Bali~
So the family decided to go to Exotic Bali instead of freezing Hokkaido (heard there was nothing much to do there anyway, due to the bad snowstorms). This is the first time since long, long ago that the whole family went on a trip together.
We were supposed to lodge at a 4-star hotel, but the travel agency said it was fully booked, so we had to stay at a 3 star hotel instead. It was near Kuta, central shopping area, everything was more modernized and expensive. Crowded, yes, but by Australians (if Singapore had floods like that, I would seek refuge too. Well, the 3 star hotel did have decent makings, though it could really improve a bit of its breakfast menu.
We headed down to the beach on the 1st day. It was hot as hell, there were gazillion peddlers selling their wares (mostly impractical things) and a lot of basking caucasians and surfers.
This is a hindu daly offering. Seems like the birds are really glad for it.
I don't know what it's called, but this dessert was darn good, especially on a hot day. It's composed of avocado, jackfruit, coconut, and coconut milk. Avocado is one of my favourite fruits ofc.^___^
So these aremy 2 brothers trying to fail at playing ping pong. At least they kept the ball in 1 piece.
It rained in the afternoon, surprisingly. So Singapore's not the only country experiencing freak weather. I don't remember much, 'cos I slept in the hotel till dinner.
On day 2, we went on a tour of Bali. We watched this Barong and Kris show about good and evil, but we didn't understand the dialogue most of the time since it was in Balinese. That, above, is a lion.
Later we visited a silver factory, where they made various pieces of art out of silver. My dad got a ring at half price just by bargaining.
We headed up Mt Kintamani near the northern part of Bali to look at Mt Burta, an active volcano. Quite a scenic view, with a lake and all, until the fog set in.
Home grown fruits we stopped to buy on the way down. Relatively cheaper than what we buy in Singapore.
We also went to visit a coffee plantation, which was overrun by stray dogs and chickens.
We then visited a beautiful , few thousand years old temple. Since we were all dressed "indecently" we had to wear ropes around our waist. There was a holy spring there, with water gushing out from the springbed. People would go there to bath in the water and get cleansed. Of cource, there was an abundance of fishes in the spring as well.
Bali's government only permits its people to produce artcraft, if I'm not wrong. As you can see, the paintings are wonderful and lovely, just too huge for our puny HDB flat.
For dinner, we headed to GWK cultural park. I'm not sure what those initials mean, but anyway, the view from the top of the restaurant was spectacular.^___^
On day 2, we went to Benao beach to do some watersports. We took the snorkling+glass bottom boat+ turtle island package. I didn't get to snorkle much mainly because my goggles wasn't keeping out water like it should. Fish there ate bread. Saltwater fish, mind you. So next we went to turtle island. Above is an albino turtle who will obviously be spending its entire life in captivity.
This is my weird brother trying to lift the largest male turtle in the pond. Not very succesful, as you can see. In the end he split his pants right up the middle.
These are simply come denizens of turtle island.
We visited yet another active volcano, though I forgot what it was called. It was definitely much smaller than Kintamani, though it had a prettier lake for prawning.
Ohoho~ cute kitt'ens
Don't you just think the resemblance is uncanny?
A visit to the monkey temple. Needless to say, some were quite mischeivous and climbed onto our shoulders in order to get food.
This was taken at Tanah Lot, the temple by the sea. The actual temple itself was inaccesible, but the place was thronged by a gazillion sight-seers. I'd say the scenery has been totally destroyed. D:
We ate our dinner (seafood) at a restaurant by the beach. There was live traditional music and sea breeze. Not to mention candlelight. Do forgive the blurriness. It was obviously quite dark.
On our last day we ate at FlapJaks near our hotel. This was one of the hugest sundaes I've ever seen. We chose an odd combination of ice cream: coconut, chocolate, proflitero or nutella I'm not sure, and mixed fruits. Not very nice indeedy.
Before lunch I headed down to Yeh Gangga to ride. My brother followed on foot all the way, though I assured him he needn't. But anyway, this was a grumpy mare called Susan (like the female PMS-y version of Ziba), who is very strong. I had to keep my reins very short, or else she'll canter or even gallop away with me. Surprisingly her trot was nice to sit.
We went to a bat cave on the way.
There was a small pathway to a hill at the end of the beach, and this was the view from the top of it.
Yup, my brother had to cross this river as well.^___^
I love this shot. ^___^
I really love Bali, maybe because I went with my family, or that I'm just desperate for a holiday. Nonetheless, it won't be the last time I'm going there.~