Bali - Part 1

We left Georgia on a mooring at Medana Bay Marina in Lombok so we could take the fast ferry over to Bali for some inland travel. Its really nice to get inland for awhile after having to deal with the tough life of tropical reefs and white sandy beaches. I'm sure that this ferry was actually built as a fast ferry, but as soon as you add 8 big Suzuki outboards it's a Fast Ferry. the best way I can describe the ride over in this beast is for you to just visualize a ferry ride in a third world country. Actually, its not that bad. Just felt really claustrophobic while bouncing around down below and not being able to see out of the oddly mounted windows because the seats ere so low. 

We decided to try and beat the odds on the way back and sit on the upper, open deck. Pretty much everyone got soaked on the way back. At least its only an hour and a half ride.

This is looking into the bedroom from the outdoor sitting, dining and kitchenette areas of our bungalow.

The price of the ferry (usd$28) includes a shuttle to your hotel in Bali. We took the shuttle to Devi's Place in Penastanan, just outside of Ubud. Ubud is a temple and arts town in the inland hills, a favorite among ex-pats. Devi's Place was a great place to stay, a short car ride or nice walk into Ubud. Great staff and a five night stay was usd$245.

The hotel pool overlooking the rice paddies.

Can't forget the picture of the outdoor shower in our bungalow.

Every morning his hotel worker would bring by a small offering plate for our villa. After visiting all the villas she wold put offerings in the middle of the driveway at the front of the hotel. Pretty much every home, business and even some motor scooters and cars have a small offering put on them each morning. 

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One of the best days we had in Bali was touring the rice famous rice fields. The area is a World Heritage Site.

The irrigation systems and terracing date back to the 9th century.

We left our hotel early so we could get to the fields while it was still cool for hiking and before the tourist hordes arrived. we got in a two hour hike along the marked trails basically without anyone else except a few local workers. On the way out the roads were getting crowded with the tour buses and taxis taking people to the fields.

Sharpening the scythe before going to work.

Helpful signage for the tourists Please Don't Pick Up The Rice

They grow white, brown, black and red rice. the red rice is primarily for tea.

For the number of acres of rice fields hat you see, there are very few workers - at last at this time of year.

Along the trail through the paddies was this shrine. Bali is simply overrun with temples and shrines. The Bali version of Hinduism takes no chances in offending any of the gods. There are community temples, temples for specific gods, temples/shrines in homes, in the work fields.

I'll split this blog, so I don't overwhelm our reader with temple pictures.

Paul