To Wherever The Wind Blows...

Long time since the last post... My idea was to use this blog to keep Cathal's and my family and friends updated of was happening in our trip. But nothing happened the way we expected and now I'm back to tell you everything..
It was a long journey from the UAE to Indonesia. We travelled through the night from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur and after to Bali, Indonesia later that day. It was great to finally arrive on the other side of the world. When we got off the plane we had our fingers crossed that all our bags were there this time. As we got our bags this boy came in our direction, friendly and gentle, he offered to help us and bring the trolley outside.. I was thinking: "Jasus, these people are very nice!" .. I was so tired after the long flight, any help it was welcome! Outside, looking for a bus, the same boy introduced us to some taxi drivers.. Tired, carrying all those bags, it was dark and raining, to get a taxi wasn't a bad idea at all. But the boy that helped before was following us everywhere trying to get some money and he worked for the airport..And we negotiated the price with the taxi drivers, our way from the airport to Legian Street, Kuta, would cost 10 dollars. We thought it was a good price, but you can get it for much cheaper!
The traffic was caotic, motorbikes looking like towers, with 3 or 4 people on the top; cars coming and going everywhere, any direction.. Tanaya Bed & Breakfast is the place we stayed for the first two nights, until we decide where to go next. The B & B was simple but clean, nice breakfast and internet included. Good for couples and friends who is looking for a busy nightlife. All the clubs and restaurants are on this street. The people there try to sell you a everything.. In 10min walk you have about 50 people saying: "Motorbike? Mushrooms? Marijuana? Viagra? Massage? T-shirt? Tip tip! (cheap cheap!)" Or someone stopping you and saying: "What's your name? You are a very lucky person..." and just God knows what is coming after that..I didn't stay there to hear..
Kuta it's not what we were looking for, very touristy place, noisy and all these people...Even on the beach.. You have no peace! It can be annoying sometimes.. They sit around you, start touching you and never, but I mean NEVER say you gonna buy or do something Later... If you say that, they will be there later, waiting for you..and if you leave, they will follow you! But I must say it's a good place to arrive, worth the experience...We had some decent dinners and drinks for really good prices! Everytime we travelled, Cathal likes to try the local beer.. Bintang was the choice, the only one they have, I think. Light and cold, goes well on a sunny and hot day!
I forgot to say how funny it was when they were stopping Cathal to take pictures with him...I was completely excluded, because I wasn't white enough!!! They love white people!!!

Kuta Beach

Massage Women!!

Kuta

crazy!

yummy

Bob party

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It's our last day in Abu Dhabi today, but let's start from the beginning. We were going to the airport in Dublin, to get our flight in the new terminal. It was great, there was no queue, nice and peaceful. It was very exciting waiting for the flight, we got some magazines and chocolates to pass the time. The plane was really nice, more space than usual between the seats, BUT some passagers, including us were having problems with the TVs, so we had to change seats a few times before we settled. Dinner was very good and the staff were nice too.
Arriving in Abu Dhabi airport we had to go to get my visa which took over an hour to scan my eyes, give all the documents and get the passport stamped. Next step was collecting our bags, but when we got there I had this bad feeling that my bag wasn't going to be there, because it was wrapped in bright red and we didn't see anything like that in the middle of the room. And not surprisingly my bag wasn't there. Anyway, we gaver the information to the airline staff and as soon as they have any news about it they would contact our hotel.
We are staying in Sheraton Resort which is about 30min from the airport in downtown Abu Dhabi by taxi (which is very cheap around here). First day we just went shopping because I was wearing my boyfriend's clothes!!! So it was a good excuse to use his credit card haha! The city is bigger than we expected and so much building going on, it's impossible to walk around. Thank Allah for the cheap taxis!!!! All the restaurants, bars and clubs are inside the big hotels and that is where we can drink alcohol. The food in the restaurants in our hotel is really good, there is about five different restaurants. The private beach is a bit weird, because it's in the middle of the big city, surrounded by motorways and under the bridge.
The next two days we were just doing a tour in the city with one of those tour buses, the best way to get to know the city, because all the sights are spread out. We went to see the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, the largest Mosque in the UAE. Everything here is named after Sheikh Zayed and his picture is everywhere. We also went to the Heritage village where we had a lovely lunch overlooking the sea. We didn't know how to act sometimes because we were told that we are not allowed to show affection in public, and what to wear... we still don't know what we really can do! Overall it was great experience and here it's a beautiful place with friendly people. Hopefully next time we come back we stay in the 7 star Emirates Palace, it's amazing!
Tonight we're flying to Bali via Kuala Lumpur. I think it's about 11 hours flight, we arrive there next day in the evening, 5 hours ahead of UAE time. Looking forward to it!

xoxo

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our hotel

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Why Indonesia?
I always wanted to travel around Asia, and Cathal went to a few countries there before, but not Indonesia. We thought would be a good idea to travel somewhere new for both of us, with beautiful scenary, different culture, lovely weather and cheap! Chosen destination...we had to book a flight. While we were thinking if we're really going or not the prices of the flights went up about 200€. The lesson is: just book it first time, cos prices never go down! The good thing is that we booked our flight with Etihad Airways..and instead stopping somewhere in Europe, our connection it will be in Abu Dhabi. Because the flights are very long hours and tiring we are going to break up the trip staying 2 days in Abu Dhabi on the way to Indonesia and on the way back home.
A few weeks to go and we have lots of stuff to get organized.

• Passports/ Visas
• Vaccines
• Booking hotel/hostel
• To learn how to pack having just a backpack (that one is for me!)
• Work extra hours
• Think about the rent we have to pay this month out
• Exchange money...and doesn't stop here...

We found out that I need to apply for a visa to go to Abu Dhabi before we get there. And I have a big list of documents to send to them, proving that I'm someone who deserves to get in in the UEA!! All the docs sorted out, we could apply just 14 days before our arrival. Now I'm anxiously waiting for their approval and I have to do it again when we're coming back. Fingers crossed!

But I'm really excited, counting down the days to dive into the sea "pra tirar a zica" as we say in portuguese!

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