bali, bali, bali!

Some updates are in order :

1) Back from my Bali holiday. Couldn't get enough of it :D

2) Jimbaran - seafood. Superb view. You get to choose your own seafood (crabs, fish, clams, prawns, squid) and tell the cook how you want it done. Walk towards the beach where romantic lanterns, tables of frolicking families and mushy couples abound. As you sit, the chair sinks into the sand. As you eat somemore, you sink a little more deeper. Live band going around playing music to suit all tastes. Asians get free music while tipsy angmohs tip generously. :D

3) Besakih - mother of all temples. I had to rent a sarong coz you're not supposed to bare your knees in the holy place. But spaghettis and tubes are fine. So up we climbed the slope to the many many temples clustered on the hillside. Our local guide had really brown eyes and we thinks he's mixed. Couldn't speak Indonesian but schooled in English... hmmm... cute, but too young :P

4) Ubud - Bali version of our Central Market. Lots of stuff to buy to your heart's content. Wooden carvings of cats and dicks, Accessories of beads and shark's tooth, acrylic paintings of mythical creatures and women's chests. They're pretty good at painting boobs, from the many variations we saw there.

5) Kintamani - view of volcanic mountain. Didn't get to actually step on the volcano and its dark lava enriched soil. But we were on the opposite side, where they have rows of restaurants with open air views. Much like dining with the Swiss Alps at the background. Cool mountain breeze with afternoon sun. Japs seem to love it there.

6) Legian - shopping spree. Long road with little shops all along. Excellent place if you know how to bargain. Let me give you a tip if you plan to visit Bali - haggle until the shopkeeper cries. Ok, maybe not that harsh, but sometimes I think they look like I'm asking for free. But hey, better to sell and get rid of inventory rather than hoard them and not earn anything. Seriously, I got my stuff for more than 50% off quoted price :D

7) Spa - Green Garden Resort. Dunno whether we were ripped off, but paying USD44 for 2 hrs of massage, scrub and mandi lulur didn't seem to be so worth it. I had a better time in my Sri Hartamas massage compared to here. But the cottage where we had our pampering session opens up to the sky above. Lots of greens and bougan... bogainvi... bougainvillaeas, piped in Balinese music and sounds of gushes of water from nearby man-made fountain made it really relaxing though.

8) Kuta@night - happening area. We walked past the place that got bombed 2 years ago. Hollow and flattened, with a memorial on the front. Can still see faded signatures along with fresh writings of consolation on the banner. Opposite is Paddy's Pub. Lots of young angmohs partying away. Another pub nearby, less people and not too happening. As I peered in, I saw lots of older angmohs and Balinese SYTs.

9) Hard Rock Cafe - bigger than KL's. No cover charge, but drinks are exorbitant. Paid rup800,000(!!!) for 2 jugs of alcoholic drinks. They have a proper stage for guest artists performing. T-Rex was rocking away when we arrived. Pretty good repertoire of songs backed up by solid vocals. Lead lady singer came down to chat with us, delighted that we're Malaysians. Word got to cute lead guy singer, who dropped by during break to take pics with us. By the way, his name is Rudy. Told us they'd be coming to our shores come September to perform in Planet Hollywood. Can't wait!

10) Kuta beach - big waves, fine sand. Only managed to enjoy the lovely beach on the last day though. Locals come rushing to you, offering hair braiding services, tattoo-ing, mats for rent, and of course, surf boards. Must mention hunky surfer dudes too. Rippling muscles and cute smile. I was right, they were from Sydney. As we posed for pics, the one next to me pulled me by the waist as I tried to smile for the camera. I could feel the cold sea water trickling down from his hair. But they were sporting lar :D

Hey, 10 things to do in Bali, not bad eh? Oh since the 1st one doesnt count, try this - "horse-trishaw". Brings you for a tour around Kuta area for a reasonable fee. Popular with Taiwanese tourists. Can smell horse backside from where I sat. Other than that, not too bad lar. Authentic mar, like bullock cart. Just replace bull with horse.


P/s : I think I'm having post-hols depression :( I wanna go back there!