Temple Love

Eating breakfast while waiting for our temple guide

There are over 1000 temples in Bali alone.  Seriously, over 1000.  Now I should mention that most of these 1000 are not open to the public as they are family temples, but this is still a whopping amount all the same.   Given the vast amount of them we've only visited about 7.

Family compound kitchen

Family compound bedroom

Before I show you some gorgeous temple love and panoramic volcano views, I wanted to explain how the Balinese live.  The above photos show a typical compound.   Basically this is a group of separate buildings in one area where a family lives.   This family can range from a family of 4 to a family of 55.  All family lives together, takes care of each other and provides for one another.   Since most (about 90% of the Balinese) are hindu, each family also has their own family temple on site.

Standing in front of the family temple

Since most families are hindu, they must also make offerings to the gods twice a day. These offerings are made in front of doorways, pathways and of course by the temple.

Trekking to the waterfall

The amazing waterfall

After the compound we trekked out to the waterfall which we never knew existed.   (Thanks to the best travel guide, Wayan, for taking us there.)  The waterfall was so gorgeous but the hike back up was not.   Think of walking down to wreck beach in a temperature of 35 degrees... Stairs and heat do not mix...

People bathing at the water palace

This was such an amazing sight to see.  Because it was Sunday, the Balinese came to the water palace to bathe themselves in the holy water is classified as holy because the natural spring flows out of the ground underneath the temple.  It's supposedly good luck to bathe and soak in the spring.

So this post was to be much longer but typing on the tablet is really hard plus the wifi shuts off every couple minutes.  I'll post more later..... Xo

 

Bali Day 3 and 4: In Pictures

Allan drinking fresh coconut water.... Yummy

Thought I'd do a quick picture heavy post to fill you in on some of the things we've been doing in the past couple days. Ubud is really turning out to be one of our favorite places. Why, you ask? Despite it being the most touristy place we've ever been to before, the people are sooooooo friendly. Honestly, I would come back here for this fact alone. The balinese remember your name, your favorite food and are more than willing to stop and chat. Another thing I am loving is the coffee: it's fantastic. I go out of my way everyday to have a cappucino made for me from down the street....it's that good.

The chaos that is a Denpasar street.   Motorbikes everywhere! 

Gorgeous view from our hotel patio

Sitting for dinner at Lotus Lane

Forever drinking Bintang, Indonesian-made beer that costs about $2

Watching a Balinese dancing performance.   Gorgeous! 

At the Pura Desa temple,  which contains classic Balinese architecture

Ceremony doors of Pura Desa

Allan looking very fashionable in a red sarong eating potato chips

Entrance to Goa Gajah, the elephant cave. 

The elephant cave

The oldest tree in the elephant cave... And Allan in another sarong

They weren't Naughty Nuri's but these ribs were good. 

Ubud Public Market... I'm shopping for sarongs 

Bintang time!!  It's only 930 am on Saturday

Impromptu ceremony that passed by while drinking Bintang

About to devour Bubi Galing, aka suckling pig, a big reason for me
Wanting to come to Bali.   It was delicious! 

Ahhhh... Busy Ubud street

Entrance to Monkey Forest.... I was starting to get scared by this point

Seriously the macaques are everywhere... Up close and personal

While I was running away, Allan stayed to get better acquainted 

Ubud is absolutely breathtaking.   The views are fabulous, the food is amazing and the people are so friendly.   Can't wait to see what today brings.  (we've hired a driver for the day to take us off the beaten track.   Hopefully I don't encounter any more monkeys!!)

 

Bali-rific Day 2

Day 2 of our glorious honeymoon. 19:50 In Bali right now, to get Vancouver time just subtract 15 hours. Technically we are a day ahead but everything is so relaxed here it feels like a day behind.

On to the details....

We both woke up stupid early, like 4:30am.  I guess that's what we get for sleeping on planes and trying to deal with the time change. The hotel room is nice so we don't feel trapped in a prison cell.  Great balcony with a great view of a small Rice patty and surrounding buildings. A brief conversation with some older Austrailian travelers enlightened us to the fact that 25 years ago, when they started coming to Ubud, none of the buildings we see now existed as it was all rice patties and trees anyway....

Balcony looking right

Balcony left

We left the hotel at around 7am starving for both food and Bali life, since we asked for breakfast at 8am we took to the streets. Small shops, though closed at this time, consumed both sides of the street. Cars and scooters wizzed by as the locals were on their way to work or play.  As crazy as the traffic is I would gladly walk down the road rather than the 'sidewalks' which are no more than fancy slabs used to cover the irrigation streams on either side of the road. It doesn't smell like sewage makes it this far, but I'm no Bali plumber.  The sidewalks are a constant challenge. Quick and steep drops, acting as large steps when coming from the opposite direction, frequent holes and other distractions like trees and wide grates.  I'm pretty nervous about my ankles in most situations, but so far no issues. Just make sure you don't get caught up being too much of a looky-loo and watch where you are going.

