Denpasar's Humidity and My Quest for the Perfect Gado-Gado
okay, so denpasar. it’s… something. i just checked and it’s clinging to you like a damp towel right now, hope you like that kind of thing. seriously, 87% humidity? my hair is staging a full-blown rebellion. i’m a touring session drummer, you know? gotta keep the hair somewhat manageable. it’s a look.
I’m here scouting gigs, mostly. but also, let’s be real, chasing the perfect plate of gado-gado. it’s a serious mission. i’ve been hitting up warungs all over, scribbling notes in my little notebook (which is currently stuck to my skin thanks to the aforementioned humidity).
I swear, the food scene here is insane. like, a constant assault on your tastebuds in the best possible way. i spent a solid hour yesterday just watching a woman make satay. the precision! the smoke! it was mesmerizing. i almost forgot i was sweating through my shirt.
“Apparently, if you go to Warung Babi Guling Pak Malen, you have to get there before 7am. Otherwise, you’re out of luck. And don’t even think about asking for extra chili. They’ll know.”
That was overheard at a coffee shop - seriously, the coffee here is… decent. not my usual single-origin pour-over, but definitely gets the job done. i’m trying to find a place that understands the importance of a good crema. so far, no luck. i’m thinking of starting my own. “Drummer’s Brew” - catchy, right?
I’ve been crashing at a little guesthouse near *Sanur. it’s… rustic. let’s go with rustic. the gecko population is thriving, which is both charming and slightly terrifying. if you get bored, Ubud is just a short drive away. lots of yoga studios and rice paddies, apparently. not really my vibe, but i did pick up a surprisingly good batik scarf.
Speaking of vibes, someone told me that the beach clubs in Seminyak are a total tourist trap. overpriced cocktails and bad music. i’m inclined to believe them. i prefer the smaller, less-hyped beaches. found a little spot near Jimbaran where i can actually hear the waves. it’s bliss.
My gear list for this trip is pretty minimal:
My drumsticks (obviously) - gotta keep those babies safe.
A notebook and pen (for gado-gado notes, naturally).
A ridiculously oversized hat (humidity, remember?)
Sunscreen (essential, even with the hat).
A portable charger (because my phone dies faster than my enthusiasm for small talk).
A phrasebook (my indonesian is… developing).
I heard that the traffic around Denpasar is absolutely bonkers. like, a constant, honking, chaotic mess. i’ve mostly been relying on Gojek, which is a lifesaver. seriously, download that app. you’ll thank me later. check out TripAdvisor for some recommendations: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g297718-Denpasar_Bali-Vacations.html
I’m also trying to find some decent live music. apparently, there’s a jazz bar in Legian that’s worth checking out. i’ll let you know if it’s any good. Yelp has some reviews, but take them with a grain of salt: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=jazz+bar&find_loc=Denpasar,+Bali.
Oh! and a local warned me about the monkeys in Ubud*. apparently, they’re ruthless. don’t make eye contact. don’t carry any food. just… don’t.
Right, gotta go. another gado-gado awaits. and maybe i’ll finally find a decent cup of coffee. wish me luck. check out this local forum for more tips: https://baliforum.com/
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