Bali

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After the work camp in Thailand, I was off to Bali for a week of sun and surf with a buddy from Australia - except that I found out the day before I left for Bali that my buddy from Australia broke his ankle the week previous and was no longer making it. Total bummer!

I had to think fast, as this was now going to be a significantly different trip. From Karbi I flew to Bangkok and then to Kuala Lumpur - I overnighted near the airport and then flew to Bali. I had to take the long way. I could fly this for the equivalent of $600 on Air Asia - or I could have flown it for $2000 on Thai or Singapore air - or I could have been really organized and booked it as part of my round the world fare - but at the time I booked that, I wasnt 100% sure what I was doing. In KL, I managed to buy the LP guide to Bali and read parts of it on the plane over. It was quite funny - there was a Malaysian couple next to me who were on their honeymoon and were absolutely flabergasted that I was on a plane to Bali and had no idea where I was going to stay that evening - I wasnt particularly worried.

On my flight over, I settled on starting in Ubud, the cultural capital of Bali. Since I was now travelling on my own, I figured I should see what Bali really had to offer - other than beach. I figured 3 days in Ubud should do it.

Ubud was absolutely gorgeous. It is a little town with some great shopping surrounded by paddies of rice. Very picturesque. During my time there I went jewlery shopping, went on a few walks, ate a ton, caught a traditional dance show at the palace, hung out with the monkies in the sacred forest and spent a wee bit of time in the spas.

I have to say, heaven is the full Balinese massage followed by a sea salt scrub, a milk cream something or other and a flower bath while drinking ginger tea. 2 hours of heaven costs about $30. This was had a the Nur Salon. If you are ever in Ubud, I highly recommend this one. All though being scrubbed and bathed by someone (as an adult anyway) was definitely odd.

From Ubud, I decided I needed some sun and some luxury - and low and behold if the Westin resort in Nusa Dua wasn't to be had for $125 a night. This is a great deal for the Westin compared to other parts of the globe - and I had been scrimping along the way. I could feel that heavenly bed already. Nusa Dua is a gated hotel/resort community and I would not recommend going there for any other reason than to hang out in the nice hotels. It is far from anything interesting and not Bali at all. But needing a break from travelling, I spent 4 days hanging by the pool, reading and catching the sun, and spending wayyyy to much on meals. It was blissful in its own way. Needless to say - I didn't make the surf - didn't feel up to it without a buddy along.

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Photos

Hindu Offering
You had to watch your step every morning as these were everywhere!

Comments

[Reid]

Niceeeee
Way to go Princess! ha ha ha MMmmmmm spa... mmmm... Bali... Mmmmm NO SURFING!?! Are you kidding? I am almost in tears!!!

[jelantik]

i'm jealous
wow, its sound so relaxing. and i guest it will last for a long long time in your memory. your pictures add my knowledge about ubud from what i've read on http://www.ubudbooking.com. i wish there are more photos... ;)