Hello from Gilli Air. Welcome to the island of rolling blackouts and sketchy internet connections ( not even going to talk about how dark it is in here that I'm typing by flashlight....or I wasn't going to talk about that.) It's divide and conquer time, Carrie's going to fill you in on the fun stuff and I'm going to give you instructions on how to get here, should the need ever arise. ( and because my typing sucks and it costs us a fortune for me to write more than a few sentences) So , we left Ubud on Monday aboard the Perama tourist shuttle bus, it was a little cramped, but there was no antarctic AC running, so no ass freezing, and no locals...so no chickens or goats or REALLY obvious cleavage staring. Anyways an hour on the bus to Padangbai and then TA DA a very slow ferry to Gilli Air island , about 4.5 hours. Ok things are going to wrap up here because I am getting sucked dry by some sort of insects as I write. Because everything starts late ( around noon ) and takes so long, you get here late , so alot of the hotels are full, even though it's still low season here. So after some mucking around, we ended taking a place that was kinda crap and somewhat expensive for here. ( OK back in biz, Carrie had some repellent with her, thank god for my wife)Just a side note, cause that's what I do, no cars here, just bicycles and pony drawn wagons, that is the local taxi system.they're kind of expensive, but they sort of add to the uniqueness of the island. Which is a round about way of saying that we took a pony wagon taxi thing around a bit of the island looking for a hotel after we got off the ferry. For those that want to know and I guess those that don't, Yup, spent my birthday diving with my wife, couldn't ask for anything more. OK well we got out of crappy place first thing the next morning and found a nicer place just down the road that was cheaper and included breakfast , so everything turned out for the better. We're going to talk about the diving a little later, maybe tomorrow if we're inspired and find another internet place with less bugs and more light. Ahhh just a little tease...We had one of the most amazing dives today, that I have ever been on, up there with Whale sharks, seriously!!!!
Love you all
carrie and glen
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
White Water Rafting
Meanwhile back in Ubud~
We spent our last day in ubud partaking in additional tourist activities.
We started the day with a great white water rafting trip on the Ayung river, which flowed through a jungle/forested canyon. To begin the rafting trip, we had to traverse 550 steps down to the river. Thank goodness all we had to carry was our dry bag, helmets, and oars. We had a blast on the rafting trip, the rafts were fairly small, so our raft had Glen and I, 3 french guys, and our guide 'Mr. Frog'. The french guys turned out to be a lot of fun and we spent much of the trip waterfighting and singing an old french folk song, which apparently translates to something like 'show me the boobs of your daughter'. Along the beginning of the trip, the canyon walls have been carved with a pictorial telling of a hindu legend, which is a Romeo and Juliet type story. One of the great things about this white water raft trip, as opposed to most I have done back at home, is the water was much warmer than rivers which are fed by snowmelt! At the end of the raft trip we were served a really yummy lunch of indonesian & balinese food. Then we had to climb 250 steps back up out of the canyon!!! My calves were pretty tight the next day!!!
That evening we went to see traditional Balinese Dance at the open stage in the Palace courtyard in Ubud, It was very dramatic, with fabulous costuming. We got there just before starting time, and most seats were taken, so we ended up sitting on the ground right in front of the stage. It was really great, as we could really see all the intricate hand movements and facial gestures which are an integral part of the dance.
The next morning it was off to Gili Air where we are now.
Glen will be filling you in on our grip to Gili Air, so it's goodbye for now!
Cheery Wave,
Carrie
We spent our last day in ubud partaking in additional tourist activities.
We started the day with a great white water rafting trip on the Ayung river, which flowed through a jungle/forested canyon. To begin the rafting trip, we had to traverse 550 steps down to the river. Thank goodness all we had to carry was our dry bag, helmets, and oars. We had a blast on the rafting trip, the rafts were fairly small, so our raft had Glen and I, 3 french guys, and our guide 'Mr. Frog'. The french guys turned out to be a lot of fun and we spent much of the trip waterfighting and singing an old french folk song, which apparently translates to something like 'show me the boobs of your daughter'. Along the beginning of the trip, the canyon walls have been carved with a pictorial telling of a hindu legend, which is a Romeo and Juliet type story. One of the great things about this white water raft trip, as opposed to most I have done back at home, is the water was much warmer than rivers which are fed by snowmelt! At the end of the raft trip we were served a really yummy lunch of indonesian & balinese food. Then we had to climb 250 steps back up out of the canyon!!! My calves were pretty tight the next day!!!
