Indonesia

We arrived in Bali on November 30th after a short 3-hour flight from Australia, and as hot as it was in Indonesia (33C, with 80% humidity) , it was quite refreshing to be in a country that challenges what you are comfortable with, i.e the language (although most people speak at least a little English here), the culture, the driving (not us!), the bartering for goods, being asked if you want a massage, a taxi, a boat ride, food, etc., constantly.  And then on top of all that you have to watch where you’re walking so you don’t trip due to uneven sidewalks (or lack of sidewalks), or fall in any holes, or trip on wires………  Talk about sensory overload.  Did I say refreshing?

After having been in Western-world countries for the previous 2 1/2 months, we really welcomed the differences and challenges.  We started off in Sanur (southeast part of Bali), a quieter area than the west but the beaches weren’t as nice.  The Indonesian people are so kind and lovely, and they have a wonderful sense of humour.   One day after lunch on the beach one of the many “massage ladies” gave me a neck/shoulder/arm massage (there are so many women giving massages here – I imagine during busy times it must be a sight on the beach with all of the massage tables lined up for the full-body massages – it was quiet while we were here and I think business was hurting).  I just couldn’t barter this one and she didn’t ask for a certain amount so I just gave her way too much for Bali standards.  Anyway I got a great hug and a kiss and a lovely smile and I’m good with that.  What’s $10 out of my pocket (just so you know, you can get a full-body massage for less than $10).

Our hotel room in Sanur was simple but the exterior was so elaborate and lovely as you can see from the photo above – it looks palatial, but it really wasn’t.  The pool right outside, although not very cool, was very refreshing in the humidity.   We spent 4 days in Sanur, with a little side trip to the Seminyak beach area (crazy, busy party area – but fairly quiet the day we were there, and the beach is quite nice) and then went to Ubud for 4 days as well.

Ubud is inland and lush with lots of temples, and it’s the arts and cultural centre of Bali.  It was quite different from being in the area of beach resorts.  Green and lovely.  You may be familiar with Ubud if you read or saw Eat, Pray, Love.  I believe it may have made it more popular.  We visited 3 great temples just outside Ubud, but I wouldn’t visit the Monkey Forest Temple – no way, not me, NO MONKEYS, thank you.  Apparently they even have a medical clinic just outside the temple area – hmmmm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some temples and rice terraces in and around Ubud:

Four days later we were on a “fast boat” (that’s what they call them) to The Gili Islands, which are right next to Lombok (another island almost the size of Bali) and approximately 1 hour from Bali.  This area is predominantly Muslim, and we found it all very interesting and really enjoyed our stay.  We were on Gili Trawangan (Gili T) which is the largest of the three northern Gili Islands, but still only 8 km around.  There are no motorized vehicles here, only bikes and cidomos which are horse-drawn carts.  I didn’t feel great about using one but we really had no other choice when we decided to change accommodation and couldn’t walk there with our luggage.  The small horses really get worked here.

We made it around the island on bikes one day and although an easy, flat ride, it was HOT, HOT, HOT!  I don’t think I’ve ever sweat as much as I did in Indonesia.  Did I say refreshing?

Here are a few more miscellaneous photos:

We enjoyed marking our 3-months away in Indonesia.  We’re heading to Hong Kong on December 15th to meet our Canadian friends, Christine and Paul (can’t wait to see you guys!), to join us on the next leg of our trip.  We’re then heading down to Hanoi, Vietnam and staying at the house of the sister of someone (Shannon) we know from Toronto.  Shannon’s sister, Kristi, has been so kind and generous in offering us her house while she’s in Toronto for the holidays.  Thanks Shannon for connecting us; and thanks so much Kristi!