Day 7 - Monkey Forest & Ubud Market

Last night we had a great thunder storm, spectacular lighting show, Claire slept through it. After a very yummy breakfast we got the hotel shuttle into Ubud. We then found a very nice driver named Gusti to take us to the Monkey Forest.

We bought our tickets and bananas and headed into the forest. Straight away the monkeys wanted bananas. Claire was fine until a big male came up and he scared her a little. We headed down the track and feed some of the smaller monkeys. One young monkey decided he liked Claire and jumped on her back and decided that her head was a good table while he ate his banana. This freaked her out a little but the monkey was not aggressive he just wanted to eat his banana on her head. I found this very funny of course and lots of other tourist as well were laughing and taking photos. Once she started walking he got off and we continued walking around checking out the temple. We headed down to the river and took a few photos. Claire went to take one of me near a Monkey when he decided he didn't like me and showed me his fangs. This was a little scary but once we where away from him Claire then thought this was funny. We watched the monkeys taking a swim for a bit then headed out where our driver was waiting to take us to the market.

We did some last minute shopping but didn't spend too long as it was very hot and sweaty in the market place. The Ubud market is huge and you can get lost in there very easily but we survived. All our money spent we headed out and our driver was waiting to take us back to the hotel. Back at the hotel we headed to the pool for a refreshing swim.

We had lunch pool side chilling until we go for our body scrub and massage at 3.00pm. After that we will pack the bags and checkout at 6.00pm head to the Three Monkeys Restaurant in Ubud for dinner. We get picked up at 9.00pm for our drive back down south to the airport. This should take about 2 hours then we have the mandatory airport wait for our flight home at 1.15am.

Great holiday, still love Bali and will still come back. Hope Claire got to do all the things she wanted to do, there is always more to do and see. We have had great weather, only one day did it rain and we left that in Kuta when we went to sunny Taro to ride the elephants. It has been a little windy on a couple of days but lucky for us not yesterday when we were on the bikes.

Until next time Bali, Selamat Tinggal

Day 6 - Tour De Bali

Forget the Tour Down Under today Claire and I did the Tour De Bali. Our day started with breakfast over looking Mt Baturan and the crater lake. This is the first time I have ever been cold in Bali, the wind was very cold. After a Balinese breakfast the weather had warmed up. The clouds had cleared the mountain and the sun could shine through.

We have a variety of people on the ride, one couple form Canada, a couple from America, a couple from Melbourne and a girl from Sweden, all a great bunch of people. After breakfast we headed to a coffee plantation where we again sampled the different selection of coffees. This time a didn't have the Luwak Coffee instead I had the male coffee. This is more bitter than the traditional female coffee we usually drink. Yes coffee has a gender something I learned on this trip.

Next we are off on our mountain bikes traveling downhill on minor back roads experiencing the Balinese life. We stop at a cemetery and our guide explains the ritual to us. Nest we visit a Balinese compound and learn about the Balinese Life away for the tourist areas. We visit the village temple and the guide explains why each compound and village has a temple. We also visit the enormous Banyan tree thought to be about 500 years old. From here we are given the option of the downhill ride or the undulating ride, we took the undulating route. I was very happy when I could overtake people on the uphill climb, thank you RPM.

The ride was fantastic riding through lush paddy fields and plantations of a variety of crops. We are all very hot and sweaty after the 25km ride and the cold towels at the end where very welcome. We had a choice to end here or do the uphill ride back to the restaurant, we choose the van. I don't think I have every felt more disgusting, good thing we all were in the same state or the ride in the van would have been real bad. Three of the riders road uphill to the restaurant, they were dripping with sweat but good on them. An older retired couple from Canada did the uphill ride, I hope I am that fit when I am their age they are amazing. Must continue with RPM. Lunch was amazing, Claire didn't eat she was feeling a bit off. I think she was a bit dehydrated so I made her drink a bottle of water and sprite. The lunch included smoked duck and chicken which was so delicious, chicken satay, a very yummy tofu dish, gago gago, Balinese veg, noodles and rice. I am not a huge fan of duck but i could have eaten the whole dish it was so good. This was as advertised and one of my best meals in Bali.

We got back to the hotel and headed straight for the pool, this was the most welcome swim I have ever had. After about an hour we headed back for a shower before the complementary cocktail party with traditional Rindick performers by the pool. The pool had been transformed with candles surrounding it and candles lighting the pathway. There were floating candles and flowers in the pool and we had the company of a family of monkeys to entertain us. There where 2 baby monkeys which are the cutest thing you will ever see. I think we entertained the monkeys as much as they entertained us. We meet some very nice people and talked to a very nice couple from Melbourne who had some wonderful stories from some of there travels. After the cocktail party we headed back to the room to chill, Facebook and blog.

