In case you didn't know where Bali was ( I didn't), it is in Indonesia. I wanted to describe Bali with four letters: B-A-L-I. July 17-23, 2018 Balinese people. The locals were so very helpful, especially when you went to buy something. They will pull you into their shops and show you 'the very best items' and ask for goodluck, which meant that you give them good money for their items. They are always smiling and saying hello or good morning. Granted we were in the tourist hot spots, the locals were friendly even if we asked for directions. They were wanting to cater to our needs, even on the beach. Now sometimes they were pushy but I think I would rather have all the attention than no help at all. Our tour guide on our excursion to Ubud and the monkey forest was so fun and filled with happiness. He was always asking us "are you happy?" And he loved when we would smile. The Balinese live simple lifestyles and aren't really ever in a rush, even though their traffic looked different, so crazy! Lots of honking and cutting off, but no one was ever mad or upset, just friendly nods and waves. Overall, customer service at all shops, hotels and restaurants were excellent.
Architecture. I loved that each building looked older and more historic then the one before it. I felt like we were living among old ruins of kingdoms. With tall towers and details of carved out Bali art on the walls. There was moss growing on some and vines wrapping around others. In the city, modern mall shops still had a historic Asian culture feel, and once you left the tourist spots more villages popped up with grass roofs and bamboo wrapped walls. It was pretty neat. Again, the Balinese people live simple lives, you didn't see sky scrapers other than the hotels around. And it felt very religious with their offerings to the Gods each morning outside their doors, and robes hanging from their sculptures to identify sacred statues. Just beautiful. Landscapes. We did a whitewater trip down the Ayung River near Ubud. With waterfalls and splash worthy waves, this was a great way to get out and see the wild side of Bali. There were little huts on the shores where the Balinese packed in and out beverages for tourists. This was no easy task, it was about a 400 stair decent into the forest to get to the water, so I could only imagine carrying coolers full of beer and soda down! It was dry season when we were there, so the water was a bit more calm and the waterfalls weren't too big. The water felt so good on a hot humid day. Another landscape we toured was rice fields. These can be found almost everywhere in Bali, and the people have depended on this type of agriculture for almost 2000 years. I have learned that the rice fields are terraced and were carved by hand and some modern day tools. The rice is harvested when the plants turn yellow, kind of like wheat. And the fields are such a lush green color. I of course had to have a bowl of rice when we visited one of the rice fields. Another part of the landscape was the Monkey Forest. It is just that! Bali Longtailed Monkeys live in this preserved area near Ubud, about 600 of them to be exact. They are use to people walking around in their habitat, so we could get up close and personal with them. One even played with my sarong! They were fun to watch interact with each other and see the baby ones learning to jump from tree to tree. Overall, Bali with its humidity and tropical like weather, everything is very green and lush. Loved it. In Love. I have been so lucky to travel with my boyfriend Chris. With the warm weather, cozy cushions to sit on at bars and restaurants, walks on the beach and luxury hotel stays, our travel together has been romantic and sweet. Chris experienced his first whitewater trip with me, and he wants to go again! He has also been to Bali about 6 times, so I have my own personal tour guide. Almost every day we had massages, had to take advantage of that because of how cheap it was. I love having Chris to travel with, it is more fun with someone to enjoy the sights, sounds and eats with. This is our 3rd country together (I included Australia), and the next trip will be to the states. He is beyond excited and I am too; can't wait to show him off to my family and friends. I encourage anyone to go to Bali. A must do would be the monkey forest and whitewater rafting!
1 Comment
Mary Ann McLeod-4013
7/11/2018 05:44:12
Betty, new email address: [email protected].
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The Journeys Made...
* New Zealand *28 Days in Q *Banff *Home Sweet Home *Bali *Tails4You *Thailand *Fiji *Florida Up Next... East Coast America Royal Caribbean Cruise Everest Base Camp Africa |