Movements from within
We all have them, those grumbling warning signs that something nasty is about to explode forth. Dare I fart, Ahhh thank god for that – only wind (this time)
Various descriptions of bowel movements become everyday topics of conversation in Bali. The three we used were
OK it's solid,
Soft serve and
Coke machine.
Coke machine is the worst – an explosive force of gas and other unmentionables that would probably blow the top off Mt Agung.
It is so funny how something that is sworn to secrecy at the time ends up becoming the most widely discussed subject every time you talk about Bali. The famous corner in Sanur where my brother shat himself a few years ago is now known to all my family. It has become a shrine of all that stirs within (sorry Trevor)
I am as regular as clockwork, even in Bali. I think I could eat anything anywhere and be alright. Not so for the rest of our party.
So many times we were out shopping and ended up having to buy a drink at a restaurant so one of the girls could use the facilities. Oh No not again, I have bought five drinks already can you hold on – not a chance – has to be NOW, or earlier if possible. Type, style or condition of the said facility is not important at the time; the only consideration is getting there fast.
Day trips were often interesting. The motion of the car seemed to stir up those rumblings from within to the point of agony. Car stops, rumblings go away – car starts and they return. Go to the toilet - smell toilet – rumblings go away.
Where do they go?
I have always told my wife and girls that they are full of sh*t
Dad is right again
I am in the sh*t when they read this
Oh well – Sh*t happens
Regularly sometimes.
Our driver
It is so funny how you carefully prepare a list of drivers, research each of them, read JBR's and have a fair idea who from the list you are going to contact.
All that went out the window. On day one we were walking up to Logi's supermarket for our essentials (Bintang, Bintang and more Bintang) when this guy gave us his card. We chatted for a moment and then went on our way. The girls said, he seems nice and that was it –we had our driver – so much for Dad's long beautifully researched list.
OK folks you can add this one to your list.
Made Sudiarsa (0361 734070)
He stands on the bend just behind Bamboo Corner restaurant on Jl Padma Utara, there is a little tourism booth there. Very close to the MBR. I know we get a little overwhelmed with the driver lists on the forum but you will not go wrong with Made. His English is not fantastic but is more than adequate. He is careful, polite and a truly wonderful caring person. My girls were quite sad to leave him after our last day trip and warm sincere hugs were exchanged without thought of any protocol.
Day trips
Made did a great job trying to fit everything in, telling us honestly if he thought our planned destination was too far for one day. I will not go into great detail here as we have all heard about these places many times and there are descriptions in the archives that do them more justice than my ramblings. Many of the places Margaret and I had seen before, but the girls being newbies wanted to see it all. Briefly this is what we did.
Trip one – A half day
We went firstly to Bali Bird Park and the reptile park next door. Then we went to Ubud monkey forest where Careena decided to confront a monkey who stole all our bananas. Not a wise thing to do, she then decided that she did not like monkeys for the rest of the trip. Don't ever try stamping your feet at a monkey whilst trying to grab your bananas – Hell it was funny. A short drive found us at Ubud markets where we had a good look around. From there we went to the Cahaya Dewata hotel for lunch, we had been here before and wanted to show the girls the awesome view. Walk through to the very back of the hotel as far as you can go, it's breathtaking and well worth the stop.
Trip two – A full day.
We started by going to Mengwi royal temple and then up into the mountains to the Bedugul fruit markets, what a great place. From there we had a short drive to the Water temple. Had a buffet lunch at the Mentari restaurant and then headed for the terraced rice fields in Jatiluwih. We did not have the heart to tell Made we had been there a few days earlier on the Waka Louka trip (more on that later) From there we went to the Kedaton monkey forest (despite the howls of protest from Careena)
A monkey there had stolen someone's water bottle and was having so much trouble getting it open, keep a look out for Australia's funniest home video's folks, it was hilarious
From Kedaton we went to Tanah Lot, wow what a crowd but it was spectacular as always.
Trip three – A full day.
Made picked us up early as this was Kintamani day and he wanted to get there before the cloud descended. Tamara was particularly looking forward to this day, when you live in Perth mountains are something you just never get to see and she was very excited at the thought of being on a volcano. Made's timing was perfect, I have never seen it clearer up there, he managed to avoid the worst of the aggressive hawkers and we just drank in the magnificent view. We had a light lunch at a restaurant that literally hung off the edge of the mountain, sorry don't know the name but you drive through Kintamani town ship and follow the road for about one Kilometre. After Kintamani we went to the elephant cave temple which we had never been to before. If you go there walk the extra distance down into the valley, there is the spectacular ruins of a massive Buddha statue that looks like it is thousands of years old. So peaceful and tranquil, I loved this place. We spent ages looking at the wood carvings in Mas, wow they are clever people and I would love to be able to bring some of those larger pieces home.
Trip four – A half day.
We wanted to show the girls Nusa Dua, each to there own I guess but I would never want to stay here, it is so far away from everything and seems to be like an isolated fortress.
From Nusa Dua we headed for the GWK cultural park. I was not sure what to expect here but it was a great experience and truly worth every minute. The statue when it is completed will be nothing short of spectacular.
From here we went to Ulu Watu, if you have never been here before go and have a look. I have been before but enjoyed it just as much this time.
Made, thank you for making our days out so special.
He is no more expensive than the average but we chose to give him a little more. We had the pleasure of meeting Made's 10 year old son on the last trip we did. He was very shy and spoke no English but it was nice to have him along with us.
Waka Louka Land Cruise
From questions I have posted here previously it seems that this trip is not very well known. The Waka Louka company has a group of quite exclusive villas spread throughout Bali and they operate a sailing ship similar to the Aristocat run by Bali Hai (love the Bali Hai trips)
The land cruise was something that Margaret and I have wanted to do for years. We had booked and paid with them back in 1999 when sadly we had to come home early as Margaret's father was gravely ill. We lost Dad but were fortunate enough to get home in time.
The land cruise is not cheap (about AUD $100) but it is special. Tamara paid for this one for us, like I said earlier we have very special kids.
They take you in an air conditioned four wheel drive to some of the most spectacular places imaginable, way off the usual tourist routes. You visit a stone quarry a village for morning tea and finish up high on the side of a mountain near Jatiluwih where they have built a restaurant exclusively for their groups in the middle of a huge bamboo forest. The traditional lunch is all inclusive and you get beer, wine coffee and cognac. The girls didn't like the cognac so I had to do the right thing and drink there's. Bloody yummy.
Way down in the valley Gamelan music drifts up while you are eating. A very memorable day and something we will always treasure.
I hope you can take more of this.
Part 4, 5 and the final bit tomorrow.
Cheers
Frank