An Alphabetical Stroll Through Bali and Australia-A is for: A BIG, FAT FINALE!! Link to new Africa TR (4/5)

[luvpoohandcompany]

What an amazing time you are having. Your photos are outstanding!

 

[Wood Nymph]

The reward was incredible, and best of all I had it nearly all to myself.

I think that I would be afraid of falling into the water. And it looks a little claustrophobic. But I would also be thrilled to have done the trek and seen the waterfall.

(Bananas with the "heart"/flower still attached. I learned what those were in the Philippines and that they are cooked as a vegetable and put in soups.)

I never saw that flower before. It makes very exotic.

 

[Steppesister]

Q is for Quickly Quiescent​

With our extreme adventuring (hey, we all have our own sliding scale of ‘extreme’) we’d built up quite an appetite and our tummies were telling us it was lunchtime. It probably comes as no surprise that Dewa had already picked out one of his favorite roadside stops where he wanted to introduce me to Bakso- Indonesian Meatball Soup. He promised I would NOT be disappointed.

At 12:45, we pulled up to this tiny, unassuming warung which served exactly 2 items, Bakso and Kupat Tahu (Cut Tofu in English).

​

Because they are like $2 each, we each ordered a bowl of soup and then shared the tofu and peanut sauce dish. We grabbed seats at one of the empty tables that was covered in brightly colored plastic and which sported an array of condiments. These are no ordinary condiments; these are the sort that will make you very sorry the next day if you eat too much. There was soy sauce with floating red chilis, “sweet ketchup manis” with ground floating red chilis, red chili paste (sambal), etc… Trust me on this; even for those who love spicy food like myself, these delicious-yet-dangerous additions really should come with an atomic warning and lidocaine Tucks for the accidental over-ingestion and the consequences coming your way in 12 or so hours.

(Hiney Death Sauce)​

If you’ve traveled outside of the States basically anywhere, you know that a cold soda with ice is simply non-existent. At roadside stands ice simply is not to be found and even if it was, you’d dare not consume it! Tempting fate with spicy chili everything onboard is just not worth it. Trust me on this too. Valuing my Travelers Scourge-free touring I opted for a bottle of water to quench the fires of Indonesian street food.

While Dewa and I waited I wandered over to the chef’s prep area and watched the process of making our dishes. He was amused at my curiosity, and it was obvious he was very proud of his little culinary business. In about 5 minutes our piping hot bowls of soup and ample portion of Keput Tahu were set in front of us and I can assure you that my mouth was watering and eager to taste this delightful meal. You might be asking what Keput Tahu is: To my understanding, and what Dewa told me, it means “Cut Tofu”. Basically, it’s squares of tofu fried up, then served in a variety of ways, sometimes in plastic bags with peanut sauce and skewers so it can be eaten on the go as fast or take-away food.

​

Our Cut Tofu was served on a bed of rice with bean sprouts, a few greens, and Indonesian sweet peanut sauce. And of course, chilis. Diner, Beware. In short, the flavors were absolutely amazing. Simple and light yet packed with flavors that just work so well together. I did take a walk on the wild side and added some sambal and a bit of the other sauces at the careful direction of Dewa. He made sure that I used the right ones on the right dish. Apparently, you don’t just mix them in willy-nilly. Silly me!

(See that little kiss of death in there?)

​

Here is a recipe for the Bakso and an interesting article about Cut Tofu that you might find interesting:

https://www.wandercooks.com/bakso-indonesian-meatball-soup/

https://www.waivio.com/@isdarmady/indonesian-street-food-tahu-gunting-cheap-and-delicious​

The portions weren’t huge, and I did manage to finish my bowl of soup and at least a little of the Keput Tahu. Dewa politely asked if I had had all I wanted and finished it up then it was time to drive on towards our next and last stop of the day- Penglipuran Village.

Penglipuran is one of the top tourist sites on Bali and yet, uncharacteristically for me, was high on my list of must-do places. I'd seen a photo of it on Google Maps with the Penjor all up and thought that those would be up and there year-round. I had NO idea that photo had been taken at Galungan (had no idea what that holiday even was!) and even less of an idea that I'd totally luck out and be there during the brief time they are displayed.

Here is an in-depth article to get you more acquainted with this village in case you’re interested.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penglipuran ​

Honestly, it’s a fascinating place and well worth the read! Did you know they can kick any member out for a suspicion of witchcraft? Did you know it’s deemed the cleanest and best culturally preserved village in Bali where tourism dollars are carefully managed so that the whole village benefits? Did you know that they are stewards of a giant bamboo forest and keep it sustainable for future generations’ construction?

As the article says, it is also a hugely popular place to visit during Galungan just to see the Penjor lining the main road. Great.

When we got near there wasn’t a parking place to be found and several huge tourist buses were parked in the main lot. Even better! My hopes for some good photos without hordes of tourists grew dim. So did the skies….

Eventually, Dewa found a place to park, and we started the walk to the village entrance a few blocks away. Another site, another entrance fee. Thankfully, they are reasonable, and I was happy to support the local economy.

