I was
really happy to be invited to work at the Bridge World Championships this year
because it is taking place in one of my favourite places in the World, Bali
Indonesia. Bali gets a bad rap from tourists and the press based in part on the
Bali Bombing which killed 200 including 100 Australians and because it is part
of a Muslim country with 210 million inhabitants. But Bali's population of 4
million is 98%+ very gentle Hindus who are welcoming beyond belief.
The event includes the Open Bermuda Bowl, the Women's Venice Cup, the Seniors D' Orsi Bowl and the open transnational teams. Unfortunately the Israeli Women's Team had to withdraw, not because they were fused visas but because their security personnel were refused visas. Unfortunate but somewhat understandable. In 2005 when I ran the World Youth Championship security was provided by the Israeli embassy, clearly not an option here.
My role will be to commentate on the live Vugraph presentation along with three other commentators. It isn't too tough working about half of the three sessions a day so three every two days. Also there is no event play which makes socialising with the man friends I have in the bridge world very easy.
The event was deferred two days due to the clash with Yom Kippur, a consorted act by the WBF and organisers. This allowed me to leave on Sunday arriving around 16:00. We were originally booked into a hotel Nader construction and then moved to the Melia Spa Resort Hotel. Don't know anything about it but it rates well among most websites.
Board the plane and luckily have an empty seat next to me on what appears to be a full flight - which includes Sean Mullamphy, The Buchens and George Bilski. Virgin now stream their entertainment to iPad or iPhone so I watch a few episodes of a show I really like Anthony Bourdain which is a CNN show featuring chef Bourdain travelling he world not lay about pod but about the cities and culture. He is pretty feisty and good fun. The one I watch first is on Berlin and amazingly interesting making me want to g back there to discover things I haven't seen and didn't know. http://tinyurl.com/n3x6syr
Anyway a relaxing flight all in all 6+ hours. Then the two hour battle to queue up for a visa cost $US25 and another queue for immigration - consolidation of the two seemed logical to me but of course....
I withdraw nine million Ruppiah $A900) from the ATM in a total of 120 notes and am feel very wealthy.
I can't find the arranged transport so negotiate a cab driver from $A15 to $A10 but he was so nice and friendly that I ended up paying him the $A15. He works 320 hours a month, earns $AUD200 - he gets 20% of all revenue the owner pays for all costs. His wife works 180 hours and earns $AUD180 a month - maybe that's why I paid the extra.
Arrive at the hotel to find the usual room furthest away from reception which is a 10-15 walk. A few words gets them to move somebody who has not checked in and I get a room close to reception. An Asian Buffet with Andy, Alex, Sean and the Buchen sees me end up in bed around 22:30.
The Melia Hotel is a grand resort whose better days may be a few years ago. That said the rooms are great lots of marble and wood with a large bathroom and balcony so I am very comfortable - or will be when they join the two oversized single beds into one until Alberto arrives.
Breakfast the next morning with a few friends is the usual Asian Buffet with an extensive choice including many which would make a good lunch. It is included in my room which is nice. I have decided to start a diet so avoid the bacon and pastries that I may have otherwise had.
Off to the venue in the shuttle where I collect my ID, official shirts. backpack and see where I will be working. Realising that is only 700 metres away I walk back which is easy apart from the hot humid weather but I think I will commit to walking one way each time. Given that I will be going there a few times a day it's something for the cause.
Back to the room to relax a little. The opening ceremony is at 20:00 this evening and it usually good fun and a chance to catch up with friends from around the world.
Will have some pics next post when I am better set up for it.
Hope all are well
XD
The event includes the Open Bermuda Bowl, the Women's Venice Cup, the Seniors D' Orsi Bowl and the open transnational teams. Unfortunately the Israeli Women's Team had to withdraw, not because they were fused visas but because their security personnel were refused visas. Unfortunate but somewhat understandable. In 2005 when I ran the World Youth Championship security was provided by the Israeli embassy, clearly not an option here.
My role will be to commentate on the live Vugraph presentation along with three other commentators. It isn't too tough working about half of the three sessions a day so three every two days. Also there is no event play which makes socialising with the man friends I have in the bridge world very easy.
The event was deferred two days due to the clash with Yom Kippur, a consorted act by the WBF and organisers. This allowed me to leave on Sunday arriving around 16:00. We were originally booked into a hotel Nader construction and then moved to the Melia Spa Resort Hotel. Don't know anything about it but it rates well among most websites.
Board the plane and luckily have an empty seat next to me on what appears to be a full flight - which includes Sean Mullamphy, The Buchens and George Bilski. Virgin now stream their entertainment to iPad or iPhone so I watch a few episodes of a show I really like Anthony Bourdain which is a CNN show featuring chef Bourdain travelling he world not lay about pod but about the cities and culture. He is pretty feisty and good fun. The one I watch first is on Berlin and amazingly interesting making me want to g back there to discover things I haven't seen and didn't know. http://tinyurl.com/n3x6syr
Anyway a relaxing flight all in all 6+ hours. Then the two hour battle to queue up for a visa cost $US25 and another queue for immigration - consolidation of the two seemed logical to me but of course....
I withdraw nine million Ruppiah $A900) from the ATM in a total of 120 notes and am feel very wealthy.
I can't find the arranged transport so negotiate a cab driver from $A15 to $A10 but he was so nice and friendly that I ended up paying him the $A15. He works 320 hours a month, earns $AUD200 - he gets 20% of all revenue the owner pays for all costs. His wife works 180 hours and earns $AUD180 a month - maybe that's why I paid the extra.
Arrive at the hotel to find the usual room furthest away from reception which is a 10-15 walk. A few words gets them to move somebody who has not checked in and I get a room close to reception. An Asian Buffet with Andy, Alex, Sean and the Buchen sees me end up in bed around 22:30.
The Melia Hotel is a grand resort whose better days may be a few years ago. That said the rooms are great lots of marble and wood with a large bathroom and balcony so I am very comfortable - or will be when they join the two oversized single beds into one until Alberto arrives.
Breakfast the next morning with a few friends is the usual Asian Buffet with an extensive choice including many which would make a good lunch. It is included in my room which is nice. I have decided to start a diet so avoid the bacon and pastries that I may have otherwise had.
Off to the venue in the shuttle where I collect my ID, official shirts. backpack and see where I will be working. Realising that is only 700 metres away I walk back which is easy apart from the hot humid weather but I think I will commit to walking one way each time. Given that I will be going there a few times a day it's something for the cause.
Back to the room to relax a little. The opening ceremony is at 20:00 this evening and it usually good fun and a chance to catch up with friends from around the world.
Will have some pics next post when I am better set up for it.
Hope all are well
XD
