Bali
Ah Bali, we arrived last night at 7:00pm, and after making our way through the masses of porters, we got a pre-paid taxi, and I did my usual trick of not waiting for my change, so instead of 25,000 rp it was 50,000 rp (12,800 rp = 1 gbp), oh well live and learn, I did the same thing in Mumbai.
We had picked accomodation from the Lonely Planet book, it was located in Sanur (quieter than Kuta) on the beach. We got there it was beautiful, literally on the beach, a small bungalow, with breakfast served on our patio, when we woke. We walked (200m) to a local cafe, and had some food, and a couple of beers, which cost us about 2 quid. Then we hit the coolness of the room. We woke at about 9:30, and walked out the door onto the beach, and took in the blue sky, and bluer sea. Very nice.And only 10 quid a night, not bad eh!
Kisumasari II, our Bungalow by the sea
Maria relaxes on the veranda
The beach (in the rain) at Sanur
We've just strolled along the shopping street, towards the beach market, we've been offered 1000's of watches, time shares every 5 minutes, and 'Transport' more than we care to mention. But after expereincing it on the Indian streets, we can cope, and it is very polite, and they understand 'No thankyou' quite well.
We have bought a couple of items, 2 surongs and a T Shirt, which we needed, and it cost about 6 quid for the lot, so that's nice!
We've just stopped here to update the site, then we'll be off to the beach market, and back along the beach to our Bungalow. So more later. See ya
We managed to get back to our place without having our hair braided, our butts tatooed, our extremities massaged, or buying one of several thousand watches, but it takes a certain amount of tact and will power to do this...We did notice however that the beach by our bungalow, was crowded with boats, and extremely shallow for about a mile outwards until it reached the reef. Which we thought would curtail our swimming activities slightly.
Later on we popped to the supermarket to get a few bits and bobs, and whilst doing so noticed a place called 'Puri Gopa Homestay' which although 5 mins from the beach was very nice, with a beautiful pool. We enquired about price and availability, and it was about $10 a night more, so we booked for the following day.
For our meal we visited a large open restaurant, which featured Legong Dancing, we chatted to the manager, who was from australia, originally England, and had relatives in Southampton area. He had been there a week! The show was good, and the music was loud, drums and bells, with no apparent tune (Videoed it).
Kevin and the (short) Bali dancers
Later we returned to the bungalow and fed the stale biscuits we had bought (didn't check the date) to the dog called 'Blackie. We drank a few beers and then slept.
April 8th
Got up had breakfast, and went to change money. We had been told that changing money was a tricky business, because all the numerous money changers had there various scams to do you. So we were prepared. Or so we thought. We checked a few rates, and decided that 7500 rp per US$ was a good one. So far so good. We went to a nice young lady, and sat down. She took all the relative details, and counted out 750,000 rp onto the table. I counted it, and noticed it was in fact 705,000, as she had given me 5 * 1000's instead of 5 * 10,000's. Ah ah I am ace I spotted it, we had won. We took the money and jubilantly stroed off to out bungalow. I took one pile of 100,000 and gave it to Maria, and said 'Here's 100 for the room, and here's another.....', 'There's only 50 here' she said. No there's 10 lots of 5000, Oh ARSE, I had counted each pile of 5000's as 100,000 whilst they were only 50,000. Luckily there were only 2 piles like that. So we had lost 100,000 rp (8 quid), due to the fact my mathematical brain was asleep. ACE!. We paid the man for 2 nights, and packed our bags and walked to our new dwelling.
Puri Gopa Homestay, our room
the pool outside our room
On the night time we went to a restaurant called 'Planet Sanur' which was good. Lots of music from 60's,70's,80's and later on a live band, which were local, and slaughtered a few good tracks, but now and again threw out a reasonable version of a classic. A good Led Zeppelin number, and a few others in the rock gendre were quite acceptable (I'll try and video them before we leave).We consumed several beers and retired for the night.
April 9th
Lazy day by the pool..........followed by a reasonable steak at another nameless restaurant. Then I watched Aston Villa vs Leeds live on Bali TV, with Sky commentary.
April 10th
Went to Kuta in a taxi, and speant a long time on the beach, hired a boogie board, and sufred some 6 to 8ft waves, which was exhilarating and knackering, and unfortunately burning, we both overdid it a bit, and are now a sort of lobster pink, we had some food, and plenty of drink before a return taxi to the bungalow, and a di in the pool to cool down. Evening meal was local and very tasty, then we sort of collapsed (gently) on to the bed and slept. OW, oooh careful, ouch.
April 11th
'Bali Egg Day' Maria was getting bored with tea and toast, so today she ordered 2 hard boiled
eggs. The kitchen staff had to ask us how long to boil them for. Once we had got them Maria
set about her new recipe
BALI EGGS
2 hard boiled eggs
Brown Sauce
Seasoning to taste
Method
Shell and mash the boiled eggs into a small saucepan or bowl. Add generous helpings of brown
sauce, then sprinkle with seasoning. Serve on toast or straight from the saucepan. Yumeee !
In the evening we went to 'Planet Sanur' again, and were treated to fine food, and more music
from a nameless band (See video)
Maria enjoys a cocktail at Planet Sanur
April 12th
Jet Skiing day
We wandered down to the beach and along to the only High Rise hotel in Bali (8 storeys), when
people saw it, they agreed never to build any more. You can see why, it sticks out like a sore
thumb. Outside this building on the beach they were hiring Jet Skis, so we decided to have a go.
Maria had done it before, but I had not, I was a little aprehensive, and as we set off you could
tell. Maria went full throttle out into the sea, and I gently squeezed the accelerator, and eased
mty way to the open sea. But after a couple of minutes we were both blasting our way from one
end of the beach to the other, and then racing out to the reef (the furthest we were allowed to go)
It was great fun, and the fifteen minutes were very enjoyable. We will definitely do it again
maybe in Oz, or possibly in Fiji.
Later in the evening we spent a couple of hours alone in the pool, and discovered that Maria is
Miss Bouyant 2000, and I can't float, which I had known for sometime, but as Maria lay quietly
on the surface of the pool, I sank to the depths and lay on the cool tiles below.
THE GARBAGE CRAB
Our local cafe
We went to or usual haunt for dinner, and after eating we sat again watching the fishermen, when
we noticed a small crab appear from his hole in the sand, near to our feet. We thought he may be
hungry so we threw him a cocktail stick (covered in tomato sauce) which he jumped on, and then
carried below ground, only to appear a few seconds later. We then tried Chilli sauce, but he
didn't take it. Maria tried a small piece of chicken, which he happily took into his home, followed
by red napkin balls, green napkin balls, and a peanut. Where he takes them and what for we don't
know, but it was amusing watching him try to maouvre a cocktail stick into his little burrow.
April 13th
LEMBONGAN
Today was our trip to the island of Lembongan. We were picked up and taken to our small boat (about
16ft, with twin 60's for those who know). On board were 2 Brits (us), 2 Germans, 4 Locals, and 1
live chicken. which we assumed was lunch!. The trip was about 1 hour, and so we set off. The
going was smooth to start off with, then we reached the sea, outside the reef. There was quite a
swell, and the boat bounced off the smaller waves, and rolled wiht the bigger ones, as we were
holding onto the rails. The Germans started to go quite pale, and sickly, but as it happens never
actually vomited. Afer about an hour we pulled round a corner to the private beach that was to be
ours (the 4 of us) for the day. It was beautiful, in fact it was as we had imagined Bali was going
to be like. White sand, gentle blue waters lapping up the beach.
Our beach at Lembongan
We landed and were given a drink
and some food. The for an hour or so we swam in the clear warm sea, before climbing back on board
the boat, and going out a little way to do some snorkelling. Other boats had arrived in the Bay
now, but had to stay moored, and nobody was allowed onto the beach, which was nice. Katut our guide
gave us a single slice of white bread (which I asked "Is this lunch", I think he thought I was
serious) to feed the fish. We held it tight in our hand, and then slowly had to let small pieces
go, and the fish would take them. So we jumped in, and snorkelled over the coral. It was so clear,
and colourful, with hundreds of bright tropical fish swimming around us. We let go of the bread, and
indeed the fish came and took it, sometimes nibbling our hands to get more. The experience was
something completely new, and very enjoyable.
Maria enjoys the clear blue sea
At 1ish we returned to the Island for lunch. We ordered pork and tuna, nobody ordered chicken!
The afternoon was spent swimming, and sun bathing. I took a canoe out into the bay for a while, and
paddled round the large boats that had turned up. As we relaxed we could hear thunder coming from
Bali, and the skies over there were dark. So with his in mind Katut called us to say that as it was
late afternoon we had to return to Bali. We said goodbye, and boarded the small boat. The Germans
gave us a reluctant smile, and we set off. The sea was rougher, and the waves were choppier, the
sky was dark, and we were thrown about by the sea. Maria sat up front next to the driver, and I just
gripped the railings, and bounced along. We made it back though, and really enjoyed our trip to Lembongan.
April 14th
Didn't do a great deal today, just sunbathed, swam, ate and drank the day away. Maria learnt how
to make 'paper roses' from the waiter in the restaurant, so your bound to see them on the next
dinner table we have. Assuming we ever manage to get a house to put it in!
April 15th
We're really getting into this lazy business, and today we again opted for the do nothing option,
until the evening when we got dressed up, and went into Kuta, looking for some life, but all we
found was a good Pizza place, and some beers. Then it was back to home, and watched Man Utd vs
Sunderland Live! on TV in the room.
April 16th
Yep, you guessed it. Nothing at all. But tomorrow we are off to the north east of the Island, to
see a few places of interest. Temples, water falls, a volcano, and some local craftsmen. I am
supposed to wear a Surong in the Temples, but we'll see. If I do, I promise to take a picture.
I'll be back soon before we leave Bali with more tails, after we have visited the North of the Island. But before we go, if youi are planning coming here then here are a few expressions to learn
'Transport'
'Watches'
'jewellery'
'Not buying, just looking'
'One look at my store'
'Massage'
'Manicure'
'Hair braided'
'Glasses'
'Hats
'Hash'
'Marjuana' (soory I can't spell)
the standard answer to most of these is 'No thankyou', the others you can say what you like, it still gets on your ****.
April 17th
TRANSPORT ?
This is the call you are greeted with all over Bali, by people who want to take you round the island, and show you the sites. We met our 'Transport' man, whilst walking along the beach. His name was Made (pronunced maddy) and he was very polite. He showed us his map and where he could take us. He also listened to where we wanted to see, before offering us a route. His cost was low, and he had all the correct documentation. (Don't be fooled into the 'Cheap Cheap' as they are often un-insured and illegal.)
Our driver and Kevin
Went on a tour of the western part of the Island, we first of all visited a local dance, more hammering on things and blowing pipes in no particular tune. It was quite entertaining, but more entertaining was the Bali/English pamphlett to go with it.Then we stopped at a rice terrace, which was straight out of the picture books.
The rice terraces near Ubud
After an hour or so, we left their and visited some local craft centres, with silver/gold smiths, we saw how they made silver jewellery. It was here that I bought Maria a ring, got down on one knee, and put it on................... Don't panic , it was a toe ring, and I had to kneel down to get to her foot. Next we saw artists at work, and they had some beautiful paintings, I could have spent loads there, but they would have proved difficult to carry with us. So next it was the wood carving centre of Bali, and here again were some beautiful creations, including two 3ft high elephants, but again too bulky to carry, and at $5000 each, a little pricey. We did buy a small mask, just to remind us of the trip though.
A whole family at work in the carving centre
Next to the volcano, the active volcano, and this is when the rain started, unfortunately. It was torrential, and the roadsd were being flooded, but bravely we climbed until we cam to the area where you can view the volcano from. Where is it I asked, because we were enveloped by cloud by now. But we waited, and after a few minutes, the rain stopped,a nd the volcano came into view. It was impressive, and as we watched a small steam eruption came from the side, which I have on video.
The live volcano (that cloud is a steam eruption)
Moving on we went to a temple, and it was absolutely hammering down. I was wearing trousers so no surong was necessary (sorry!). we got soaked, and the temple was not so impressive.
One part of the largest temple in Bali
Kev and Maria in the rain at the temple
On the way back home we visited the Monkey Forest, and saw loads of our favourite animals, we fed them banana, and as Maria filmed, one took a banana from her pocket, causing her to shout out, and vidoe the floor for a few minutes. Maybe 'Beadle' will like that one, or that Big bird from Emmerdale.
So on the whole a very enjoyable day, and we saw all we wanted to considering the weather we had. Made was a good guide, and he was keen to learn more English as we travelled. If you are in Bali, then call him, you will be guaranteed a polite, and informative tour.
Made, Putu (his daughter), and Maria
I MADE NUKRADA
(Lesot)
ENGLISH SPEAKING DRIVER
Sanur - Bali - Indonesia
Phone: (0361) 282002
Kode pos (80228)
Tell him Maria and Kevin sent you
The evening was at Cafe Jepun, and the food was as normal.
April 18th
Lazy day, not much happening. We walked along the beach for a few miles, and I had a tatoo of the ying/yang symbol in a burning sun, in black on my right arm (ow!), picture to follow.
My new addition
Maria had her hair in beads, which looked crap, so we took them out about 5 minutes later. We walked back down the beach again in the evening, to Mango Cafe, and watched a reggae band, and had the best food we've had so far in Bali, which isn't too difficult, because the indonesians, are not cullenry geniuses.
April 19th
Woke up, sat by the pool having breakfast. Bacon sandwhich, we had 2 each, thats, eight slices of bread, and there was atleast one piece of bacon in total, honestly one piece of bacon between eight pieces of bread. Then the new arrivals came to the pool, and they had a 3/4 yr old child, who decided that shouting was huis new game, in German......... Maria said lets go to Australia, and before she had finished the ..lia part, I had the tickets out.
In summary....
Don't get me wrong Bali is nice, very relaxing, and some parts are very nice. We going to the manicured and reportedly false 'Nusa Dua' tomorrow, so that will have given us a vision of all parts. We like Bali, but probably wouldn't come back again, the people are pleasant whilst you are buying off them, or using there services. But the sreet hawkers are too much, and the 'No buy, just loooookiiing', 'one more dress', 'yes please you looook in my shop' just gets too much after a while. One thing, it has made me realise how much more friendly, and helpful the Indian people were, I suppose as we travel around we will re-assess certain places, in comparisson to the new ones. But up to now. We would visit India again, we wouldn't go to Singapore again, there is nothing more to see there, and Bali we probably wouldn't bother with.
Spent the last days eating, and wandering around, we met some people from the UK, who had just come from Australia, and they gave us some ideas on places to go. So now we are ready to move on.
Us pair on the last night in Bali
And so on the 22nd April we move on to
Australia