That evening we went to see traditional Balinese Dance at the open stage in the Palace courtyard in Ubud, It was very dramatic, with fabulous costuming. We got there just before starting time, and most seats were taken, so we ended up sitting on the ground right in front of the stage. It was really great, as we could really see all the intricate hand movements and facial gestures which are an integral part of the dance.
The next morning it was off to Gili Air where we are now.
Glen will be filling you in on our grip to Gili Air, so it's goodbye for now!
Cheery Wave,
Carrie
Saturday, March 27, 2010
MBA or Marriage By Accident
We learned some great stuff from our bicycle tour guide!
One of the things we had been wondering was whether Marriages are arranged here. He told us that in his Parent's generation, most marriages were arranged, but now young adults are allowed to choose their mate.
He told us that there are many MBA's (Marriage by Accident) Apparently if you get a girl pregnant out of wedlock you must Marry her. If you refuse to marry her, you spend two years in Jail. This apparently works very well to avoid young, single mothers!
One of the things we had been wondering was whether Marriages are arranged here. He told us that in his Parent's generation, most marriages were arranged, but now young adults are allowed to choose their mate.
He told us that there are many MBA's (Marriage by Accident) Apparently if you get a girl pregnant out of wedlock you must Marry her. If you refuse to marry her, you spend two years in Jail. This apparently works very well to avoid young, single mothers!
Swastika!
A week or so as we are sitting on our Veranda in Sanur, drinking our morning tea, we noticed a Swastika in the center of an elaborate molding over a gate. Since then we have noticed them everywhere! We decided that obviously the Swastika must have meaning of significance, aside from the terrible association we have of it due to Hitler and the Nazi's.
We finally were able to ask our guide about it today as he is quite an accomplished English speaker. It is an ancient symbol in the HINDU religion representing the 'Circle of Life' Birth, Life, Death, and Re-birth!
I was of course very relieved to learn this, and now will have a pleasant association when confronted with the Swastika.
We finally were able to ask our guide about it today as he is quite an accomplished English speaker. It is an ancient symbol in the HINDU religion representing the 'Circle of Life' Birth, Life, Death, and Re-birth!
I was of course very relieved to learn this, and now will have a pleasant association when confronted with the Swastika.
More From Ubud, Bali
Greetings From Ubud, Bali!
We are up in the hills away from the beach in Ubud. For those of you who have read Elizabeth Gilbert's book, EAT, LOVE, PRAY, this is the town she lives in on Bali for four months. I know Glen has already told you a bit about it. It is beautiful here. A lot more people than I expected, but still has a small town feel.
Today we did the tourist thing and took a bike tour, which was great fun.
The tour company picked us up at our hotel a bit before 8:00 am and drove us to the rim of one of the many volcanoes on Bali, We had a wonderful breakfast of banana pancakes and fruit at a restaurant looking over the volcano crater. The last time this particular volcano erupted was only four months ago! I made my own fire and smoke at breakfast!!! I didn't want to admit this particular incident, but I guess omitting it would not be fair~ so I give you permission to all enjoy a little laugh at my expense, as this was such a typical 'Carrie' type move! (I don't know how Glen put's up with me!) Anyway, we went to the breakfast buffet where I picked up a plate and napkin. As always, my napkin was just sort of tucked under the plate in my hand, as I proceeded to get a bit of pineapple from the buffet, my napkin caught fire from the little candle tucked in among the fruit. Since my napkin was under my plate, I didn't even know it was on fire until my hand got hot and flames were licking out from under the side of the plate. I just put the plate down and tried to snuff the napking fire out, our wonderful guide grabbed the napkin with a pair of tongs and stamped it out!
So, after a wonderful breakfast, we loaded back in the van, and went down the road to a coffee plantation where they were growing, picking, and roasting the coffee on site and had a bit of a sampling. For those of you who have seen the movie the BUCKET LIST, you might remember that one of the things on his 'Bucket List' (Things to do before you die) was having this special coffee which was made from coffee beans that a particular monkey eats, then poohs out, then they go around the forest and pick it up & clean the beans and make coffee. They make this coffee at this plantation. They don't sample it though as it is very expensive, and sells for about $40.00 per cup!
(Speaking of Bucket lists, the Giant Manta Rays we saw diving the other day were one of the things on MY Bucket List, But I digress ~ This post is getting a bit long winded!)
After the coffee plantation, where we also tasted some wonderful tropical fruits I haven't had before, we drove down the road a little bit more and got on our bikes. The tour brochure says that the bike ride is 25km downhill, no problem, all downhill I can handle that, even though I am not in the best shape ~ It doesn't however mention the 10km UPHILL, at the end of the ride! We had a great time flying down the hills of Bali, greeting the HALLOO's of the children, while avoiding the potholes, trucks, and many motor bikes! Great fun! When we got to the uphill portion of the ride, the tour company gives you the option of riding or hopping in the van. I only made it uphill for about 2-3km, Glen did the whole uphill trip in good form.
