THE 'MAJIC' OF BALI. Review on Bali

There are three general beach areas to stay in, Kuta, Sanur or Nusa Nua.

I have been to Bali twice. The first time was for an International Convention and on our way to South Korea for the first time.

We stayed at the Sheraton Nusa Dua Hotel. There is a more expensive Sheraton next door but I didn't like it as much. Part of our package included a fabulous breakfast at the hotel for the ten days we were there.

It also included a few tours.

WHAT WE SAW ON THE TOURS:

DAY ONE:

On day we took a boat trip to Trunyan, an ancient Bali Aga village. The Trunyan cemetery is only accessible by boat. The people of Trunyan do not cremate or bury their dead. They lay them out in bamboo cages to decompose.

DAY TWO:

The next day we took a half-day tour. We drove past the Presidents Palace, (I had been to a Dinner there the first time I was here).

The tour stopped at a Batik Factory and a were given a demonstration of how the Balinese make Batik products like no other place in the World.

Along the way I saw a sign that read, 'Majic'. I asked our Guide if it meant 'Magic'. He said 'yes' and then said that, 'Bali in the only Hindu Island in Indonesia. When the Hindu Priest came to Bali they were smart enough to incorporate the 'old religion' with Hinduism. Magic was still being practiced in Bali.'

We then visited a Wood Carving Factory. It's amazing how fast a carver can make a box, mask or statue. We bought one of each.

The next stop was at the Monkey Park. At this point the rain began to fall. It was raining so hard that it was like we were standing in a shower. At the Park each of us had a Guide waiting for us with an umbrella, (it didn't help too much). Every since I was in Kenya I dislike Monkeys. I had told my Husband my African Monkey stories and he was not too sure he wanted to go into the Park. The Guide assured him he would be safe. The moment he walked in one monkey jumped on his shoulder, another tried to steal some mints in his pocket and a third tried to steal his wallet. Needless to say we left the Park. There was a Market outside the Park. Each Guide's Family has a booth there. It is polite to buy something from that booth. We bought a sarong for our Daughters.

We then drove to a Temple where the Priests were performing a Ceremony. The head Priest wore a white suit the others wore black suits. It was a lovely Ceremony to watch as they were putting bouquets of flowers on a table in the middle of the Temple.

Our tour ended just before sun set at the Hindu Monkey Temple. The Temple is attached to the land when the tides are low, (as it was when were there), and become an Island at high tide. We were told we could visit the Temple by walking through a series of caves. Our Guide told us there were snakes that lived in the caves. He assured us that they were not dangerous but I am afraid of snakes so I don't know what the inside of the Temple looked like.

DAY THREE:

We went to see Ubud. This Town was established by one of the Royal Family's as an Artists Colony.

We stopped at Sanur Beach and found out that there was nothing to see and it was a little too quiet for us.

I thought this would be such a special place that I was disappointed as all the little shops were selling the same things as the stalls in Nusa Dua, (but at a much higher price).

Our last stop was at Kuta Beach. When I was in Bali the first time the Market here was special and full of bargains. The Market had been expanded and the merchants were selling junk for very high prices. This beach is called the 'Austrian Beach' and it is very noise, a lot of people walking around with beer like they were at a big party. One young boy tried to sell cocaine to our Son. After that we went to eat at The Hard Rock Cafe and were happy to go back to our beach.

That night we went to see a performance of the Traditional Music and Dances of Bali.

The dancers of Bali are beautiful. You must watch their eyes because that is where so see the mood of the story they are telling.

SHOPPING:

1) Near our hotel was the Galleria Shopping Mall. In the Mall there are a lot of stores. There are brand name sporting goods, boutiques, bookshops, toys, duty free shop and the best Supermarket, (we bought a lot of beer, pop, cigarettes, potato chips and candy here.

There are a lot of Restaurants and Cafes in the Mall. I think we ate here almost every night, (it was cheaper than the hotel). We ate at an Irish Pub, a German, an Italian, a Fish and Japanese Restaurants. There was a great hot dog stand and an ice cream stand that we managed to eat at a few times.

I had my hair braided in small braids. I had a tattoo drawn on that lasted for a few weeks.

2) On the main road into Nusa there is a supermarket, crafts, clothing, music, electrical, kitchen Shops and the market stalls. The Market Stalls had the best buys.

SOME THOUGHTS:

I loved Bali and would go back any time.

There is so much to see and do but I am limited to 1000 words so this is the end. I hope you enjoyed reading about Bali

©LL2002