Transport?

Oh Tropical, was my first thought disembarking the 767 from New Zealand to Bali a full day of travel! We departed Christchurch, New Zealand at 6:45 AM and arrived in Auckland, New Zealand at 8:20 AM. We miandered in Auckland International until our 12:20 departure to Bali via Brisbane, Astralia. 10 hours in the air accompanied by a 45 min lay over in Brisbane we finally arrived in Bali. Exhausted we collected our baggage, exchanged currency, fended oursleves from the transport kings outside the terminal and were off to UBUD.

My first impression of Bali was departure from the international terminal in Denpensar where we were on our own, no longer safely being cared for by the Garuda Indonesia Flight Staff. Leaving the airport gives you a sense of uncertainty and within five minutes of trying to gather your thoughts after a long day you enter a world so foriegn that you have to push your uncertainty to the side and use you senses! If you have been to Bali then you know that there is one word that will face you every time you leave the confines of your room 'Transport'

UBUD

UBUD was to be our first stay in Bali, a village in the East Mountains acclaimed for its artistic nature. We arrived late on June 6, 2001 (Tuesday Evening) hired a taksi (by the way that is how they spell taxi) from the airport for 90,000 Rupia the US equivalent to $8.00. We received a recommendation for accomodations from our friend Lucy who we met on the Kiwi Experience in New Zealand, but our cab driver had no idea where the bungalows were so plan B...drive around UBUD to find accomodations that suited our needs, and that we did. We checked into the UBUD Village Hotel fully equipped with a pool, an incredible bathroom (with an outside shower) our own little patio, and of course lets not forget the massage tables overlooking poolside!

Our first full day in Bali we met up with Melissa and Steven, Jen's sister and her husband who just happened to be in Bali on their honeymoon, what luck for us (will explain in a moment). That morning their driver picked us up and we were off to see the splendors of Bali. Our first stop, via country roads winding through family owned rice terraces, was Lake Beratan the home of the Floating Temple and then to the Temple by the Sea in Tanah Lot. The country roads showed the real Bali untouched by commercial tourism. The rice fields are more beautiful than I had pictured in my mind and our driver Ketut encouraged us to get out of the car, walk and get a sense of what Bali is. Experiencing it for yourself you see things that you normally would drive right past in haste! On our short 500 meter walk I could sense the poverty, yesterdays labor set on the tanned faces of the inhabitants, and the one thing that I could not miss was the smile on their faces! Especially the children! The people here are poor and if you look closely you will find them bathing in the public running water that doubles as both a bath and a fine tuned, century old irrigation system that floods the rice fields after each harvest. If you look closely you will see the outline of topis (the traditional triangular woven hat that that is worn in the fields to protect from the sun). If you are lucky enough to stop by a school you will instantly be the center of attention surrounded by animated faces with big smiles more than happy to be the subject of a few pictures!

Completely exhausted from our travels we decided to have a relaxing Thursday, we indulged in the complementary breakfast at the UBUD Village Hotel that included omelets made to order, traditional Balinese fried rice and noodles, toast, fruit, tea, and juice. That afternoon was reserved for $20 USD 1 hour messages over looking the pool and swim up bar! Lunch poolside there after and a little sun was enough to rejuvinate us to hit the streets for a bit of shopping and dinner.

Friday

Friday was much of the same breakfast at the hotel and off the salon where we had a 10:30 maincure and pedicure. Upon arrival at the salon they took us to a bungalow where we were to receive our mani's and pedi's. The work was performed on a massage table with us lying down (for those of you familiar with manicures and pedicures you know that in the states we are usually sitting at a table) another new experience. The girls that worked in the salon also lived there, which I thought was unusual to say the least. They were sweet girls and we talked of boyfriends, weddings, and hairclips. One of the young girls was admiring my jcrew tortise hair clip, so I twisted her hair in the up do position and clipped it on! It put a simle on all of our faces and I knew that I wanted her to have it! We joked and I told her she had to wear it out, her hair in the up do accentuated her already pristine face. She was so greatful she could not stop thanking me we took pictures laughed and said our goodbyes, I think she would have followed us home if she could have!

That afternoon we walked about UBUD shopping of coures dodging the sporadic rain showers in the nearest reatil establishment. Finally we found our way to the monkey forest where we walked amongst the monkeys and watched other travelers instigate their curiosity. I guess that is what Edward (from the travel clinic) was talking about when he said a rabies shot would have been a good idea! That afternoon we departed for Kuta Beach, just minutes from Denpasar. Although, difficult to describe Kuta other than a cross between Tijuana and Honolulu!

That evening we listed 5 things that you are thankful for!