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Chasing the Sunset

13 Oct

It was another case of chasing the sunset. Traffic was horrendous, worst than a snail’s pace and had us all worried what if we missed another sunset again?

Komang drove like a maniac and managed to get us to Uluwatu on time. It was unusually packed that even the customary sarong that one should wear ran out.

We didn’t mind this as we walked quickly to some good spots to capture pretty sunset moments. Then realization and disappointment hit!

Tickets for the Kecak Dance was sold out! Oh no! To come all the way here and find tickets all sold out was quite a disappointment. Such mixed emotions within a short span. Luckily the disappointment didn’t last long. We were all busy taking pretty sunset pictures again.

Midway, I asked how come there were no monkeys? Hubby said it was Sunday and it’s their day off. Hardy-har-har.

Soon after he said that, one appeared. Then another, and another! Oops. Better be careful with your things.

We walked out of the monkey zone, keeping an ever watchful eye on any approaching and waited at a bright spot for KW and GH who were both snapping their cameras away. After a while, a whole hoard of monkeys came out from the trees behind us! Eeeks. Who said it was their day off? Better move to a brighter spot and SW kept close to us.

Verdict on today’s outing I’d say is a mixed one. Too much time was spent traveling from one point to another and being caught in several traffic snarls. Somehow it’s different from yesterday where we traveled as much, if not more. Now as we make yet another long journey back to Kuta, I’m thinking did we plan today well or not? Hmm.

Tomorrow is our last day in Bali but I think my team of three designers enjoyed themselves despite the many long car rides. After all, it is part and parcel of wanting to see all and do all when in Bali in such a short time.

I asked hubby if he would come again? He scoffed at me and said the question should not be if but when we would come again. Despite some shortcomings and unexpected outcome, I wouldn’t be surprised if we came back soon.

Today’s count: 13,847 steps, 3.86kcal and 7.01km!

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The Day Continues

13 Oct

Four bottles of Bali Hai later, both of us are feeling very light! Hubby joked about having lost weight because he was feeling very light. Hah! I wish. I dread to step on the scale when we get home.

We left Ubud, going a short distance to Bebek Tepi Sawah for lunch. Actually I don’t mind another round of beer!

No Bali Hai, I opted for San Miguel. What the heck, might as well try the different brands available!

The setup’s very relaxing with individual gazebos in the midst of a small padi field. With a strong breeze, I am almost lulled to sleep. We wait for our various orders of duck to come before we tuck in. From grilled, crispy and betutu, it’s indeed a duck-themed lunch.

General condenses agreed that the grilled version was better than the crispy. By now, for me, a nap is best, what with 4 glasses of beer already.

I should mention all opted not to go to the Monkey Forest, the Zoo or the Bird Park as it was quite unnecessary. I think if we were to bring M1 and M2, the girls would also make the same decision.

Anyway, the lunch lingered until 3pm and maybe about of shopping is just what we need to commensurate the trip.

Throughout the journey towards a shopping destination, silence prevailed in the car save for the low volume music. Pretty typical after a satisfying meal I supposed that all were knocked out.

Shopping was not appealing; maybe because it was all about surfing whereas I am a golfer, I saw nothing interesting to buy. Oh well.

Might as well make our way to Uluwatu to catch the Kecak Dance and sunset. Hopefully no more trailing a chicken egg truck or a garbage truck!

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From our gazebo, we are literally ‘tepi sawah’ (by the rice field).

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The grilled duck.

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The betutu duck.

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The crispy duck.

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The Next Day

13 Oct

We started the day 40 minutes behind schedule. KW was eager to buy something from Hard Rock Cafe as everything was 50 percent off, everything. The store opened at nine and the queue was very long already. He got in line but was moving very slow. By then hubby went to get him as we could not wait any longer.

We are heading to Ubud this morning. Caught in a jam, I am jotting my observations as things move along.

We detoured to Denpasar to find where the Central Bank of Indonesia is located because KW has some leftover old currency notes (from his trip ten years ago!) that are no longer accepted by merchants now. Only the Central Bank will accept the exchange. As today’s Sunday, the bank’s closed but the guards were very helpful and informed us that old currency exchange can only be done on a Friday between 8.30am to 11.30am. Ahh… now we know.

Back on track to Ubud then. Midway we stopped at Cening Ayu to see how ‘pie susu’ was being made. Curious to see what it was, it turned out to be what I know as an egg tart but the filling’s milk instead of eggs. We ended up buying titbits and peanuts instead to munch.

It is exactly noon by now and the sun’s beating down on us. Yes, it’s hot, even with the air-con on full blast in the car. A nice cold beer thought crossed my mind. Mmm… maybe it’s possible.

After some endless wondering to familiar shops, the thirst for a cold beer could not be ignored. We stopped at Oops for a very refreshing super cold Bali Hai. Very nice!

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My Ugly Crocs

13 Oct

Unlike my previous trips overseas where my Blundstone boots served me well, the hot weather in Bali just does not seem right for me to be wearing jeans and boots to play tourist.

So I chose my ugly Crocs over my other open-toe Rockport sandals. M1 and M2 have stopped wearing their Crocs ever since it was reported that it is the ugliest thing to wear, but I find them comfortable. It shields my toes somewhat from dirt and protects my feet from the scorching sun. If I were to wear flip flops, I suspect I may end up with tan lines on my feet, something I don’t fancy.

So, in my fisherman pants and singlet, the ugly Crocs blends me into the crowd.

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My ugly Crocs are really ugly, worn out and tattered.

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