We’re really doing it!
Today marks exactly two weeks since we took off and time is already flying by. It’s amazing how much a week can make a difference in travel knowledge. I am by no means a travel professional, but I do know how to properly flush the toilets here, convert Rupiah to USD, say NO, I DON’T WANT, and effectively take a taxi without being ripped off. Little things like those make a BIG difference when backpacking haha.
I’ve posted pictures, but I haven’t been explaining how our daily routine has been. I’m going to rewind a bit over the past two weeks. and reflect on our stops so far in Bali. We started off staying in Kerobokan (basically Kuta) for 3 nights where we experienced the crazy traffic, beginners surfing beaches, and intense shopping markets.
From Kuta we took a taxi to Uluwatu and stayed 3 nights. Our days in Uluwatu were filled with long beach days on the secluded shores of Bingin Beach. Bingin beach is home to some of the best and most advanced surfing in Bali. From the shore we watched surfers ride some of the best waves I’ve seen in my life. This strip of beach was about 400 death-like stairs from the streets above, which probably explained the lack of vendors and nagging beach sellers. The days we spent in Uluwatu were probably the first that I felt relaxed since leaving the states.
After Uluwatu we took a taxi 3 hours North to the highlands of Ubud. Ubud was totally different from the two other towns. In 5 days we took a tour to some surrounding temples, enjoyed a 5 hour spa day, visited the monkey forest, shopped, ate A LOT, and saw a Balinese Dance. When you list these things off they seem very simple… but each entailed it’s own interesting twists.
First stop on our tour was at an old temple… which we were advised we weren’t allowed to enter if we were on our period. I’m not sure how they facilitate that one. Also on our tour, we stopped on the side of the road because a man had some animals you could take a picture with. For 20,000 rp ($1.64 USD) You could hold his python, pet his iguana and chameleon, and pose for a picture with his two bats. Seemed like a safe idea since the python was kept in a little box and had his mouth taped shut with a piece of scotch tape… I opted to let Ashley hold and I took pics haha.
I’ve had two massages before in the states, both of which were nice. My balinese massage was also nice, but it included a lot more… but rubbing? Apparently this is normal, but had me cringing in my face hole.
The monkey forest cost 30,000 rp ($2.46 USD) for entry and we only lasted about 5 minutes before bolting to the exit. They were EVERYWHERE. They were trying to steal one anthers babies and bananas, which made you feel like it was only a matter of time before the testy little things ripped your face off. You weren’t safe anywhere.. there was always one lurking above your head, next to your feet, or running straight for you. They’re known to be theives here, so we held our bags tight and made our escape. ( Later on that afternoon a few crossed the street and ransacked a shop we were in, which lead the owner to chase the monkey with a broom and hit it as it attempted to steal a stack of hats out front. We thought we were safe until two monkeys sneaked in and were running around the store. We then made our escape for the second time)
Shopping was always interesting because they offer things for 6 times the price (still cheap) then what they actually end up selling them for. We gained skills in haggling and by the end of our stay and were catching deals everywhere. At one market a man offered us a mini guitar for 600,000 rp ($49 USD) and a ukelele for 300,000 rp ($24 USD) we said “No thanks, too much”, he chased us down and we ended up getting both for a total of 350,000 rp ($28 USD).
Food. Lots of food. When we’re tired of being solicited (which is all the time) we eat. Most meals here are about $2.87 USD for traditional balinese fried rice w/ chicken or noodles with veggies. If you want something more american it ends up costing about $5. Talk about expensive! It’s funny because if you order a beer it usually ends up costing more than your meal haha. Cokes here are old fashioned and out of the bottle.. amazing (for $1.23 USD).
Lastly, the Balinese style dance was very cool. The “dance” ended up being more like a play with a narrator. We couldn’t understand the narration of course, but we didn’t care. Part of the performance was interrupted due to a stray dog wondering straight into the middle of the stage area. Nobody reacted when it sat there itching for about 2 min. I am not sure how the dog didn’t mind the bright lights, giant dragon costumes and loud gong sounds, but it ended up wandering off like nothing happened.
Today we made it to Mount Batur, where we will trek up the volcano at 2 AM for the sunrise! We were advised by the taxi driver that we should go pissing in the lake after. I think he meant fishing. I’m sure these last two weeks in Bali will continue to be full of surprises. Ready for some more adventures!
e to sneak into the little courtyard that smelled of lovely incense. The dark didn’t allow for much exploring so we made our way to our personal hut. A/C!!!!!!!! Exhausted and overwhelmed with this new country, we climbed in bed for a much needed peaceful night sleep.
We were dropped right outside of the beach area and entered with awe. There was set wave after set wave specked with surfers of all levels. 3 Steps onto the beach and somehow I managed to hold two adorable monkeys! This is the real Bali! Our awe lasted (visually) all day, but other interesting things occurred in between. Ash and I must have had “FOREIGN CELEBRITIES” written all over our faces or something because people all the sudden started coming up to us and standing inches from us and posing for pictures.. with us in them. I idiotically thought this was funny and made a thumbs up for picture #2 and my god was that a mistake! In a matter of seconds we were surrounded by people asking to take our photos, sit with us and trying to talk to talk incomprehensible english to us. It was very similar to a ” throw your last piece of sandwich on to the beach and in seconds every seagull in a 50 mile radius show up” situation. Probably the weirdest thing ever.
crowd. Bet your sweet bottom when the next person came up claiming they just wanted to “practice their english” I told them to get out of my way they were blocking the view of the sunset.
Abby travels 