than it looked. Still I wasn't brave enough to try another just incase this one came with a discarded shopping trolley or empty fag packet in it. The next time I ordered, I said the words right this time....

Klaatu Barradda Nikto....

Oh, and a smoked salmon wrap please.

A little while later, just as I was starting to delve into my lunchtime platter I saw one of the waitresses walk by and then, out of the corner of my eye, stop, walk back and come over. "Hello Again" she said with the kind of self assuredness that only a professional hustler or a genuinely sincere person would ever have. "Welcome back, how are you doing?" she carried on.
"I'm fine thanth , how are you" I tried to mutter back with a mouthful of salmon.
"Oh I'm good, we haven't seen you for a while, how is your food? is everything ok?"
"Foo ith gooth" I carried on "Reaay gooth"
"Ok" she smiled, "Well welcome back and enjoy".
"Thanth" I managed in almost perfect slob speak, before managing to get rid of my food down my throat and get round to taking a much needed sip of water.

The food was delicious it has to be said, but thats nothing new in Ubud. What was new was that this was the first time that I had opted for something a little more western in style and taste, and again the flavours and quality didn't disappoint. The Salmon wrap was delicious, the accompanying salad was fresh and crisp and the portion of fries tasted perfect when dipped in the portion of delicious ketchup with which they were accompanied. Almost as soon as I was finished my plate was cleared away and the friendly waitress then brought me over a plate with sealed, fresh tooth picks on it, just before anther waitress tried to do bring over the same. "I guess thats what I always have" I thought, and played "the yellow rose of Texas" on the teethaphone with no success.

Fully plucked, I asked to pay and again the same waitress came over to bring me my bill.

"How long are you here for this time" She asked?
"Oh, Just a few days" I replied, looking her straight in the eye trying to work her out.
"3 more days, but hopefully I'll get back again soon"...

"Oh...Ok" she said as she took away my payment, "Enjoy the rest of your stay and hopefully we'll see you again next time?" she enquired.

"Hopefully" I replied, still not knowing who she bloody was.

I've never been there before in my life*

*not that I know of.............