Spent the Christmas holiday in Bali, a big cultural and living change from rural Java. Java is mostly Muslim; Indonesia has the highest Muslim population in the world, so there is really no Christmas celebration here. Bali Island is mostly Hindu, but because it is primarily a tourist economy, they display Christmas to cater to the tourist. Bali has great beaches and surfing, lots of hotels with modern amenities (sit down toilets, hot water, showers, AC, etc.) and many restaurants and bars, along with a lot of shopping. Many Aussies come here due to the close proximity of only a three hour flight from Australia.
The one hour flight from Surabaya to Bali overflew Bali and turned around to come back passing over Lembongan Island. Had a great view of Gunung Agung volcano on Bali and the islands of Lembongan and Ceningan Island. Checked into the Fave Hotel near Seminyak Beach and walked to the La Sal restaurant for dinner of Tapas and Paella. While in Bali, I bought a pair of “board shorts” (that’s Bali talk for swimming trunks). We spend most of the day time walking the shopping areas and along the beach, and evenings finding an interesting restaurant. The best pizza is at the Kumula Pantai on Legian Beach, were we had great brick oven baked pizza last year. The coldest beer, very refreshing after walking hot streets shopping, is at Ku De Ta beach lounge, where we were checked for weapons and explosives before going in.
After three days we took a 1½ hour boat ride to Lembongan Island, away from the Bali crowds for a quiet and relaxing Christmas. The boat was one of the slow ones with the outriggers on both sides. There is no dock; they back up close to the beach and you have to step into the water before reaching the boat. We arrived at Lembongan and had to take another small boat to Mushroom Bay and Tanis Vilas where we were staying.
There are no taxi’s on the island; people get around by renting a motorbike, or hiring rides on a motor bike. The Peace Corps has a rule against riding motorcycles, so we had to walk, at least Andrea did. We headed out to walk to the bridge to Ceningan Island (a small adjacent island) which was supposed to be about a 45 minute walk. It was brutally hot, we had a map, but nothing is marked. We ended up on the opposite end of the island, overlooking where we landed on the island. Had to give up and walk back. For Christmas Eve we had the dinner at the Tanis Vilas with other guests, mostly Aussies.
While Andrea was involved with manicures and pedicures, I headed back out to walk to the bridge. I took the right turn this time (both literally and figuratively) and ended on the narrow straits between Lembongan and Ceningan Islands. The area is famous for its sea weed farmers. They plant and harvest it based on the tides, no one was out at this time, but there was a lot of sea weed drying on the shore and along the road. The small boats they use for hauling it in were all idle in the water. I made it to the foot bridge and walked across. I hired a motor bike for 30,000 Rupiah ($3.00) to take me back.
We had Christmas Dinner reservations at the Batu Karang Resort for 1:00 and Andrea had a facial appointment there for 2:00. We started out at 12:00 thinking it was a 30 minute walk. After about 30 minutes I mentioned that it looks so familiar, it could almost be where we walked the day before. A few minutes later, and I realized it was. We asked about directions and were on the right track though; just not how I would have thought to get there. It took the full hour of walking in the hot sun, but we made it and had a wonderful dinner. Andrea went in for her first facial and came back out saying it was the best thing that ever happed to her; she highly recommends it.
We walked back, but it was a little cooler in the late afternoon. Went for a swim in the ocean to cool down, but something was biting us, so we went to the pool. At dusk I saw what I thought was a lighted kite and told everyone. No one believed me, but I was sure of it. As the night drew on, it tuned out it was a planet, still don’t know which one, but it sure was bright.
Monday morning took the fast boat back to Bali. It was an easier trip across the channel, and only 45 minutes. Walked down Jalan Legian for some shopping in the afternoon. Andrea bought a Jimmy Choo purse for 100,000 Rupiah, (only $10).
Kuta Beach was crowded with Indonesian tourists from Java, it is their mid-year break in school. The sea was rough with signs saying swimming prohibited, but they do anyway. Walked up the beach and stopped at a resort near our hotel for an excellent grilled seafood buffet. Tuesday morning took the flight from Bali to Surabaya, and an afternoon bus to Tulungagung, and arrived back at her home in the evening.
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas,
Jim
