When traveling to popular destinations, you inevitably get to spend time with other tourists (for example, stuffed next to them in small, Asian airline seats, at a communal breakfast table, or waiting for a boat). Most people we meet usually have a sunny disposition, eager to share stories and tell us that they are having a wonderful trip.<\/p>\n
Jyope, a tourist from the Netherlands, had a completely different disposition. And we found it quite entertaining.<\/p>\n
We met Jyope in a tour van. It was our second time in Bali and we decided to explore some of the interior, volcanic region. We signed up for a one-day, van and bike tour that started near the town of Ubud.<\/p>\n
Jyope\u2019s wife told us that this was their 6th visit to Indonesia. \u201cWow!\u201d we said. \u201cSounds like an annual tradition. Do you plan to come back for a 7th time?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNope,\u201d Jyope declared with a disgusted look on his face, his arms crossed.<\/p>\n
As the van climbed a ridge adjacent to a volcano, the clouds parted and provided a wonderful view. While the group snapped photos,\u00a0Jyope shared a story.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe climbed that mountain 17 years ago. The rocks were loose and you could fall to your death on either side of the trail. It was stupid.\u201d<\/p>\n
We joked that he must be happy because, this time, he only had to coast down the mountain on a bike. Jyope, however, just looked forward and shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe hates cycling,\u201d his wife said.<\/p>\n
Jyope was a rare kind of Dutch tourist indeed.<\/p>\n
Later, Jyope shared that he doesn\u2019t like to drink water. Come on, who really hates water? Jyope\u2019s drink of choice was coffee \u2013 20 to 30 cups a day \u2013 with milk. He stopped using sugar in an effort to lose weight. That many cups would add up to a lot of sugar!<\/p>\n
He also shared other things that he was not happy with: Indonesia\u2019s food and slippery sidewalks and\u2026 America. We guessed it was only a matter of time before US politics came up. During lunch, without any warning, Jyope leaned in towards me and said: \u201cYou know your country will soon be bankrupt from fighting all of these wars.\u201d<\/p>\n
I couldn\u2019t resist and just had to egg him on: \u201cNo, no. You don\u2019t understand. Once we win, we will make all of that money back. Can you please pass the\u00a0chilies?\u201d<\/p>\n
But Jyope\u00a0couldn’t\u00a0stop us from finding some gems during the bike trip through the Indonesian countryside.\u00a0I should point out again that it wasn\u2019t really biking. The van drove us to the top of a ridge and we coasted down several thousand feet. I think I rotated the pedals about a total of 60 times. (short bike video)<\/a>