Kuta Beach for newcomers

Kuta Beach is a crash course in how to deal with locals and bargaining. Today I took my freinds form Oregon, to the section of Kuta Beach, directly across from Poppies II. Kuta Beach can leave people with varying impressions and I was a bit nervous, knowing the vendors can descend like mozzies on a bare bottom. Sitting under a tree, next to a drink vendor (Niki), we were provided with chairs and were immediatley swamped by vendors, selling temporary tattoes, bow and arrows, massage, nail cleaning and other goods and services. Nobody panicked and after 15 minures most of them drfited off, realising we weren’t buying.

Today was great as far a beach day, but not so good for serious surfing. There is no swell right now and the only people catching waves were learners and a few locals, who were content with the ripple in front of McDonalds on Kuta Beach. One guy came along selling kids toys, including a frog like puppet, that spat out a rolled up tongue and made a sqeak. Maya indicated she wanted it, Toby indicated he did not. I told the vendor ‘tidak mau’ (don’t want), but his rebuttle was that the kid wanted it. Very annoying to be a parent in some instances. Funny thing was, when Maya and Asia went to the waters edge to paddle, the same guy tried to sell toys, to us 3 guys. Banging a square peg through a round hole” I said. Still, people were good vibes and Kuta Beach was not a bad place to be this morning.