A Journey Taken

It was pretty much a last minute decision to change the destination of our trip in 2009 from Hong Kong to Bali. There's a lot of skeptical views about the trip (considering Kuta was once the target of the terrorists and in 2006 a tsunami hit the Indonesian islands causing catastrophic damages) and while food and safety became the main cause of worries, I was somewhat determined to press on and make the trip happen. And so it does, despite the alarming earthquake that hits Padang weeks before our trip. However, considering that by then, our tickets were all booked and we have nowhere else to go, we decided to just trot our way to Bali despite the calamity that is hitting her surrounding areas.

Bali greeted us with her simplicity when we first landed at the Ngurah Rai Airport. It was really understated for an island that has welcomed tourists from almost everypart of the world and where even the big players in the entertainment industry went for an escape. But even in her simplicity, Bali exudes a mystical beauty that charms me right from the very moment I placed my feet on her soil.

The welcome party outside the airport was crazy. Hoards of men, some clad in traditional outfit waved their arms in the air, smiling warmly, as they keep a look out for their designated guests. We found our driver waiting humbly at the other corner, smiling like as if we've known each other for years. One can't help but feel at home almost immediately.

The drive towards the hotel was an eye opener for us. We marvelled at the regal scupltures of deities, heros and horses that decorated the streets of Bali. There will be tall entrance gates to signify the begining of each new vicinity/village in Bali and each of them were so intricately done. Words fail to describe the pride the Balinese took in their workmanship. Almost all houses were being decorated with 'janur', an intricate woven lantern made from palm leaves. And to show their religious adoration towards their faith, you will see offerings every where in Bali. In the cars, on the pavements, by the street, at the altars.. just everywhere. Such is the uniqueness of Bali. The absence of high rise buildings is another prominent thing in Bali. There are almost no skyscrappers. Most buildings doesn't go further than say 6th storey.

Le Grande Suites in Pecatu, Uluwatu wowed us when we first saw it. It's a piece of heaven on earth. Who would have thought that in the rustic laidback area of Uluwatu, lies a 5star condotel, that made our stay even more memorable. The suite was amazing, with 2 huge bedroom, each with a bathroom and a private jacuzzi where we would rest our tired feet after a hectic day out.

Le Grande Suites-8982

We spent the day 1 in the hotel, enjoying it's facilities while we planned out the next few days activities.

Day 2 brought us to Jimbaran Bay where we decided to beat the crowds and enjoy our seafood lunch in quiet and peace. It was a different experience coz usually, that stretch of beach will be bustling with activities and warungs in the evening. However, when we are there, we were being greeted by the lazy wind blowing and the serenity of the beach, unspoiled and untouched by the daily activities yet.

The food was fabulous and the Rp 1.4mil we paid for it was well worth the money. It was a spread to remember for sure.

After the lunch, we set forth to one of the most important temple in Balinese culture. The Uluwatu Temple, high up on the cliff was a picturesque setting that wowed me the very moment I enter the gates. How could one not fall in love with Bali after being greeted with such magnificent sight was beyond me. The temple boast one of the most beautiful sunset settings in Bali and to be able to witness it, while watching the cultural Kecak Dance was one of my best memories of Bali. If only I could take a piece of it's beauty home, I would but I guess I would have to be content with the pictures taken for now.

Fresh from the exhilaration of the activities on Day 2, we start out early in the morning in Day 3 which took us to Denpasar to visit the majestic Bajra Sandi Monument as well as the largest opened to public temple in Denpasar, ie, the Pura Jagatnatha. The monument stood as a witness of how the Balinese fought against the Dutch influence and it details the heroic stories of her fallen heros. The intricate designs surrounding the monument complex is fit enough to be a palace. The architectural details are immaculate and one can't help but wonder at the level of dedication its builders has. Pura Jagatnatha gives us a glimpse of what lies behind the usually closed doors of the Balinese Hindu temple. Our guide was an old man but so well versed in his knowledge that he made the entire walkthrough interesting for us. We also took a quick walk around at the compounds of the adjoining museum where we learnt more about the rich Balinese culture. It was different no doubt from the form of hinduism that we are exposed to in Singapore but the Hindu Dharma, practiced by the Balinese are much more interesting. So much mystic were encompassed in all it's rituals that everything looks like a epic scene from the Mahabaratha.

