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September 17, 2005
Bike Preparations
DAY: 96
LOCATION: Jimbaran, Bali
NAUTICAL MILES TODAY: 0
NAUTICAL MILES YESTERDAY:
NAUTICAL MILES TOTAL TRIP: 849
The last couple of days has been spent getting things organised for the bike trip across Java. After arriving in Banyuwangi (east Java) late morning on Tuesday we rented a car to drive back to south Bali where we are now. As well as getting the kayaks back to a central location where they can be shipped on to western Java in a few weeks, the road trip also allowed us a glimpse of how Indonesians drive. Interesting. Let's just say that in the next 24 hours before we start biking I think we all need to develop a healthy faith in God or some form of higher power as this will be our only hope in getting to our destination in one piece!
We now have brand spanking new Indonesian bicycles bought in Denpasar. April and I sprang for a 'WIM' cycle that put us back 700,000 Rupiah each (that's about $50 USD). We would have gone for a slightly up-market model but we couldn't refuse the sqeaky cat that was thrown in for free....
Actually it's incredible value for what all you get. The same bicycle back in Europe or the US would run ten times that amount and still come from the same factory in Indonesia. Someone down the line is making a lot of money.
Posted on September 17, 2005 12:01 PM
Comments
Congratulations on a successful completion of your Kayak portion. It would feel nice to get back on a bike.
Cheers!
Greg K
Posted by: Greg at September 20, 2005 12:59 AM