Beautiful Bali

Anna & Josh
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Bali is absolutely beautiful!

This is my second visit, and I will definately be returning one of these days.

SO CHEAP!

The trip was a blast. Josh and I were joined by our friends Matt and Rachel, and it was awesome! It's so cheap, you would be crazy not to do as much as possible. The first night we got drunk on Arak in our hotel's swim up pool bar, which was a great way to start the holiday and meet some of the hotel's MANY staff.

My new tattoo (Bali 2006)
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Then, we got stuck into the activities. Dapa, our Creative Holiday's representative was just a joy to have for a tour guide. He took us up to the mountains, Ubud, and to see painting, woodcarving and jewellrey makers, where some fantastic wares were made and sold. He then took us to the Elephant Safari park, which was my second visit, but still just as amazing. He then accompanied us to the Enchanted Monkey Forest, where I freaked out as monkeys roamed around us. One jumped on Josh, as he was sheltering his video camera under his shirt from the rain, but it lost interest when it realised Josh didnt have any food. A word of warning: If you're scared like me, make sure ALL items are visible for the monkeys to inspect.

Matt, Rach & Josh, Bali 2006
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We spent the next few days unwinding- going to the beach, or one of Legian and Kuta's great restaurants. I got hooked on the mie goreng (vegetarian noodles), and the pina coladas and bintang. SO CHEAP!!!

Then, we went to Nusa Dua for watersports. I am terrified of heights, so convincing myself that parasailing was for me, was a challenge, but well worth it for the view. We also went fly fishing (kinda like banana boat in the air), and met some great locals- all with tattoos. Yay!

Later that day we headed to Ulawatu, a famous Balinese temple, to see a Fire Dance, and watch the sunset over the cliffs. Amazing. There was also heaps of monkeys there, one even tried to grab Josh's camera!! Make sure you dont wear jewellrey, the monkeys will steal it and smash it just for fun.

Anna, Josh & Matt
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We also went to Waterbomb, the waterslide park in Kuta, which was fun, but I nearly had a heart attack climbing up the waterslide towers. I even had to stop and "admire the view"...lol....

Lastly, we went White Water Rafting on Agung River, a 12km stretch of gentle rapids and a few dams, and several VERY LOW bridges. Scary. The view of the rice paddy fields is STUNNING. For those rafters out there, this river is a Level 3 on the rafting chart. Rafting finished with a buffet lunch.

I have to add, if you EVER go to Bali, and you see any street dogs hanging about, PLEASE remember to feed them something, they are all emaciated and starving, it broke my heart. They are scared, and wont bite, just throw a bit of chicken on the ground for them.

Besides the dogs, the lowlights are definately the hawkers. You will soon get sick of the incessant "Plait your Hair? Dreadlock? Magic Mushroom? Look at my shop? Cocaine? Hair extension? Massage?".....

But saying that, Bali was still great, the Land of the Gods.

I am sad to be heading home :(

P.S. We also both got NEW tattoos! YAY! Josh had the dodgy one on his stomach covered with a Japanese Koi, its beautiful. And then he had a male angel cradling a few angel tattooed in one arm, and 'Protege Moi' on the other- for all you who are aware of Josh's Placebo obsession, this won't come as a shock.

And not to be outdone, I had my eleventh and twelfth tattoos inked on this holiday. I now have an angel tattooed on my back, and some scroll across my lower hip area. Yay!