Around the Island of Bali

Gardens, temples, lakes, waterfalls, examples of women carrying everything on their heads including an umbrella and families up to 5 squeezing on motor scooters. A wonderful time in Bali and a place I would like to someday live.

Balinese “Kecak” Dance at the Uluwatu Temple

They say that every visitor to Bali should see at least one dance and if you plan to see only one then this should be it. The combination of ancient ritual, dance, drama, sunset and cliff setting makes Kecak Ramayana & Fire Dance one of the most spectacular dance performances imaginable. Accompanied by a choir of chanting and singing men, the memory will stay with you long after you leave the Island of the Gods.

For Rp. 50,000 about $5.00, at 6pm every night (weather permitting)

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

Within Ubud, Bali there is a monkey forest you must visit. It costs Rp 15.000 (or a little more than a $1.50) to get in to see the monkey sanctuary. Bananas are also sold inside the entrance so you could feed them. But as soon as you buy them, the monkeys grab at you for them, so be prepared.
A bigger monkey must have spotted the banana I was trying to hide. He hobbled over and jumped onto my leg! A little frightened, but still laughing, I tried to swing him off. But then HE BIT ME! I dropped the banana immediately, the monkey grabbed it and was off. I lifted my pant leg to inspect my thigh and luckily he just bruised the skin.
Monkeys were everywhere; scattered along the winding mossy path, in the trees along side us and hanging out on the low walls and pillars. They were picking fleas off each other’s backs, holding close the little baby monkeys and running around chasing after each other.
Cute little baby monkeys playing together and people holding out their hands to touch them.
There was an awesome stone dragon bridge that led over to a fountain under 2 very large stone iguana lizards. A creek below led beneath Banyan trees, with vines that came down from up above and took root. A great visit!

Ubud, Bali

Ubud is the spiritual, artistic, cultural center of Bali. Poetic thinkers, artists, spiritual healers, environmentalists and those alike are all drawn here. And at the time we visited, Julia Roberts was rumored to be filming her new movie "Eat, Pray, Love." One the side of the road, we spotted a women selling Durian fruit. I was told it had a pungent smell, I was nervous to try it but everyone else was doing it... I tried to not breath through my nose and took a bite, it tasted sugary sweet. I started to breath through my nose and it didn't smell like dead rotting cat. There is a undertone of funk going on, but you have to give it a try while thinking "caramel popcorn."

Tanah Lot, Bali

One of the many temples here in Bali, this temple is carved out by the sea. A beautiful silhouette against the sunset and as it sets, on top of the hill swarms out thousands of bats leaking out into the night.

First couple of days in Bali