March 9, 2024.
Last day in Ubud. I wake up and have breakfast in the accommodation’s terrace. I chat with a Rumanian, a Canadian, a German, a Uruguayan, a Korean. My social energy is at an all-time high, but it also requires loads of mental energy.
I stayed 11 days in Ubud. I can understand why one famous guide book reports about Ubud: A short stay here can easily turn into weeks, months, maybe years. But it’s time to go, continue to Uluwatu. Goodbyes for the Rumanian, Canadian, and German.
Nyepi, Balinese lunar new year is in 2 days. Also called silence day, everyone, even travelers, have to stay at home. Airports, stores, transport, internet carriers, all cease operations for a day, to share with family, meditate, purify the mind and keep evil spirits away.
I take a van to Kuta. I chat with a Swiss, a Japanese, a Belarusian, an Italian. With each new interaction, I remind myself to observe my breathing. This helps me be present and maintain energy levels. In Kuta, I take a moto-taxi through an app to Uluwatu.
The driver’s name is Bambam, in his early 20s. He is easy going and easy to talk with. We talk about movies, music, relationships, all while he drives a scooter with my 9 kilogram backpack on the front, sometimes dodging traffic and keeping an eye on the route.
He tells me when he picks-up travelers on his scooter and chats with them, they always give him a 5-star review in ride-sharing apps. I can understand why. I ask him what’s his advice to having great conversations. “It all starts with your intent”. You have to act with sincere kindness towards the other. No fake smiles, true selflessly kindness.
