Amed

Imagine ...  rugged mountains, black sand, bright blue sea, fabulous snorkelling and brightly coloured fishing boats.

If you prefer, a sleepy,  beautiful place, off the beaten track,  Amed is the place for you.   On the north eastern peninsula of Bali.

This was my next destination after Candidasa.

Travelling  the inland road, is quicker but taking the mountainous, narrow, coast road is a much more scenic and adventurous journey.

Back in 1997, there wasn't a lot there.  Apart from a few more places to stay, it hasn't changed a lot.  Thankfully.

I came across a place called Wawa Wewe, had a look at the rooms and the adjoining restaurant, happy with the friendly welcome and cheap prices, I decided this is where I would stay.

Wawa Wewe, means roughly - like this, like that. A bit like the French equivalent of comme ci comme ca.  And that is how it was,  like this, like that.

Being so long ago, unfortunately I don't remember the names of the owners now.  A lovely couple, a Balinese husband, an English wife and their little girl.  The wife made up the most delicious fruit juices with a touch of ginger and always seemed to be coming up with new concoctions.

The food was good, both international and local and the entertainment was fun.  A few guys strumming away, knowing most of the lyrics to popular songs.

These days,  my old lodgings has turned into a very popular bar and the original huts are available for $16.00 AUD.  They have new, beautiful villas with a swimming pool, for around $35.00 AUD.  This is fantastic value in such a wonderful location.  Not that you really need a pool in Amed, when the sea is right over the road and so wonderful.

A typical day at Wawa Wewe was spent,  lazing around, relaxing on a hammock, swimming, snorkelling and eating.  And that is what I did.  With the evenings sitting in the bar listening to the live music and chatting to whoever popped in.

What I didn't know then,  Amed would become my most memorable time in Bali.  Not just because of the quiet beaches but also because of the experiences I had there and the people I met.