So we had to kill about 2 hours before breakfast so we just walked as far as we felt comfortable with. Every 8 to 10 feet there would be a different shop, hotel or restaurant. A lot of the shops repeat the goods for sale, hotels attached to restaurants, with most hotels hidden down alleyways to keep the frontage for shops. We saw about 3 Minimarts, 2 laundromats, 1 pharmacy, and about 2 clinics during our hour long walk in one direction.  There was no doubt that this area was definitely catered to tourists, but it  gives you a comforting feeling that helps especially on the second day.  I suppose the more familiar you would get with Bali the more these things would takeaway from the experience.  So if we comeback I`ll complain about all the tourist specific stuff then :-)

Early Morning in Ubud

We did find a few of the restaurants on our list to visit so that was great.  We also got to experience Ubud without the hoards of tourists and merchants catering to them. This was definitely a good thing. Starving and back at the hotel we had a great breakfast. We were a half hour early from what we told the hotel the night before, but no complaints or fuss from the staff.  The breakfast was great and a perfect size. I don't think I could ever get bored of hearing us referred to as Ms. Christina or Mr. Allan.

After breakfast we had some more time to kill before our 10am massage. We decided to walk in the other direction, which took us past the spa anyway. More closed shops, challenging sidewalks and temples, lots of temples.  This was our first pass of the Monkey Forest, and the name is not misleading.  Even just on the edges the monkeys were out looking for food. After talking with some locals we were told the best time to visit the forest is late afternoon. When the rest of the world has fed the monkeys and they are far less aggressive. As Christina was getting skiddish with the monkeys we did encounter, I had no problem taking the advice.

Monkey Forest entrance

Christina can probably elaborate on the massage experience better as my notes are as follows: we showered,they rubbed us, added oil and rubbed some more, added some gritty stuff with more rubbing, then more goo with more rubbing, then shower.  It was a very relaxing experience but did it actually get my knots out and soothe my airplane contorted muscles, not really. Mentally I was super relaxed but my muscles were missing the working of an RMT.  Hopefully this is the worst I get as being a picky westerner.

Spa grounds

So super relaxed we headed over to the Dirty Duck Diner. The specialty is half a duck all crispy with a few different sauces. I'm not a big duck fan but it turned out pretty well, and of course a bottle of Bingtang. I was a little more adventurous with the sauces than Christina, which varied from 3 different kinds of hot.

Post Spa

Dirty Duck with extras

Not wanting to fill up right away we headed to another watering hole to get the most out of our day. It was called the Paradise Cafe and required us to walk up some large stairs to even see inside.  Once we climbed the steps we could see it was worth every stretch of the ham string. The view of the monkey forest and the rice patties was amazing. So I ordered a BLT and a Coke, which tastes different in Bali,  and took in the view as long as we could. Back to the reality that is the sidewalks of Ubud,  we headed back to the hotel for a much needed swim.

View from our table

Post swim was drinks and dinner. Drinks first at a forgetful place with happy hour and seating right on the strip.  A few shops back towards the hotel and we stopped for dinner at the Lotus Lounge. We mixed up the menu with some European - pizza - and a local favorite mie goreng. I really liked it and Christina has become obsessed. So much so that I am pretty sure we will be eating it once a day for the rest of our trip.

Tired after day 2

With both of us struggling to carry on a conversation it was back to the hotel and bed. I think we turned in just after 8 pm.

Lots more to write but that will have to do for now. The view on the balcony here is amazing and its getting close to dinner time.

International Airports: The Good and Bad

Vancouver Airport before take-off 

So, here we are, married (as of Saturday the 15th) and already on our honeymoon.

Actually, we've been on our honeymoon for about 4 days and 3 of them have been spent in airports: Seoul, Bangkok and Denpasar to be exact.  Though they are all doing the same thing, the airports themselves are drastically different from each other.

In Seoul after a grueling flight

Waiting for food in Seoul.  Not looking so fresh...

Holy people Batman....

Allan stamping Korean art at the airport cultural centre

Korea, for example, is one of the biggest airports I've ever seen.  Not only that but the shopping is out of this world.  Only in Asian airports can you have personal shoppers on hand to assist with all your shopping needs.  I will say that I was in heaven looking through the luxury shops: Chanel, Dior, Prada and even Tiffany's.  Sigh...

