Hello All,
Bali is a beautiful island of extreme contrast. Happy beautiful people and trashy streets, scenic quiet beaches and wild and crazy night life, extremely rich people and some of the poorest people I have ever seen in the world. For all its beauty, Bali is continuing to struggle with the education of its people about the maintenance of its enviornment. The traffic is a nightmare with millions of motorbikes darting in and out of lanes and large construction trucks slowly rolling up its mountain roads.
Tourist of all nationalities are here, but mostly Australian, European, and Japanese. Americans are somewhat of a rarity, and most of the friends I have met have either been from Australia, Tazmania or England.
I have been adopted by a very great group of people headed up by a native Balinese man of 38 years old who owns 8 homes here, is quite rich and owns the hotel I am staying in on the Bukit end of the island. His name is Putu and is one of the most powerful men on this island not only in wealth, but also politics. He heads up the PPPI party in Indonesia, and I have no doubt Putu will be president of Indonesia at some point in his life. Once again the contrast comes out as he is truly a great partier and lover of life and has a totally seperate identity when it comes to the political realm. He is constantly on Indonesian national television and is trying to help the children of this island learn how to clean up all its trash.
Putu, myself, Piran (Indo/English) and Lance from Tazmania have created a bond that Putu named the "Kuk Club" which loosely translates to a group of people who have fun while making money. Putu has 8 homes on this island and his family owns a valley near the enclave of Ubud that is leased to the Amandari Hotel chain here in Asia. The Amandari is a 5 star hotel where the likes of Mick Jagger, Ralph Lauren and the late John Kennedy, Jr. stays. In fact, when Putu was younger, he was the personal driver of all three of these people and has the personal cell phone numbers of both Ralph and Mick. Needless to say, Putu is one of the most fun and interesting characters I have ever met.
I have included some pictures of the "Kuk Club" members, the Amandari Hotel and several things I hope you will find of interest.
The surf here is absolutely fantastic, and its the low season. The real waves hit here from May to September. I have surfed nothing but reefs at this point, and its a minimum paddle of a half hour to get to these reefs off the coast. Sometime we hire a boat to take us out, but mostly we paddle in order to stay in shape.
Hope everyone is well and looking to a wonderful Christmas season. I will try and stay in touch, but mostly I am here to surf and travel. Mount Agung, the largest volcano in Indonesia is smoking now after 10 years and I have included a picture of this magnificant mountain.
Love to all.
Robert Parker
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