A quick stopover at Sanur for lunch and soon we are on our way to Ubud. There, we shopped to our hearts content at the Art Market before making a quick pit stop at the Puri Saren Agung, once a palace for the the Balinese Royalties. The Art market sells more than just handicrafts. There were spices, furnitures, clothes and everything else, all cluttered together. Bring along your best bargaining skills or end up paying riddiculous amount for items. I was informed that lots of cultural shows will be taking place at the Puri Saren every evening but since we're enroute to Tanah Lot to watch the sunset of her famous cliff, we have no choice but to forgo the cultural shows.

Next up was the Tanah Lot Temple. The icon of Bali. Who have not seen that picture of the temple standing alone in the sea, while the sea waves crushed against her walls? That mystical temple said to be inhibited by holy snakes. While the temple itself is only opened to worshippers, the surrounding compounds however are opened to everyone. We start off with the Tanah Lot Flea Market where one can shop for almost anything under the sky as they make their long journey to the cliffside. We bought a couple of things there. Bargaining skills are a must in Tanah Lot especially coz store owners here are so used to over charging foreigners. One can end up paying a lot more than what they would have paid had they bought the stuff in the Ubud Art Market. The sunset at Tanah Lot isn't as beautiful as the one we saw at Uluwatu but the waves there are magnificent. To see the crushing waves rising up against the cliff, inches away from where we were standing and to watch the temple slowly being surrounded by the rising tide is such a beautiful sight.

Tired from the exhausting trip around Bali on Day 3, we decided to take a longer rest and only set out to Nusa Dua and Dreamland after lunch time on Day 4. We make a quick stopover at the Nusa Dua Bualu Art Market for somemore shopping and found that while things are much cheaper in Nusa Dua, the variety pales in comparison to the shops in Ubud Art Market or the Tanah Lot Flea Market. Not much bargaining skills were needed while shopping at Nusa Dua coz most of them will be willing to lower the price after you ask them for the first time. This is unlike Ubud or Tanah Lot where you'll need to be determine in your price negotiation with the vendors. Nusa Dua is a sleepy little village, with not much buzz thus any sign of interest from you will excite the vendors. After shopping around at the Nusa Dua Art Market, we make our way to visit the Nusa Dua Beach, after a local guide we met at Tanah Lot told us that we should not give that beach a pass. Ironically, when we reached Nusa Dua, the tide was low and there's almost nothing to be wowed at. It turns out that our driver brought us to the wrong side of Nusa Dua beach. Where he brought us was where the locals like to hang out. What the local guide was telling us about was the stretch of Nusa Dua beach where the tourists like to hang out. We barely spend 15 minutes at Nusa Dua before deciding to rush to Dreamland where our final pit stop will be. We need to catch the surfers in action before the sunset and we're lucky that we managed to reach there before the sun starts setting. True to her name, Dreamland offers us a dreamy setting of the orange/purple sky and majestic waves that comes crashing to shore, much to the delight of the surfers. The currents are very strong at Dreamland and you are advised not to wear flipflops to the beach or leave it lying around where the waves can catch it. It WILL be swept away. I promised you that much. We played in the water till the sun set entirely and of all the 3 days of sunset watching, this has got to be the best of all for me.

It was almost difficult to say goodbye to Bali on Day 5. The fun times and the warmth we felt from her locals are forever etched in our memories. The sunsets are paintings permanently installed in our minds and her waves will always be beckoning for us to return. We will return to Bali for sure and that is a promise. We have been enchanted by her simple yet mystical charms.

~ blog written by Artermisz