My Indonesia: Beautiful Bali

In early 2011, our family was lucky to be able to holiday together in Bali, Indonesia. We were more than a week in Bali, and stayed at the Intercontinental Resort at Jimbaran. It was a great holiday altogether.

Winging into Denpasar, Bali (CNB 2011)

 

The vibrancy of Bali reflected in these colourful
umbrellas at the airport (CNB 2011)

A posy of frangipani greet us on arrival at the resort (CNB 2011)

The Jimbaran Bay has one of Bali's most beautiful sunsets. It is also the site of many seafront seafood warungs and restaurants, drawing tourists from all over the island to partake of the delicious, mostly barbequed fishes, crabs, prawns, lobsters, all types of shells, etc. There are buskers to entertain you with melodious Indonesian songs while you eat, and for pre/post dinner snack, you can patronise the corn 'warung-on-wheels' near the water's edge.

Our first sunset at Muaya Beach, Jimbaran Bay (CNB 2011)

Another sunset at Muaya Beach, Jimbaran Bay (CNB 2011)

Care for some delicious bbq-d crabs? (CNB 2011)

Corn warung at the Muaya Beach (CNB 2011)

We went into Kuta town (and the very crowded beach) by taxi from the resort. It was rather nearby, but on the way we pass by the Jimbaran market place (very busy in the mornings) and a few puras (temples).  While in Kuta, the schools were out at noon, and we noticed that the children wore school uniforms of batik (very nice and patriotic, I think).

School's out! (CNB 2011)

M & I, & Kuta schoolgirls (BB 2011)

Kuta also has many markets in the town, the one near the beach, quite big and busy. We did go into the supermarkets to check out the stuff there, but it is still the open markets that fascinate. The goods you get at the market may not be the best quality, but there are good bargains if you look hard enough. M wanted a piece of luggage, so we went to the shops at Gang Poppies where he got one for a song. By the way, there were Jimmy Choo handbags there, as well, if you get what I mean. (Wink, wink!)

Little baskets made from coconut leaves for offerings (CNB 2011)

The first time we were in Bali, I celebrated my birthday here. So also this second time we were here, it was my birthday again. Thank you folks, for the pretty cake and the sumptous seafood dinner that followed!

Happy birthday .... to me! (CNB 2011)

One morning I was up early to catch the taichi session run by the resort. It was a rather relaxing time on the lawn, until it started drizzling. So we moved to their gym pavillion. After the taichi (and the drizzle),  a walk on the beach made me realise that there was so much debris washed up on the beach in the night. But the resort staff were busy clearing the rubbish off the beach. Unfortunately they were not using bullocks to rake the sand that morning, so I missed something interesting, I guess. The resort had rather large grounds and there was art and sculpture at every corner you take.

Beauty on a beast in the morning mist (CNB 2011)

Beauty on beauties with spouting water urns (CNB 2011)

Beauty and the beast at Bali Intercontinental (CNB 2011)

Once we went to Nusa Dua. The beach at the Hyatt resort area was really quite pristine, but it was the shopping outlets there that was quite the attraction! But we did realise that the crowds were not really there, wonder why? It was supposed to be a showcase for all of Indonesia's art and handicrafts from its numerous regional cultures. (Plus some designer outlets from Australia, etc.)

Awaiting lunch at Nusa Dua (2011)

Marionettes from Java at Nusa Dua (CNB 2011)

Spot the live antique among the 'antique' carvings (AB 2011)

Another day we went to Tegallalang, first stopping by at the pura in Batuan. Tegallalang is touted to have 'the best rice terrace view in Bali', and we were apt to agree. At the time we were there, the padi plants were just the right colour of green. Our lunch at the eatery overlooking the rice terraces was good.

At the Pura in Batuan (Putu 2011)

Temple staff, hands clasped in welcome (CNB 2011)

Art on the streets of Bali (CNB 2011)

A smiling farmer on the rice terraces of Tegallalang (CNB 2011)

The green, green rice terraces of Tegallalang (CNB 2011)

Young faces of Tegallalang, Bali (CNB 2011)

We also went to Ubud, visiting its fascinating market there. There was so much to see (and buy). But I only  got three little angklung wind chimes for my garden. But they make good mementos because when the wind blows, their sweet sounds remind me of Ubud and Bali.

A young smiling face of Ubud (CNB 2011)

B at Ubud Market (CNB 2011)

At Uluwatu, we saw the most beautiful sunset as well as the Kecak and Fire Dance.

Kecak at Uluwatu (CNB 2011)

For food, some Malaysians do not favour Hindu Bali for their holidays. But they are really missing out on the beauty of the island. Apart from the plentiful seafood, there are Nasi Padang restaurants (eg Tegaltamu at Batu Bulan), and we were kindly taken there by our guide/driver Putu.

Food galore at the Nasi Padang Restaurant (CNB 2011)

At Batu Bulan we saw the Barong and Keris dance. There are a few theatres/arenas where this tourist 'must-see' event is held, so this time around we were taken to another venue from our last visit. But the story and the dramatic performance remain the same.

The all-fierce but benevolent barong, mythical creature & protector
 of villages (CNB 2011)

For souvenirs, we were taken to Agung Bali on Sunset Road where we bought Bali coffee, barong blouses, wooden handicrafts, etc.
At Seminyak, the beach was okay, though there seemed to be many stray dogs. At Seminyak Square, we bought books at Periplus, 'Indonesia's best bookshop'. I bought Dragons in the Bath by Bali/Ubud expat Cat Wheeler, and Balinese Dance, Drama and Music by I Wayan Dibia & Rucina Ballinger.

At Seminyak Beach (2011)

Another location for beautiful sunsets in Bali is Tanah Lot. If on a previous visit, we missed the sunset, this time we experienced it in its full glory! What can I say? It was the most golden, most fantastic sunset I have ever witnessed.

A lone angler, a golden sunset at Tanah Lot (CNB 2011)

The mesmerising sunset at Tanah Lot (CNB 2011)

Before going home, at the Uluwatu shop outlet in the resort I bought a white blouse of Balinese lace handcrafted by Ni Wyn Armini. I'd like to think that I have contributed in a small way to making her skill at lace making, (and maybe her life) a little bit better.

March 2011