JBR Bali August 15 - 30 2008
Part 2
21st August 2008
I had planned to drive in Bali for the first time. I organized my International drivers license, but promptly left it behind in my handbag. Oh well, not meant to be this time but will definitely hire a comfy car in March. May go from Legian, or just run around in Ubud. We'll see!
Day full of adventures
I got up early and sat down in the restaurant on the Tulamben beachfront to watch the sunrise. I wasn't disappointed. Resident puss chose to join us, for some reason we seem to be attracting the local cats this holiday, both being non cat people.
Made picked us up before 9. Unbeknowns to us, we had a car full. There were 5 children, Made and us. No problem. The children were going from Legian to the village as schools are closed until Monday.
Since it was Galungan (Pronounced Gul-oo-arn)yesterday, many ceremonies are being held in temples around Bali.
Lisa from Legian had invited us to visit her home in the village so we had planned this trip around doing so. She had asked if we were ok on motor bikes as there is no car access to their homes. They live in the mountainous MuntiGuning, Tianyar area. No probs says I. We drove up the narrow sealed road and I thought, this isn't too bad, ok for car, carefully. Wrong! We arrived at an open area and had a bike waiting for us. I took the first trip up to the home, then Trevor was to be picked up second. Oh my God! It was like a disused goat track, too rough for goats nowadays. I couldn't believe the track that continually lay ahead, far too steep up along the sand, far too steep downhill, over rubble, rocks, through ruts and ditches. Unbelievable! Sure enough after 20 minutes and about 5 km (Trevor guestimates more like 80) we arrived. (I kept saying to myself that Made had driven this track many times and he would value his bike, so we should be safe, but by crikey!!!!) I did think I'd ring Trevor and say don't bother. Too late, a second bike had arrived to take him along the tracks. He and I were totally shocked at the paths we had just driven, and, we had to go back as well! The family of Lisa's husband made us feel very welcome and we were examined by many other neighbours and extended family as we were the first tourists to visit their home(any wonder!). They make very dark palm sugar from a different variety of palm and present it in a roll of plaited palm leaves. It tastes delicious, more like a caramel. They climb up to the top of the coconut tree and wrap the fruit in woven bags then harvest later. Definitely not OHS approved! They had 7 cows undercover and 2 newborn calves. A piglet was tethered and let out a few squeals when they tried to walk it around. We also visited Lisa's family on way back, but more uphill to extend our return trip! Many visitors and lovely warm kind caring people. A few cows, some chooks and chickens, a couple of pigs, dogs and probably cats.
We were offered many treats, coconut juice to drink, coconut flesh, a warm rice mix with coconut and salty. What we didn't eat the children tried. What food they dropped the boss dog, Jack ate, then John the younger dog scavenged, followed by the chooks, its called the pecking order! Water is very scarce in this area. It is terribly arid, unbelievably so. They store rain water in tanks then when this runs out they have to buy water. Its 3000rp for about a 10litre jerry can. I think it may be 6000rp delivered to your home. Needless to say bathing and washing clothes is limited throughout the dry months. Some toes hadn't had a soaking in a month of Sundays!
I learned an important lesson today. Take over all donations of clothing to give to these people. Smudge works in this area. Some of the clothes being worn were so thread bare. So many holes. Any and all would be appreciated, I am certain. We gave Lisa's 2 year old daughter a Dora the explorer doll and she carried it around, cuddling it. We had taken donations on each previous trip but not so this time. I will never be turned off again, as I have been by some comments on the BTF. Warm long sleeved tops, tshirts, trousers, yes, bras, jackets. One dude pulled up on his bike wearing a black pin striped suit jacket which I am sure has enjoyed another life in another place and time.
As we descended the hill we heard the sounds of the Mosque, one of the daily chattings, or call to prayer.
Trevor said ‘Gidday' to one fellow, he said no he wasn't Gede??? I think he too was Made. One of the school girls practiced her English. Hello, where are you from? How old are you? Do you have any children?
We were both fortunate to survive the downhill mission, lady luck was definitely on our side! We stopped for lunch opposite Tirtagangga park in Amlapura area.
