It was Muhammad's birthday so we got two days off. The volunteers decided to be tourists for a bit in Kuta. Kuta is tourist central with all the trappings fit for an Australian! They have a Gloria Jeans (Australia's equivalent to Starbucks) and Boost Juice Bars (Another Aussie chain) ! Not to mention the countless number of surf shops here. Everywhere you turn there is a taxi or motorbike tout pestering you for fare.
We stayed in a cheap hostel called Anom Dwei and all around us the street was lined with shops selling mushrooms. Every time I walked down it, they kept trying to sell me mushrooms and pills.
The only reason people really come to Kuta is for the beach and surf. I didn't even bother going to the beach because I was too lazy and went for a Balinese massage at 'Jennifer's Spa'. What can I tell you about the experience? There was lots of oil and rubbing. I won't say it was bad, but it was a little too intimate for my liking. Um, lots of massaging the chest area. The Balinese are certainly not shy.
However, I thought I'd add my friend Rozalia's experience of Kuta because I think it's pretty amusing; there was a large ceremony and procession of about 300 people following a big ornate box, which she thought must contain a statue or something very special(...oh how right she was!). They were walking with the box down towards the beach and there was lots of happy music and singing so she followed them. Once at the beach they opened the box and out came another box. 'hmm', she thought, 'that looks very much like a coffin', and indeed it was. It was a funeral procession Balinese style. They then started to set up firewood on the beach to cremate the body so she ran away.
The funeral procession and the ornate box
Ladies showing off by a) looking amazing & b) showing how well their balance is 
Dinner with the volunteers
Asia is a giant temple
The volunteers and I hired our driver Kamang to drive us around the different sights on the island. Being Bali and all it was inevitable that we would be taken to a temple of two. I have seen sooo many temples during these few months. I should get a temple medal!
Another ceremony. Nothing gets in the way of praying - not even rain
Batur Crater
Active volcano. We all went to a restaurant for this view and do you know what? I was expected to haggle with the restaurant owners for the cost of our meal. How stupid is that? They just want to rip you off at every opportunity. I managed to get it down from $8USD - $5USD per person ($40 USD - $25 USD for 5 people - that's a huge saving). It's not like I'm tight and try to reduce the price, but it's expected that you haggle. The thing about Bali is just counter offer every figure they give you, no matter what.
The only reason people really come to Kuta is for the beach and surf. I didn't even bother going to the beach because I was too lazy and went for a Balinese massage at 'Jennifer's Spa'. What can I tell you about the experience? There was lots of oil and rubbing. I won't say it was bad, but it was a little too intimate for my liking. Um, lots of massaging the chest area. The Balinese are certainly not shy.
However, I thought I'd add my friend Rozalia's experience of Kuta because I think it's pretty amusing; there was a large ceremony and procession of about 300 people following a big ornate box, which she thought must contain a statue or something very special(...oh how right she was!). They were walking with the box down towards the beach and there was lots of happy music and singing so she followed them. Once at the beach they opened the box and out came another box. 'hmm', she thought, 'that looks very much like a coffin', and indeed it was. It was a funeral procession Balinese style. They then started to set up firewood on the beach to cremate the body so she ran away.
The funeral procession and the ornate box
Ladies showing off by a) looking amazing & b) showing how well their balance is 
Dinner with the volunteers
Asia is a giant temple
The volunteers and I hired our driver Kamang to drive us around the different sights on the island. Being Bali and all it was inevitable that we would be taken to a temple of two. I have seen sooo many temples during these few months. I should get a temple medal!
Tira Empul Temple - Popular holy springs, discovered in AD962 & believed to have magical powers. The spring bubbles up into a large, crystal clear pool within the temple & gush out through watersprouts into a bathing pool.
Performing a ceremony (one of many in this deeply religious country)
Praying
Balancing bananas on her head (show off!)
Temple Besakih (mother temple) - Bali's most important temple. It is an extensive complex of 3 separate - but related temples.
Performing a ceremony (one of many in this deeply religious country)
Praying
Balancing bananas on her head (show off!)
Temple Besakih (mother temple) - Bali's most important temple. It is an extensive complex of 3 separate - but related temples. To go around this temple you must wear a sarong! How great is that!?! I love Bali!
However, you are hounded for money everywhere at this temple. You pay an entrance fee and as you go along people keep saying you need to pay more. 'Why do I need to pay more? What for?', I screamed. They say to look around. But I paid already. You need to be really head strong, which luckily I am and tell them to p!ss off. My new favourite phrase that I like to say is 'Tidak. Sing la piss', which means, 'No. I have no money'.
Another ceremony. Nothing gets in the way of praying - not even rain
Batur Crater
Active volcano. We all went to a restaurant for this view and do you know what? I was expected to haggle with the restaurant owners for the cost of our meal. How stupid is that? They just want to rip you off at every opportunity. I managed to get it down from $8USD - $5USD per person ($40 USD - $25 USD for 5 people - that's a huge saving). It's not like I'm tight and try to reduce the price, but it's expected that you haggle. The thing about Bali is just counter offer every figure they give you, no matter what.
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