Thai Airways....colorful seating and a joy to travel with

Tons of duty-free shops in Bangkok

Temple inside the airport

Bangkok is very large as well and the shops are always open, no matter the time.  We landed at 1:30 am and all the shops were still open.  (Thank goodness as we were starving.)  However, though Bangkok had its fair share of high end shops, it was the duty-free shopping that took the cake.  Every where you looked was another duty-free store carrying the same as the last.  It was outrageous.  By the end of an hour long walk, we'd encountered the same duty-free shop every third store we passed.  We also spent the night sleeping in the airport as our flight out was at 9 am.  Comfortable...uh no....practical....very.  Seemed like everyone was thinking the same thing we were which meant all the good spots were taken BUT we managed to find a couch in front of an air conditioning vent and I woke up with the worst cold and sore throat.  YAY for sleeping in airports.

Denpasar......where do I begin.  After picking up our luggage and waiting to bribe a customs officer, we saw a very large rat running through the airport.  Nuff said???

Airports are different everywhere but they all do what they're supposed to...rats and all.

 

Traveling Internationally: The Joys of Immunizations

Photo courtesy of www.parentsplace.ca

It's no surprise that immunizations are required when traveling overseas, however, actually getting a needle is   possibly my biggest fear.  Are you laughing yet?   It's okay, honestly, because I would probably be laughing too if I wasn't instead hyperventilating, crying my eyes out and digging my nails into my hands as the 10 second needle occurs.

What's worse is that Allan doesn't even flinch.  He strolls to the doctor's office with no fear, ready to face the multiple immunizations head on with a smile while I am shaking uncontrollably.  Whether you're brave like Allan or a screaming disaster like me, needles are very important for your health and safety.

For a trip to Bali, there are only two required immunizations: Hepatitis A and Typhoid.  However, there are also about three other vaccinations that are recommended: Rabies, Hepatitis B and Influenza.

Hepatitis A (and B if done as a Twinrix)

Hep A is a liver disease found in the stool of those infected with the disease.  It is easily spread by close personal contact with someone infected or by eating food and drinking water that contains the HAV virus.  Hepatitis A can be prevented by getting one vaccination about 4 weeks prior to leaving the country.  Then, a year later, a follow-up shot is required.  (See, Allan was lucky and only required Hep A immunizations as he was still immune to Hep B but I wasn't so lucky.)

Hep A can also be combined with Hep B and the immunization is called Twinrix.  This means that you get both the A and B needles combined but this requires 3 needles instead of the one needle that Allan received. The first shot is administered at least 7 months before leaving and then the second needle is done a month after that.  The last shot is then done about 4 months later.  I am currently receiving my last twinrix on Agust 20th.  YAY for me.  (I should mention that almost all people have received Hep B shots in school.  The issue is that while some people stay immune (aka Allan) others need to get the shots again (aka Me).  This blood test - or titre - can be done to see if you need to be vaccinated for Hep B again.)  I should mention that each needle costs $50 and is not covered by extended medical.

Typhoid

Typhoid is a disease transmitted by the ingestion of food or water that is contaminated with the feces of an infected person.  (Gross, right?)  This vaccination should be received about two or three weeks prior to your trip.  It's either done as one vaccination OR, the newest form, by oral ingestion.  (Allan has received his already and there is a series of 4 pills to be taken.)  I should mention that these pills cost about $40 and are not covered by extended medical.

Traveler's Diarrhea

This is probably the most common form of illness affecting travelers.  Because we're traveling to a place where the food is completely different, Allan and I decided this was a good idea to take.  Again, it's an oral vaccination (actually it's a liquid - we're taking Dukoral) and there are two doses.  One taken two weeks before the trip and the other taken one week before.  This medicine will cover you for three months.  I will say that this medication is priced at $76 which is really high.

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella - Optional)

This is a series of two shots and they are done a month apart.  I am getting these needles as they are required by my employer and this way I don't have to pay for them.  (YAY!)  

TDap (Tetanus, Diptheria and Pertussis - Optional)

Though this is an optional immunization, it's something both Allan and I chose to do.  Not only was I not up to date on my booster, but I have never had a tetanus shot before.  Being that we are traveling to a third world country, it's something we knew we needed.  This is one needle and it will give you a bit of pain afterward.  My arm hurt for a couple days but at least I know that I'm covered now.  This needle is covered by your MSP plan.

Rabies (Optional)

There is a HUGE rabies outbreak right now in Indonesia because of the monkeys and wild dogs but the needles are so pricey that Allan and I chose not to receive them.  The vaccination is a series of three needles, similar to the Hep A and B, but instead of costing $50 a needle, they cost $500.  That means for Allan and I to have received immunity, we would have paid $3000.  Exactly...This wasn't going to happen.  Plus, we figure that if we are bitten by a crazy animal, we will get the shots for free at a medical clinic.

Research is important for any location you're traveling to and the same goes with researching your vaccinations.  Choose the ones that you feel will greatly impact your trip (should you get sick) and go from there.  Sometimes, getting all of the offered needles isn't the way to go.  Happy travels!

PS - I only have two more vaccinations to go!!  YAY for me.