A Sunset Fascination: Kuta, Bali

So many travellers I have talked to in Indonesia over the years have raved about the beautiful sunsets to be seen throughout the 1,376 islands that constitute the archipelago.

I have seen a fair share myself of the sun being sucked up by the edge of the world upon my travels. But, it seems that the favourite in the tropics is that of Kuta. The infamous sunset epitomises Bali and the exotic.

I recall a time last year when a walk down to the beach provided more surprises than I bargained for:

It was one of those afternoons where you find yourself at a lose end and rather than chill-out at the homestay, I went to see an old friend, Inne Widiyanto. He made his living by selling watches on the beach to the multitude of tourists that flock there in the late afternoon. Inne once told me that this is the best time to, as he said, "Make big bucks" because all the westerners are relaxing in the cool near the sea and are generally more open to negotiations.

When I reached the beach at the end of Jalan Pantai Kuta, one of the roads that lead directly to the beach, I looked around for Inne. He was nowhere to be seen but there were plenty of tourists enjoying the beach and the cool air after the heat of the day.

I am a victim when it comes to sunsets!. Generally I find a good position, get out the digital camera, fiddle with the settings and, try to look nonchalant. Within minutes, hawkers descend upon your prime space of sand trying to sell you whatever is in their hands or bags. A polite refusal, more often than not, indicates to them that their presence is required for a conversation.

As the beach space filled, I scanned the area for Inne hoping he would be my saviour and rout the group who had invaded my prime space of beach real estate. The Gods obviously weren't in a mood to smile on me and so I was left with my new found 'family' of friends which I didn't mind. However they did have a habit of moving in front of the lens just as I'm taking a shot.

The unwritten scenario with watching sunsets is a simple one. Direct across the road is a McDonalds restaurant. Once the sun departs for the night, then it's a mass exodus to junk-food heaven. There is even a life-size statue of Ronald himself inviting you in to enjoy a, dare I write it, meal. Never being one to consume junk-food, I thought 'why not' and after the sun disappeared splendidly into the ink-blue ocean, I crossed the road along with the rest of the beach.

There is a saying - 'Once bitten, twice shy'. Oh, and Ronald, you have a supercilious smile!.