Firstly, I must apoligise for this taking so long. I've kind of being putting it off because I knew it would be hard to write about my two weeks in bali in a small post and narrow down my hundreds of photos... but here goes!

 

Three weeks ago today I headed off on my first overseas trip to Bali with my best mate, her husband and their friend. It was nothing like I expected. I had been told what is was like, but I guess until you go there you never really know. The heat hit me as soon as I got off the plane. It takes all of your energy away and makes you really tired. It took me a couple of days to ease into it and then I kind of enjoyed sweating like a pig :hap: ...

 

We were met at the airport by my friends friend who went over a few days earlier, and his Bali friend Jimmy. Jimmy is an absolute darling. He is married with a son, is the kindest most sweetest person I have ever met. He drove us around, carried our things and was just a real gentleman. On our first day we went shopping and I bought three handbags, heaps of jewelery and lots of clothes. He carried all of my things for me. I love him to bits and will be keeping in touch.

 

Jimmy

 

We stayed at the Adi Darhma Hotel. It was simple, yet divine. We had a pool, restaurant, meditation room and spa/massage area. I had a massage, pedicure and manicure, and then also for my birthday I had three hours of pampering which consisted of a foot bath, massage, body scrub, body steam, body sooth (yoghurt which kinda stunk really bad!!!), flower bath, shower and facial. It was $35 all up and was the perfect way to start my birthday. I was also surprised at breakfast by a CAKE!!! and the staff singing me happy birthday. Everyone clapped along and I had to wear a banana leaf hat. Very sweet.

 

 

Adi Dharma Hotel

 

 

The hotel pool

 

A statue I liked

 

The morning of my Birthday

 

Apart from the day trips we did, we shopped around Kuta. I bought so much stuff... handbags, thongs/shoes, jewelry (we found a great place where each piece was 50 cents each), clothes DVD's ($1 each and the more you buy, the more free ones you get. Crazy I know), Indonesian items- statues etc..., I could go on. I also bought a big bag to take it all home in My favourite shop was this huge handbag shop... all the brand names and really cheap, followed closely by the jewelry shop! It was also bizare to walk the streets as everyone is saying... "pretty lady, you like, you buy", etc... and when you are shopping, they are all over you. I did however enjoy bargaining. They always give you a very high price and you then give them a massive cheap one... you go from there. Sometimes you even have to walk out and they'll follow you down the street to agree to your price... I got the hang of it pretty quickly and loved it.

 

The restaurants were great. Wa ate at a place who 'made the best pizza in the world'. It was pretty damn good. We had a massive variety of food and I enjoyed everything. We also had McDonalds delivered to our hotel room... just because we could!!! I ordered room service one night when the others went out and got Chicken satay... the BEST satay I have ever eatern!!!! Yummmo!!!

 

 

Satay Chicken mmmm

 

 

Eating out

 

I got hair extentions and braids twice. The first time it was done in a street shop and took about 2 1/2 hours, but because we swam a lot etc it fell out. I got it done again just before we left and I still have it in today. It took 4 hours. My best friend also got her hair cut. It cost her $1.50 and was brilliant. My hair is usually quite short but it is now down to my elbows. I LOVE it!

 

We went on many day trips as well. We saw temples, beaches, elephant and monkeys, and went on a cruise and to Waterbom Park... We went to Monkey forest up in/near Ubud. It was awsome. We fed them bananas and these red things. They followed us around and even climbed on us. Very sweet. I was kind of scared at the start as heaps of them saw us comming and just bombarded us, but you got used to it after a while. Also whilst there I held a massivly heavy and huge Python. Now I do own lizards, but I have never touched let alone held a snake. I am very scared of them. This one had it's mouth taped together (made me more worried as to why they had to do this). I'm glad I did it as now I can tick that off the list of things I want to do before I die.

 

Monkeys...

 

 

 

 

 

The monkey we liked to call BIG NUTS :hap:

 

 

The snake and I. My facial expressions are because he just looked at me and hissed... aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh

 

We went to Waterbom Park, which is a big park with heaps of water slides. I was quite hung over (see below) but did go on a few. My bestie and I went on this huge one where you lie on a mat face first and race each other to the bottom. Great fun and I won both times!!! Yah for me!

 

The best experience by far was riding the elephants. Before we left for Bali I decided I really wanted to do it, but would decide on the day... depending on how they were cared for, there conditions etc... We got there and I was sold. They were so beautiful, graceful and I was in love!!! We rode around in a chair on their back for 45mins. The trainer/carer was just behind his head. It was amazing!!! Then when we retured I got to get off the chair and sit just behind his ears. We went into the water, stood on a small stool and raised up into the air. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't ******** myself, but would do it all over again. Our Elephant was called Tony. There are not enough words to describe this experiece and how it made me feel!!!