(The Entrance Guardian)​

The crowd was unfortunately thick, and my fears were definitely being realized. Getting a nice photo of the main street was probably going to be impossible. Dewa was unfazed. One of the cool things about Penglipuran is that every home in the village is open for exploring. Not the insides of the private family sleeping areas, but the courtyards and at least one building, usually a little souvenir shop, are open to the public and you are encouraged to explore and enjoy their lovely and well-kept areas.

(Every home has a entry "gate" like this.)



(Remember those Black-Naped Orioles I'd seen near the wedding in the Philippines? Here's one in Bali. Sad to see it caged, but was interesting to see another and being able to recognize it!)


​

Under the guidance of Dewa, I did wander into several family compounds and thoroughly enjoyed the exquisitely beautiful yards and little shops. Most of the souvenirs were not items I’d buy at all, but it was nice to be able to browse and take photos in the less crowded spaces.


Making new friends!

​

Meanwhile, the skies continued to grow darker and about the time I finished poking around home number four it started to rain, slowly at first, then a bit harder. We took shelter in a doorway and tried to stay somewhat dry.

(Next time, I'll choose my doorway to be under a bit more carefully! I can do snakes all day long, but spiders are a GIANT NO! And this one was GIANT!)
​

Meanwhile, the throngs of tourists, mostly other Indonesians interestingly, scattered and disappeared like roaches when the lights come on. The rain came down in buckets but not for long. Long enough though that it cleared out the village and left a fresh, people-free hot spot all to me.

(An almost identical photo to the one I'd seen on Google!! Huzzah!!)

I finally got a little bit of decent video and they are best seen on full screen.

​

The newly empty main street was an absolute delight to see and photograph! Know what made it even better? The little procession of kids playing traditional music with a mythical creature puppet snaking its way along the thoroughfare. Dewa had a name for this little spectacle, but I didn’t catch it. I did learn that they go from spot to spot and take donations, so apparently street busking is a worldwide phenomenon. Kids will always find a way to turn a buck. Or in this case, a rupiah.

​

The string of luck I’d been having this day was uncanny. Well, except for that bit where we abandoned going to the Mt. Batung Overlook. It was supposed to have been a stop between the waterfall and Penglipuran, but the clouds completely obliterated the view and Dewa knew it’d be a lost cause to try. However, it was a trade off in which I lost a view of an enormous volcano but gained some pretty cool shots of a nearly empty village and had we gone to the viewpoint, I’d likely have not had that righteous stroke of luck there. The rain stopped in Penglipuran, but the skies continued to be menacing elsewhere in the high hills of Bali where we were. The weather was not quite done with the fury of her mood. On our way back down to Ubud we saw more processionals and holiday celebrants that had to endure this:

​

Long parades of worshippers, headed to the village temples with icons and offerings, braved the torrents of water and rushing rivers in the streets as the rain came in sheets.

​

We saw 2 such processionals both accompanied by traditional music. I was mesmerized yet again by another exotic scene passing me by.

​

Deluges like this happen nearly every day during rainy season, and Dewa reassured me that the flooding roads clear up within minutes of the rain stopping. Sure enough, within a couple of miles of where I took that video, the streets were again clear, and all was back to normal. Had I not seen it for my own eyes, I’d never have known there had been a recent storm that moved through.

(The Bamboo Forest near Penglipuran Village)​

Fun fact time……….


I forgot to mention in the last chapter what I learned about temple bells. Temples do not only serve as places to worship and practice religion; they double as civic gathering places where village business is conducted, and meetings of all sorts happen. Every temple has a special bell that is only rung by the village leader and is used to communicate many various messages. Each gong sequence has its own special meaning such as “time to assemble”, “ceremony time”, “medical emergency”, or “fire!”. The bells are generally made of wood and can be heard from miles away.

Dewa dropped me off by 3:30 or so and I made use of the pool once again. It was just so lovely it was hard to resist. By dusk I was getting a bit hungry so took a bath in that gigantic tub and left to find some dinner. It wasn’t hard; there were probably 20 or more restaurants within a half a mile on my own road. I couldn’t have asked for a lovelier setting.

​

I ordered the mint and cucumber lemonade and the Balinese chicken with rice and steamed veggies (Batutu Ayan). It was super flavorful just like all the food I’d had up to this point, and once again left a fair bit behind as it was just far too much for just me.

​

With that, I bade farewell to my dining partners and that was end of my very full, very long day.

​

Tomorrow is another full day of souvenir shopping, a 4.5-hour spa visit, a long walk home, and an evening of traditional Balinese dancing. So, stick around for more exciting adventures with Steppe!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Dewa dropped me off by 3:30 or so and I made use of the pool once again. It was just so lovely it was hard to resist. By dusk I was getting a bit hungry so took a bath in that gigantic tub and left to find some dinner. It wasn’t hard; there were probably 20 or more restaurants within a half a mile on my own road. I couldn’t have asked for a lovelier setting.

It looks like you had a wonderful day, even with the deluge. I think I would have slipped a nap in there, too, before dinner. The food looks good.

 

[Steppesister]

Wow what an adventure! I usually consider myself quite willing to go off the usual tourist path, but this would have been a big nope for me - I probably would have been ok with ankle or even perhaps knee height water, but deep water scares me. I'm guessing that this waterfall will probably remain a quiet treat for the intrepid!

I think that probably scares more than a few off. It wasn't too bad but an afterthought, when the rain struck later that day.... yikes! I had to wonder if that'd be a safe trek when it's raining so hard upstream.

Wow, I've seen lots of banana plants but never with the flower still attached!

They're actually really kinda pretty. I saw another one on Fitzroy Island.

Banned in most transportation hubs, hotel lobbies... basically anywhere that's public lol! For VERY good reason! It's really amazing how something that smells so bad can taste so delicious

THIS is the question we all wanna know! Unfortunately, I was one of those (when I lived in Thailand) that just couldn't get past the stench and only tried it in ice cream. Lame, I know.

 

[Steppesister]

Wow what an adventure and what a savvy guide.
Lovely scenery and great pics.
I like the ones the guide took of you that you found later.
I am not sure that I would have enjoyed the waist high water. Guess your guide knew you were a trooper and would enjoy it

It sure was!!! What a wonderful day it'd been to that point. The island is such a beautiful one! Weren't those funny? LOL!! I think he was really having a really fun time too. He was such a great guide but I'm glad it wasn't higher especially with sudden rains that happen.

 

[Steppesister]

What an amazing time you are having. Your photos are outstanding!

Thank you very much!! I was having such a wonderful time in Bali.

 

[Steppesister]

I think that I would be afraid of falling into the water. And it looks a little claustrophobic. But I would also be thrilled to have done the trek and seen the waterfall.

I never saw that flower before. It makes very exotic.

It was sure something unique for sure. And so beautiful. It reminded me of the Secret Antelope Canyon near Page, Arizona- steep, but a desert landscape instead of jungle.

 

[Steppesister]

It looks like you had a wonderful day, even with the deluge. I think I would have slipped a nap in there, too, before dinner. The food looks good.

I"m just glad the deluge didn't happen when I was thigh-deep in a narrow gorge. I actually may have? I didn't write of any naps in my trip notes, but... ya never know.

 

[zanzibar138]

With our extreme adventuring (hey, we all have our own sliding scale of ‘extreme’)

That river trek rates pretty high on my 'extreme' scale

Trust me on this; even for those who love spicy food like myself, these delicious-yet-dangerous additions really should come with an atomic warning and lidocaine Tucks for the accidental over-ingestion and the consequences coming your way in 12 or so hours.

Although I love Indonesian and Malaysian food, I can't do spicy, so always avoid the condiments!

The portions weren’t huge, and I did manage to finish my bowl of soup and at least a little of the Keput Tahu.

I always think the portion sizes in the US are massive in comparison to anywhere else I've been - I have to share most of my meals over there!

I had NO idea that photo had been taken at Galungan (had no idea what that holiday even was!) and even less of an idea that I'd totally luck out and be there during the brief time they are displayed.

What luck!

(Next time, I'll choose my doorway to be under a bit more carefully! I can do snakes all day long, but spiders are a GIANT NO! And this one was GIANT!)

OMG you should have put a trigger warning on this May be hard to believe for an Aussie, but spiders are a GIANT NOPE for me as well!

Meanwhile, the throngs of tourists, mostly other Indonesians interestingly, scattered and disappeared like roaches when the lights come on. The rain came down in buckets but not for long. Long enough though that it cleared out the village and left a fresh, people-free hot spot all to me.

(An almost identical photo to the one I'd seen on Google!! Huzzah!!)​

Amazing

Long parades of worshippers, headed to the village temples with icons and offerings, braved the torrents of water and rushing rivers in the streets as the rain came in sheets.

​

I admire their dedication.

By dusk I was getting a bit hungry so took a bath in that gigantic tub and left to find some dinner. It wasn’t hard; there were probably 20 or more restaurants within a half a mile on my own road. I couldn’t have asked for a lovelier setting.

Looks lovely AND delicious!

I think that probably scares more than a few off. It wasn't too bad but an afterthought, when the rain struck later that day.... yikes! I had to wonder if that'd be a safe trek when it's raining so hard upstream.

Unfortunately, I was one of those (when I lived in Thailand) that just couldn't get past the stench and only tried it in ice cream. Lame, I know.

I am the same... only eaten it in some sort of dessert, I'd never be able to eat it on its own!

 

[pkondz]

And... huh! I've never heard that. Love old witty quotes like that. Churchill and Yogi Berra had the best!

My favourite Churchill quote:
Lady Astor: "Winston, if I were your wife I'd put poison in your coffee."
Winston Churchill: "Nancy, if I were your husband I'd drink it."

And this one resonates even more so, today:
"Everyone is in favor of free speech. Hardly a day passes without its being extolled, but some people's idea of it is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone else says anything back, that is an outrage."

Thanks!! We'll see how I do by tomorrow afternoon; that's when they're supposed to have it evaluated and back to me. It's a bit nerve-wracking because I can't start my next rotation until that and a few other things "pass".

And??

I had put a waterfall that looked nice onto the itinerary

Love waterfalls. I tend to drive/walk out of my way to see them.

"more fun".

