Bali: May 2009

In a nutshell:

Sights * * * * *

People * * * *

Hotel * * *

Beach * * *

Food * *

Company * * * *

Sights * * * * *

90% of the population are Hindus, the remaining 10% are Muslims, Buddhists and Christians. You can see temples and shrines at almost every corner of the island. Offerings (tray made of palm leaves, laden with flowers of all colours and fruits and a single joss stick) are found at these shrines, on five-foot ways, street corners, on the roads, simply everywhere!

My favourites, in descending order:

Tanah Lot - it was low tide, so we could walk right up to the huge rock where a 15th century Hindu temple sits. We were deprived of a sunset due to heavy clouds.

Uluwatu - What we missed at Tanah Lot, we were rewarded with the most beautiful sunset ever at Uluwatu, right next to a 11th century temple, which is perched on percipitous cliffs, 70m above the ocean.

The kecak dance was spectacular. The sun bidding us adieu provided the perfect background for a cultural experience, with 53 male dancers going "kecak, kecak, kecak". (I asked Cheech and AB3 to imagine 53 men with bodies like Daniel Craig, topless, with Brad Pittesque looks and both had to wipe their drool off). What was more amazing were the female dancers, lithe and supple, with fluid movements.

Tip! The monkeys are a nuisance - you have to be careful of your belongings, especially sunnies perched on your head. They are wont to steal them and just cast them down the ocean, Tom Fords or not.

Kintamani - Mount Batur is a still active volcano, the last eruption was in 1965. Our guide, Pak Yasa pointed out a wisp of smoke from the side of the mountain. Adjacent to the volcano was Batur Lake, looking very serene and tranquil.



People * * * *

We were charmed from the time our guide greeted us "Selamat Datang" at the airport. Pak Yaza (pronounce Yessir :D ) was friendly, accommodating, informative, everything you could ask for in a guide. Our driver, Pak Made was quieter, but a very nice man nonetheless.

We learned that Balinese call their firstborn - Wayan, second born - Made, third - Komang/Nyoman (not sure which or could be both) and fourth - Ketut! Throughout our stay, Pak Yaza refered to us as Wayan, Komang and Ketut!

Tourism is their main revenue generator, so at every place we visit, we were heckled to buy souvenirs and/or "services" by children and women especially. By "services" - I mean hair braiding and temporary tattoos. We were advised to just ignore them, but it's hard to not at least say "tak mau, terima kasih" (no, thank you).


Hotel * * *

We stayed at Bali Prani hotel, located at Tuban. We were fooled by the description on their website which says that "Stepping out of the Bali Prani Hotel you are just a few steps from all the great restaurants, terrific shopping and exciting night life for which Kuta beach has become famous." Maybe they forgot to mention that they meant Goliath's steps. And then some.

Apart from the distance from Kuta, the hotel is a nice, cozy and clean place, with a quaint little pool, enough for some soaking and swimming after a long day of sightseeing. It was definitely value for money.


Tip! If this is your first time travelling to Bali, I would advise you stay at Kuta. I mean like really in Kuta (and not just "a few steps from Kuta"). You might wanna ask the hotel, exactly how many steps from Kuta are they talking about. There are tons of hotels in Kuta, from Hard Rock Hotel to small cozy inns (there are plenty at Poppies Lane 1 & 2).

Beach * *

Nusa Dua - there are plenty of water sports for you to enjoy - jetski, parasail, banana boat, etc. Kuta is famous for surfing, but no motorised water sports.

I am not impressed with either beaches. Maybe because of the hype surrounding Bali, I had higher expectations. In fact, I find the Datai beach at Langkawi more beautiful.


Food * *

We had seafood dinner at Jimbaran beach. The tables were set on the beach, the sounds of the waves serenading us as we dined. The highlight of the dinner was the ambiance, and not the food.


I'd like to believe that Balinese food is much better than what we tasted, because we were not impressed at all. For people who live to eat, to suddenly eat to live, that's just so wrong.

Tip! We were lucky to have stumbled upon Bamboo Cafe, a nondescript cafe along Poppies Lane 1. It was easily the best food we had in Bali throughout the trip, and I hate to believe it had to do with several hours of walking in Kuta, being hot and muggy, with achy feet and dying of hunger and thirst. Bintang beer was smooooooth and cooooool... We even ordered a plate of baby lobsters! Food is good and cheap (only RP 182,000 or MYR 63 or USD 18). We had 2 bottles of large Bintang beer, 1 fruit punch, 1 Coke, 1 sweet and sour chicken + rice, 1 fried chicken + rice, BBQ pork ribs + chips, 1 jaffel (a very distant cousin of waffle - banana and honey sandwich - lightly toasted) and 1 plate of baby lobsters (4 pieces). Yup, good and cheap.


Tip! Try their martabak (close to our murtabak, only theirs is deep fried and look like spring roll). Our mamaks can learn something from them! And also terang bulan which is apam balik (similar to pancake, with filling). You can have a choice of filling - chocolate sauce, corn, peanuts, etc. Yum!


Company * * * *

I would gladly have awarded 5 stars but I had to take out a star from Cheech. I would have taken 2 stars out but I'm only taking one out, to maintain our friendship (Hahahahaha - insider joke). The reason for only 4 stars - I was deprived of sleep, thanks to Cheech.

AB3 and Cheech are great travelling companions, if you can ignore their jokes (Confucius says a man who run behind a bus will get...? Scroll down for answer).


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... exhausted! (Stupid joke? Totally).

It was a good trip. A much needed holiday. Thank you girls!


(Wayan, Nyoman, Ketut)