Holiday - Bali (III)
We made arrangements with another driver, who happens to be the bell boy's brother. Also a nice chap. He's from Kuta, whereas the previous driver was from Ubud. So we asked him to come later abit. At 12pm. Meanwhile, we took our time to wake up.. take our breakfast, and went for a swim! Couldn't resist the pool even so it was rather hot at 9 something. swam till 10 something, and I think, that's where I got my burnt. :P Played water-basketball in the pool. cool. Got small little jacuzzis here and there. The pool is just so big to swim in. Kids would also love it.
After having our baths, we waited for the driver. While waiting, we went across the beach to buy rojak! Hehehe. Picked us up at 12pm, we went to the money changer to change more money, and off we were on our way. We stopped nearby to have nasi padang first. Quite cheap. Hehehe.
First stop was at Tj. Benoa Beach. It was breezy, nice even though it was hot. Walked along the baech, took pictures and you'll be surprised, they have many cabanas. Hotels along there were all mostly either 4* or 5*. And we were fortunate, because we saw hotel people preparing for a beach side wedding. It was lovely. The theme color was white and sky blue I think. Nice! The decorations were nice.
Nice wedding decors....
After that, we left for Padang-Padang Beach. But before that, we found this cafe, called Jiwa Juice in the Lonely Planet book. The driver have no idea where it is. But we passed by it, (looks like a residential place) and he realised! The juice there is extremely kao, yummy. Hehehe.
The beach is small and rocky, not known to many people, unless you're staying around that area. So, it's more like quieter, and private. Nice. The water was crystal clear, unlike the ones in Kuta, mainly because of the waves, and overcrowded area. After that, we went to Nusa Dua Beach for original Balinese rojak. Nusa means " island, dua means "two". The beach is in between two islands. 
After that, we were off to Ulu Watu. Ulu means "at the end", Watu means "temple". So, yeah, it's right at the tip of the southern part of Bali, and it has one of the famous temples there. And the view there was really breath-taking. The temple sets on the cliff, just over the sea. We had to walk up to the cliff, walk around the temple and took many pictures.
Note: Beware of monkeys. They grab your specs, bags, anything they can get their hands on. Even pull your hair!. The tour guide will usually warn you on this. Don't worry. Also, wear pants below knee length, as this is a temple, so they will ask you to wear a sarong to cover up. :)
There was to be a Kecak dance at 6pm-7pm. We asked our driver what is the dance about. He said something about Monkey god thing, good vs. evil. So we passed that. I think you would have realised that we didn't take any pics of temples or whatever. Wanted to avoid going to temples and of that sort. :) And so, yes, hungry, we headed for a nice dinner at Jimbaran beach! Woo hoo!
Note: Balinese people, majority Hindus, go to the temple and offer sacrifices every 210 days. That is also when they celebrate their "birthdays". Stronghold in Hinduism. For those who goes there for mission trip, need to study more on their cultural & religion. :)
Jimbaran. That was the second place the bombings in 2005 took place. And it was at one of the beach restaurants. :) The place we went to was Lang Sum. While eating, a group of musicians were going round the tables to sing. They stopped at ours. Can't remember the first song they sang, but the second one, Elvis Presely's Can't Help Falling in Love with You. It moved me. It's really nice, with the seconds and all. *phew*.
After that, we headed straight back for Kuta. Tiring day, walking a lot. So slept quite early. That was when I heard the loud thunder. I seriously thought was bomb. Jason was hanging around the hotel place at the time, and he suddenly came back and asked me to start packing my clothes and stuffs. I told him it's just thunder, but he said he didn't believe it. Besides, I could still hear them playing music, so it must be nothing. We were worried sick. We got out of our room, went to survey the hotel.. all normal.. asked one of the bell boys.. they said it's thunder. *phew*. Slept well that night. :)
Day 5 : 6th November 2007
Last day in Bali, slept in awhile, went for breakfast, and arrange to go for a full body spa. Took a cab to Galuh Spa. For US$25 (230k Rp), we get at least a one hour massage, body clay mask, scrub, and another layer of mask (cucumber) and flower bath. Not bad right? It was nice. After that, we headed for the airport. Bye, bye Bali. We'll come again. To Ubud. Hehehe.
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