A few days to relax

A few days to relax…
Bali, Indonesia

Bali, Indonesia

I am feeling very philosophical, so I’ve decided to start writing again. So much so, I’ve ordered a lemongrass tea with honey, because, that’s what you should do when you’re feeling philosophical. Forced time to relax is painfully difficult, but I’m 50% through a book so that’s enough evidence to keep those that say that “I can’t” at bay.

It’s incredible to see the dramatic difference in Bali, and Kuta in particular, over the last ten years. As I sit here, in a day bed sipping honey tea I’m reminiscing that not so long ago the footpath parallel to the ocean in Kuta, required jumping over potholes to avoid twisting an ankle. A few years on, the local markets have made way for boutique brands that require limitless budgets. After finishing the tea and laughing at the poor husband who has taken 1000 photos of his wife posing in front of the boutique shops, we head left for a massage before dinner at a funky Mexican place in Seminyak. (great recommendation, Fiona)

Day two, we head for a brand new beach club about 50minutes west to continue Dave’s effort to keep the relaxing going on for just that little bit longer. Six hours of $6 Toblerone cocktails later, we leave the seaside day beds in search of something more meaningful. Anyone who has been to Bali will grasp the frustration caused by drivers who offer their services every two metres. Getting a driver that knew of places with no tourists proved impossible. Admitting defeat, or so I thought, I booked a countryside cycling trip. At 8 am we left for a long drive inland to join our private guide, Sandi for an authentic cultural tour, “off the beaten track deep into rural Bali”. Off we went, down narrow tracks on the edges of the cliff, through rice paddies and into the bamboo forest where the fronds created a tunnel-like effect. Thirty kilometres of forest, back streets and farmland wound their way past what seemed like a warren of dirt paths and trails. I lost count with how many villages we passed through, each with their unique feel. Local Balinese children stood at the sides of the road, waving frantically. Local villagers stopped their daily activities to say hello, and one showed us into her kitchen; a stone pit in a bamboo hut. After an eventful day, our tour ended and our guide took us to a local market to get us some clothes so we could stay the night in a guest house in his village. The price difference between tourist’s markets and local’ s markets is astronomical. The anticipation that we would have another day with our guide was soon replaced with disappointment when we learned that he couldn’t follow through. Balinese certainly love to please but sadly can’t always deliver although normally with good reason. We heard a lot about the culture from Sandi, specifically the sense of community. Although having a tourist job in Bali may pay well, the long hours restrict the ability to participate in community ceremonies. After driving through Sandi’s village, I saw the extent the temple and its surrounding streets were decorated. Rightfully, Sandi replaced making a quick buck for adhering to his community responsibilities. Had we not taken the chance we wouldn’t have stayed in a guest house and gone with Sandi’s friend the following day to a quaint beach, tucked away between the cliffs. It was beautiful and kept up with the no tourist vibe we were aiming for. The water was so inviting, and I couldn’t help but enjoy an afternoon out on one of those little traditional wooden boats. As we weren’t planning for an overnight trip, we didn’t bring a charger for the camera, therefore, we have no photos of the coves that the boat took us to. The deep turquoise water was home to a myriad of colourful fish millimetres from our noses. Feeling a little blue to be leaving the serenity, we headed back to the madness of Kuta. Determined to stay relaxed, we were lured for an evening under the stars by the sounds of a local band playing on the grass. Dave requested a few songs while I ate dinner, banana deep-fried pancake and daiquiris. Hotel California “Balinese style” was the hit of the night!

That brings me to now, enjoying the last hour of sun before it sets on our last day in Bali. It’s a warm 30 degrees at 5pm. This is the first trip to Bali where it’s just been the two of us. I couldn’t be happier, side by side doing what we do best.

I never got to finish that book, so we might have to wait until the next semester break, but that’s Ok as I found my own way of relaxing. A lot of time was spent observing the change, observing the culture and indulging in the affordable luxuries. Trumping all else, was the time with my best mate.