If you want a break from Dili then Bali is the cheapest destination where there is some semblance of Western comfort items.\u00a0 In Dili, you eventually get accustomed to life without Starbucks, Mickie Dees, squash courts and golf courses.\u00a0 And in the end, you don’t really miss them much at all.<\/p>\n
But you go to Bali to eat and drink well at half the cost of Dili (and still don’t go to Starbucks, MickieDees, play squash or golf !).\u00a0 As far as eating goes, my rule is (as far as possible) to eat something you can’t get in Dili.\u00a0 But it means striking duds occasionally.\u00a0 It was my turn to choose so I selected the trendy looking Balinese decor restaurant with some Italian-derived dishes on the menu.\u00a0 I use the term Italian-derived to avoid abuse from RO who would probably be appalled if I just used the word “Italian”.\u00a0 And there is no way I am going to insult my gnocchi rolling teacher !<\/p>\n
Anyway, things were going OK.\u00a0 Food was OK without being spectacular then it happened.\u00a0 The band started playing.\u00a0 A few guys wearing chefs uniforms playing violin, double bass and conga drums.\u00a0 I choked when they got to “Johnnie B Good”.\u00a0 Then a few more old classics were butchered.\u00a0 I sprayed when other diners actually clapped.<\/p>\n
I suddenly saw my future as clear as a bell.\u00a0 Would I be doing this when I am “retired” ? * Yes, the restaurant was probably mostly retired folk and the children were obviously grand-kids.\u00a0 I blew it.\u00a0 My rights to choose a restaurant withdrawn until further notice.<\/p>\n
And for once, if a guy had said “transport”, I would have accepted instantly and offered to drive back to Dili.<\/p>\n
*\u00a0 That is, clapping musos in chef’s uniforms !<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
If you want a break from Dili then Bali is the cheapest destination where there is some semblance of Western comfort items.\u00a0 In Dili, you eventually get accustomed to life without Starbucks, Mickie Dees, squash courts and golf courses.\u00a0 And … Continue reading