At the end of the bike ride, we were rewarded with a fantastic Lunch of Smoked Duck & Chicken, along with other Balinese specialties. All washed down with a large cold BINTANG beer. Bintang isn't really the best ever beer, but it was better than usual after the bike ride!
Finally, back in the van, and dropped off at our guest house.
After a quick shower, we walked a short bit up the road and went to a spa for a 1 hour traditional Balinese Massage. This was one of the best massages I have had, all for the grand sum of $70,000 rupiah (~$9.00).
We are going back for another one tomorrow!
Cheery Wave,
Carrie
We are up in the hills away from the beach in Ubud. For those of you who have read Elizabeth Gilbert's book, EAT, LOVE, PRAY, this is the town she lives in on Bali for four months. I know Glen has already told you a bit about it. It is beautiful here. A lot more people than I expected, but still has a small town feel.
Today we did the tourist thing and took a bike tour, which was great fun.
The tour company picked us up at our hotel a bit before 8:00 am and drove us to the rim of one of the many volcanoes on Bali, We had a wonderful breakfast of banana pancakes and fruit at a restaurant looking over the volcano crater. The last time this particular volcano erupted was only four months ago! I made my own fire and smoke at breakfast!!! I didn't want to admit this particular incident, but I guess omitting it would not be fair~ so I give you permission to all enjoy a little laugh at my expense, as this was such a typical 'Carrie' type move! (I don't know how Glen put's up with me!) Anyway, we went to the breakfast buffet where I picked up a plate and napkin. As always, my napkin was just sort of tucked under the plate in my hand, as I proceeded to get a bit of pineapple from the buffet, my napkin caught fire from the little candle tucked in among the fruit. Since my napkin was under my plate, I didn't even know it was on fire until my hand got hot and flames were licking out from under the side of the plate. I just put the plate down and tried to snuff the napking fire out, our wonderful guide grabbed the napkin with a pair of tongs and stamped it out!
So, after a wonderful breakfast, we loaded back in the van, and went down the road to a coffee plantation where they were growing, picking, and roasting the coffee on site and had a bit of a sampling. For those of you who have seen the movie the BUCKET LIST, you might remember that one of the things on his 'Bucket List' (Things to do before you die) was having this special coffee which was made from coffee beans that a particular monkey eats, then poohs out, then they go around the forest and pick it up & clean the beans and make coffee. They make this coffee at this plantation. They don't sample it though as it is very expensive, and sells for about $40.00 per cup!
(Speaking of Bucket lists, the Giant Manta Rays we saw diving the other day were one of the things on MY Bucket List, But I digress ~ This post is getting a bit long winded!)
After the coffee plantation, where we also tasted some wonderful tropical fruits I haven't had before, we drove down the road a little bit more and got on our bikes. The tour brochure says that the bike ride is 25km downhill, no problem, all downhill I can handle that, even though I am not in the best shape ~ It doesn't however mention the 10km UPHILL, at the end of the ride! We had a great time flying down the hills of Bali, greeting the HALLOO's of the children, while avoiding the potholes, trucks, and many motor bikes! Great fun! When we got to the uphill portion of the ride, the tour company gives you the option of riding or hopping in the van. I only made it uphill for about 2-3km, Glen did the whole uphill trip in good form.
At the end of the bike ride, we were rewarded with a fantastic Lunch of Smoked Duck & Chicken, along with other Balinese specialties. All washed down with a large cold BINTANG beer. Bintang isn't really the best ever beer, but it was better than usual after the bike ride!
Finally, back in the van, and dropped off at our guest house.
After a quick shower, we walked a short bit up the road and went to a spa for a 1 hour traditional Balinese Massage. This was one of the best massages I have had, all for the grand sum of $70,000 rupiah (~$9.00).
We are going back for another one tomorrow!
Cheery Wave,
Carrie
Friday, March 26, 2010
Ubud
Before I get started I wanted to talk about the names here in Bali. So if your first born, your name is Wayan, 2nd is Made, 3rd is Nyoman and 4th born is Ketut, after that it just starts over again, so 5th is Wayan again. The first couple of days on Nusa Lembongan we only met Wayans and one Ketut, we didn't meet a Nyoman until the 2nd last day. I'm not sure what that means, except if you say Wayan in a crowded room, your bound to get some attention...and if I could make all this somehow rhyme, I might be able to get a good joke or rap out of it.
