Yesterday I came across and email a friend of mine sent out about her stay with us in Bali, last year. Not exactly a JBR but thought some of the info might be of use/interest. No prices etc just thoughts on the places that we visited.
Its 11 years since I first came to Bali, so it will be interesting to see the country with a local who can speak the language and get us around in the mad traffic, which comes at you from every which way.
Bali, is just 8 degrees south of the equator, has a tropical climate of 85F all year. Only two seasons Dry (April - Sept) and wet season - the rest of the year, when the humidity is very high and oppressive.
14th September, another early morning, another flight to catch.
Up at 4, in the airport by 5.30 and checked in. Flight leaving at 8.05.
Had a lovely flight on Singapore Airlines on one of the new planes that seat 475 passengers, 10 seats across - 3 and 3 and centre 4. On this plane they have suites, first class, business class and econ. I was in econ where there was ample seat space, and a good recline and foot rest. The service was superb as always, each person is given a menu. Food is served with china and stainless steel cutlery. Ice creams and drinks are offered free. 120 movies on the entertainment along with TV and music and games.
Toilets are cleaned during the flight (only airline I know that does this) staff cheerful and helpful.
Arrived in Bali on time, was through immigration in 50 minutes despite having to pay for a visa on entry and long queues.
We got home around 930 to Gemma's very large nice rented house and had a traditional Indonesian meal then we sat and nattered until late. Of course I have to get used to some of the customs too, leaving my shoes at the front door, not that Gemma cares as a European, however my first visit to the toilet and bare foot I step into water. The toilet (whilst European) is in a wet room because of course Indonesian's use water to clean them not paper. So, I have to remember on my in the night loo breaks not to slip a*** over tip going into the bathroom as the floor will be constantly wet.
There is no bathroom sink either, so cleaning the teeth means the water has to run whilst I spit the toothpaste onto the floor for it to wash away down the drain. Cold showers only too, although the water isn't really that cold and with the humidity and heat it's refreshing to take one.
Sunday, we decided to go out early with Martin, to visit Rebecca who is a friend over from Australia visiting her husband's family and checking on a house they are having built. Had lunch at this small hotel The Ugly Duckling, and then went off to Legian Beach for the rest of the day. A most enjoyable time people watching.
Monday and we are up early and off. We went, not far to the GWK culture place which was an old quarry that has been turned into a place with giant statutes and gardens. Museum is underway but not finished. A most enjoyable morning.
Tuesday, went for a walk around the block, met the neighbours nice people, some wanted to pick flowers to give to me.
Gemma made a picnic (which we did not eat) and we went off to Bali Zoo. A lovely place, well organised and animals well looked after. Beautifully set out in tropical vegetation a most enjoyable day.
Watch a flick when we got home.
Wednesday a late start for Gemma I was up early, did an hours Spanish, went for a walk around the area, took some photos of flowers. Came back, we went out to meet Rebecca and family and off to the Turtle Sanctuary, conservation, supported by WWF.
Came back, had lunch, and we ate and ran off to Uluwatu, to see an important temple, Pura Luhur Uluwatu it is perched on the south west tip of the peninsula, atop sheer cliffs that drop straight into the pounding surf.
We enter through an unusual arched gateway flanked by statues of Ganesha. The real attraction to be here for tourists (as Hindu worshippers can enter the temple) is the sunsets and the Kecak Dancing; not to mention the monkeys who like to snatch anything within their reach. The place was packed with tourists. I had taken off my earrings and watch but forgot about my glasses, which got taken by one of the monkeys. Only after being offered more fruit a bag full did the monkey drop the glasses, which he had chewed one arm at the end, and one of the plastic covers for the nose clip piece. Martin had one of his sandals taken, so ended up bare footed until we were ready to leave.
Thursday we leave at 0800 to meet with Rebecca her hubby and two kids we are going to Bedugul which is a mountain resort about 1000 mtrs above sea level so much cooler, and a 2.5-hour drive from Jimbaran where Gemma lives. Once out of the city area we pass through many colourful streets, rice fields. Our first stop is to Botanical Garden set in 154 hectares, fortunately we can drive around. A lovely place with far off views of Beratan Lake, which is where we are headed.
We drive onto towards the lake with the intention of finding somewhere to eat, and found a new place that had only been open a month. A huge lot of land that had spectacular views of the lake and also been landscaped to include a restaurant, kids play area, orchid garden. Then tiered gardens for vegetables, fruit, coffee, and strawberries, which is the main fruit of the area, people selling pannets along the road, along with corn.
What a find, something for everyone to do. I had a chat to the owner who was very proud of his place, and rightly so, not to mention the food and service were excellent. Gemma will promote him on her Lombok / Bali forum.
We drive down to the lake to visit the Pura Ulun Danu Bratan (an important Hindu Buddhist Temple) founded n 17th century and is located on small islands on the Lake, and then I remember finally one thing I had seen last time I came to Bali. It's a beautiful temple with lovely gardens, another place for the kids to run free for a while, but we could take the dog in so Gemma and Febri waited outside.
