Today I received the sad news that Terrence ( Terry), one of Sanur’s true pioneers and a cornerstone of its expatriate community, has passed away at the age of 88.
I have many fond memories of Terry dating back to my first arrival in Bali in 1997.
At the time, I had spent nearly two years sailing from Hawaii to Bali on what was meant to be a round-the-world voyage.
By the time we arrived, my partner and I had decided we’d had enough of life at sea. The plan was simple: fix up the yacht in Bali, sell it, and move back to Canada.
Bali, however, had other ideas.
Not long after arriving, I was approached by the Four Seasons Hotel—then ranked the number one resort hotel in the world.
They admired the yacht and asked if I would consider chartering it to their VIP guests. That conversation became the beginning of Bali Yacht Charters, and it was through this venture that I first met Terry and his lovely wife, Niniek.
Terry and Niniek owned and operated Raja Meats on Jalan Danau Poso in Sanur, a place that quickly became essential to my daily routine. I sourced quality low priced supplies there for VIP charter guests, but more importantly, it became a hub for stories, advice, and laughter.
Walking into his shop was never dull. Terry, like most captains, was wonderfully colorful—and unforgettable.
He even had a parrot with an exceptionally foul mouth. You’d barely step inside before being greeted with a loud, “**** off, mate!”—courtesy of the bird.
When I first arrived at Benoa Harbour and the Yacht Club, I asked a simple question: Where should I live if I want to be around other expatriates?
The answer was unanimous—Sanur. That recommendation turned out to be the best real estate advice I’ve ever received. Sanur became my home for the next 17 years prior to where I now live in my lifetime dream house on the coast.
In those days, it was vital to befriend long-term expats quickly. They were the ones who knew how things worked—where to source materials, who to trust, and how to navigate life in Bali.
Terrence was an invaluable source of knowledge. He owned one of the oldest yachts in the world, built in the late 1800s, and his experience ran deep.
Through Raja Meats, I also became involved with the Bali Cricket Club, which originally operated out of Terry's shop, then an old bar, before eventually moving to its own premises on Jalan Danau Poso.
We used to joke that we didn’t play much cricket—but we drank a lot of beer.
Those afternoons after work, usually starting around 4:00 p.m., were filled with lively discussions about world events and Bali life, shared with familiar faces such as Ray White, Trevor White, Philip, Bob, and John from The Bali Sun newspaper.
Terry served as President of the Bali Cricket Club, a role that suited his character perfectly.
Sadly, a few years later, he suffered a heart attack at the club bar and fell. He eventually moved to Australia, where he spent his remaining years in a healthcare facility after being partially paralyzed.
That he lived to the remarkable age of 88 is a testament to his grit, resilience, and sheer force of character.
I can say without hesitation that Terrence was one of the most important pioneers not only of Sanur, but of Bali itself.
He will be deeply missed by his family—by Niniek and her children, including one who has become a well-known media figure in Jakarta Josephine Firmstone.
Terrence, as a fellow captain, I firmly believe you have not truly left us—you’ve simply moved on to another plane, still watching over the seas and the lives you touched.
Fair winds and following seas, my friend.
No comments:
Post a Comment