Bali 2006

The Airport

'Mr Abdul Hafiizh Othman and Mr Arzme, of flight G-A-8-2-5 to Jakarta please report to gate 47 for immediate boarding.'

So Arzme and I found ourselves reenacting our own Changi-airport-based Amazing Race to dash to the gates. When we boarded the plane, the first faces we saw were of Fandi and his family. As we made our way to our seats at the back of the plane, clearly we were the last passengers to take our seats.

I think both of us regretted not recording that announcement on our handphones....

Sanur

We spent the first 4 days in Sanur. Arzme had gotten 4 nights free stay at this beautiful villa with a shared pool right at our doorstep. We literally could step out of our unit, take 5 steps and find ourselves underwater.

We shared the pool with 4 other units, but we only had one other family there at any one time. The first day we had a honeymooning couple next door to us but they generally kept to themselves. On the few occasions we did strike up some general conversations, though the guy offered stuff we felt bad for declining - like smokes and liquor.

Arzme and I walked down the streets of Sanur a few times but we couldn't find any places of interest. In the end we decided to stay in and make full use of the stove to cook ourselves a feast of instant noodles with sausages in a can.

The girls arrived the next day, along with our new neightbours - a Chinese family, probably Singaporean too. The honeymooners had left, and we hardly saw the family at all save for them returning home after dark and leaving in the morning. So we pretty much had the place to ourselves.

We brought the girls around with the same results. We did manage to find the local supermarket though (Hardy's) and we finally had real food.

The night life in Sanur left much to be desired so naturally Arzme got us all packed to head to Kuta for the famed clubs. We did enjoy ourselves at Hard Rock Cafe where Arzme enjoyed the trademark birthday celebrations, complete with traditional music and lots of whipped cream.

Here are the vids...but it was dark in the club.





It being a Sunday there was a concert showcasing Shannou. Not to my liking though. I was glad to head back to our villa for much needed rest and MTV.

Kuta

We packed our bags and headed to Kuta once more when our stay at the Emerald Villa's came to an end. Unfortunately in my haste I left my camera in the cab. My favourite digital Canon Powershot camera (my only one). I had checked the seat and around for items that I may have left behind but missed my camera that I had placed on the dashboard.

I was ready to forget that and not let it ruin my holiday so I was very glad when they suggested we all sign up for rafting down Telaga Waja.


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Yet this experience was all the more exciting because the girls actually fell into the water at one point! Sidah was hanging on for dear life while Intan was pretty calm. Apparently Intan had gone quiet after getting smacked on the face in Sidah's panic.

No harm done but we lost Sidah's paddle and she was more subdued for the remainder of the journey, poor thing. Intan also was a bit short of breath at the end, though I believe that was more due to the climb up the hill at the finishing point then anything else.

So much for the monsoon. The December waters weren't anymore choppy then my June experience. This rafting experience was definitely more exciting. I wished I had pictures though...

Kuta's nightspots were not as happening as I remembered. Later I read that most of the nightlife had moved up to the Seminyak region, so perhaps we were missing out. In the end we became regulars at the old favourite, Hard Rock.

The live music was great. Kudos to the in-house band, they really rocked.


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Sidah got upclose to the band during the audience participation segment. Some of the singers also came down to mingle with the crowd when they were between sets which I thought was really cool.

Sadly Arzme had to leave the day after to make another trip to Cambodia so (unsadly) I was in the company of my two girl colleagues.

Road Trip

We went on a road trip to watch a Barong performance, shopping in Batubulan and stopping by the picturesque ricefields of Tegalallang.


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By now Sidah had gotten over her trauma and was excited to see the ricefields she had been wanting to see.



We also stopped by Ubud for a short stop. We managed to book a room in advance for the day after. The girls were charmed by the high-rise living and impressive bathroom.

Our final destination was to the volcanic crater of Gunung Batur. We actually meant to make a trip down to the Danau but thanks to miscommunication, we were stranded on the slopes. Next time we were going to be more specific when renting a car with a driver. The young driver insisted that he was only paid as far as the village of Penelokkan, not down to the lake.

Thankfully the breathtaking view was a welcome distraction. We were lucky also to find a delightful little place to bunk in. We were worried that there were only high end hotels in that area.


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In the end we really enjoyed our night's stay. Dining was a pleasure thanks to the backdrop. Our hosts were also very kind. The only complaint was the incessant touting when we first arrived. It got much better the day after, but by then it was time for us to leave already.


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Ubud

Thankfully Ubud turned out to be another highlight of the trip. Intan particularly loved sitting on the ledge reading her books or writing in the journal. Sidah was as usual happily clicking away and gushing about the poster bed and bathroom. I was busy calculating how much over my budget I was.


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Ubud is well known for its culture and dining. We took the opportunity to catch a Kecak performance. We found ourselves early for the performance so we stopped by a cosy restaurant for drinks and pictures.


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We spent the rest of the days exploring the town. We didn't get very far. I think everyone was half-glad I had left our Lonely Planet guide with the trek maps inside back at our hotel room. We were pretty much exhausted by the heat.


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During the walk we stumbled upon a group of kids doing their own rendition of the Barong. We saw them again at lunch - apparently they were going from house to house to give blessings - shades of Halloween.



We ended up staying one more night in Ubud then planned. Even so I think we all felt we did not manage to really explore the town. Before we knew it, it was already time to send Intan off for her flight home.

Legian

Sidah and myself had booked ourselves a package deal to stay at the Legian Paradiso. Our hotel was the poorer cousin of Kuta Paradiso. It was waaaay too far from the beach.

We still had to find one night's stay in Kuta before checking in to Legian Paradiso. So we ended up back in Poppies Lane. That stay would be remembered for its meals. We had pizza for dinner even though we were quite full because there was a 2-for-1 deal. Then we planned to have breakfast by the pool, which turned into breakfast in bed since the pavilion turned out to be in need of cleaning.


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The last four days in Paradiso was more of a relaxing end. I really enjoyed the buffet breakfast especially since we ate enough for us to skip lunch.


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As part of the package we visited Uluwatu. The beautiful spots always have a temple, and this one was no exception.



We witnessed another Kecak performance, this time with a sunset backdrop. Afterwards I went hungry when we visited Jimbaran Bay for the seafood dinner.


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I'm glad I got my Kecak-Fire dance video as a keepsake.



To make up for it, I bought 3 A&W shakes the day after to last me through the last day. I am starting my cardi-aerobic-fitness-strength-training programme the week before christmas to lose all the pounds I put on. I'll miss Bali!

Goodbye Kuta old friend.