Bali Discovery

Bali, the Island of God's. Pulau Dewata as the locals called it, rated as one of the most beautiful and diverse tourist spot in Asia because of it's white-sand beaches, the surf and magnificent sunset... So happy to experience it all...

FIRST DAY

Since our Journey to Denpasar, Bali took 2 flights to arrive and timing is crucial when you're flying with Air Asia, we have booked Bali Tune Hotel on our first night. Departed from KKIA at 1230 then KLIA , arriving at 530pm. The journey was worth it.

SIGHTSEEING

Strolling at Legian-Kuta, one may find quite a few temples like these. The "Pura" stands mighty everywhere around Bali, and every houses has their own shrine!

Even Statues of Gods or animal-like is no stranger here....

CULTURES

 

Balinese People are Hindu, yet significantly different from Hindu,India. The Balinese actually integrate Hinduism in their daily lives...From offerings and blessings, to dances, wood & stone carving and pray occasion...
Balinese people strongly believes the power of spirits dwells in everything - Good and Evil. Perhaps, thats is why offerings is a compulsory practice to appease the spirits. Every single day, small offerings trays containing some food, flowers, money and cigarette are "respectfully" served on shrines, temples, in front of shops & houses, dangerous crossroads..and here...at the street.

AMAZING PLACE

A mesmerizing sight of Tanah Lot, which literally means "Land Sea" where you can see a temple sitting on a huge rock. But guess what? Nothing of Man-Made Marvel,but the continuous ocean tide over the years actually shaped it!  Warning : Do Not go to RED FLAG, or you'll get smacked with silent huge wave!

 

To reach here, we had to endure shopping resistant as we had to walk through a tempting set of Balinese-market souvenir shop which covers both sides of path (so many shops!) down towards the sea. This giant arch is the end of the market (thank goodness!) 

We managed to witness a worship at Tanah Lot. Since Hinduism is a religion of worshiping of many Gods, Hari Libur (Public Holiday) are generous and much awaited ceremony in Bali. From what I've learned from pak supir, the Javanese Business owners often decline Balinese workers due to generous worship day...too many compulsory holidays...

FOOD

One of the Delicacies in Bali is Babi Guling (Rolled Pig?!) literally. Have no fear because Bali offers you varieties of delicious, mouth-watering food. From their local delicacies... bebek guling (Rolling Duck?!), Nasi Padang, Oriental Indian Food, to Western Food of Fish & Chips or perhaps you prefer Fast food...KFC & Pizza? No worries...In Bali, People won't starve...

ARTS & CRAFTS

~ Kamasutra ~
Other than breathtaking sceneries, we also enjoyed Balinese arts and crafts... from paintings to wood and stone carvings, these people are so gifted. These arts actually portray Bali itself. The people, the culture, the religion....

Balinese Beautiful babes...

Stone carvings was well stacked and arranged neatly alongside of the road.

It lookS real and the feeling of standing next to Jesus sculpture is real too...

Well, this is just "art"...

Men & women at work. It was no nice of the person in-charge to tell us some details about their wood carvings. I learned that most wood they use is Mahogany since its easier to carve on. Others are Basswood, oak and teak. We have also been told that these talented carvers are of family business and is passed on from one generation to another . Truly amazing, that i bet the prices they sell these awesome sculptures and  figurines are well worth to buy. For a small sculpture for Rp200,000.00 to human size figurines for Billions of Rupiahs!

NIGHT LIFE

If you are into night clubs then Kuta-Legian-Seminyak is the place to go. Just imagine entering & leaving different clubs just next to each other! 

Night life at it's peak!

Enjoying my cocktail...

This place rocks!

Another Stop... 

KUTA BEACH

The family that adore beach life...us...

At Kuta Beach, nothing is Free. Our beach bench and that big umbrella cost us about Rp120,000.00. Then when you just want to take some relaxation, there you are bombarded with walking beach-vendors. They come, They sell, They MUST sell!  Saying No, Thank you wont work, you might as well shut up and pretend they are all invisible. Sounds Harsh, but I've been there. I accepted to get my hair braided for Rp80,000.00, then out of nowhere, came 3-4 more vendors offering massage, pedicure, manicure, accessories, clothes...you name it... i bought a necklace from this one, hoping to get rid them all, but that was a huge mistake!

Beach Surfing - Renting a surf board for Rp100,000.00 per hour, no guide, just you. Beware of scam! My Hubby lost another Rp100,000.00 because this man who rented out the surfboard said hubby broke his board (a small rudder under the board). So, lesson learned, check for imperfections before paying anything!

Mt. BATUKARU

Gunung Batukaru. The black residue is from melted larvae where the volcano erupted many years ago and to this day remains active.  

ON THE STREET

Our Pak supir also informed us that it's ok NOT to wear safety helmet on Worship Day. but if you're wearing casual clothes and riding a bike without helmet, then is against the traffic law..hmmm how odd..

 
Bali Bombing memorial Ground located at Kuta District ~ to commemorate the victims of Bali Bombing which occurred on October 12,2002, killing more than 200 lifes where mostly were Australians. 

SUNSET DINNER

Don't ever leave Bali without experiencing it's sunset diner Restaurant. Get a romantic dinner by the beach , overlooking the vast Bali sea water, while enjoying Bali Traditional Dance performance - The Barong Dance. Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted by this beautiful Balinese girl, offering flowers to customers, which she proudly slip over my ear.

Enjoying a romantic sunset dinner by the beach...

WATERSPORT

Other than sightseeing, water-sport is a Big Must-Do in Bali. Located at Nusan Dua, Holiday makers who love water sport will be directed to this part of the beach, as the other white-sand beach of Kuta , sadly does not carter this kind of event and I haven't got the answer why. So, either you're into snorkeling, diving, banana boating, the place is Nusan Dua. However, to my surprise this part of the beach is undeveloped, nothing like a tourist attraction at all. Its just dull...

From Nusan Dua beach, we went to a small Island called The Dream Turtle Island. Here, the people raise turtle-ling and hold this place as the breeding ground for turtles. This place is not developed by the Indonesian Government but by the local people instead. Im giving them a big thumbs up for their sincere purpose. Although its called the Turtle Island, Visitors are fisted with other exotic animals. These pictures says it all...

 A tame Python that weight heavier than it looks!

After a nice night at Tune Hotel, we went downtown to look for another place to stay for our whole 1 week vacation. And there it was, Aquarius hotel....
Room rate ranged from Rp150,000.00 - Rp250,000.00 a day, which is quite ok...

A dip in the pool heals tired feet after a long walk of shopping and sightseeing... and Vinoun was really enjoying it. 

Had great time in Bali..hope to Visit again soon...

Then..it was back to basic....