Hello what is it your name boss, where you from
Manchester? Michael Owen?

Bali's actually quite a nice place. I don't know why,
but I was expecting it to be awful. There's a few
tourists (me included) here for sure, and there's way
too much traffic, which makes getting about a hassle
(same as much of Indonesia). It's got some beautiful
countryside, though, cool culture and great beaches,
and the tourist centre (Kuta) has got everything you
need to have a good time before bedtime (and possibly
after).

I arrived from Java, travelling with Swiss biker
(John) 12 days ago. We hope to leave here at the end
of the week and in a change of plan for me, we will
ride across Lombok, Sumbawa and Flores to Timor and
cross into East Timor. From Dili John ships his bike
to Darwin and I will ship back to Singapore and head
up into Thailand.

I have spent half the time here working on the bike. A
few months ago, in Sumatra, I managed to break the
driveshaft and in the course of finding out what was
broken also discovered that the clutch was in it's
death-throes. Both parts were repaired locally
(there's no BMW bike dealers here), but halfway across
Java it was clear that the clutch fix wasn't going to
last. Luckily a contact in Bali (thank's Steve) had a
friend and fellow BMW nut coming to visit and managed
to arrange for a new clutch to be brought along
(thank's Bruno and Dee Dee). We changed the clutch and
I also gave the bike a major going over. On a ride
around Bali the following day, however, I broke the
repaired drive-shaft with the newly available power
increase. Back to the workshop! Another repair with
some fancy glue, and that broke too! I will have to
take it easy until I can get a new part in Singapore.
Getting good at taking the thing apart now, but
definately no more through the box wheelies.....

Went to a Bali bike meeting a few days ago. Lot's of
real ancient Euro stuff around (and that's just the
ex-pats!) - it's good to see old bikes being used.
Still there's not much choice here as the only
officially imported bikes over 200cc are $30k Harleys.
Did a few sidecar stunts with Dee Dee (hopefully
picture to follow....) much to the amusement of the
Balineese long hairs.

Feeling a bit home-sick (again!), if I'm honest.....
and only a month after I was back in England!
Hopefully being on the move again will cure me. As a
rough plan I will be in Thailand for December and
January, then set of in a loop around Laos, Vietnam
and Cambodia and back to Bangkok. This will probably
be the end of this adventure - from there I will ship
whats left of the bike home in time for summer. Can't
face India, Pakistan, Iran etc at the moment. I'm sure
you must be able to do all this on the 'net anyhow?!
And I bet the photo's are better quality....

'Til next time, Jason.