Bali

Time has come to leave paradise called Raja Ampat and head off to Bali / Denpasar for short stop over on the way to Hong Kong and then Toronto / Houston with end at Roatan. Got to the airport early as there was no need to hanging around the Sorong. Check-in was not open at the time of my arrival so I went to the lounge paid the fee for this privilege of free food and drinks. Bad that this was my day of fasting so only coffee and free Wi-Fi were the things I used. Well not for long too as I have get back to the world after week off the grid ‘great thing’ flood of emails, messages overcome my phone. One of them was email from the airline informing me that my flight was cancelled. Woo Hoo what a nice surprise, sitting at the airport waiting for check-in realizing that there is none happening.

Went to the office to see what is going on and girls were so chilled, smile on me and said yes the flight was cancelled and I will receive full refund no problem. I Explain them that this is o.k but I need to get to my connection flight from Bali at the same night, which took their smile off for a second. Some conversation in local language happened and all I got from them was ‘Don’t worry’ all will be good. They went to another office of another airline and came back that I can fly to Makasar but there is no flight to Bali, which I told them is not sufficient. Another visit to next door office and they say that I can board flight leaving in few minutes all the way to Bali. Woo hoo, ticket in hand checked in and on the way to gate for boarding.

Flight was o.k and as I was sitting at airport I received message from long time no see friend Shannon who is in Bali at present and would like to meet up. So I changed flight to later and booked the hostel as per Shannon recommendation near her so we can catch up. Since this was last minute deal I have tried to contact hostel and for some reason the contact phone number is U.S so cannot call. Thank to taxi driver who said call it through What’s Up and I got connected to the guy who said that he will get someone waiting for me. Arrived and crashed to bed in nice big room.

When woke up next morning I realized that this was probably some posh hotel as the bathroom was size of the room itself with stone bath. Also the bed itself were built from brick or concrete so no squeaking and moving. As the hostel was renovating there was no food served so I went across the street to Honey café to get coffee and food. Catch up on the emails and messages due the time difference and ready to explore the Bali on Scoopy or Snoopy scoter. First visit doctor to get some drops for ear infection I have carried from Raja Amapat. Beautiful roads and rice fields all over with not much traffic. Done with that now drove aimlessly around exploring the area, until the hunger took over and went in search of food. Found nice street side warung, where they fed me well. Now is time to catch up on jetlag i.e. travel tiredness and I went back to hostel for a little snooze.

I was waked up by the phone ringing as Shannon tried to contact me. We agreed to meet up on the beach. What a nice beach with black sand and lots of bars. We have talked and talked and talked and I was happy to meet her and got some food too while sitting there. When the people started packing the beach furniture as the storm was approaching we paid our bill and left. Agreed to meet up again after taking photo I start drive away in coming rain. Get into hostel just in time before pour down came.

I did not liked Bali that much so after changing scoopy for stronger Honda Click I decided to go to Ubud for a day trip. Beautiful rush hour traffic in Bali before I left for empty roads of countryside on the way to Ubud. Rice fields, sun and blue sky were my travel companions. Arrived in the Ubud right for breakfast time and got some nice food, coffee and then decided to do some walking. Ridge walk was nice slow walk through nice green area surrounded by villas, hotels, massage places and rice fields. Stopped for juice and massage ‘ sorry we are fully booked’ so no massage. Then hit the road to elephant cave and Buddha temple, what are nice place to visit and less tourist than in Monkey forest. All done I was ready for some food and as per Shannon recommendation I went to Zest.

Beautiful restaurant with amazing vegetarian food and view, what a view. Top of the hill overlooking the fresh lush green vegetation  at opposite hill as well as second most beautiful things after nature too. And they were plentiful here, let me tell you, feast for belly and eyes too.

Hit the road so I can be home for sunset and I was just about arrived few minutes spared for sunset and as I was driving down to the beach there was guy at road asking for money for parking. So since this was public road and I was there  previously I said no and rather went to dinner with view of sunset across the rice fields.

I like to travel on scooter so before I went to sleep I decided to do another trip in Ubud directions but more further to the temple with Water ‘Pura Gunung ’ where you can wash. Early morning start and on the road again this time recognizing the turns and corners before navigation mentioned them. Since the road become more familiar to me I increased speed and boldness in overtaking the traffic. Passed Ubud and went to this temple what is nice small is temple build  in the valley and have many water fountains and pools. One of them is open to public and for two thousand rupees I went in to refresh myself in the heat of the day. Full of local people washing themselves it is some sort of public washroom. Still the fresh water pouring in is nice cool refreshing in the heat.

Hop of the scooter and went up the road just driving and watching the scenery. Soon enough the roadside was stating be decorated by stalls with fresh fruits. This is the fruit garden of Bali in higher altitude farms upon farms are seen beside road. It was getting cooler every meter I gain and then I looked to my left and saw volcano in distance. That was the calling and I checked on the maps.me how to get there, when I realized that I’m on the correct road to it, so I kept going.

Eventually got there and the view was magnificent. Mount Batur with lake Batur in old huge caldera.  After the lunch in one of the restaurant I drove a bit further until I found the beautiful café with a VIEW so I parked in, scooter as well as my ass. Got a coffee some fruit juices and just sat there and looked at the view. BBC Earth live version. Defo this was amazing view and well worth driving there for two hours. Best place I was on Bali and if I ever come back I will defo explore this area more. Not many tourists, lots of locals and not hot as down at beach, where the white whales were getting burn to crisp.

Great day and great trip to end my visit at Bali. As I was on the road Shannon texted me if I want ot catch up for lunch on the beach as if I was hanging around the beach for her to text me. Sorry babe but you need to book your time with my PA in advance 😊

Well time to pack bags and hit the road to the airport for my first night flight in the two days journey Roatan.