Bali: the journey continued… FIRST day on the island of Gods!

I would like to list down my 5 days itineraries in Bali before I forgot… hehe! So, here we go with the first day:

Monday 23/5/2005

1100 --- Flying from KLIA to Ngurah Rai with AirAsia… then the plane delayed for 30mins.

1430 --- Arrived at Bali, so so so hungry, still we decided to go to Kuta first. So we grabbed a taxi (Rp. 25000 abt RM12) to Kuta. The driver offered to find us clean home girl for “service”… such a pimp!!

1500 --- We checked in to Bali Sandat Inn at Poppies Lane II, recommended by the taxi driver. Cool room, 1st floor, with balcony overlooking the inn’s swimming pool, queen size bed, fan (no aircond), with cold water. Many mat sallehs hanging around the pool too. Room for 2 pax Rp. 90000 abt RM40.

1530 --- We were so hungry, but yet we didn’t eat, but wasted no time to find a motorcycle to rent so that we can catch the sunset at Tanah Lot temple. We got the motor just around the corner for Rp. 40000 abt RM16 a day.

1600 --- We digested the map a bit, asked for directions a bit, off we go! On the way to Tanah Lot we managed to stop at a small restaurant for a quick bite. The restaurant looks very much alike to our malay economic rice stall. So our lunch cum hi-tea with big portion of rice and meat and coke cost us Rp. 5000 abt RM2 each. CHEAP! But very salty, not good!

1740 --- We reached Tanah Lot, just on time to catch the sunset that would happen around 6pm. So lucky we bumped into their Full Moon (Purnama) Festival, so we got our chance to be blessed by the pendeta (priest) there. They put rice on your forehead and a bunga melor on your ear. Ticket to enter Pura (temple) Tanah Lot: Rp. 3600 abt RM1.5 each pax, blessing donation Rp. 5000 abt RM2 each.

2100 --- Backed to Kuta, but we were lost trying to find Poppies Lane II… asked around, people are friendly in Bali, they will answer you with a smile. It happened we bumped into 2 Indonesians who worked in Malaysia before, they were too friendly… at the end of our conversation, they asked us if we wanted to buy “ecstasy” from them… damn! So we reached our room safely, and without any drugs!

2115 --- We were hungry again, so we went out hunting for food. But I was attracted to a store selling clothes. I was looking for short pants since I didn’t bring any. So finally after much bargain, me and Alex bought a surfer short pants each for Rp. 35000 abt RM15 each. Then we stopped by MBA (a travel agent) to asked for Mt. Batur (a volcano) hiking trip… very expensive! Will cost us around USD55 abt RM200 each pax for that day tour. So we decided to ask around first. We managed to find another agent on the main road, the guy Edwin sounded very promising and attentive beat us with a price of Rp. 335000 abt RM150 for both of us. Of coz this did not include the entrance fees to Mt Batur and the trek guide fees lah, but still it save us more than 50% compared to MBA, so we decided to go for it and paid the deposit of Rp. 100000 abt RM45.

2230 --- We stopped by a convenient store called “OK” or Circle K (similar to 7-11 here), we bought 2 Indomie instant cup noodle mee goreng, 2 Bintang beer, TimTum and mineral water for dinner. That cost us Rp. 31000 abt RM13.

2245 --- We found a very budgeted homestay at Poppies Lane II that will only cost us Rp. 40000 abt RM16 for 2 persons inclusive of breakfast!! WOW!! What a steal! So we decided to come here to stay the next night.

2300 --- Indomie is good. TimTum is better. But Bintang beer is GREAT!!! So under the full moon, at our balcony, we cheered to our 1st day at Bali.

2345 --- We couldn’t sleep, so we decided to check out the nightlife there. We hopped on the bike, drove around, surprise!! No club!! However, we just went to the Kuta beach, lazed on the extremely soft fine sand, enjoyed the cool breeze, full moon, sound of the waves hitting the shores, listen to my favourite Frank Sinatra’s jazz numbers with my MD walkman. It was definitely heaven!!

0100 --- It’s time to go meet Mr. Chow’s daughter. Sweet dream!So here’s my first day there. Great day, won’t you all agree?? Well, wait until you read my second day’s entry. The world’s ain’t always beautiful!!!

Total spending 1st day: Rp. 383200 abt RM180 (each pax RM90… not bad for the 1st day)

Sad

i've been rejected for the japanese scholarship, received the letter when i was back from KL just now. guess i shouldn't be too sad. besides, i can try the scholarship again next year as long as i got it before my 35th birthday! "choi yoong se ma, yan zhi fei fook" i guess maybe this is fate, it might be a better arrangement. but too bad Sheou Hui and Lih Sing, i cannot join you all in Kyoto lor... so disappointed... (is my English that bad meh..... :((((

Kecak Ramayana and Fire Dance at Uluwatu Cliff 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 of setting makes Kecak Dance one of the most spectacular dance performances imaginable.

Accompanied by a choir of chanting and singing men, this will be a memory that will stay with you long after you leave this Island of the Gods.

ACT 1 – RAMA, SITA, LAKSAMANA & KIJANG


Wandering in the forest of Dandaka during the exile of Rama, Sita sees a beautiful golden deer dancing in front of her, she pleads with her husband to catch it for her. Rama, fearful of what may befall Sita if left alone in the dangerous forest, leaves Sita in the protetion of his brother Laksamana. Shortly after Rama’s departure, a cry for help echoes around the forest. Fearful for her husband’s safety, Sita sends Laksamana to his aid leaving herself unprotected and alone.


ACT 2 – SITA, RHAWANA, BHAGAWAN AND GARUDA


A sudden storm envelops the forest and Sita becomes fearful. Rhawana appears before her but she is protected by a magic circle and his attempt to seize her fails. He disappears only to come back disguised as a poor old man, Bhagawan, seeking shelter and water. Sita falls for Rhawana’s trick and he kidnaps her. Taking Sita to his palace of Alengka, Rhawana is attacked on the way by his mortal enemy, Garuda – King of birds. Though defeated in the fight, Garuda lives long enough to tell Rama what has happened to Sita.

ACT 3 – RAMA, LAKSAMANA, HANOMAN & SUGRIWA


On his search for Sita, Rama meets Sugriwa, the red monkey King, whose help he enlists to find his wife. Together they select a scout to find Alengka and locate Sita. Hanoman, a white monkey with magical powers is chosen and Rama provides him with a ring to give to Sita as a token of his love and has proof of Hanoman being his envoy.

ACT 4 – SITA, TRIJATA, HANOMAN & THE GIANTS


Hanoman locates Alengka and enlists the help of Trijata to meet with Sita who is about to take her own life in despair. Hanoman shows Sita the ring and tells of her husband’s impending rescue attempt. Hanoman then attempts to destroy part of the palace and is caught by the giants who attempt to burn him to death. He escapes causing much mayhem throughout the city.

ACT 5 – THE FINAL BATTLE

Rama is guided to Alengka where the monkey army defeats the army of the giants. Rama meets with Rhawana in face to face battle and defeats him. He is then reunited with Sita.