I've Been to Bali, too!
15 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
I'm 65. An Aussie. A man from Cronulla. And I haven't been to Bali! What have I been doing?
Well, I'm setting out to correct that, guided by my ex-surfie chick sister Carol who's been coming to BaliBaca selengkapnya
Welcome to Bali, Welcome to Paradise!
15 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
Not!
Kuta is the iconic Bali destination but it's turned into a complete disaster.
Straight off the plane Carol took me to Kuta and Legian beaches. Bumper to Bumper traffic through narrow lanes linedBaca selengkapnya
Bali Bombing
15 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
While I hate the drunken scene in Kuta, the Bali Bombings were an abomination.
The Islamic Fundamentalists wanted to destroy Western Decadence but they weren't from Bali and also had no respect forBaca selengkapnya
Flat out in Bali
15 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
In Kuta and Legian there's a massage parlour about every 10 metres willing to give you a "happy ending".
Carol took me past those to her traditional healer /masseur Wayan for a treatment.
Very strongBaca selengkapnya
Nasi Goreng rules!
15 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Indonesians love their food and I love Indonesian food . First meal in Indonesia was at a warrung (cafe) that Carol has been coming to for 15 years. Nasi Goreng and Beef Rendang, just $7.
EnakBaca selengkapnya
1 Million just doesn't buy much any more
15 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
A million Rupiah!
Tell'em they're dreaming.
Oh!
it's only $100 Australian dollar (AUD) as 1 Australian dollar is worth 10,000 Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
It's very confusing.
But prices here are muchBaca selengkapnya
Temples of Bali
16 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C
Most of Indonesia was Hindu at one stage. But then Islam spread through the archipelago and Bali was the only place to resist it. So it has a unique Hindu culture which the Balinese take veryBaca selengkapnya
Escape to the Country
16 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
I've now seen the madness of Denpasar so Carol organises a car and driver to show me traditional Balinese life in the country.
This means lots of rice fields (and temples).
We went to Jatiluwih RiceBaca selengkapnya
Is it a temple or an amusement park?
16 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Ulun Danu Beratan is a very sacred temple on the shore of a beautiful volcanic crater lake and included UNESCO World Cultural Heritage listing for Bali's culture. It's so sacred, visitors can't evenBaca selengkapnya
The quieter side of Denpasar
17 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
We're staying at the Swastika Guest House in Sanur on the eastern side of Denpasar.
Kuta and Legian are on the western side which has good waves. That's why they were originally popular with surfies.Baca selengkapnya
Traditional family compound
18 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
This family has opened up their family home to visitors to see how a traditional family compound works. They still live there so we can see the real thing. Though it does seem strange to look throughBaca selengkapnya
Batuan Temple, best temple so far
18 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
In India temples are adorned with friezes and statues and gold and murals and too much decoration. So far Balinese temples had little decoration so it was nice to see this Temple because it has a lotBaca selengkapnya
Beware of ripoff guides.
18 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
Goa Gajal is a cave carved with the face of an elephant about 400 years ago. Inside there is shrine with 3 linga sculptures ie penis sculptures. Traditional in Indian Hindu culture but rare inBaca selengkapnya
Love the natural Infinity Pool
18 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
Taman Petanu Eco Neighborhood is a sustainable housing development on the outskirts of Ubud.
Our friend Aaron and his coworker Darren designed the Permaculture Plan here so I wanted to see his work.Baca selengkapnya
Feel the Serenity
18 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
Ubud is supposed to be the cultural centre of Bali. The place for yoga retreats and relaxation but they've killed the goose that laid the golden egg.
Ubud is far from serene and tranquil.
Ubud justBaca selengkapnya
The Last Forest in Ubud
19 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
The Ubud Monkey Forest is really the last area of traditional forest left. So it's the last place monkeys can roam freely. There are some magnificent trees and you get a sense of what it was like inBaca selengkapnya
Ceremony overrules everything!
19 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Religion and ceremony is the most important thing for the Balinese.
The only time traffic is stopped is when there's a ceremonial procession. This one is going from a local shrine to the centralBaca selengkapnya
Sick and tired of tourist ripoffs
20 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
I know we have more money than the Balinese. I know we should contribute to the upkeep of historic and spiritual sites. But it does seem we get put on a treadmill of having to visit the same sites andBaca selengkapnya
The (almost) real Bali
20–22 Mar 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
We've been to the major tourist spots. Now a chance to slow down and see quieter areas with less tourists and more locals.
Amed is a small fishing village on the East coast which is attracting moreBaca selengkapnya
In the shadow of the volcano
21 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Amed is at the base of Mt Agung, an active volcano. It last erupted in 2019. So the soil is very rich and the sand is very black and locals are alert to any danger signs.
You can climb it overnight toBaca selengkapnya
Some touristy things are worth doing
22 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
We were recommended getting a car to take us to 3 snorkeling sites for the morning. Then we were told we could do them by traditional fishing boat even though it was more expensive.
What a greatBaca selengkapnya
The (almost) real Bali part 2
22 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
One of the perils of rural life in Bali are the blackouts. No aircon on hot humid days are disastrous for us bole (westerners). We open up the doors to try to catch the sea breeze or jump in the poolBaca selengkapnya
Flying Solo
23 Maret 2024 ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
It's been great being guided by Carol but she has to go back to Brisbane. So I need to go solo until I meet up with Budi in Makassar.
We survived a week together. We probably haven't done that for 50Baca selengkapnya
Chilling out in Amed
23–26 Mar 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Even more time to chill now.
Walks on the beach in early morning and evening. Stay cool in the aircon during the day. Maybe walk to the shops for an isotonic drink or gelato. Watch the ships passingBaca selengkapnya
Trying to overcome my prejudice
26 Maret 2024, Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Back in Denpasar I stayed at Legian. I know I said it was horrendous but I thought I should try to overcome my prejudice and give it a proper chance.
And you know what? I still think it's horrible andBaca selengkapnya


























































































