Many people on roads, busiest we have ever seen. Galungan sweet, or something similar, when the Balinese sweethearts spend time together.
We arrived at the gates to Bali Safari &Marine Park. The car parking area was full. We told the attendants we were booked into the Mara Lodge and a staff member from the Lodge escorted us to reception. We checked in and were shown to our room, Twiga Suite 210, last room with sensational views across the savannah. The view is uninterrupted. The room is round with the bed in the centre of the room facing the park. You can lie in bed and watch the animals and explorer vehicles pass by. A moat separates the animals from the rooms. We immediately walked out on to the balcony to see a rhinoceros straight out front. There were frolicking zebras, wilderbeast and antelopes. Seven Sumatran elephants came on to the savannah with their keepers and waded through our moat.
At reception I confirmed our booking in the Tsavo restaurant, which I had booked via my email communications with the manager but was told the restaurant had a private function. They then politely suggested it would be ok for us to choose a table and they would uphold our booking. We reserved a table in front, up along the glass where the lions were lounging. Little did we realise there would be a full on Lion sex show.
We were also offered seats at the Premier of Hanuman the Hero. The show was held in an auditorium with a stage about 25 metres wide and within the Safari Park. It included a team of ducks (a couple of the naughty ones dashed into the water), 7 elephants, many dancers, monkeys, chooks and roaring flames, possibly a cast of 60. The elephants were dueling, in ‘anger' one kicked a couple of rocks. The performance was really fantastic. So much was happening, we found it hard to catch all that was coming and going. The show will be held each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from August 21 to October 16 from 6pm.
Tsavo restaurant was set up with a buffet and the manager of the show invited us to join the special guests. A chef from the Singapore zoo has been sharing recipes with the park chef and he will do the same in the Singapore zoo soon. There were tv cameras and lots of interviews with guests. Bottle of Wine of the Gods shiraz, was 500,000rp and small Bintangs 30,000rp (imported beers 60,000rp). The toilets and cocktail bar has a lion in a separate enclosure immediately outside the glass windows and boy could she roar (think she wanted a turn with the randy lion). The lion in the main area was particularly frisky and mounted a female many times whilst we were in the restaurant. Apparently when he is in the mood he will fulfill his need up to 30 times a day. Honeymooning lion!
A park ranger wandered through the restaurant with a semi automatic rifle/machine gun thingy, which we felt was ‘overkill'. Later we found she was part of the dancing troupe. There are security guards positioned all through the park and staff on motor bikes surrounding the exterior.
We were asked to fill out comments sheets on show then restaurant, twice. We were also given excellent show bag.
We walked back along the raised boardwalk from restaurant to our suite to the sounds of the local Mosque.
(Trevors comments on the day ..... started off good and got better)
Our beds were turned back, slippers beside bed, curtains drawn and face washers changed.
It feels like dreamtime. What a day!!!!
We watched the animals from our balcony first thing in the morning then walked to the infinity pool area, to check it out. Breakfast was delicious and most substantial. The lions were released from their overnight area and we found Ms Lion was the friskier one and waved her scent past Mr Lion repeatedly until he succumbed to her temptation and mounted her. She made many demands for the duration of our leisurely breakfast.
We entered the park just after 9am and waited for the first explorer vehicle to take us through the park. There is a large ‘concrete' elephant as you walk towards tigers and elephants. I lay on the ground under the slighty raised foot of the elephant for a photo opportunity. Trevor took a couple of photos and bumped his head on the elephants belly. He cursed and a security guard came running towards me, thinking I had fallen and hurt myself. Whoopsies!
Many animals were still grazing on their morning food. Keepers were cleaning areas and the park seemed to be waking. We checked out the baby tigers and naughty orangutan, she seemed sick of her duties and gently bit a few holders. She was a good girl for me. We watched the bird show, with macaws, cockies and eagles. I bought a few items at the park shop and received 15% as a Lodge guest. We headed back to our room by 11.30 to pack then enjoy foot massages each. The Mara Lodge charged us 190,000rp to drive us back to Legian.