Selamat tengah bari
20/01/2010 We flew Air Asia again (they are so cheap) to Indonesia and the island of Bali, We had to stop over in Singapore for a couple of hours so we treated ourselves to a Burger king, bloody lovely after rice and noodles for weeks. We are staying in the surfing Mecca of Kuta. Our hotel the Mastapa gardens is a bit tired but at £17 PN with TV, AC and a cooked breakfast is absolutely fine.. Kuta is a bit of a here we go sort of place, full of lively bars pumping out loud music, In the shadow of the Bali bomb memorial. But the global recession has hit even here and the place is quiet and empty. The beach is huge and the Indian ocean waves keep rolling in which is the prime reason people visit this side of the island. We took advantage of the surf lessons at Pro surf (certainly wasn't when we were in the water), After a couple of lessons we up and away at alarmingly regular intervals and having a great time.
Then in a flash, Oonagh was run over by a speeding motorbike, whilst we were crossing the road, when I turned around Oonagh was lying in the road with the bike on top of her. She has had 7 stitches in her forearm, a nasty cut on her leg, whiplash and loads of cuts and purple bruises all over. (good news she is OK, and good for carrying on) But now she can't go swimming for 10 days (her surf career is now on hold for a while) and instead of staying for 6 nights we had to stay on for an extra 4 nights, So Oonagh could have her wounds dressed on a daily basis, this has to be done because we are in the tropic's where wounds can get easily infected. The medical care is first class here at 3 million 700 thousand IRp's (about £250) it wants to be. As for the rider he just got up said sorry and disappeared. (they all ride illegally here). At least she had had her hair cut, Manicure and French polish, all done for £5 earlier in the day, so she looked good when they where sewing her up.
30/01/2010 We changed sides on the island and came to Sanur, (the locals call it snore), Were Kuta was vibrant, Sanur is more pipe and slippers, The beach is lovely and has exclusive 5 star hotels hidden in the tree's lining it, The beach is protected by a coral reef where the waves break about 200m from the beach, you can get a glass bottom boat and dive here. The age group is older and for the first time on our travels we have found groups of Germans. ( very few Russians in Bali yet!!) Our hotel Swastika bungalows is set back on the main drag, Probably the best pound for pound hotel we have stayed in. TV,AC, 2 queen beds, huge balcony with views over palm tree's, wifi, swimming pool and Breakfast, all for £20 PN (talk about leave the best till last)
A Big thumbs up to Bali, If you like Thailand you'll love it here, The locals are very friendly (even the bike rider said sorry).Every morning all over Bali they put offerings out for the Hindu gods, consisting of a palm leave box with flowers, burning incense sticks and food, for good luck (all I can say it wasn't me who trod on one) The weather is great 30+ degree's everyday and even though we arrived in the wet season it only rained after dark (boy does it rain).
Our 3 months in Asia is up and there is no question of if, Only when will we be back. We have seen the Magnificent Taj Mahal, along with the filth and smell that is India. The History and culture of Vietnam, The best ever New year with the smiley people of Thailand, The outdoor adventure of Malaysia / Borneo with an incredible one to one with an Orang-utan, and White water rafting on grade 4 rapids, Oonagh loves Singapore, I think it's something to do with the retail therapy, We have surfed the waves and swam under them in Bali. Brilliant (even though she had the accident), Living the dream.
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Salamat jalan the Chaffer's