We did 2 more dives on Nusa Lembongan, the coral here really is beautiful and healthy, there are thermoclimes here (underwater currents of quite cold water..my dive computer says the temp is 78F...really feels way colder than that) cold water has all the nutrients for things to grow...so lots of stuff and big. We saw a grey reef shark on our first dive ( we think , it was kind of far away and the visibility wasn't all that great), on the 2nd dive we saw a sea snake,I honestly didn't think they got that big, maybe 5ft long and it's head was probably 3 inches across. Speaking of dive computers, Carrie got me a new one for my birthday, which was great because my old one quit working after the second dive. Yup the girl is taking care of me!!!
We caught the fast boat back to Sanur this morning, which included droppimg us off in Ubud as part of the cost of the ticket, so it worked out good, we didn't have to do the bus station thing...saved us a step. We had vague information from Son ( actually spelled Sun) about a hotel by the name of "Sawa" we thought, no address, no idea about the part of town...so we just walked around abit asking people if they had heard of the place, no one really had. THEN we found Sama's bungalows, sounded close , what the heck, they only had twin beds, thank you, see you later.Just up the road was an alley with some signs to more bungalows...it's hot , our packs are getting heavy, ok let's check'em out. First one looks OK , but you know, never take the first one with out looking at the 2nd one.At the 2nd one we ask how much, hesitation...you can see the wheels turning, How much can I ask for, without them saying -no that's too much. 250,000 Rupiah?? Hmm maybe ...can we see the room? Yes OK, the room is beautiful, windows all around, big bathroom with a tub and shower and !!! hot water!!! and a WESTERN toilet!!! our deck overlooks a rice paddy and they serve you tea on your deck. Ummm yes we would like to take the room please. ( 9200 rupiah is about a US dollar)
Ok more Glen randomness, are geckoes not the coolest lizardy things ever, they're cute, they eat bugs, they are sort of mezmorising to watch, their tails drop off and yes, they sell insurance.
We have a bicycle tour of Ubud planned for tomorrow, we both took clothes to the laundry today, so we pretty much have no clothes, other than what we are wearing until tomorrow afternoon....so hence, bicycle tour, which you don't need a change of clothes for and Glen can do in his board shorts and Tevas.
Ok that's all from UBUD so far, by the way by far more tourists here than any where we've been so far...could I say far any more times?
Love from Ubud
carrie and glen
We did 2 more dives on Nusa Lembongan, the coral here really is beautiful and healthy, there are thermoclimes here (underwater currents of quite cold water..my dive computer says the temp is 78F...really feels way colder than that) cold water has all the nutrients for things to grow...so lots of stuff and big. We saw a grey reef shark on our first dive ( we think , it was kind of far away and the visibility wasn't all that great), on the 2nd dive we saw a sea snake,I honestly didn't think they got that big, maybe 5ft long and it's head was probably 3 inches across. Speaking of dive computers, Carrie got me a new one for my birthday, which was great because my old one quit working after the second dive. Yup the girl is taking care of me!!!
We caught the fast boat back to Sanur this morning, which included droppimg us off in Ubud as part of the cost of the ticket, so it worked out good, we didn't have to do the bus station thing...saved us a step. We had vague information from Son ( actually spelled Sun) about a hotel by the name of "Sawa" we thought, no address, no idea about the part of town...so we just walked around abit asking people if they had heard of the place, no one really had. THEN we found Sama's bungalows, sounded close , what the heck, they only had twin beds, thank you, see you later.Just up the road was an alley with some signs to more bungalows...it's hot , our packs are getting heavy, ok let's check'em out. First one looks OK , but you know, never take the first one with out looking at the 2nd one.At the 2nd one we ask how much, hesitation...you can see the wheels turning, How much can I ask for, without them saying -no that's too much. 250,000 Rupiah?? Hmm maybe ...can we see the room? Yes OK, the room is beautiful, windows all around, big bathroom with a tub and shower and !!! hot water!!! and a WESTERN toilet!!! our deck overlooks a rice paddy and they serve you tea on your deck. Ummm yes we would like to take the room please. ( 9200 rupiah is about a US dollar)
Ok more Glen randomness, are geckoes not the coolest lizardy things ever, they're cute, they eat bugs, they are sort of mezmorising to watch, their tails drop off and yes, they sell insurance.
We have a bicycle tour of Ubud planned for tomorrow, we both took clothes to the laundry today, so we pretty much have no clothes, other than what we are wearing until tomorrow afternoon....so hence, bicycle tour, which you don't need a change of clothes for and Glen can do in his board shorts and Tevas.