Uh, huh.
At my advanced (read: decrepit) age, more fun means easing back in the recliner and putting my feet up.

It is definitely NOT on the usual list of tourist favorites, and is still mostly only used by locals to cool off.

This sounds good!

We were there in no time and parked at about 11:30. Can you believe how much I’d already seen and done so far on this day?! A morning walk, a temple, some rice terraces, and now one of Bali’s famous, albeit, less touristy, waterfalls.

I'm very surprised, actually. I think I mentioned being shocked that you had done so much... just with the morning walk!

Did I mention Bali is comprised of some of the steepest terrain on the planet?

Nope. You did not.
That recliner with the feet up is sounding better all the time, isn't it?

Did I mention that I haven’t done any purposeful exercise in about a decade?

Did I mention that recliner?

No? Hmmm?

No, there wasn’t any snow. But there was mud.

Mud is worse. Can be just as cold (or at least feel that way) and you can't just brush it off or wait for it to dry.

Dewa took off his white shirt and hiked up his sarong to make a set of shorts for the next portion of the adventure. You might be asking why....

He has great legs and wanted to show them off?
Did you ever see the Carol Burnett episode where they had the audience chose who had the best legs?

That looks really inviting.

(Looking back to the staircase into the river after we got in)

This looks like it's straight out of a movie. A scary movie... but a movie, nevertheless...

At his direction, I left my shoes on the little wooden steps, and he gave me his shoes to wear for the hike up through the thigh-high running river.

Why?
I mean, I get why you didn't want your shoes to get wet, but why did he have you wear shoes if he wasn't going to wear any? Was the bottom sharp/rocky?

In some places the water became pretty swift and at times waist deep. More than once I got a little nervous at losing my footing and taking an unintended swim or losing one of his shoes

I'd be a lot more worried about my camera!

To be honest, I was FAR more nervous about my phone and camera than my own clothes or safety.

There it is!

Sometimes a few risks yield nice things.

Death...
Disease...
Dysentery...
Dismemberment...

<audible "oooh" sounds>

Wowwwwww!!!

The reward was incredible, and best of all I had it nearly all to myself.

Even better! And yes! Worth the hike.

I patiently waited

not-so warm or shallow water

How "not-so warm"? Did you get cold?

More than anything it was just nice to enjoy this green oasis in a tropical paradise... no other tourists or even locals to spoil the quiet and peacefulness.

What a shot! Proof you really did have it all to yourself.

Meanwhile, Dewa was in charge of my phone, and it was amusing to find a few of these in my camera roll later than night. LOL!

That cracks me up.

Here's the video that he shot hiking TO the falls.

Stunned! What an amazing video! (And the part where you ask him if he's okay... Who's guiding who?)
But when you come around the bend and see this water pouring into the pool... How did you not spend the rest of your trip, right there??

Just as we were leaving, he got excited and pointed out a big lizard sunning himself on a rock. Before I could poise my camera, it had moved to the shade, but I still managed to grab one photo of it. Darn shade! Still, it was neat to see this 8-10” gorgeous local skink.

How cool is that!

(Bananas with the "heart"/flower still attached. I learned what those were in the Philippines and that they are cooked as a vegetable and put in soups.)

I've never seen (or heard of) that before.

(Durian fruit, banned in most airports worldwide. If you've never heard of it, look it up. )

I've heard of (and seen) durian, but didn't know it was banned.
Had no idea there was a smell!

(Commander Butterfly- Muduza procris)

Pretty.

IT was the Nashville Sounds, an A League Team (just under majors). Nice stadium and best of all we had Club Level (tix were a gift) so could escape the blistering heat for a few innings. Nice to capture a win in the bottom of the 8th as well with 2 home runs.

Sounds like a fun outing.

Thank you again!

Thanks! He is a real cutie, no?

 

[pkondz]

he wanted to introduce me to Bakso- Indonesian Meatball Soup.

Meatball soup?? Heck ya!

we pulled up to this tiny, unassuming warung which served exactly 2 items, Bakso and Kupat Tahu (Cut Tofu in English).

What about the third (chicken & noodles) item on the menu board? Or wasn't that available that day?

Trust me on this; even for those who love spicy food like myself, these delicious-yet-dangerous additions really should come with an atomic warning and lidocaine Tucks for the accidental over-ingestion and the consequences coming your way in 12 or so hours.

Oh dear...
You'd need that stone throne again!

At roadside stands ice simply is not to be found and even if it was, you’d dare not consume it!

I wouldn't have thought of that!

He was amused at my curiosity, and it was obvious he was very proud of his little culinary business.

I kinda like that.

Huh! really is using scissors.

And of course, chilis.

I take it Balinese food is mostly very spicy? (with the addition of the chilis)

I did take a walk on the wild side and added some sambal and a bit of the other sauces at the careful direction of Dewa. He made sure that I used the right ones on the right dish. Apparently, you don’t just mix them in willy-nilly. Silly me!

Nice to have a local guide who also guides you on local foods.

(See that little kiss of death in there?)

Wait... do you mean that teeny tiny red dash in the middle?

Penglipuran is one of the top tourist sites on Bali and yet, uncharacteristically for me, was high on my list of must-do places.

