Its rather sterile watching Bali through the window of a van.
The smells are greatly lessened, you don't hear the myriad sounds, the patter of conversations going on just out of sight. You don't experience the roll of foot as you wander along cracked pavement, that makes you pay so much more attention to your surrounds than you normally do.
Being enclosed in a vehicle means more than anything, that you don't interact with people outside of your own party. Its very secular, and in Bali particularly, thats terribly sad.
But, I'm determined we will do something about it!
Today we headed out for a cultural "get me outta Kuta" tour.
This involved firstly driving into Denpasar to try to pick up some batteries for Uncle's hearing aids.
Yes, not only can my travelling companions not walk, climb or see, but as we cannot find his batteries anywhere, Uncle is now officially going to be deaf! hahahaah... oh my. We will now be known as the horribly rude Aussie yobo's that walk too slow, bump into things all the time, step on offerings and YELL all the time to each other.
I apologise to everyone in advance!! hehe
Anyway, after our failure in Denpasar we headed out to Ubud via the Elephant Temple. Hubby and the kids braved the steps, while I ushered the ladies into the toilets. 2k and you get a few squares of toilet paper!!
Now the toilets were certainly clean, if a bit run down... and I have no complaints personally.
However, Aunty was a bit disturbed when the toilet she was sitting on moved... and I mean, MOVED. It wasn't fixed down at all, and it all but fell over with her upon it. I msy be exaggerating slightly, but the shrieks and wails of horror as porcelain and toilet water tumbled towards the ground were really a sound not likely to be forgotten.
Luckily Aunty managed to right things before disaster struck, and as she emerged, we all got a case of the giggles. In fact, we were laughing so much we failed to warn the next lady to enter the "rocking loo" stall.
She shrieked as well!
After our near miss at the Elephant Temple, we headed into Ubud. First stop, Dirty Duck Diner. All the great reviews do not do this place justice! Yes the food is great, but the restaurant grounds are amazing!! The Restaurant has a reasonably narrow frontage, but is LONG... heads right down into the ride paddies, with bale style huts lining a central garden/pond area. There is a mixture of Japanese style seating, and European, and it really is just a gorgeous setting. Definitely worth a visit, even if only to have a cold drink and a look around.
After stuffing ourselves silly (900k for mains, desserts, and 2 rounds of drinks for 7 people), we headed down to Monkey Forest. The boys wanted to go and have their photo opportunity moment, and us ladies decided it was a great idea to let them do so while we browsed the local shops.
No I did not let them take Bananas in... I was tempted, but Master 2 was being cute and adorable and I couldn't bear to see him traumatised.
So while the boys visited the monkeys, watched a monkey battle, and generally just got down to monkey business, mum, Aunty and I went in search of that elusive "I didn't know how much I needed it" item.
I seem to have become the group bargainer. Its not a position I enjoy, and I tend to skulk around corners hoping they will give it a go on their own. Unfortunately Aunty in particular is not managing too well. I don't know why but people are actually refusing to bargain with her! She found a tissue box cover that she liked... so she asked how much. The reply was around 150k, she came back at 50k, and the seller said no. She asked to bargain.. he said no and walked away. I talked to the same guy, and no problems at all.
She must have smiled at him funny.
From Ubud we headed out to Tegalalang. Fantastic views, really beautiful, and some interesting shops with slightly different items.
We didn't end up buying anything today except for a lovely carved horse (50k), but mum and I are planning on revisiting the wood and stone carvers you see on the way again, after we've banished the menfolk who insist upon being sensible, and we have a shipping container organised for all our purchases. :)
I might need two containers.. there was a full zized elephant I particularly liked!
Most of our party had had enough by this stage. We'd been stuck in the van for far too long, mum and I were exhausted from all the squeeks of dismay as we passed shop after shop after shop of beautiful hand carved statues, and unique glass urns, so we headed for home.
Due to traffic Nyoman took us home via Sanur... a pleasant drive, but one by one the group started to drop off.
You know how easy it can be to fall asleep while driving after a busy day, and you probably know how easy it can be to let out the occassional snore or snort when sleeping in an upright position?
Well there were 7 of us... even Master 2 was contributing. Poor Nyoman got stuck driving a van load full of people, who snored in an offkey tune all the way back to Legian.
He is bravely still willing to come tomorrow morning. Waterbom and Discovery Shopping Centre await.
Now as for me, I'm exhausted and heading off to bed.
Have a great day everyone. :)
xxx
BaliDaze