Mystical Bali

Aug 3rd..I flew to Bali with hubby..Been wanting to visit this exotic place for awhile, and now that dream has come true. Although we were kinda broke, we proceeded with plans (thankfully hotel+fare have been settled way ahead). We used this cekai (somewhat useless) travel agent called HwaJing, and they put us on the afternoon flight (4.40pm) at departure. Blahh..so..wasted time at boring LCCT before we boarded. Nice smooth flight apart from the noisy 'monyets' at the backseat (a bunch of kampung young gals who've pbbly never travelled before). Our tour agent, Mr Hari was waiting for us in a nice traditional Bali attire. We were escorted to our ride, which scooped us outta there to our hotel. Wooh! Got our first glimpse of Denpasar, Kuta and then Legian.

Ahh..I saw lots and lotsa shops and lovely restaurants..mmm. Before we know it, we were in our cosy hotel room. It was already dark out, but hunger striked. So we walked out, and found this lovely restaurant with Bali umbrellas, and candles. The Flying Piano, weird name. We sat and had a nice dinner. The best thing was this local 'band' (more like street performers) were in da house hopping from one table to the next entertaining dining folks with their lovely render of local music. I was

also fascinated by this pretzel-like biscuit decorated at each table, they're yummy. Next day was our tour day. Woke up early, breakfast by the pool, and hopped on our van, and started our lecture by Mr Hari. He seemed like a very religious person (Hindu) as his tour lectures must always include some advice about how we are all in the mercy of God, and start telling about his Hindu believes. Altho we're not offended, we had to cut him off with questns about Bali instead. We're on a vacation, not some religious trip..hello! Other than that Mas Hari is a very humble man, he would make sure we understand what each place meant to the locals. We saw the traditional Barong dance, which is very slow, but mystical..
Without the brochure which had the story narrated, I wouldn't know what was going on. B didn't care to read it, so he sat clueless and yawned a few times. Then we started our journeys to the local art places, first was the place where they made silver (into accessories and decors), then a wood carving center. I understood how creative Indons are with their music, but now I realize they are just a bunch of very artistic species, as their workmanship in silver and wood are very fine and gorgeous. The last center is the traditional souvenir place. It has all kinds of embroideries of bamboos and leaves, and those famous handbag baskets are everywhere and of many hot designs, but they don't come cheap either..Then it was holy time, as we were whisked to the temple in the midst of the
jungle..Surrounded by ponds, it was quiet and peaceful. I had to tie this orange band around my waist, and B had to also wear a sarong, as he was wearing shorts. Hehe. This was of coz Mas Hari's fav places, he insisted on taking pics for us at every corner of the temple. I didn't mind as it was such a serene place. Then, still on a peaceful roadtrip, we stopped by this hills, to view the most beautiful padi fields on the island. Majority of the locals here are padi farmers, and altho there are many padi fields everywhere in this island, but these are the most beautiful.

Standing on the hills, seeing the padi slopes down, and in between are streams which gushed down into small waterfalls, anyone would feel de-stressed right away. Cool breeze, and swaying trees, even the birds are trying to be quiet around here..Didn't really wanna leave, but I was excited to go to our next stop, which is Kintamani, to see the volcanic hill. As the van struggles to climb the hill along a small (one way) road, we reached the place, where the most scenic view of the volcanic hill can be seen. It was even cooler up there, and even more quiet..That lake which was made by the lava from the volcano, I was told has no living fish, as it contains sulfur..I just wanna jump in and swim in that blue waters..if I can..We decided to hang out and have lunch there. A gorgeous restaurant set up a buffet offering, and we sat by the window not just swallowing our food, but also the lovely scenes around us. Ooh but here's where I found Indonesian satay is not good at all..ergh. I tried this tuna satay, the
marinade is rather blunt, and the gravy is even worst, tasteless..Er..how I miss satay Hj Samuri (Kajang) now. The funny thing is, when in KL you see every house, or restaurant, tries to decorate or design their place in Bali style, but here, all that..comes naturally..Which is brilliant. The wooden furnitures, the architectures, are so simple yet so exotic without really trying to be. The roads in Bali are so narrow tho, I wouldn't wanna drive here, but riding a bike and wearing those famouse army-style helmets with the goggles would be damn cool. We were driven back to our hotel, as Mas Hari's work is done with us for that day. We thanked him, and dropped dead in our rooms..at least for awhile. Yeay, I also LOVE the tv shows here, they have local celeb's gossip shows like every hour ok! And me knowing some of the Indon artists, were glued to the tv (ha..wat's new) whenever we're in the room..Saw Ungu performed in a tv show about Chrisye. They looked sooo tired..And saw Dewa's concert in Bandung! Ark..how fantastic..But the handsome drummer Tyo was missing tho..And Samsons in a tv commercial! Eee..cutenya...Radja was on tv a lot too..egh..dun really dig them tho..Anyways, we left the room again to go venture at the shops which we had been waiting for. On the way, we stopped by the beach..WOW. Such fierce waves. But the sand is dark brown. I thought it was from volcanic dirt, but a friend said the beaches went through heavy construction recently and affected the color of the sand..The sunset at Kuta/Legian beach is something not to be missed..And this picture speaks louder than words.
We kept walking, didn't buy anything..I wanted to check out the stuff first..well apart from trying NOT to indulge in too much shopping hehe. Coz we did have a full free and easy the next day. That evening we tried a different restaurant, near Kuta, which was as lovely and this time with traditional dance as entertainment. The performers are young kids of about 7-14 of age, but so talented. After they performed, they'd walk around and slip flowers behind your ears..Wah..how sweet. Even B got a flower! Haha. I regret not snapping any pics with them..argh..forgot man..The next day, we were all geared up for shopping. Oh but

it was such a hot day..We walked as long as our feet can take. Shopped here and there. I LOVE how cheap the accessories are! Argh..fabolouss! And before evening, B suggested a crazy idea that I braid my hair. Huh? Dowannla! But then again..it would be cool eh. So with these 2 ladies pestering me, I gave in. I sat for a good 45 mins, while these ladies work on my sweaty hair...I was still reluctant at that time..I'm sure I'll look odd. When it's done..woa...I almost laughed at myself..It turned out pretty cool! B laughed for a good 10 sec first, then he kept patting my head. Grr..Now I feel like a true beach bum, altho I haven't done ANY beach activity since we arrived..*grin* (poser). I wish I had done the braids sooner man, now I didn't wanna go back, but wanna show off my new cool do, but B was looking very exhausted, so we flagged a cab to go back to the hotel. Ahh..that evening we walked out again, and had another nice dinner, and this time a cheaper place, and with so-so cooking..We had western food most of the time in Bali, coz I am not confident with Bali delicacies. Tried teh botol, supposing a famous local drink.Ahh..then..went back and crashed. The next day..was the day to go home, but our flight was at 8pm, so we still have time to kill b4 that. Last min shopping, to spend the balance of our rupiah cash (which was not much), so we ended up hanging out at the cafe, drink as much Bali coffee as we can, bought CDs, more cheap accessories, then lepak at the beach...Time flies when you have a plane to catch to go home..Before we knew it, we were on AK705 heading back to KL..Sadness seeped in. I did feel comfy and so at home in Bali, like I could live there.. Hope I'll be able to go back..someday.
More photos can be viewed here http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/urbanbtch/album?.dir=6617scd&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos