Transport alternatives in Bali

Early May 2016

My plan to start the long trip with sun and the beach somewhere in the south of India changed when I learned about the weather. A report about the Kerala region in late April said, “there is currently a heat wave and the city is on fire – 42 degrees ++“. I had a circuit worked out with historical places, train rides, relaxation and beach activities, but not at 42 degrees. It’s just as well no actual bookings had been made.

I had my last days of work to worry about on top of visas, vaccinations, arrangements for putting my stuff in storage and other travel preparations; so without much further research I booked a flight to Bali. The main reason for choosing this very popular tourist destination was that a good friend was living there for a few months. But I also thought of it as a pleasant spot to wind down and get in the mood for traveling.

People said to steer clear from dodgy areas like Kuta beach, where many party nutcases head off to be loud, cause trouble and get wasted. Not my idea of the best way to unwind. Adriana had put me in contact with lovely Maria for a place in the area of Canggu beach, a bit more northwest of the island. This part was certainly more relaxed, with good places to eat and the beach for sunbathers and surfies.

I quickly learned that the best way to move around Bali is on a motorbike. As a traveler, the alternatives are to either melt as you walk in the sun at thirty-something degrees with little or no shade to be found along the way, or sit for ever in traffic inside a cab or an Uber.

I didn’t know how to ride a motorbike – I was screwed. People said learning to ride should be easy enough but I wasn’t going to be the adventurous type to go for it in busy and narrow streets next to a thousand other motorbikes and vehicles overtaking and crossing this way and that in a kind of mess which, at the end of the day, worked alright. So I put up with both, sun and traffic in alternating journeys and was relieved each time I rode with my friend on her scooter. This is until I found out about Go-jek.

Essentially Go-jek works in the same way as Uber. You book a vehicle through an app on a smartphone which gives the ‘driver’ your location. The difference is that the vehicle you get is, well yes: you get a scooter! If you’re out on the street you’ll spot a rider with a green helmet slowing down and looking around, you’ll wave to let the him (or her) know you’re their customer. He’ll stop, and after a formal greeting ask to confirm your name. Then he’ll pull out a spare helmet for you to wear, hop on the bike, and off you go. Easy and quick ride to your destination. Fantastic!

So I pleasantly filled my days with trips to the beach, to dinner gatherings with Adriana and friends, to yoga classes, the markets, and fun chats with Maria, in the shade, at home.

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Note:
*Go-Jek picture found in the news site http://beritamusi.co.id