We visited an extremely large abandoned hotel, (The ghost palace) which normally has a security guard at the entrance, not there so we ventured in and had a walk around. A huge amount of money and work had been put into this venture and then the money run out and it is derelict. It would be a wonderful place with views all over the valleys, but now it is like whoever took it on would have to knock it down and rebuild.
Saturday, we got organised early and went off to the Bali Orchid Garden, which opened in 1999. They have a truly exquisite orchid collection although there are other flowers in the garden. We had lunch at home then went to visit and take a collection of clothes to the orphanage the Gemma supports. BaliLife. 20 children reside here most of whom came up to greet me, shook my hand and said thank you for visiting.
Some of the girls were having Balinese dance lessons and they did two dances for me, very graceful, and clearly difficult to learn with the hand, feet, arm and eye coordination needed.
The boys were playing football and one of the managers showed me the vegetable garden the children help organise, and 100 chickens they keep. They sell eggs and vegetables outside the home. A delightful experience, and makes me realise just how fortunate I have been in my life and this is true of most of the people I know.
From there to Jimbran beach, where we had dinner on the beach, fish and chicken, a perfect end to a perfect day.
Sunday Off to the Butterfly Park and Tanah Lot, another important Temple. It rained a little in Jimbaran, and on our way to the butterfly park we drove through flooding and thought it would be a wet day, however, when we arrived, the sky was blue the sun was out and nothing could spoil the view. We took Gadis with us, a little girl who likes to play with Martin, so he had a friend to occupy his thoughts and keep them off the fact that his daddy was arriving a day later than planned.
We picnicked at the Butterfly Park and then drove onto Tannah Lot an important Temple in Bali. Having left Gemma and the kids to sit in a café I walked off to see the temple. Of course I wasn't allowed in with out a holy water blessing and a frangipani flower, only to find the temple was not open to visitors, in fact you can only go in if you are praying...well I suppose it is a good way to make money from the tourists.
A lovely day again and home with Satay and rice for dinner, then we took Gadis back to her family who are living in a partially constructed building as her father is working on the building site...another reminder of my good fortune in life.
We go off to Nusa Dua just for a drive around the real tourist spots and large hotels, Martin not feeling good either so we don't stop anywhere, and come back home for lunch.
In the evening Gemma, Martin and I go back to Uluwatu (I take off my glasses so the monkeys won't take them again and I had them fixed yesterday) to see the Kecak and Fire dancing at sunset. Kecak is the most unique Balinese dance, because it is not accompanied by any musical instruments. Instead a chorus of about 70 men imitate the sounds of musical instruments, tell the story and provide sound effects. The name Kecak comes from the chattering sound cak-cak sounds of the chorus.
Kecak is an adaptation of an ancient ritual ceremony called Sanghyang that was held to purify a village during an epidemic. In this ceremony two young girls would go into trance and communicate with the spirits in order to find the cause and cure of the problem.
A lovely hour spent at sunset watching this performance, then home to dinner, which Made had prepared.
Tuesday, and we set off for Kintamani which is famed for its large and colourful market (not that I saw it or am into markets) and is the main village at the site of the lake Danau Batur which is a lake in the crater of a volcano with villages set around the lake and on the crater rim. Alongside are two other volcanoes Gunung Batur (1717m) and Gunung Bang (2152m). The last eruption was in 1993.
Whilst here we took a boat ride across the lake to a cemetery at Kuban, a little beyond the village of Trunyan in habited by the Bali Aga people, but it is not a welcoming place. However the people of Trunyan do not cremate or bury their dead - they lie them out in bamboo cages to decompose. A collection of skulls and bones likes on a stone platform. This is tourist trap for those with macabre tastes...being one of them we went to have a look. The trees of the area have a particular scent and there is no smell associated with the dead bodies, one we saw only laid to rest 15 days previously.
Although the guides and touts from the village Trunyan come to offer their guiding services and looking for tips...we had several all whom look somewhat intimidating and of course wanted tips for giving us information. Interesting place to visit but not to be repeated any time soon.
Wed...to cove beach (Padang Padang...in the evening...
Thursday, took Jangi out for the daily walk, it's cooler this morning. We all go off to meet Ayak the new/old house girl, however she didn't get on the early ferry so we decide we can do a side trip before we pick her up.
We go to Padangbai - a port for Bali-Lombok ferries. It is a small bay with a small beach and plenty of pretty boats and plenty of cafes. On the way we visit Pura Goa Lawah (Bat cave Temple) which is one of nine directional temples in Bali. The cave in the cliff face is packed with bats.
From here we go to Candidasa a place of sweeping views on the way to Tirta Ganga (Water of the Ganges) is the site of a holy temple and a beautiful garden with water features.
After this visit we go back to Padangbai to pick up Ayak, then go for lunch and move onto Sukawati and its famous market, Gemma has a few things to buy for Martin.
Another lovely day, with a bumpy ride home on main road currently under a ‘widening' project. We have to stop to let some ducks cross the road.
We buy fish on the way home and Ayak will cook it for dinner, which proved very nice, then as always the family went to bed early.