Got my Balinese sepeda motor licence yesterday. I figured paying fifteen dollars for a permit would save the hassle of paying bribes to every itchy-palmed copper: it's really a one-time bribe in any case. I pay the bike rental guy Rp. 150,000 and give him my passport. He goes off to the police station in Denpasar where the licence is issued on the spot, sans test and sans my presence. The licence is good for 30 days (non-extendable), is good in Bali only (a testament to the wilyness of the Balinese police force: those little grafters), and is in full color to boot.

So, tomorrow I'm off on a circuit of Bali - though without my buddy Josh - which I envision will take ten days. Well it has to: my visa is only good for another nineteen, and I still have to get to Lombok and the Gili Islands. When it is set to run out, I'm gonna make a border run to Malaysia or Singapore, hopping right back in for a newly issued thirty day visa. It's all the rage with the long term expats here. I'll need much more time in Indonesia if I plan to get to Borneo and Java... we'll see.

Gonna do some diving in N. Bali, as well as Lombok and The Gilis (great neame: Gili Islands). Will report back on that. Bite me Pat Barton.

Jon Lyon - if you're reading this, ask Billy at Casual Adventures if they want to sponsor me on my trip. I've worn their hat everywhere and have had many questions about the store from people I meet - include folks from DC. I would be willing to launch an inpromtu photo campaign starring the hat on me ol' noggin in various locales worldwide.
Make it happen.
Any other potential sponsors can email me. I'll do just about anything.

Gotta run, the Javanese Beef Rendang at the Good Luck Warung is calling my name. Man o' Man... best meal I've had in a while... can't get enough of the stuff. Wash it down with an ice cold Bintang... BOOYAKASHA