Time Difference

Internationally, Indonesia is +7GMT. That is if you follow the time in Jakarta.

In Bali, it’s +8GMT. That is if you follow the time in China.

A couple came to Bali. The husband goes to Jakarta for business all the time. So they assumed Bali is the same as Jakarta.

They were here for 5 days. First 3 days, they wondered why the hotel morning called them at 6am for breakfast (breakfast time at 7am). And then one day, they booked a shuttle bus to go to Kuta in the afternoon.

They missed it for obvious reason…

It took them 3 days to realize that they were 1 hour behind. It was not bad though, it just meant that they enjoyed themselves so much they forgot about the time.

They hired me the last 2 days they were here, and the wife said they were never late for any of their appointment.

Of course, I also didn’t forget to tease them, “Except????”

So, please note that Indonesia is very big. It has 2 time zones. Bali is +8GMT, not +7Gmt like Jakarta ^_^

Price hike

Starting from today, the government has just risen up the price of the petrol about 30%. It was 4.500 Rupiah per liter, now it is 6.000 Rupiah per liter. It will effect to the entire substantial thing in Indonesia.

I have to tell all of my customers that booked already in few months about this problem because I’m still charging them base on the price of the old petrol price. Hopefully they can understand if I need to rise a little bit of my fee.

The American's cow

My parents are farmers. We have a farm just behind the house. We are planting mandarin orange now.

To work the land, we need help. So we loan a cow from a neighbor with condition to agree upon – we get 70% of the profit, and the owner of the cow gets 30%. It’s just how this community works. By helping each other, all of us benefit from it.

Anyway, my parents can’t afford to buy a full size cow. It is at least 2.5 million Rupiah for a calf.

Last year, I had an American customer. He asked me about my family and I told him how we are like.

And then he told me he wants to visit my parents. I don’t see why not, so I said ok.

My parents never stop me from bringing my customers home. All I need to do is to just inform them we have guests coming over.

He came and looked around and spotted the cow. When he learned that the cow is not ours, he found it amusing. So I told him the problem.

“I have a deal with you.” He said, “I’ll loan you some money to buy a cow. No interest. You pay me back when I come back next year.”

The bottom line is he wants us to enjoy 100% of the profit.

I took his offer, that’s why we have 2 cows.

The big dark brown one belongs to my neighbor, and the small yellow one belongs to the American.

This fellow is one of the 4 reserves for special occasion.

The idea of Titaku

I’ve been driving for 3 years. I can tell you that when I first started, I work very hard. I can work everyday non-stop! Today, I might tell you otherwise. Therefore, I like customers who are like friends, who can talk, joke, and laugh together. Most of all, I appreciate them who also appreciates Bali.

I stand by in front of Warsa Bungalows in Monkey Forest road, Ubud. When looking for customers, all I can do is to talk to people. Business had been slow for me since January. Most of my friend has been driving people around but I have nothing. I'm working for someone, and if there's no income for him, it means no income for me too! It was miserable because I need money to buy materials to fix the roof of my home in Kintamani.

And then they called me.

Alvin & YY from Malaysia.
I took this photo with Alvin's camera.

We spent 4 days together. 4 days of fun, talking, joking and laughing. I like to see them enjoying themselves and I like to play with Alvin’s camera.

They said I have good potential to become a good photographer. They also warned me if I get hooked up with photography, there will be no turning back. So, I'm giving it a pause, for now.

I have a camera a customer gave me. It’s a good Canon camera. I wish I have more chance to use it.

“Why don’t you start a blog?” Alvin asked me, “We can help you.”

So I started thinking, maybe it’s a good idea.

I got a call from France, a former customer scolded me for not replying his friend’s email. I am happy that my customers recommended me; I am also sad because I can’t accommodate so many at the same time. I have to check email everyday so I can do necessary arrangement.

I’ve been working non-stop everyday since Alvin and YY left. I think they are my lucky charm. If only I can send them to airport. They are like my abang and kakak. I am grateful that Pak Tony recommended me to them, and I can’t thank them enough to help me start this blog.

I hope this will help me more to fulfill my dream. I also like to travel to see the world, and take some nice photo like abang did. I will try to update this blog on weekly basis, hopefully the wartel don’t raise their fee anytime soon.

*Andrea, I'm sorry your comment is not shown. I accidentally deleted the post. Very very sorry.

More work!

I'm just so tired from work. Some of my customer stayed in Nusa Dua and I have to drive down and take them around and back to Ubud so late. But I like it. I just need a time to take a rest. I just checked my email and got a message that someone requires my service next week!

They will be around for 4 nights. I checked my schedule and arranging 2 days for them, so they also have time to just be relaxed. I'm waiting of them to call and confirmed.

YY just sent me an email to say that its Wesak holiday tomorrow and she will be taking a day trip somewhere. I wonder what it’s like ^_^

Nyepi

Nyepi is the Balinese New Year. It is falling on the 1^st day of 10^th month of Sasih calendar. Usually falls on March or April of international calendar.

It is a day of silence and self reflection. All offices and schools are closed. Everyone will stay home for 24 hours, discourage all kind of activities involve electricity. In some villages, they even shut down the power of the entire village.

We should also fast for the day, but some of us don't practice it. It’s too difficult when hunger strike!

In some villages, they even shut down the power of the entire village.

Probably this is the only day which the entire island is quiet. Even in the south.

Bali has 2 types of calendar system.

Sasih is lunar calendar, based on the time taken by the moon to rotate around the earth. 12 cycles equals 1 year for Sasih.

Wuku is calendar base on week. There are 30 weeks in one cycle (Balinese: Oton). 2 oton equals one year. 1 oton has 210 days. So there is 420 day a year.

Balinese calendar system is used for religious purposes like to know auspicious days for farming, temple ceremonies, birthday ceremonies, and other religious and non-religious activities.

Welcome to Bali!
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