Oh, I know... bad title. Oh so shildish: I couldn't help myself; and my stool is fine, so nothing there either.

So... Finally got out of Kuta yesterday morning on my monster of a motor scooter. Couldn't be more relieved: if I had to hear another asshole barker/shop owner/vagrant badger me with calls of:

"Hello. Boss. Yes? Looking? Buying?"
"Yes. Transport? Motor Bike?"
"Please. Yes. Room?"
"CDs, Yes? DVD OK?"
** At night, sotto voce: "Weed? Ganja? Hash? Mushrooms? Chick?"

Killing me. Ok... got that off my chest. Like everywhere else though, you ignore them, they eventually leave you alone. Better still, as I found out, if you turn their game on them and offer to sell them the same thing, they laugh you off and move along themselves. Good game. Works everytime.

Cruised up the SW coast of Bali, making for the surfing beach of Medewi (S 08◦ 25.026' | E 114◦ 48.321'. Hey, I gotta use the f'in GPS for something since I brought it along!).
Being my usual bright self, I neglected to apply any protective UV blocking cream to my exposed epidermis. Oh, and I also wisely chose to ride in the coolest time of day: high fucking noon. Within two hours, my wittle-bitty forearms, nose, neck and cheeks were more cooked then the previous night's lobster thermidor. Ah, what to do?! Pull over, you nit wit, and put on the oh-so-cool soft shell that you brought for just such a purpose; tie a bandana over nose and mouth - also keeps out noxious exhaust fumes. Voila! Prolem solved. Can you tell I'm a rookie when it comes to "riding"?
Ever so much more comfortable, I made it to Medewi without too many wrong turns... the scenery was stunning: rice paddies, sweeping coastal vistas, yadda yadda yadda.

Got to Medewi. Found the Beach. Had a beer. Found Losman. Checked into Bungalow (of sorts) for the night: $3.50 (highway robbery! me white boy. me get overchargum. me nore care to squabble over pennies.) Set up gear in room...

**Oh, by the way, I managed to strap my pack to the seat behind me employing a very ingenious method, which I am very proud of. The other backpacker I saw riding around had his on his back - "and Atlas shrugged". It's the little things thet get me going.**

Back down to beach to watch the sampans set out on their sunset run.
Over to seaside warung for another beer. Watch sunset for an hour wnd take some pretty decent shots of shoreside fisherman. Read my book until all light is gone. Over to resto for dinner: the snapper that I had asked one of the sampan dudes to give to the chef for me. Devour snapper with reckless abandon. Wash down with compulsory Bintang. Amble over to Bungalow for more reading and beddie-bye.
TOUGH LIFE.

This morning found me too sunburned (again) to take out the surfboard I had rented. No matter.... I lent it to a local kid - who was happy as hell - and watched the early risers catch wave after perfect wave over a monstrous breakfast, and many kopi balis.
About 1000, I set out on the bike once again: this time armoured from head to toe looking like a Panamanian Guerilla, yet thoroughly comfortable. I chose to take a back road through the hills, rather than the congested "highway" around the rest of the coast. Good call. Much coller; much less traffic; fun winding roads; amazing views.
Pulled into Lovina beach (central N. coast) about 1400. Made right for my losman by the beach. This time, a very pretty little bungalow all to me lonesome - no others in the whole place, yet. Off to see about a crucial matter of an electrical outlet converter for my camera battery, then into town to visit some diveshops. If all goes as planned, I'll be out diving tomorrow, and eating more fresh grilled fish tonight.
(It's ok to hate.)

Dat be it. Don't think I've got much on Guevera.