Definitely at odds of what you've been saying since you started writing this report.

I'd seen a photo of it on Google Maps with the Penjor all up and thought that those would be up and there year-round. I had NO idea that photo had been taken at Galungan (had no idea what that holiday even was!) and even less of an idea that I'd totally luck out and be there during the brief time they are displayed.

You really lucked out on the timing. Any idea how long the holiday lasts? Like... In North America, many people put up Christmas decorations at the beginning of December (or earlier) and keep them up until after New Years... or later.

Did you know they can kick any member out for a suspicion of witchcraft?

I would strongly suspect this doesn't happen anymore. Like, in California it is illegal for women to drive a car while wearing a housecoat. Highly doubt this would be enforced now.

When we got near there wasn’t a parking place to be found and several huge tourist buses were parked in the main lot. Even better!

Ugh...

(Every home has a entry "gate" like this.)

Really! Very decorative.

Liesa's posse. Do NOT mess with her. Do. Not.

(Next time, I'll choose my doorway to be under a bit more carefully! I can do snakes all day long, but spiders are a GIANT NO! And this one was GIANT!)

Not to worry. It probably came home with you in your suitcase and is under your bed right now... but I'm sure it's fine.

The rain came down in buckets but not for long. Long enough though that it cleared out the village and left a fresh, people-free hot spot all to me.

Gladly put up with a few minutes of rain for pristine photo ops later.

(An almost identical photo to the one I'd seen on Google!! Huzzah!!)

Very picturesque!

Much more ornate than what I thought!

The string of luck I’d been having this day was uncanny. Well, except for that bit where we abandoned going to the Mt. Batung Overlook. It was supposed to have been a stop between the waterfall and Penglipuran, but the clouds completely obliterated the view and Dewa knew it’d be a lost cause to try.

Like you said... you've seen and done so much already. Seems like a decent return for your tourist dollars/time.

This is really interesting/fascinating. The peoples obvious devotion is quite moving.

We saw 2 such processionals both accompanied by traditional music. I was mesmerized yet again by another exotic scene passing me by.

I would be too. I'd feel honoured to witness something like that.

Deluges like this happen nearly every day during rainy season, and Dewa reassured me that the flooding roads clear up within minutes of the rain stopping.

Reminds me of Hawaii... Big, massive storm. Streets flooded! Vacation ruined! Lives disrup..... oh. Nevermind. Streets are completely drained and dry now.

Every temple has a special bell that is only rung by the village leader and is used to communicate many various messages. Each gong sequence has its own special meaning such as “time to assemble”, “ceremony time”, “medical emergency”, or “fire!”. The bells are generally made of wood and can be heard from miles away.

That's really interesting. I'm not just saying that. I really do think that.

I ordered the mint and cucumber lemonade and the Balinese chicken with rice and steamed veggies (Batutu Ayan). It was super flavorful just like all the food I’d had up to this point, and once again left a fair bit behind as it was just far too much for just me.

That all sounds good. You sure aren't suffering from lack of good food!

Ribbit

I almost didn't notice two of them, at first.

Tomorrow is another full day

What? This one over already? That's it? Sheesh.

 

[Steppesister]

That river trek rates pretty high on my 'extreme' scale

I'm just glad it didn't rain while I was in there!!

Although I love Indonesian and Malaysian food, I can't do spicy, so always avoid the condiments!

And yet it still have SO much flavor!

I always think the portion sizes in the US are massive in comparison to anywhere else I've been - I have to share most of my meals over there!

It's obscene. One meal out will often give me leftovers for 3 more lunches.

OMG you should have put a trigger warning on this May be hard to believe for an Aussie, but spiders are a GIANT NOPE for me as well!

I will put one on the next chapter that has a giant spider.... there will be one.

I admire their dedication.

Definitely admirable. And so lovely!

I am the same... only eaten it in some sort of dessert, I'd never be able to eat it on its own!

Too stinky!

 

[Steppesister]

My favourite Churchill quote:
Lady Astor: "Winston, if I were your wife I'd put poison in your coffee."
Winston Churchill: "Nancy, if I were your husband I'd drink it."

Oh, I remember this one!! Such a classic! such WIT!!

And this one resonates even more so, today:
"Everyone is in favor of free speech. Hardly a day passes without its being extolled, but some people's idea of it is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone else says anything back, that is an outrage."

OH man! This!!!

And??

I not only passed it, but got an Award of Excellence for the write up. This was only one of 2 that I've gotten for the countless papers and research I've done for this program. Was pretty pleased! And now I've begun my 2nd (of 3) rotations with a local doc (who happens to be my neighbor) and is turning out to be a WONDERFUL teacher.

Love waterfalls. I tend to drive/walk out of my way to see them.

I think I remember that from your TRs.

Uh, huh.
At my advanced (read: decrepit) age, more fun means easing back in the recliner and putting my feet up.

I'm finding that if I sit too long, I get stiff and weak. Need. To. Keep. Moving.

I'm very surprised, actually. I think I mentioned being shocked that you had done so much... just with the morning walk!

I'm just getting started!

Nope. You did not.
That recliner with the feet up is sounding better all the time, isn't it?

At times, oh yes!!

Did I mention that recliner?

No? Hmmm?

I think you did! LOL!

Mud is worse. Can be just as cold (or at least feel that way) and you can't just brush it off or wait for it to dry.

I confess, I have to agree with you on this one.

He has great legs and wanted to show them off?
Did you ever see the Carol Burnett episode where they had the audience chose who had the best legs?

NO! I haven't seen that one! I can only imagine! Those were such the golden days of TV.

This looks like it's straight out of a movie. A scary movie... but a movie, nevertheless...

Did it happen to feature banjos?

Why?
I mean, I get why you didn't want your shoes to get wet, but why did he have you wear shoes if he wasn't going to wear any? Was the bottom sharp/rocky?

Yes, it was. I think he was afraid I'd get hurt or slip.

Death...
Disease...
Dysentery...
Dismemberment...

Delightful.

<audible "oooh" sounds>

I thought you might enjoy that.

What a shot! Proof you really did have it all to yourself.

It really was quite a beautiful sight!

Stunned! What an amazing video! (And the part where you ask him if he's okay... Who's guiding who?)
But when you come around the bend and see this water pouring into the pool... How did you not spend the rest of your trip, right there??

Wasn't that totally fun?! Sure, a little adventurous, but so totally worth it! I still get to do so many more fun things.

I've heard of (and seen) durian, but didn't know it was banned.
Had no idea there was a smell!

It's awful!

 

[Steppesister]

Meatball soup?? Heck ya!

Any meatball soup is a GREAT meatball soup.

What about the third (chicken & noodles) item on the menu board? Or wasn't that available that day?

There was no sign of any of that that day.

Oh dear...
You'd need that stone throne again!

I'd be praying for sure.

Huh! really is using scissors.

It literally does mean "Cut Tofu".

I take it Balinese food is mostly very spicy? (with the addition of the chilis)

Yes, but also very flavorful too with herbs that lend such a unique taste.

Nice to have a local guide who also guides you on local foods.

Most definitely!

Wait... do you mean that teeny tiny red dash in the middle?

There were more. But that "teeny tiny red dash" flavors the entire bowl. Trust me.

Definitely at odds of what you've been saying since you started writing this report.

Indeed! But I had to do a little of the most-visited mixed in with the less-so. Sometimes the most-visited are such for good reason.

You really lucked out on the timing. Any idea how long the holiday lasts? Like... In North America, many people put up Christmas decorations at the beginning of December (or earlier) and keep them up until after New Years... or later.

A month-long festival. The timeline is pretty interesting to read... an animal slaughter, used as food and an offering, decorations, etc...

I would strongly suspect this doesn't happen anymore. Like, in California it is illegal for women to drive a car while wearing a housecoat. Highly doubt this would be enforced now.

Did you read the Wiki ariticle. I'm not entirely sure it doesn't. I mean... bride stealing actually still does happen in Kazakhstan too.

Liesa's posse. Do NOT mess with her. Do. Not.

You've been warned. Connections. All over the world.

Not to worry. It probably came home with you in your suitcase and is under your bed right now... but I'm sure it's fine.

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Gladly put up with a few minutes of rain for pristine photo ops later.

Absolutely. Every single time.

Much more ornate than what I thought!

Everywhere you turn, there is more "frilly".

Like you said... you've seen and done so much already. Seems like a decent return for your tourist dollars/time.

Bali a perfect "budget" vacation aside from the cost of getting there (for N. Americans). There is so much to do, eat, experience...

This is really interesting/fascinating. The peoples obvious devotion is quite moving.

It really was. I hardly wanna walk through the rain into the grocery store...

Reminds me of Hawaii... Big, massive storm. Streets flooded! Vacation ruined! Lives disrup..... oh. Nevermind. Streets are completely drained and dry now.

I guess it's the way of tropical storms!

That's really interesting. I'm not just saying that. I really do think that.

It was to me too. Such an effective, low cost, low tech, neat way of communication.

What? This one over already? That's it? Sheesh.

What?! I'm going as fast as I can!

 

[pkondz]

Oh, I remember this one!! Such a classic! such WIT!!

I wish I was half as witty.


wait...

I not only passed it, but got an Award of Excellence for the write up.

Hey! That's great! Good for you.

And now I've begun my 2nd (of 3) rotations with a local doc (who happens to be my neighbor) and is turning out to be a WONDERFUL teacher.

Nice! And convenient.

I'm finding that if I sit too long, I get stiff and weak. Need. To. Keep. Moving.

There is that.

NO! I haven't seen that one! I can only imagine! Those were such the golden days of TV.

Best part?



Harvey Korman won.

Did it happen to feature banjos?

Delightful.

Definitely

Wasn't that totally fun?! Sure, a little adventurous, but so totally worth it!

Any meatball soup is a GREAT meatball soup.

Haven't met one I didn't like, yet.

Yes, but also very flavorful too with herbs that lend such a unique taste.

mmm... okay, I'm sold

There were more. But that "teeny tiny red dash" flavors the entire bowl. Trust me.

Whoa.