 

 

 

 

We didn't go 'clubbing' as such, but drank at many eating spots. I did have one big night (I'm not much of a drinker), which involved street dancing with random indonesians and singing with a band... we'll leave it at that shall we.

 

On our last night (we flew out at midnight) we went down and ate near Kuta Beach to watch the sunset. Magical...

 

 

I'll leave it there for now. This was definatly a life changing experience for me. I thought a lot about many things and made some big decisions. I got to know myself more, and believe I am a better person because of these things... mmmmm, wish I was there again...

Edited May 21, 200816 yr by KAZ

We went to Waterbom Park, which is a big park with heaps of water slides. I was quite hung over (see below) but did go on a few. My bestie and I went on this hug one where you lie on a mate face first and race each other to the bottom. Great fun and I won both times!!! Yah for me!

Sounds interesting, kinda like a drinking game!! Lol I do understand what you meant though~~

Looks like you had a fantastic time, I love it over there although I havent been back for about 10 years

Some extra shots I couldn't fit in:

 

 

This is the memoral for the Bali Bombings. It was a very touching and emotional moment.

 

 

 

This bat was hanging just outside our window

 

 

A beach at Dreamland

 

 

 

Aboard the Bounty Cruise

 

 

 

This is a photo of the boys in a field. For those of you who like The Beatles... I call this my 'Bali ABY ROAD' photo

Edited May 18, 200816 yr by maesie

Hey Maesie, it sounds amazing! What was the name of the beach where the sunset photo was taken, the system has censored it :hap: You might need to put spaces between the letters.

Thanks The Pie for the proof read!!! :hap: I knew I shouldn't try doing chores while writing it...

 

It was Kuta beach MB. I missed a letter lol... All fixed!

 

Was awsome and thanks both for your attention to detail! :hap:

Wow this site must censor some mighty obscure awear words cause I've got no idea what it must have been before hand :hap:

Wow this site must censor some mighty obscure swear words cause I've got no idea what it must have been before hand :hap:

 

:hap: I was thinking the same thing. At times I do swear a bit, but can't say I've ever used any versions of the word Kuda lol!!!!!

OMG!!! gorgeous photo's maesie!!! i'm so jealous!!!!

Love the picture of Big nuts HEHE and what an appropriate name :hap:

OMG!!! gorgeous photo's maesie!!! i'm so jealous!!!!

Love the picture of Big nuts HEHE and what an appropriate name :hap:

 

Thanks Libby. We thought his name was appropariate too :hap:

they are great photos and it sounds like you had a great time.

LOVE the photos!!!! So pleased you had an awesome time!!!

Love the elephants

WOW !!!!

 

You look like you were having a ball ...... I have only ever been to the east of Australia .... I would love to visit Bali ... Look just like Heaven

What a great post and fantastc photos! I have been waiting very patiently Maesie!! My whole family went to Bali when I was about 10 so that was awhile ago! I remember having a ride on an elephant and I was petrified! I also remember going to a traditional cremation, (dont ask my why) I still remember that smell,yuk! Glad you had a wonderful time, but it's great to have you home!!

Thanks everyone!!! (esp Jenene for your patience for this thread and your joy of having me back lol)

 

It was an awsome time and got some great phots too. I loved the elephants sooooo much and would do it again and again. What amazing creatures! I hope to go back to Bali and do some things I didn't get to do, but I was also glad to be home. I missed my famiy, friends and all of my pets.

 

What I miss from Bali... long days, relaxing, massages, cheap shopping, gecko's (small lizards) everywhere, friendly people, great food (and drinks), warm weather, white sandy beaches, not working, bargaining when shopping...

 

What I don't miss from Bali... sweating at 7am, mozzies, burning sun, being hassled when you walk down the street (yes, I know I'm a pretty lady but I still don't want to come into your shop), weird smells, very low shower heads, 12 television station... all but two in Indonesian...

 

Memories...

Looks and sounds like you had the best time!I am so jealous!I think you need to post some more photos!Please!Thanks for sharing your trip with us!

oh my, l cannot believe l missed this awesome post!!! It looks like you had a wonderful trip

l like the picture of BIG NUTS :P

WOW!! That looks like you had an absolutely amazing time!!! I love the photo of the little bat, so cute! All the photos are amazing.

Fantastic photos Maesie, glad you had a great time and did some soul searching :hap: