Better Bali

“Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?” (Frida Kahlo)

On Thursday morning I got up nice and early and finally went to see Bali! The good thing about staying at a nice hotel is that I got a driver to take me around for as long as I wanted and to anywhere I wanted to go. First was all around areas that specialized in different art forms. The first was Batubulan where I got to see and learn about the batik process (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batik) and see weaving done by a big loom. All the styles were so beautiful and it’s really cool to see how not everything in our world is machine done, that people still can make beautiful things by hand. Next was Celuk where gold and silver jewelry making is dominate. Everything I saw was so amazing however I couldn’t come close to affording anything, and I ran into the same issue in Batuan (beautiful things and way too expensive) with paintings. However I would still recommend going to an art gallery in Batuan because it was incredible. The galleries are outside in what look like temples and there were trees and flowers everywhere. I could have just sat there all day! But, another annoyance was the lack of space in Batuan. From being in Asia for almost 8 months I know that the protocol for people working in any kind of store or business is very different than in the West. Usually merchants are much more in your face and are over-helpful which is annoying, however, it’s their culture. I have come to accept this and deal with it, to an extent. In Batuan and in Mas (my next stop) I didn’t even have room to breathe, let alone look at any of the art. I tried to be as obvious as I possibly could but after literally almost bumping into the guy that was showing me around because he really wouldn’t leave I had to go. The same thing happened in Mas where I saw absolutely incredible woodcarving. It was unfortunate as well because I was really looking to buy a gift for the wedding I am going to in Israel in a week. I just couldn’t get close to comfortable with my space invaded like that.

After that I got taken to Ubud and had lunch and went to the monkey forest! I thought it was amazing, but not for the expected reasons. After living near the monkey temple in Nepal I was not as impressed by the monkeys (they are usually dirty and a pain in the ass) but by the forest. I have always felt really at home in the woods and around trees and nature, so this was the most comfortable I have felt in a long time. There were enormous trees everywhere with branches and vines hanging all around. There were fountains with cool water and steps leading in all different directions. If it hadn’t started to pour I would have gotten my book and stayed all afternoon. Unfortunately the rain wasn’t letting up so I went back to the hotel. I treated myself to a massage and had dinner. I was really happy with the day I had had and was excited to see more the next day!

Just as I had hoped Friday was another great day! I started off at the Tirta Empul temple (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tirta_Empul_Temple), which is known for its holy waters of healing and purification. It was especially busy because it was a full moon, which, meant many Hindu people came to bathe in the waters. Although I had not other clothes with me I had to go in! When else would I get to do something this special?! The locals seemed only a little surprised but really happy when I got in. The water was cool and refreshing (it was very hot out) and I was really happy I went! My driver told me that I was the only person he had ever taken who had actually gotten in. I feel spiritually cleansed! After my bathing I went to a fruit and coffee plantation, which was so cool! The plantation itself was beautiful, so many trees and plants and the view was incredible! After looking at all the different fruit plants I got to have a tea and coffee tasting (for free)! I tried 5 different teas (lemon, lemon grass, rosa, ginger, and pandanus), 5 coffees (ginseng, and vanilla), and hot cocoa. My favorites were the lemon and pandanus teas and the vanilla coffee. It was so cool to just sit in front of this amazing view and get to try all sorts of different things! I also tried kopi luwak coffee (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopi_Luwak) which if you don’t know what it is (besides the most expensive coffee in the world) PLEASE look it up! I was still wet from Tirta Empul and sitting in the warm sun was the perfect feeling with my tea.

Next stop was Kintamani Mountain where I ate lunch with a great view. The only problem was that fog was rolling in very fast not only obscuring my view but making me very cold. I left just as the rain started and was still chilly from being wet earlier. The last stop of the day was Besakih Temple. It was still gray and a little rainy but that didn’t take away from the fact that it was the biggest temple site (besides Angkor Wat) that I have ever been to. I had a 12-year-old guide who took me through all the different buildings and semi explained to me what everything meant. I wish it had been nicer outside but again, it was still pretty amazing. I got back to the hotel late and very hungry and tired. I felt really good and really proud of myself for getting up and doing my best to explore Bali. I was ready for a pool day!

On Saturday I slept in and then had some good quality pool and sun time. I read and relaxed and thought about all of the wonderful things I had seen in the past couple of days. Then at around 4 I headed off to Tanah Lot Temple to see the sun set. There was traffic and by the time I got there yet again it was getting rainy. Fortunately I got there in time to see the end of a pretty sky and got to see the temple while there was still a little day light left. This has been one of my favorite temples because it is “a rock formation off of Bali,” which means its in the water! The waves hit the rocks and I got wet and didn’t care. I wish I had come earlier and spent more time there (there was an “art market” but it was just tourist crap, and not even the good kind) but I went back about an hour after I got there. I hadn’t been able to fall asleep for the past few nights and Saturday was proving to be no different. I didn’t know why I just couldn’t calm my thoughts. So I thought maybe a day of shopping and not so much driving could help!

So on Sunday I spent my afternoon in Seminyak shopping. It was nice to go somewhere semi-close (40 minutes) and just walk around and wander. There was an out door market with dresses, jewelry, shoes, and sunnies. There were streets lined with stores of every different kind of style. I love shopping on my own, I never have to worry about boring anyone and can spend as much or as little time as I want somewhere. I bought a beautiful dress for the wedding I have in Israel and went back to the hotel very pleased. I was planning on spending the rest of my afternoon at the pool but again it started to rain. I had an afternoon of reading and listening to music. I was getting bored and ready to move on.

However, moving was not going to happen on Monday. My credit card finally came but my debit card was still MIA. I called to see where it was and found out it was going to get to NY the next day and THEN it would be shipped out. I was frustrated and sick of not only being in a hotel but one that is so expensive and so far away from anything. I talked to my dad and we worked out a way for me to be able to leave the next day and still be ok with money. Thank goodness. I planned on leaving in the morning!

This didn’t happen. Not only was it pouring when I woke up but I felt awful. My stomach hurt and my body hurt and I was not happy. I spent yet another day in bed but fortunately began to feel better in the late afternoon (it was still raining though). I read a lot and did a lot of writing. I booked a car to take me to Padang Bai tomorrow so whether or not I feel ok I am still going! I know it will probably pour again but I am still going! I am SO ready to get out of here and so excited to go somewhere new!

Signed,

Very Antsy