Tomorrow we might do the monkey forest and then head to to Ubud Market for last minute shopping. We are booked in for a body scrub and massage in the afternoon which I am really looking forward to. Today's tour with the Bali Eco Cycling Company is one of the best tours I have ever done in Asia, it is up there with Motorcycling in Vietnam. If you every come to Bali you must do this tour. Thanks Jess for the recommendation. This is my 4th trip to Bali and I learnt more today about Bali than I ever have. Last day tomorrow before the 1.20am flight Sunday morning.

Day 5 - Australia Day, Ubud

Last night we were so tired we got a taxi to Kuta, had dinner where I had the best chicken curry I have ever eaten and Claire had a pepper steak. We did some more shopping then got a taxi back to the hotel and crashed. We had a well deserved sleepin today after the last few days activities. We dressed in our Aussie tops for Australis Day. I think we both felt home sick today.

After breakfast I decided to get a massage as I am feeling sore after all those stairs yesterday and the poor old body took a hammering on the slides. Claire chilled out and sorted out her suitcase, packing all those Bintang t-shirts. Checked out at 12.00pm and our driver was waiting to take us to Ubud. 1.5hrs later we arrived at Alila Ubud. Claire even stayed awake the whole drive.

Very nice room with a spectacular view overlooking a valley. Only we seem to be sharing our space with ants, they dont eat much. You even have a great view laying on the beds, very peacefull. We settled in and had some lunch in the room before we headed to the famous infinity pool.

What a view from here, the pool is everything they say it is. We spent about 3 hours here just swimming and relaxing. After the complementary afternoon tea we got ready to go out to see the Balinese Barong Dance Performance.

The show was really good, it is performed by the local village Kedewatan. We had a photo at the end with the dancers and left them a really good tip as we thought they did a great job. After the show we had dinner at the hotel resturant. I had a local dish shredded chicken in this delisious soup, it was sooooooo gooooooood.

Early night ready for our Bike ride tommorow though the Balinese countryside. Mustn't forget the gel seat covers. Great day relaxing today and recharging the batteries for the next couple of days. Looking forward to tomorrow. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi, oi

Day 4 - Waterbom Park

Today is Waterbom Park day. After breakfast we walked to the park and hired a Bali Hut and locker ready to begin our day. The weather is hot and humid, sunny for a while then overcast for a while, should be good for the park and the sunburn factor. I am a little pink from yesterday's time around the pool.

First ride the Macaroni. This was a great introduction for Claire, double tube, fast, twisting and in the dark. She loved it. Next the bit tamer open ride and then the racer, Claire won this race. We did a few more rounds both double and single tube then headed for the Smash Down. I hadn't done this one before so a bit nervous, great fun, massive wedgie. Time for a rest on the Lazy River then a few more rounds on the Macaroni and Jungle Run. Had to do the Boogie Run, i won these two rounds. We headed back to the hut and had a rest and nana nap.

Next we headed for the Super-bowl and Boomerang. The Super-bowl is like getting flushed down the loo, fun but not scary. The Boomerang is great, massive drop then you are flung up a ramp, come back down backwards then over a hump. yeeha. Time for some lunch back at the hut then we decided on a Fish Spa and massage. I had done the fish in Singapore and new what to expect. Claire's face was a classic when the fish started to nibble on her feet. The treatment lasted 25 minutes all the while you have your back and shoulders massaged, heaven.

 Time to take some photos so we walked around the park taking happy snaps. Now I had thought I had achieved my waterside goal by doing the Smash Down but no, we discovered the Climax. This slide is a vertical drop, then you go through a loop before being catapulted to the finish. Ok this must be concurred, back to the hut to drop off the camera, one trip on the Boomerang for courage and up the tower for the Climax. Should be named the screamer.

We are both very nervous, very, very nervous. It gets to our turn. The worst bit is when you are standing in the capsule waiting for the floor to give way beneath you. You free fall for a bit, you can't help but scream, everyone does just about, men as well. What an amazing adrenaline rush, you legs are weak as you get off but we must do this again. Just about as nervous the second time but we are veterans at the third run. I am very happy, I have done every ride at Waterbom park now. Have to bring Noel back to Bali so he can do the Climax.

Totally exhausted we walk home along the board-walk back to the hotel at 4pm. We did eight hours at the park and so many stairs my legs are sore and stiff. What a great day. Think I need another massage for my legs.

Day 3 - Shopping and Tanah Lot

Today is sunny and bright, a perfect day in Bali. After breakfast we walked into Kuta to shop until we dropped. Claire soon got the hang of bartering and got tough with the shop keepers. After a pile of bintang t-shirts and sunglasses we walked back along the boardwalk back to the hotel. On the way we passed a funeral and they were cremating the body so we walked past as fast as we could.