Ok that's all from UBUD so far, by the way by far more tourists here than any where we've been so far...could I say far any more times?
Love from Ubud
carrie and glen
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
If your name is David.....you might want to turn your computer off NOW!!
Wow it's stinking hot here ( hmmm could be because we're close to the equator or something) anyways cause I think I'm teflon man or maybe mirror man ( the suns rays don't affect me).. ( Carrie has a different name for me) anyways, wow I'm kinda burnt....but I look really , really , really good. It's been nice just relaxing here, alot of the tourists seem to have left.We've been diving every day and the dives have been good, with new and exciting stuff we've never seen before, on every dive..for example, and I would encourage you to google this... we saw a frogfish and a nudibranch today...very cool.
We walked the main road yesterday, which sort of goes down the middle of the island, and we saw a bunch of people dressed up for a pre wedding party on their scooters and motorcycles, driving to what looked like a temple.The women were dressed in fancy dresses, riding side saddle and the men in sarongs with white shirts and white hats, it seemed like most of the island had turned out for it.
OK is there anybody left in Austrailia, because I'm sure they're all here ...or quite possibly whistler. We've met a few nice people here, Evan from New York , a lawyer with a heart, traveling the world, Son from Melbourne, a yoga practising chef with a sunny disposition, getting away from things for a couple of weeks.
While I'm working on this very exciting post, Carrie is trying to figure out how to get our pictures online for you to see....cross your fingers, we're hoping it all works.... cause again we're old and our brains have trouble processing most anything these days.
We've decided to stay till fri the 25th and catch the ferry back to the mainland and go to Ubud, and get some hindu culture. There also is a yoga dance festival there next week ( one of the reasons Son is here) , so we thought maybe we would get in and out before the festival starts. I also would like to be diving on my birthday, so hopefully getting to the Gilli islands off of Lombok is a possibility.
Ok David... you knew it was coming...if you decided not to come , of course it was going to happen!!! So...................we ........went ..................diving ..................this morning.................to ..........a ......dive ..........site...........called........................................................................................................................
MANTA POINT. Guess what we saw at MANTA POINT, Yup dude , buckets and buckets of manta rays, they were everywhere, big ones about 15 to 18ft wing tip to wingtip and small ones about half that, they were one at a time or 5 at a time , all in 15ft of water, it was amazing. They must be used to people, or divers because they swam close enough for you to touch them, not that I did, although I think some people did.
Just for giggles...clownfish ( read Nemo) are quite territorial and aggressive, I had one yesterday swim up at me and try to brush my hand ( he touched me , not the other way around) away from his or her anenome patch... fun and suprising.
love to all
glen and carrie
We walked the main road yesterday, which sort of goes down the middle of the island, and we saw a bunch of people dressed up for a pre wedding party on their scooters and motorcycles, driving to what looked like a temple.The women were dressed in fancy dresses, riding side saddle and the men in sarongs with white shirts and white hats, it seemed like most of the island had turned out for it.
OK is there anybody left in Austrailia, because I'm sure they're all here ...or quite possibly whistler. We've met a few nice people here, Evan from New York , a lawyer with a heart, traveling the world, Son from Melbourne, a yoga practising chef with a sunny disposition, getting away from things for a couple of weeks.
While I'm working on this very exciting post, Carrie is trying to figure out how to get our pictures online for you to see....cross your fingers, we're hoping it all works.... cause again we're old and our brains have trouble processing most anything these days.
We've decided to stay till fri the 25th and catch the ferry back to the mainland and go to Ubud, and get some hindu culture. There also is a yoga dance festival there next week ( one of the reasons Son is here) , so we thought maybe we would get in and out before the festival starts. I also would like to be diving on my birthday, so hopefully getting to the Gilli islands off of Lombok is a possibility.
Ok David... you knew it was coming...if you decided not to come , of course it was going to happen!!! So...................we ........went ..................diving ..................this morning.................to ..........a ......dive ..........site...........called........................................................................................................................
MANTA POINT. Guess what we saw at MANTA POINT, Yup dude , buckets and buckets of manta rays, they were everywhere, big ones about 15 to 18ft wing tip to wingtip and small ones about half that, they were one at a time or 5 at a time , all in 15ft of water, it was amazing. They must be used to people, or divers because they swam close enough for you to touch them, not that I did, although I think some people did.
Just for giggles...clownfish ( read Nemo) are quite territorial and aggressive, I had one yesterday swim up at me and try to brush my hand ( he touched me , not the other way around) away from his or her anenome patch... fun and suprising.
love to all
glen and carrie
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