Surfing Seminyak

I surfed, not well, but I surfed Bali.  Even Terri surfed one wave (with a little shove in the right direction).  The waves were closing-out for the most part but it was still fun.  We rented a soft board from the guys that we rented lounge chairs from and who kept us refreshed with cold Bintang beer.  The beaches in Bali are obviously a big part of the island’s attraction and we spent a part of each day at them.

We hired a driver for one day to show us the sights of southern Bali.  I especially wanted to see some of the more famous surf beaches: Dreamland, Pedang Pedang and others.  Our first stop was at Nusa Dua, the “ritzy” area of Bali accommodating many of the larger famous hotels.  We took a boat out to Turtle Island where they rehabilitate injured/sick turtles and raise babies that are born in areas deemed too hazardous to survive.  They also serve as a rehabilitation station for other injured or sick animals.  There were large fruit bats, snakes, a baby monkey,a variety of birds and other animals.

Next stop: Dreamland Surf Beach.  A beautiful beach with some decent waves being ridden by the locals.  It was definitely a short-board wave, fast and crashy.  We had lunch at the Warung overlooking the break and watched the dark clouds on the horizon with their slow march in our direction.   Within minutes we were in a full-on deluge with it’s cooling effects.  The rain was only temporary and the sun, sun-seekers and surfers soon returned.  On to Pedang Pedang Beach where there was a full religious ceremony occurring at the beach, which was great, as there were no waves to be ridden.  

Our final sightseeing spot was at Uluwatu Temple.  Uluwatu is a famous temple perched high on a cliff edge overlooking the crashing sea.  There is an amphitheater situated so that you can see the temple, watch the setting sun and take in a Balineese dance performed by about 40 locals in costume, very nice.  With a resident group of mischievous monkeys (Terri was enthralled -again), there was a lot of signage and recordings advising people not to wear glasses, hats or large earrings as the monkeys will steal them from you.   It didn’t take long as we watched a lady with glasses get assaulted and lose her glasses to the fast moving monkey.  To add insult to her loss, the local docent berated her for her lack of following directions and endangering the monkeys. 

We finished our evening with dinner on the sand watching 8 Aussie guys celebrate a batchelor’s party.  They bought and launched fireworks from their table, consumed copious amounts of alcohol and embarrassed the pretty waitstaff-quite entertaining.  They eventually departed happy and even stopped to talk to the yanks (us), and one of them invited us to stay with him in Melbourne, or maybe, it was just an invite for Terri(?).

Our scheduled 10 hour day with the driver ended being almost 12 hours!  We had suggested to the driver that we skip dinner so as not to run over our 10 hours but, in all his graciousness, he refused.  We like the practice of hiring drivers: they are safe, knowledgable and proud of their country.  

Our initial plan was to leave Bali on the 9th of March.  This happens to be Nyepi.  This is a Hindu universal day of “Silence” in Bali.  Meaning, no one, may be on the streets or beaches.  Cars and motorbikes are not allowed, no use of electricity and you may not appear outside in any public area, all at the risk of being arrested by the Bali Police.

We are leaving a day early for Macau.  I hear they may have gambling there…