Pictures from:   Bali

Bali:

Flying into Bali is quite an experience. The landing is obviously nothing special (except for the hundreds of palms trees lining the runway), but the airport is. It seemed much like a temple. There were beautiful stone carvings, incense on every shelf. Fountains, ornate carvings, all very impressive! This led the way into Bali quite well, as most buildings actually look like this. And there are offerings to the gods everywhere, little woven baskets with flowers and incense in. They put them outside of shops to promote lots of sales, on cars to promote safe driving, even on bars so they sell a lot of beer!

I arrived at night, in 29 degrees Celsius. That made me worry about how hot it would be in the day! It was only one degree hotter in the day, but with 100% humidity. So pretty hot really. The hotel was nice, air con (thank god!) and a pool. The street was noisy outside though, I was in the bar area of Kuta (which I later found out to be the gay area of Bali!)

I took a few trips around Bali. One up to Ubud in the centre that lead us past batik workers, stone and wood carvers, and also silver smiths. Everything was very cheap, and bartering made it even cheaper. All prices are hiked up for the tourists, and they are ripping you off, but compared to UK prices all the goods are incredibly cheap.

I took another trip up to the north of Bali to Lovina, and black sand beach. I had my own driver and guide for two days! The hotel was one of the poshest I'd ever been in and also one of the cheapest! I was taken to see waterfalls, markets, temples, monkeys and even and active volcano.

The people were all very friendly, but you are constantly hassled. Everybody wants you to buy their stuff, and some people would even grab your arm and try to drag you into the shop! Plus they loved pale skin, and kept saying I was beautiful (that bit was great!) and also asking if I had a husband. When they found out I didn't, they would then ask if I was looking for a Balinese man! It does get tiresome being hassled all the time. But then you do get to meet some lovely people along the way. I learnt a few phrases of Balinese like good morning, how are you, etc. (Selamat pagi, ken ken karbare) That made a great difference and people cared that you tried to learn their language. It also meant they dropped their prices a little!

I spent 6 days there in total. I was happy to leave by the end. I'd haggled for my bargains, seen a lot of the country, learnt their culture and met some nice people. Would I go back? Yes, but with a crowd of people. I think it would be lots of fun to go there for a cheap holiday and sit on the beach. Not like me to say that I know but as long as you respect the people, and understand that the tourists are their lively hoods, it makes you realise that's not such a bad thing.