From the monthly archives:
If I may trundle out an old cliché, then let me say that if you only see one thing in Ubud, go and see a Kecak dance.
Kecak Dancers - Ubud Bali
Hearing 100 plus performers percussively chanting “cak” as they wave their hands in the air sent my hair’s on end.
There are performances on a couple of nights a week, which your guesthouse will have details of. Check out the Kecak Dance site for more history.
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Free wi-fi - Ubud, Bali
Ubud is the considered as the cultural centre of Bali. It is a popular place for expats and retreats for the mind, body and spirit. As a result Ubud has decent wi-fi availability. I would say I found better wi-fi here than in Jakarta, which must make it the best connected town or city in Indonesia.
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I got struck down with Bali Belly in Bali. After all of the months of days I have spent in Asia over the years this is my first case, so I have had a good run, so to speak.
Something was not quite right in Yogyakarta, so I can’t technically call it Bali Belly. Actually I prefer the French term diarrhée du voyageur. Everything sounds better in French. Loose Stool is the technical term, but that sounds more offensive to me than any other synonym.
I went to a chemist and the pharmacist reached for a well stocked supply of a remedy that did nothing for me.
Diasec
Anyway, this situation left me guesthouse bound and on a diet of dry crackers and banana’s. Apart from my limited travel options, this has also blown out my chance to feast on the famous Balinese Suckling Pig.
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Motorbikes with surfboard racks are everywhere in Bali.
Motorbike and surfboard
Motorbike and surfboard rack
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Hindu Offerings at Kuta Beach - Bali
Hindu offering baskets (canang sari) on Kuta beach, Bali. These baskets are a common site on the footpaths here.
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Bali is to Australia what the Costa del Sol is to England and Cancun is to the USA. It has long been one of the most popular international destinations for Aussie holiday makers. That has never been a good sales pitch for me to visit a place.
Australian Football Live in Bali
In the end it was a friend of mine who sold me on the idea to come. My Aussie mate has escaped the corporate life and is now living in a beachfront bungalow in Legian. My trip to Indonesia did not include Bali, but after looking at the map Java and seeing how close it is, I changed my itinerary to end this trip in Bali. So after 37 years I can finally sing I’ve been to Bali too.
I liked the vibe of the pace as soon as I got to the airport. I can see why it is such a popular place to visit. It’s reasonably close to Australia (Darwin is closer to Bali than it is to Brisbane for example), and if you had never been overseas before it would truly seem exotic. It’s a bargain priced holiday, the people are friendly and the surfing is the stuff of legend.
Surfing - Kuta Bali
First impressions of a place vary according to personal reference points. For example I am surprised at how brown the beach sand is. Various guide books led me to believe that it was “golden”. I don’t think the beaches compare to those of, say Thailand.
On the other hand I’m surprised at how passive the touts are. For years I have heard how persistant the market venders and beach walking trinket sellers can be. After travel in Vietnam though commerce in Bali seems tame in comparision.
I’m also surprised at how modern the infrastructure is, but that is in comparision to Sumatra, whose chicken bus jouneys are still fresh in my mind.
I’m looking at the map of Bali and there are so many things I want to see here. 8 days is just not going to do it. I can already sense that I will be back.
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Flying in Indonesia is relatively inexpensive, but buying tickets can sometimes be a hassle.
For my flight from Yogyakarta to Bali I found a good deal with Mandala Airlines. I jumped through all the necessary hoops and confirmed the booking, only to be informed at the very end that I couldn’t pay with an international credit card. I was given a reference number which I had to take to a partner travel agent to finish the booking.
The total price was 403,000 IDR (about $40 USD). I was happy with the price, though not happy that I missed the sneaky insurance box that was automatically selected.
Going to the travel agent added an extra 22,000 IDR (Agency Fee to make payment) and 12,750 IDR (+ 3% Credit Card Fee).
This payment situation happened to me on an airline in India as well. It seems incredible that an airline can’t set up international bookings on their website. Air Asia allow international credit cards for online bookings in Indonesia. It is no wonder that they are now one of the biggest airlines in Asia.
If it wasn’t for the fact that the flight was on at the time I wanted (plus I have never flown Mandala before) I would have gone with an airline that takes international credit cards.
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At every tourist hotspot in Java I have ran into groups of students practicing their english skills on tourists. I like the interrogation, even if it’s always the same questions. I always find the students to be friendly and enthuiastic. I can see why teaching English as a foriegn language appeals as a travel job.
To prove that they have been doing their homework the students usually get your email afterward and take your photo on their mobile phones.
English Students at Prambanan Java
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Having a TV again for the first time in weeks I was mindlessly channel surfing and discovered English Bites.
English Bites
The show is on the Australia Network by the ABC, and delivers mini english lessons.
Education has replaced tourism as Australia’s number one service export. That is not surprising considering that Australia is the largest English speaking country in the region.
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