Kuta Beach in January 2007

This morning on Kuta Beach, the sun was shining and the tourists who were around, there enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. Down at the bottom end of Kuta Beach, between the pasar seni (art market) and Jl. Pantai Kuta, is a shady walkway, that is popular with older tourists. I spotted an Aussie flag strung up on a tree, at one drink stand. The chairs were empty, apart from the staff, patiently waiting for thirsty customers. Just a few hundred meters north, around the bend on Kuta Beach, dozens of surfers were making the most of the small waves that trickled in. Massage ladies sat well wrapped up in sarongs, long sleeves and hats, under tall palm trees. “You want massage, you want massage, just 50,000rp for 1 hour I give to you.”

Local fishing boats are moored just south of this area and can take you for a snorkel (just make sure the owner realizes he has to bring you back) or out to Kuta Reef. Even though I live in Bali, it always feels like a mirage, when I walk from busy Kartika Plaza, through to the beach and see the tall palm, white sand and blue water.