One of the first travel lesson I’ve learned so far, is that tourists can get swindled like no other. Our lack of knowing the local language or knowing what anything should costs, leaves us handicapped into spending a bit more than we really should.
We took our very first bemo ride (public transportation) in Lovina. You literally stand on the side of the main road, and wait. Wait for a blue or red van to stop and offer you a ride. Okay…right. We just wait on the side of the road. With no bus sign. Well, when in Bali do what the locals do.
Enjoying my first bemo ride:
Not too long of a wait, a blue van came from behind us. He honked his horn and yelled out the passengers side window, “you need transport?!” Now, it just so happens that I learned at a very young age to never get in a van with a stranger. So, obviously my internal warning signals were flashing brightly and quickly. But this is the way of life here, I’ll be fine. GULP! We hopped on a bemo for $30,000 IR ($3 USD).
Scelena experiencing the bemo:
An older traveling couple were already inside. The woman immediately turned to me and asked if this was my first bemo ride. I smiled and admitted I was a bemo virgin. She then went on to inform me that we shouldn’t spend more than $3,000. Ouch, really? To soften the blow of such a swindle, she told me her first experience took $30,000 out of her pocket as well.
After a 10-15 minute bemo ride, full of interesting questions from the driver who spoke little to no english, we hopped out at Hardy’s. An Australian traveler gave us a tip that we’d most likely find a bathing suit there. And Scelena desperately needed one. (Her black bottoms are so worn in, that they are basically see through.)
Hardy’s was hilarious. The first floor consisted of a full on grocery store, not what we were looking for. We wondered aloud why the Australian women pointed us in the direction of Hardy’s. We don’t need ingredients to make a cake, we need a bathing suit! Then we noticed escalators leading to higher floors. Ah, the fashion section! And what a section is was. As we walked through the Hardy’s fashion section, we were confused as to where the women’s section actually was. Everything looked very childish. But at least we got a good laugh at the attire on sale…
You look smashing darling:
Unfortunately, a tad too small:
We eventually returned safely to our hotel, minus a new bathing suit. But at the very least, we returned with a few giggles and a new experience in our memory pocket. Swindle or not, it was fun.
passport necessary 