After Hours... Indonesia: Seminyak, Bali!

Bali was calling me! I needed the liberalism of that Indonesian island like never before! Don't get me wrong, both Java and South Sulawesi had presented destination after destination but I needed a party! Seminyak would definitely break my sober streak, the beer on arrival at Bali's Denpasar International Airport was appreciated! A Drag Queen? I was in for a few Aussie treats!

I had settled into my accommodation by the time I arrived at the beach, the sunset was approaching and I didn't want to miss a thing! It was a hive of activity on the beach near my villa, 'Double Six Beach' was alive with people doing the most and the least at the same time! This blog post was never meant to be an 'After Hours' but in that moment the sunset sealed my fate, it was no longer day time, the night would be mine to marry! The beach amazed me, it was the first I had seen in Indonesia and I wanted that golden hour photo without people getting in my way! Would that be possible? Yes, I kept it moving with my iPhone facing towards the ocean, I knew what I was doing! The atmosphere on the beach was right, people sipped on their drinks, kids were playing football and even the local dogs were living their best lives! Bogans? I did clock a few because I already knew that Bali was known for those visiting Australian tourists, I fully committed to being a Brit Abroad to show our convict connections! Real talk, I loved the beach! 

Did I feel the need to have a mixed drink on the beach? No, I knew I needed to be savvy with my Rupiah even though I knew things would be getting crazy! I left those to it, I had not had my tea at that point. I dragged my heels along that beach because I wanted that sunset to last for lifetime, I stood still as that ball of orangey red fire disappeared into the ocean. I felt really happy to be in Bali, to be facing a free day, that was all I needed to know. Being 'Beside The Sea' allowed me to feel like I was truly on my holidays, the treadmill marathon nature of the trip had gotten to me, I needed Bali! I walked further along the beach, soaking in every moment was key, I was in search for a hearty Australian pie for my tea! When in Rome! Absolutely! Seminyak was right, it was loud but I was going to embrace the hell out of that corner of Bali! Canggu could take several seats! Was I 'Spinning Around?' No, Bali was a mood and I had already liked it like that! Afternoon shenanigans had taken place! Bali loved me! Where was that pie? Be the Bogan! 

'The Bush Telegraph Pub' gave me a colonial connection, I was craving something hearty! Both Brits and Aussies love pies and with the high concentration of Aussie tourists, finding a freshly baked pie for my tea was easy! I went for the chicken and mushroom pie with potato wedges, some vegetables were served with a side serving of gravy also. That gravy was way too small and I was being way too polite not to ask for more! I was seeing the Brits need a bevvie to speak up whilst those Aussie said what they said without any drink onboard. I needed to adopt that kind of 'Down Under' attitude! 'The Bush' was giving pseudo pub, making me feel closer to home even though Australia lay a lot closer, it was almost like a tropical Benidorm for us Brits! Back to my pie! I wolfed the lot down, it was a whole moment, I didn't want that hearty meal to end! Did Bali have a Gay scene? Hinduism was the majority religion, that allowed a rainbow acceptance but it was still Indonesia. Pie devoured, I clocked a cabaret nightclub across the road! Oh, I say! 

Usually, 'I Should Be So Lucky' but Bali had me feeling like the queen of my own dreams! I hit the main road after my 'Pie Society' setting, I needed to get back to my villa to freshen up because that stroll on the beach at sunset had turned into a night out! I stopped off at a supermarket, it felt like I was back in the world with those brands, I need to book those Aussie tickets! No, I didn't feel the need to panic buy snacks because it was all about enjoying life in the moment. 'Stonewall?' I did see that venue, I didn't need to think twice because my clothes were changed and I was fresh for the night ahead of me. Starting off with another couple of beers, I changed Bintang for Corona. I saw that two local queens had finished their sets, that venue opposite the 'Bush' was their next spot. Attention? One of the bar guys at 'Stonewall' was making his interest clear, I sipped my drinks regardless. That situation was curtailed. I knew what I needed to do, drink up and make it over to 'Mixwell' for the next chapter of my night, B! Get it! 

I had been on the move since early morning but I was definitely going to meet the next. I made it back towards 'The Bush Telegraph', it felt like I had entered another dimension with the strictness of Makassar feeling like a million miles away. 'Mixwell' was a vibe, the largely male patronage were enjoying themselves as I joined them with my drinks. It felt really strange to have cash money instead of a WeChat QR Code. I was ready for those queens, not those from Australia but of a Drag kind because I had timed it right for the next show. It wasn't long before the next gaggle of Australian gays got their lives, a succession of Kylie bangers were being lip-synced by a local Balinese performer! This venue knew their audience for many reasons and I for one wasn't mad, I never expected to see a Kylie queen that night, Bali was full of surprises! Was I 'Spinning Around?' Maybe so! Bali was had given me a lot during that first day and night but I was about to get one more surprise! Another complicated surprise! 'Bali Joe? Oh, that's my bar! 

I was dazzled by a barrage of traffic outside of 'Mixwell', I hadn't even clocked 'Bali Joe' until I was ushered into the venue. You can tell two weeks of stone cold sobriety had hit me hard in Bali! I was a mess, that I won't apologise for! Was it 'Love At First Sight?' Come on, I am not going to talk about that! Are you kidding me? Indonesia had already showed me that just because something isn't accepted doesn't mean people don't play tricks, against the Quran or not, we're animals! 'Bali Joe' was no different, it didn't take me long before I had pulled! Bali saw me doing the most! It was a night to remember, I won't ever forget that moped ride back to my villa because after a go-kart accident I had been off certain vehicles! Bali saw me risking it all! From sunset to my slumber, for the other stuff, well I'm sure his wife wondered where he was that night? Bali wasn't going to turn me into Bonnie Blue! Was I taking it 'Slow?' Bali became my unknown night out on the town, it was just what I needed! Sure, Bali gave me that 'WOW!' OK!

Red Blooded... Bali

Desperately Seeking Adventure