Bali
Blog
I am
writing this blog as we are on our last leg of our flight back home.
Our
journey took us from Montreal 2 weeks ago to Amsterdam and Bali via Singapour.
Half way around the world!!
A
really long time in the air and in transit.
On
the way there we even questionned ourself: is this really worth it? We were
already so tired by the time we got to Amsterdam and we still had a whole day
of touring and another 14 hour flight to get to Bali.
But
by the time we checked into our hotel in Sanur, Bali (Tandjung Sari, a little
boutique hôtel on the beach) we understood why we did this! Paradise!! Truly! A
slice of heaven on earth. Our villa was so quaint. Nestled in lucious greenery.
With a superb outside Bali bed in a hut. An outside shower. Simple but so
Balinese. We felt at home right away. Everyone at this small hotel was
amazingly nice and friendly. Always a beautiful smile on their faces. And a
warm greeting each time.
We
just loved it there. It felt like living in a garden.
Our
stay was just too short. Kirikou (aka Bear) was able to go surfing the next day and we
enjoyed the beach and the relaxation of our surroundings.
Everywhere
you turned, there was a little cozy corner to sit in. A water fountain gurgling
water with relaxing sounds.
How
could it get better??
Well
it did. We continued our journey to the town of Ubud where we stayed at the
Ubud Village Resort. Wow!!!!!
This
time our villa was like our own little home within a walled compound with a
pool, an outside terrace with a hut and Bali bed. Outside shower and bath. And
even a fish pond surrounding the whole villa. Total luxury. Almost too much!
Incredible resort. From there we did tons of excursions and adventure
activities. Visited temple with a natural water spring where you can bathe to
purify yourself. Went on a white water rafting expedition down an absolutely
beautiful river at the bottom of a luxurious gorge with incredible water falls
the whole way. We also did water tubing down another beautiful little river at
the bottom of a gorge with water cascades. Just so much beautiful nature.
Tristan
got sick one day with Bali belly and we went to see a healer!!! That was an
adventure on its own! He pushed and twisted his stomach around and said he was
now cured! Not sure Kirikou felt the same though!!!
Great
meals and cozy restaurants in Ubud. Great Nasi Goreng! (Fried rice dish...a
staple in Bali)
We
also went to a traditional Kecak dance and singing. Hard to explain to really
amazing show.
No
instruments. Just voices. Enchanting!
Kirikou would have been perfect for the role of the narrator in the show!
Our
guide Indy was also amazing. Made sure everything was perfect for us the whole
time and a great source of info and insight on Balinese life. We were also
honoured to be invited to eat with his family at his house. Memorable evening.
You can’t get more of an immersive experience. It was amazing.
The
monkey forest was also so much fun. Seeing and intersecting with so many
monkeys around. So much fun.
From
there a long long long drive through the country side to the western end of the
island of Bali in an area called Bali Barat.
Completely
out of the tourist track.
Almost
like moving to a deserted island. The hotel is accessible only by boat. The
water was pristine and the snorkeling out of this world.
The
water was so warm you barely felt it when jumping in.
The
hotel was very rustic with deers and black monkeys roaming around. It was so
amazing. One of the best 2 days of our vacation.
The
last 2 days were spent in Canggu. Much more touristy and definitely not our
favorite part of our stay. The hotel once again was totally beautiful. Our room
with outside bathroom and plunge pool!! Just beautiful. But the beach and the
town were not as quaint as the other places. Almost only tourists around. Young
crowd of surfers! I honestly think that we were the oldest people in the town
(except for Kirikou though! Perfect for him little surfer boy!). Not too
relaxing for us as we stayed on the beach and hoped that Kirikou would not end
up washed up on the shore hit in the head by his surf board! Waves were pretty
crazy!
So
now we are on the plane to Montreal from Amsterdam. Spent a few hours again
visiting the city and going from restaurant to cafe to waffle place! Lots of
good food.
So
was it worth all the traveling! Totally! Would go back anytime. Was an amazing
experience, an amazing vacation and amazing time with our boy Kirikou. Our”go
with the flow” boy :)))
Almost
romantic for Tarina and me but not quite as romantic as possible with our boy
sleeping there right next to us!!!!
I am
sure I forgot to mention lots of things we did. But what sticks with me is the
gentle souls of the Balinese people. Their kindness. Their faith. The way their
life is spent making offerings to the guardians of. The temples. Each house has
a shrine. 3 times a day a little basket of offering with food, flowers and
incense is deposited at the foot of the shrine or at the entrance of the home
or in front of the stores. All offerings to the gods.
The
smells, the peaceful life even in crazy traffic with scooters everywhere. A
sense of respect for the earth and nature.
What
a wonderful cultural experience. Never to be forgotten
Bali
2018
Nasi
goreng forever!