Indeed! But I had to do a little of the most-visited mixed in with the less-so. Sometimes the most-visited are such for good reason.

Of course.
While I get wanting to avoid the crowds... if you go to... say, Paris. Someone will ask if you went to the Eiffel Tower. You better be able to say yes or you'll never hear the end of it!

Did you read the Wiki ariticle. I'm not entirely sure it doesn't. I mean... bride stealing actually still does happen in Kazakhstan too.

Must admit I forgot to.

You've been warned. Connections. All over the world.

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Bali a perfect "budget" vacation aside from the cost of getting there (for N. Americans). There is so much to do, eat, experience...

May have to put this on the bucket list.

I guess it's the way of tropical storms!

I think it's more the way of people who have lived with those storms and understand them and understand drainage.

 

[missjackiemcg]

The scenery is so gorgeous in every photo, but even more so, I love the pictures of the local people, the children, and YOU enjoying all of the amazing places.

 

[Steppesister]

R is for: Relax to the Max!​

Another day in Heaven on Earth dawned, one I was looking forward to in epic proportions. It was my day of being an Istagram-Wanna-Be who will never make the grade in fame and fortune but will quietly do all the same things without having to show my butt to the world for clicks and likes. Not that anyone would wanna see all that anyway, but I also don’t have to trade bowing to advertisers’ demands, risk rude comments from an “audience”, or have any other deadlines or expectations for a “free trip” either.


Okay, I digress…. Back to Steppe’s Ultimate Day of Relaxation…


The night before, I’d ordered my breakfast as usual but elevated the morning meal by adding “breakfast in the pool”. Yep, you read that right IN THE POOL! I had read about the famous Balinese Floating Breakfasts and with a pool right outside my door that was so refreshing and picture perfect, I opted to float away the morning eating a variety of tasty goodies. As I’ve mentioned probably 100 times before, by 8:00AM it was already boiling hot and humid, so there really is no bad time to be in the water in Bali.

Suited up I headed to the water and soon was presented with the most glorious basketed breakfast, replete with red roses. Is this not the most gorgeous presentation ever?! The server asked if I’d like him to take some photos, and I was very grateful that at least a couple of them turned out. The sun was unfortunately in the wrong place and the glare was fairly harsh, but in the end he did ok.

(I took that one. )

​

I ate in leisure and took my time. I had until 11:00 to enjoy every moment of this special meal and had no intention of rushing through it. You might be asking how I managed to actually EAT floating around. I didn’t. After I got my photos, I swam my basket back to the pool steps and ate immersed up to my chest or so. I admit, it truly was decadent and luxurious and something I’ll always remember. The extra cost was only $10 so didn’t break the bank either!

Someone else was leisurely dining.

​

After the long, water-themed breakfast, I got myself ready for the next portion of my Ultimate Day of Relaxation. The Main Event wasn’t for a little bit, so I headed off for a short morning walk to see a few things I still hadn’t until now.

​

One was the Water Palace that hordes of tourists end up at, so I didn’t spend a lot of time there.

​

The big draw is that it was once used by the royal family for their worship. It was still early so there weren’t a ton of crowds yet, but with having to wear the hot (and gross from years of sweaty tourists wearing it) sarong and robe, I just got a few pix and left. It was pretty, but not nearly as gorgeous as the ones I’d seen with my guides for sure. Most of the fountains weren't even on due to some renovations or such.

(Did I mention that all of the frilly stuff on those is HANDCUT?!)






​

Next, I headed for a little shop that I read about on the web that says is the best place to buy a carved wooden souvenir mask. I had some pretty firm ideas on what I was looking for and this place was said to have the best selection of authentic masks at the best prices. Here is the one I ended up with:

​

Someday, it’ll hang amongst a collage of the things I picked up from this trip: a few of my favorite framed photos, the mask, a small batik, and the Aboriginal art from Uluru.

My little walk had me back to the hotel by 11:00, so I ordered an Uber and by noon, I was dropped off at one of the more popular (for good reason) spas in Ubud- Karsa Spa- for my appointment. I’d made my reservation months prior and couldn’t wait to begin my 4-hour treat-yoself-time. I also now, at this point, realized why I couldn’t get a reservation on the day I’d wanted and planned my itinerary around. The spa was closed for the holiday! The extra effort I had to make in re-arranging my drivers for the 2 tour days, the spa, my cooking class, etc... was a lot, and it wasn't until I got there that it all made sense.

https://karsaspa.com/

The second I stepped out of the taxi, I was positive it was going to be the most relaxing, best 4 hours I’d ever spend that much money on. Wanna know how much I spent? Sure you do!! It was $65 for ALL of what I’m about to share. Yes, I was rather blown away too. (I added a tip, which brought it up to $75.)

The very moment you enter the gates, a peaceful atmosphere wraps you in a warmth that’s not easy to find these days. Soft music, lily ponds, attendants and greeters welcome you with smiles and warm towels… Walk with me to the reception area!

(Samples of the scents to choose from)
​

The grounds themselves are quite lovely throughout the campus of several buildings. The open-air reception area has several couches where you are directed, and a Spa Menu is handed to you along with a cup of cold, refreshing tea or water of your choice; I chose lime-ginger water. I wiped my face with the warm washcloth, breathed in the beautifully-infused scent, and sipped my cool water while I waited for what was next.

