Frankie – The Bali Tour Guide (Part4)

Click here for part3, part2, part1

When I first saw him at the Bali airport after the Group had cleared the Immigration, he was just like another Indonesian working in the construction sites in Kuala Lumpur with dark complexion albeit with much more hairs. He was wearing a long-sleeved batik shirt with a bag slung to his shoulder – a trademark of most tour guides. Introducing Frankie (not his actual Balinese name) – he was our tour guide in Bali.
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Frankie, the tour guide in Bali

Interestingly, he studied in UKM (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) Bangi from 1986 for four years. So he knows a lot about Malaysia. When he saw us, immediately, we were connected. He could name places like Puchong, Selayang, Lenggen, Penang, etc. At first, I thought that it is Pedas Linggi along Jalan Seremban-Tampin; it turned out to be Lenggeng in Negeri Sembilan where he tasted our local durian that go with rice.

He speaks good English; good in verbal communication and could sing a few Malay romantic songs (while traveling in the tour bus). He has been the tour guide (in Bali) for groups of Malaysian’s NSTP, Panasonic, Siemens, Sime Darby, etc. (just to name a few).

After singing a few songs, he said the next time we come, he would sing Andy Lau’s Chinese songs – one of the four Heavenly Kings of Hong Kong – to us.
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Frankie is conversing with the group while travelling in the tour bus

In the notorious Bali bomb blast in October 2002, he was almost one of the victims. However, with a twist of fate, he was not present at that moment and that saved his life.

With many years working in tourism industry, he is knowledgeable about the places in Bali and the politics of Indonesia. He could even give us valuable tips as to the quantum to bargain when shopping at the bazaars.

If you are interested to visit Bali, you can contact Frankie direct:

Bali Venture Holidays

Firman Yudi Erlangga (Frankie’s real name)

Denpasar, Bali-Indonisia.
Email:

yudibalio@hotmail.com

Mobile: +6821805625037

Fax: +62-361-762439


Bali Bombings in October 2002

On the eve before our departure (back to Kuala Lumpur), Frankie said he would want to take us clubbing at the Kuta area where the happening is. Since streets in Kuta area are narrow – most roads in Bali are narrow anyway – the whole group walked with him. After walking for about 10 minutes, he suddenly stopped at an open-spaced area. We were actually standing right at the Ground Zero spot (in front of Sari Club) of the Bali bomb blast in October 2002.
. This special design is on the road in front of Sari Club, now a vacant lot surrounded by fencing (photo courtesy of Woon TP)

At the exact location where the bomb was detonated, the authority of Bali laid a 10-foot diameter design to remind all the exact location of the blast. The memorial, listing the names of about 200 victims, was built just opposite the road.

On that tragic day, a suicide bomber inside the nightclub of Paddy's Pub (at 2 o’clock direction opposite Sari Club) detonated a bomb in his backpack, causing many patrons, with or without injuries, to immediately flee into the street.

With the blast, most people would rush out with a curious mind to know what was happening. The second bomb, contained in a van parked right in front of Sari Club, was timed to explode with maximum casualty. The force was so great that the buildings nearby were collapsed and windows were shattered several blocks away. The explosion left a one meter deep crater.
. The memorial listing the victims, locals and foreigners (photo courtesy of Miss Choi SN)

On that tragic day, Frankie’s wife was having food poisoning and required medical help. So he did not go Sari Club to meet his Western business partner. Unfortunately, his Western business partner was one of the victims in the bomb blast. The blast also shattered his dream of expanding his business with a Western business partner.

Since we talked so much of the tragic event, it was a coincidence reported in the CNN news later that evening that the three Islamist militants convicted over the Bali nightclub bombings awaited executing in early November.
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The re-built Paddy's Pub (photo courtesy of Miss Choi SN, who visited Bali in September 2008 and stayed in Holiday Villa, very close to Kuta area)

Clubbing

I actually learned this word, Clubbing, from Frankie. When the briefing by Frankie was completed, we walked about 50 meters away to a pub for clubbing (drinking and dancing). At the happening street of Kuta area, there are many pubs and night-clubs. The operators only provide the facility: the environment, decoration, good food, drinks, etc. served by waiters and waitress. The patrons find their own companies and buddies.


Written by KC