Day 20: Leaving Timor-Leste for Bali

Weather Update: Rain is forecast for most of the week, humidity is at 67%, and the temperature will be 32°C.

Morning Departure

Leaving the hostel, I encountered the flooded road again, hoping it was better than the day before. Luckily, it was manageable enough to hold onto fences and navigate a brick wall's edge without getting wet.

Local Observations

It's interesting to note that a lot of donated clothes from op shops end up here, with people scavenging through them on the sides of the road. I suspect there's a middleman somewhere making money from this. You can see the problems facing the oceans with mountains of rubbish left on the side of the roads and in the estuary destined for the Pacific.

Journey to the Airport

I caught a bus to the mall and managed to secure a connection from Bali to Jakarta tonight. The main road was chaotic, filled with motor scooters, tuk-tuk buses, and taxis all vying for customers. I ended up on a local bus, much like a tuk-tuk, to the airport. Unfortunately, it was a poor choice as the bus struggled to stay moving, stopping almost every time we picked someone up or dropped someone off. The height difference between the locals and most Westerners means there's plenty of headroom for them, but I had to tilt my head and bend over.

Airport Experience

Upon arrival at the airport, I passed through passport control smoothly but faced a hiccup at customs. They tried to confiscate my first aid scissors, but I argued that they are internationally recognized as permissible for hand luggage—50cm blade with rounded ends. After some haggling, they conceded, and I was allowed to keep them.

In the departure lounge, I downloaded information to my phone for future reference, making sure I was prepared for the next leg of my journey.

Walking Today: 6.82km

Total: 4 Flights 4801km, 5 Trains 2860.10km, 5 Buses 245.35, 3 Cars 242.76km Walking: 121.42

Total Distance: 8090.03km

Reflections

Today was a mix of challenges and small victories. For those following my journey, I hope these updates give you a glimpse into the realities of travel.

Cheers to the adventures ahead and the stories yet to unfold! 🌏✨✈️🚌

Stay tuned for more updates as I continue my travels! 🌞✨

Feel free to share your thoughts and tips on making this blog more engaging. Let’s keep this journey interesting together! 🚀📖