Soon, a young lady introduced herself and walked me through the choices of scents and products for the various stages of my Saraswati Spa Package. And here I was thinking I was going to get a massage and bath. LOL! I know I chose the bath of local herbs, coffee and salt for my scrub, and lemon-ginger for my oil. At least that’s what memory serves.

Then I was led to another building with private massage and bath rooms. Mine had a massage table, bathtub, and shower surrounded by the most gorgeous gardens. The view from the tub was over the rice fields and just absolutely stunning.

​

The package started with a full body massage with the oil I had chosen and, had a I left after just that hour alone, I’d have been happy. I don’t think I’ve ever had a more luxurious massage experience. I mean how many massage spas have bowls of fresh flowers to look at in case you don’t fall asleep?

​

After the oil, she switched over to the scrub. I asked what was in it and was told it was fresh ground Balinese coffee, salt, honey and oil. The aroma alone was intoxicating. It felt so good; I’d never had a salt scrub before and I can definitely say I’m a fan! I almost titled this chapter: Coffee in my Crack, Honey up My Nose, and Weeds in my Toes

My therapist then said it was time to shower off using the provided products.

​

By then, the thunder had started to add even more to the exquisite ambiance, and by the time she came back my bath was drawn in all of its weedy glory. She guided me to the hot, scented waters and all was heady in my outdoor Nirvana. The thunder rolled, the rain came in a steady downpour and I closed my eyes savoring this precious time. She took a few photos before she left me to my 25-minute soak, but the internet is no place to show old lady boudoir shots. Nevertheless, I got to pretend I was a famous Instagrammer with none of the responsibility. *See paragraph #1*

You might notice on the side of the tub (below) is a little cup and dish; I was given a little plate of fresh cut fruit and a cup of ginger tea to enjoy while I soaked.

I took a little video of all the different goodies in my bath:

(The view from my tub)​

Ahhh, where was I? Yes, soaking in a hot bath that resembled a Louisiana bayou, except it smelled better and there were no alligators. My beautiful tech came back and handed me a big piece of batik fabric to dry off, gathered up my stuff for me, then led me to another room where I was made comfortable on yet another massage table. Say what?! A new tech took over for the next phase- the facial. It was basically a series of facial massages with oils, lotions, exfoliators, and ended with another short, but wonderful full body massage.

​

Lastly, I was handed off to my last attendant where I got an incredible hair creambath. Definitely never had one of those before! Yowza!!! I felt like 110,000,000 bucks! I was glowing and so relaxed, and ready to tackle the next days of touring Bali and traveling to a whole other continent soon enough.

​

The walk home I knew would be a long one so I paid my bill and started the journey.

Continued in next post...

 

[Steppesister]

By the time I was done, my spa treatment ended up being 4 ½ hours long and it was definitely happy hour. The way home was a long and very well-traveled path called the Campuhan Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely paved pedestrian-only walk that travels along a river valley back from the area where the spa was located into Ubud City. Google told me it’d be about 45 minutes and it was generally pretty accurate although I took a bit longer as I took some photo stops along the way.

​

I also took a few minutes out to try a local spirit called Arak. Yes, it is strong. Yes, I know you have to be careful as not all arak is made under an inspected eye and can be a bit dicey, but I thought the little café looked legit and took my chances. The flavor of my passion fruit cocktail was quite nice, but the seeds were a bit of a detraction.

For those that want a deeper dive:





​

Back on the trail, I joined a couple of other lady hikers who were from Australia. We chatted about Australia, and they approved of my upcoming itinerary. I gotta say, Aussies are just some of the nicest folks around! I chatted with so many of them in Bali and it was great hearing about some of the places I’d be visiting. The conversation made the walk go by really quickly and I still had time to enjoy the scenery and grab a few photos to show you.

(HUGE!)​

By 6:15 I was back at my hotel, and still needed to hurry and change for my evening plans. I had wanted to be headed straight to the destination by 6:30 but got on my way closer to 6:45. Would it be too late? Would it spoil my plans? Come back for more when I can write again…

​

 

[Wood Nymph]

Suited up I headed to the water and soon I was presented with the most glorious basketed breakfast, replete with a red rose. Is this not the most gorgeous presentation ever?!

Breakfast looks delicious. It looks like you needed more coffee. I have a tray that looks just like that one, but probably doesn't float.

The big draw is that it was once used by the royal family for their worship. It was still early so there weren’t a ton of crowds yet, but with having to wear the hot (and gross from years of sweaty tourists wearing it) sarong and robe, I just got a few pix and left.

That sounds very gross.

The thunder rolled, the rain came in steady downpour and I closed my eyes savoring this precious time.

Actually, the downpour sounds like a bonus! There is nothing like being dry when it is pouring outside.

By the time I was done, my spa treatment ended up being 4 ½ hours long and it was definitely happy hour. The way home was a long and very well-traveled path called the Campuhan Ridge Trail.

The trail looks fascinating, but I would have been tired after the spa treatment.