Pretty Simply Normal: My Indonesia: Java, Bidadari, Bali

Canangsari - a Balinese offering (CNB 2009)

After the first time visit in 1976, it would be more than 30 years before I set foot in Indonesia again! In 2009, M, B and I and four friends from Iran went to Indonesia. (A was away in the USA at the time so could not be with us). We travelled to three islands in the Indonesian archipelago; Java, Bidadari (in the 'Thousand Islands' group), and that 'island of the gods', Bali.

B organised everything, acting as our 'tour guide' of sorts. In Java, we of course were in the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta. A funny thing happened to us one night at dinner at the Kembang Goela Restaurant. For after dinner drinks, we asked for their best local coffee. No one thought about it much, until the bill came. Good grief, the coffee cost more than the good food. How can that be? Well, it turned out that the best local coffee, kopi luwak, is also the most expensive coffee in the world! What is kopi luwak? You will find out later, if you don't already know.

From Jakarta, we went to Pulau Bidadari (Angel Island) by boat. Interestingly, or rather dangerously, no life jackets were handed out and the boat was filled to over capacity with a bridal party, and loaded as well with... coconuts! Anyway, the island was a disappointment as you cannot really swim in the waters because of the mud. So you really have to go far out before you get to the clear blue waters. So we spent the day there just looking at the bridal couple pose for their photos nearly everywhere, and a captive dolphin performing in a little pool. But lunch at the restaurant there was great, and as we were leaving to return to Jakarta, the sunset was just so beautiful.

Pulau Bidadari hibiscus (CNB 2009)

Pulau Bidadari commemorative rock (BB 2009)

Pulau Bidadari sunset (BB 2009)

From Jakarta we flew to Bali. In my younger days, only two places on earth were touted as 'heaven on earth'. One was Kashmir, and the other Bali. Right, let me see whether the tag for Bali still fits. All first time visitors to Bali seem to stay in Kuta, and we did the same. The town of Kuta catered well for the tourists, with many shops and food outlets. But, as far as the beach was concerned, Kuta was a disappointment . There were too many people there, which seemed to take a toll on the previously pristine beach. But we were lucky (culturally) because one morning, the melasti was held on the beach by the temple nearby.

The Memorial for the Bali bombing victims in the centre of Kuta (2009)

The Melasti, Kuta beach (MB 2009)

Kuta's many shops were especially interesting at the lanes called Gang Poppies. Here you can find nearly everything, from the most beautiful paintings and handicrafts to the tackiest of tat (cheap goods of poor quality and little or no use - OAL). So you do end up buying something from here before you leave!

Horse carriage and graffiti along Gang Poppies (CNB 2009)

With a Gang Poppies shop proprietor (BB 2009)

Offering strewn Kuta Beach after the Melasti (BB 2009)

Sunsets on beaches are always so beautiful, and at Kuta, it was no exception. We lingered to watch the golden sun dip into the horizon, 'freezing' many moments of it doing so.

Wide grins at Kuta Beach (MB 2009)

Sun, sea, surf and surfer dude (BB 2009)

The Kuta golden sunset (MB 2009)

All aound Bali, the roads were 'decorated' with festive penjor poles. There are inevitably many puras (temples), from very large ones to small family puras.

Festive penjor poles on the roads of Bali (BB 2009)

In Bali, its pura, pura everywhere (MB 2009)

Kintamani Temple in the background (BB 2009)

Gunung ... (BB 2009)

My 'guide' and I at Kintamani (MB 2009)

This time we have kopi Bali, not kopi luwak! (BB 2009)

Here I help to roast kopi Bali (BB 2009)

By the way, if you don't already know, the most expensive coffee in the world is the kopi luwak. A luwak is a civet cat that has a preference for the best coffee berries it can find in the coffee plantations of Indonesia. So the civet cats eat the berries, then poops the coffee beans out. These beans are then cleaned, roasted, and ground, and voila... you have kopi luwak!