Girls at Melasti Festival (Kuta)

Saturday March 13

We started off the day at Uluwatu Beach, watching surfers, relaxing, and enjoying the company (Miiiiiiiiiiiiiike). Our old driver friend, Toto, then took us back to Kuta where we needed to stay so Mike could get back to the airport. There was a huge ceremony taking place that day on most beaches in Bali, called Melasti. This is celebrated before Nyepi and on the beach in order to send the evil spirits away. The particular festival we watched was on Kuta beach and there wasgamelon, dancing, and a huge procession along the water at sunset. There were a bunch of street vendors that gave us the chance to try Satay Ayam (Chicken Satay) and grilled jagung (corn) with sambal (hot sauce) and butter (we can’t remember the name of this food right now). Pete LOOOOVEES the satay here. This time we stayed at a nicer hotel for about the same price as before (Suka Beach Inn, 55.000/person, pool). Pete and I jumped in the pool, but didn’t stay up too late because we were all pretty tired.

MMMMMmmm Satay Ayam!

Friday March 12

In the morning Mike and Pete went into Kuta to run some errands while I explored the area around Thomas Homestay. The place is above an isolated beach that has smaller waves and shallow water due to the reef. The dog/animal that Thomas owns followed me on my adventure.

Thomas's dinosaur and beach

In the afternoon we joined fellow hostel-mates Olga (Germany) and Damien (France) on a trip to Bingin Beach. It was probably my favorite beach because it was possible to swim right under the cliffs and I saw a HUGE (1m long) iguana along those cliffs. There are beach bungalows, a small hostel, and very few people this time of year. Bingin is a bit more isolated, and a trek off the main road (we had to climb down a rock slide to get there). We left before sunset, afraid to get stuck without a ride back, but luckily the family selling parking spots was there and generously piled us into there truck; children, fish, and all. They took us to there home where we practically met the whole family.

All pictures of Bingin

By the time we got back to Thomas’s there were about 30 motorbikes in the drive and a whole group of Balinese men in a clearing behind his house. Pete and I were a bit curious about all the commotion, but didn’t want to intrude. One of Thomas’s friends informed us that there was a cockfight taking place prior to the Nyepi ceremony and that we were welcome to go back and check it out. We grabbed our cameras and were absolutely amazed at the spectacle. First, they compared the two roosters, touching their feathers, picking them up to check the weight, etc. ensuring their equality in terms of bets. Everyone was putting money down (except for us of course) and those with more on the line definitely wanted to inspect every inch of their rooster. Then a red string was wrapped around the rooster’s leg, and to our surprise, was securing a knife blade. The fighting lasted until one rooster was down for a certain amount of time and the winner got both birds. During the course of the fighting we were offered a chicken to take home and cook as well as various Obama chants (I was wearing my election t-shirt and the Balinese LOVE Obama, especially now since he is supposed to arrive in Bali on March 21). Of interesting note to us, one of the locals found it ironic that some Westerners consider this animal cruelty, however would eat industrial chicken killed in slaughter houses. We ate dinner with Olga and Damien at a small warung in Padang Padang, enjoying more noodle soup and nasi goreng…which I doubt will ever get old.

March 8, 2010 - March 11, 2010

From San Francisco to Rome to Austria to Doha to Singapore we finally arrived in Bali. In what seemed like an entirety to get out here the journey has certainly been worth it thus far. To our surprise we had no problems with all those connections and even our bags made it despite some seven hour layovers.

Upon arriving in Kuta, the tourist center of Bali, we walked a few blocks in the 90 degree weather and intense humidity to find the hotel we planned to stay at. It took a few wrong turns and shotty directions from the locals to find the place, which, unfortunately was full. Luckily there are cheap places to stay and pretty much everything else you want (including watches, massages, internet cafes, etc.) all over the place. We settled in this simple room for $5 which included two beds, a ceiling fan, and a toilet and cold water shower (all in the same room). The first night we also met up with our friend Rares from BU who happened to be here on his spring break from school in Japan.

Our bathroom

The first full day the three of us went to Seminyak around 9am to surf – or at least learn to surf. We certainly fell a majority of the time but can now say we have the basics down. The first meal consisted of local Indonesian cuisine including Nasi Goreng (fried rice) and Gado Gado (rice with chicken, vegetables and peanut sauce). All the sauces in each meal are delicious although consistently eating spicy food in the heat can get difficult. At night we checked out a couple local bars which are mostly filled with Australians and Japanese (this time of year is spring break for most Japanese tourists). In the afternoon we hitched a ride on mopeds to Dreamland, about 45 minutes from Kuta. Dreamland is one of the more famous surf locales in Bali and is surrounded by luscious green cliffs. We spent a couple hours at this beach which was full of professional local surfers. `Dreamland had some of the nicest turquoise water with perfect waves and is certainly one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever been to. At night we had another local style dinner that included my first ever avocado juice mixed with chocolate sauce – and it tasted exactly how it sounds.

Dreamland Beach

On Thursday we woke up early and decided to change locations and move to the southern part of the island known as Bukit or more specifically Padang Padang. We found this great place called Thomas homestay that sits atop the cliffs above the Indian Ocean. It’s a small place with about 7 rooms that is currently full of Germans and French people. It’s a fun place because there’s one communal dining room table that everyone shares so you definitely get to know everyone else staying here.

Uluwatu

Pete, Steph and Miiiiiike (Rares)

In the afternoon we went to Uluwatu Temple and watched monkeys steal glasses and hats from tourists. The temple is right on the edge of the cliffs and has spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. Every night they have a Kecak and fire dance which portrays the Ramayana story. The costumes were intricately designed and certainly very colorful. The show is at 6 each night so sitting above the cliffs allows for amazing sunsets. We had the most expensive dinner tonight, about $22 total for three people.

Uluwatu Temple

Kecak Dance

Uluwatu Cliffs

MONKEY!!!!!!!!