Seeing a few more Aussies in Bali

Ask anyone with access to the tourist arrival figures and they’ll tell you Bali’s recovery (or whatever you feel comfortable calling it), is taking its time, numbers are not where we want them. I tell you though, I see tourists, including Aussies all over town, especially Seminyak.

Just tonight, I could not make my mind up what to eat. It was one of those times when I was not hungry, its already 8pm, and I knew I should eat something. I’ve eaten so much Indo food lately, its coming out of my ears, and I didn’t want to pay 45,000rp for ravioli. So I went down Jl. Dhyana Pura to Komangi, the Indo restaurant across from Warung 96 in Seminyak.

Virtually every time I’ve been to Komangi, its either empty, or there are 2 other customers. Tonight there were groups of people in the front area sitting outside and more inside! About 10 other people. Warung 96 had customers as well as other places. Its not all gloom at all, and if you don’t believe me, jump on a motorbike and cruise around Kuta, Legian, Seminyak in the evening. People are out and some places are doing a trade.

My chicken satay with rice, came with a rich peanut sauce. With a watermelon juice the price was 26,000rp (US$2.85). If you are staying in Seminyak, Komangi does an excellent soto ayam (chicken soup). If you want to compare the ‘tourist satay’ which I just ate, to the ‘real deal’, just go over the road from Bintang supermarket in the evening. Walk down the street about 40 meters and you will see a cart with smoke pouring out. That’s the satay stand, selling 10 sticks in spicy hot peanut sauce, with lontong (compacted rice, rolled into a log and sliced), for 5,000rp. Its good stuff, but you might have to wait, as locals are on this place, like flies on a durian.