Got back to the hotel and just relaxed in the air on before heading to the pool for a few hours before our adventure this afternoon. It was great by the pool we took a couple of swims and sunbaked a little. Perfect few hours.

 After lunch at the hotel Our guide Yuda picked us up and we first headed to the Royal temple. I hadn't been here before so it was very enjoyable and peaceful. Yuda explained the meaning of all the structures as we walked around the temples gardens. After the temple we headed to the coffee plantation. Claire had her own personal guide a little 5 year old Balinese girl her made her sniff all the different spices they also had on offer. She even gave us a demo on how to grind the coffee beans. We tryed all the coffees on offer and their teas. The ginseng coffee and lemongrass tea our favourite. I indulged in a cup of the most expensive coffee in the world Poo Coffee. It was strong but good. The beans are eaten by a local creature which looks like a cross between a cat and possum then they collect the poo, extract the beans and put them through some treatment and then wala coffee. We made some purchases then headed to Tanah Lot.

It had become overcast so no great sunset tonight but never mind it is still an amazing place. We did all the mandatory photos then had dinner on the cliff. I indulged in the lobster and Claire had the grilled barumundi which she didn't like. She thought it was too fishy. After dinner we went to the fire dancers show which was excellent. I hadn't seen this before either so we both enjoyed it. Claire got to experience her first squatt toilet today, I don't think she enjoyed it.

After an hour drive back to the hotel we headed to the Envy Bar to blog and Facebook. Waterbom Park tomorrow and a massage I think. Long day but a good day.

Day 2 - Elephants

After a great nights sleep in very comfy beds Which we needed after our long walk back to the hotel, we over shot the hotel by about 1km, we got up early for a really good Buffet breakfast. A big thunder storm looks like it is coming in we had better take the ponchos.

At 8.00am we headed off for our Taro Elephant Safari Park Adventure. After nearly 2 hours driving just missing the storm we arrived. Th drive was really good, we went via Ubud so the scenery was amazing. Through the more traditional Bali we drove through the picturesque rice paddy fields and saw the amazing temples along the way.

We started our adventure with a 35min elephant ride through the Taro forest with the first female mahout I have seen. Go Girls. It was a very relaxing ride and our elephant was well behaved. The ride finished of course with a photo in the elephant pool.

After our ride we feed the elephants and had our pictures taken. We then went down the the nursery to see the young elephants which are very cute.

We then watched the show where the elephants played soccer, basketball and painted pictures. They also did some balancing beam work and stood up on their back legs.

We had lunch at the restaurant overlooking the park. Claire had the fried rice, noodles and satay chicken and I had a bit of most everything on the buffet. The lemon grass beef was amazing.

After lunch we watch a mother and baby play around in the elephant pool for about 30 minutes which was very enjoyable to watch.

Not one drop of rain the whole time here and we even had a bit of sunshine.

About 12.45 we started the drive back again through the beautiful country side. Claire missed some as she fell asleep. I waited for my nana nap until we got back to the hotel. Looks like the storm has long gone.

We are now at the Envy Bar doing blogs and Facebook over looking the ocean and pool.

Tonight there is a big fireworks display at the Discovery Mall beach to celebrate Chinese New Year so we will go to that and maybe head into Kuta after that.

A huge storm came in and the wind was amazing no rain which was good. We walked into Kuta for dinner where Claire and her first ever fish and chips Claire had a foot massage and I has a pedicure. With refreshes feet we walked to Legian and saw the memorial to those killed in the bombings. This of course took us into the heart of the party district. Offered to stay but we where both tired so we got a taxi back to the hotel. This was a mistake as the roads where so busy from the new year celebrations so we got out and walked. We defiantly walked off dinner.

Happy and Prosperous Luna New Year everyone for the year of the Dragon.

Day 1 - Arrival

After a early morning start we had a smooth 5 hour flight to Bali. After waiting in the immigration line then finding our bags we finally found our driver. Another wait for others joining us and finally we made it to our hotel. Very, very nice.

We checked in and took our stuff to our room. Very modern and nice, new bathroom and DVD player.

We took a walk down to the Discovery mall along the board walk which was lovely with the sea breeze. Had a drink and fries over looking the ocean. Went inside and bought some DVDs for $1 each then had a bit of a walk around. We watches some dragon dancers performing for Chinese new year then headed back to the hotel. Stocked up on some drinks at the local mini mart then decided on a swim.

Happy hour at the pool bar So we indulged in a Hawaiian Breeze cocktail, Claire had one, I had three.

Walked onto Kuta and went via the hard rock hotel to show Claire the pool then had dinner. Nazi Goring and Claire a chicken schnitzel with the hottest pepper sauce. They have free wifi so wrote the blog.

Back to the hotel after this for an early night ready for elephant safari tomorrow.

Big day, good night.