Fairy godmothers of the night

The charms of Bali are plentiful, to which everyone from my Mum in the 70s and Julia Roberts can attest. Rice paddies reflecting the afternoon sun, the smell of incense wafting through the streets, ancient statues swathed in fabric and fresh flowers. I concur, I really do, but one thing I would like to bring to the attention of potential visitors is red light sabres.

Even motorbikes get their own morning offerings

Red light sabres are wielded by friendly men on busy street corners. These fairy godmothers of the night are basically there to help you with anything. They can summon a taxi, give directions or just point out a glowing path for you. They probably also give spiritual advice if you ask nicely.

My first visit to Bali coincided with Timor's parliamentary elections, but it was not qualms about election day mishaps that had me booking flights out of town. While Dili really isn't so bad, it does lack some little luxuries, red light sabres being just one example. Things like free internet, cool breezes and anonymity for malaes. Even the local brew, brem, has it on Timor’s tua (we tested this hypothesis thoroughly on our first night in Ubud). 

One of many ridiculously scrumptious meals. No cassava here

In a pause between eating, we got all hobbity and climbed up a volcano

Cynically surveying the young expats of Ubud last night with my Dili-based travelling companions, we got all high and mighty comparing their artistically dishevelled style to our permanently ruffian appearance. But each to their own. They may be able to take their fluffy dogs to shisha bars, but Dili has its own charms. Who knows, maybe one day Julia will make it to Timor to star in a follow-up to Eat Pray Love, titled Brunch Curse Hookup.

Fire twirling - is the universe trying to tell me that this is the way to the pretzel?