Bali - My Ideal Paradise - 01

I wanted to edit all the photographs and put it up here, but it was too much tasks for this near-midnight. I think I shall stop look at other photographs but just post few interesting photographs first for this first post about Bali. The trip was fun but short.. I think it was too short to enjoy the Balinese breezes and sun. I wanted so much to dip in the clear water ocean, but well, I guess I have to give and take for the trip. I shall called it as "Sight-seeing, relax, shopping and shopping" trip. My post this time is not going to be in sequence, but would like to tell my trip's stories here and there.

Let's begin my story with the place we stay: Kuta- yes, we stayed at Kuta Beach, - well as many people actually said the beach is polluted and messy, but I actually enjoyed it well enough. We got to stay a little bit further of Kuta Beach and the hotel is called Haris Hotel. It is different from the rest of the hotels because it is modern. I noticed alot of Malaysians who took the same flight, stayed in the same hotel. I think it must be economical, but clean and looks great in the same time. Luckily, I woke up early in the morning for a quick swim before our day tour. It was fun and cool. The hotel is decent enough, really.

I managed to travel with friends who are nice and warm, as we did managed the trip with satisfaction, compromising with each other, despite the time, few of us spent alot of time to choose paintings to buy back! Ops.. we shall not do that again! Promised! If given another chance, I shall travel with them again.

Next , let me talk about a great dinner place called Jimbaran. We went there on the first night. It is famous for their beach restaurants where one can enjoy their fabulous dinner and if lucky enough, will be able to feel the breezes, hear the sound of strong waves, and also, enjoy a great moment of warm sunset. Romantic. I did experienced all of it except the sunset. The meal that we took was equally tasty: a combo meal that comprises of a rattan basket of seafood with a bowl of rice. (Our dinner was in the package of our tour. It was decent).

The reason of missing the sunset at Jimbaran (on the first day of tour) was because we spent a better view in Uluwatu. Uluwatu is an art spot as well as temple where people would be able to do their prayer on top of the high land facing the ocean, and if interested, there's another spot for people to watch traditional dance (but need to pay for it). We skip both of it anyway, and concentrated on the impressive sunset. The view was great, with high cliffs and rocks near ocean. It reminded me of Great Ocean Road of Australia. It was superb, really breath taking. Despite the great view of Uluwatu, we were warned by our tour guide about the monkeys who happen to be "pencuri" - they always take advantage by stealing spectacles and anything that looks edible and playable. They even opened zip of bags too! My friend was a victim and I did "Hooooii!!" the monkey away. So clever. Uluwatu is amazing except ... the monkeys - they are.. hmmm.. not so beautiful.

We were lucky to experience Balinese's prayers and ceremonies alongside of our trip because we were told that on the Saturday when we landed, it was a holy day for prayer, and in fact, it was a holiday for all Balinese. We saw alot of people wearing their traditional clothes: sarong for males, see-through kebayas (with their bras) and sarongs for females. I did captured some photographs of their prayer in Tanah Lot. I also did took photographs of these group of aunties sitting nearby the pathway, preparing their folds to sell to people for prayer. They were co-operative. One auntie saw me taking photograph of them. I walked really quickly away.

Tanah Lot is really mystical. One of the temples is on a small island where nobody shall cross the ocean to reach it when it is high tide. Only low tide, it is permittable for people to worship their god in that temple. The other temple is located at the other side of the rocky island where it forms a curve below. The temple is located at the far end where one have to cross over the small path to reach it. If it's really big wave, it could hit the top of the temple. It was really amazing.

Tanah Lot also comprises of so many small shops where I did many bargains to buy alot of things there: rattan handbags, percussion drum, wood carved cats and animals. Quite alot to mention. I actually took photograph of this little boy who was selling pencils with wood carved animals on it - It costs Rupiah 10,000 for 10 pencils (which is about RM3.85 for the packet). He is so cute and I bought one packet from him. It was the first thing I bought from Bali. It was a nice trip. Well, I need to stop here and look out for the second post about Bali soon! Seeya!