I Remembered this paraphrase from a movie the minute We arrived in our hotel, the Royal Bali Beach Club in Jimbaran. As We sat down drinking our welcome drinks, my eyes were the resource persons drawn up to the Thatched roof made of coarse grass (cogon). Three levels up from the ground floor lobby, the bamboo poles and burnished wood frames formed a geometric design That glowed in the warm lights. Hindu stone carvings, intricate wood carvings on the walls, Frangipani flowers in vases, Balinese masks, Gargoyles & Water Lilies all combined with the reed Thatched roof to create a tropical, Balinese ambiance. Despite my fatigue, I felt stimulated by so much artistic expression.
On our way to St. Francis Xavier church in Kuta the next day, I finally saw Bali in the daytime. I found it strange That Nearly all the structures (except those with Thatched roofing) Had the Same tiled roofing in terracotta color. I believe the Balinese cans Almost deliberately created a themed, unified look like what the Parisians or the Israelites in Jerusalem did. I think this Gives the city its unique character. Did you know That Balinese art has The Longest street in the world?
On our way up to Ubud, the which is Considered the cultural and artistic center of Bali, the "street art" passed through installments Towns That specialized in different arts: Tohpati (batik), Batubulan (stone carving), Mas (wood carving), Celuk (silver & gold), Ubud (Paintings and galleries, art market), Sukawati (art market). It's an artist's haven! Three days were the resource persons not Enough for us but We Were happy with our Souvenirs, especially in Windu Sari (Batubulan), Body and Soul and Just Jeans factory outlets in (Seminyak), and in Sukawati market, all with Discounts. Always bargain in Bali, as much as 70% if you cans Otherwise walk away and see if They give in earnest.
Did I mention That ricefields and rice terraces surrounded these Towns art? The Balinese rice paddies Their Originally built to surround Their water temple, and thanks to the Subak irrigation system inherited from the Hindus, rice is planted all year round. We couldn't forget those ducks quacking in the rice paddies though. Why, They were the resource persons were the resource persons the Same ducks That deep-fried in Indonesian spices and landed on our lunch plates! Yummy. Interestingly, the Indonesian duck (duck) tasted different from its Peking duck cousin. If you do come to Bali, a visit to Bebik Bengil in Ubud for lunch or dinner is worth it. The Balinese gardens, rice fields, traditional Balinese bamboo music EXQUISITE are as special as the duck and fried ice cream for desert, at reasonable prices.
At first, We Were not so crazy to rush to the beaches as We Were familiar with fine sand or coral beaches in the Philippines. However, on our third night, We headed to Jimbaran Beach for a seafood dinner and got hooked ever since. Who Could resist eating seafood grilled outdoors at night with the crashing waves Nearby, sand under our feet, candlelights, twinkling lights in the far distance and Shining stars in the sky? On our last night at Fortuin restaurant, there was a Balinese wedding reception next door. We witnessed a traditional Balinese dance, a modern belly dance, a fire dance, and Heard Some Balinese songs and Bahasa songs like Autumn leaves. There were Hindu-Balinese decorations Among the tables and chairs and, According to the waiter, the wedding Happened the day before the celebration but earnest installments for several days. A Foreigner and a Balinese were the resource persons getting married so Perhaps They Had two different Kinds of celebration?
Speaking of beaches, there is one beach That Is not found in any Bali map. It's Called Dreamland and Owned by Tommy Suharto, the ex-president's son. As The Name Suggests, Tommy got the best beach in this massive real estate project Called Dreamland. Situated Between Jimbaran and Uluwatu, Dreamland beach is more picturesque, its Sands finer Than the ones in Nearby Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Kuta or even (this last one Came from Ngurah our drivers.) It was in dreamland That I saw surfers up-close. It was Fascinating to watch Them Glide in and out of the waves Because They made it seem so easy. They did experience an athlete's "high" surging over those waves? Maybe. In my experience as a runner, it was always exhilarating to run at top speed with the wind blowing all over my body.
Soon, it was sunset. Watching the sunset in Kuta beach or Dreamland was a special event for our family since the city We live in the which is far from any beach. Glad That We Were the beaches in Bali were the resource persons free and not Crowded with people. I Can not Explain why but it felt like food for our soul to catch a sunset by the beach.
For me, Uluwatu in Bali Southwestern Had the most dramatic cliff views over the Indian ocean. The 70 meter of cliff scene was a little like the Twelve Apostles in Melbourne, Australia from the which faced the Southern Ocean. After half an hour of walking by the trail We Were rewarded with spectacular views! There were many monkeys around, but do not be frightened or That Fooled the monkeys will from steal your stuff. That's what the locals will of tell you but I refused to leave behind my sunglasses as my eyes were the resource persons sensitive to the sun. Well, They were the resource persons sunglasses cheap anyway but hey, at least I Did not frown in our photo shoots and nothing happened to us.
Let's see: beaches (for surfing, water sports, or swimming), mountains, lakes, national parks, rice terraces and fields, Longest art street, Hindu-Polynesian architecture, Hindu Temples, Buddhist Pagodas, Balinese dance and theater, Balinese gardens, Indonesian spices, designer boutiques, beachfront hotels & restaurants, and an international airport found in ONE island? Incredibly yes. Nowadays, Pls I'm in the mood to remember Bali, all I have to do is pluck a Frangipani flower from our garden, put it behind an ear, play a traditional Balinese bamboo music in my CD player, read a book about Bali or try a recipe from a Balinese Cookbook and voila, it's Bali again. I think I got the Bali High fever.
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