Bali Bali Travel
In Search of Prasasti Blanjong
I had heard about it from Balinese friends, read up about it, and finally, went in search of it. The stone pillar of Prasasti Blanjong is one of the oldest man-made objects in Bali dating back to 913AD, and it is the written language on the pillar that I was most keen to observe even though I knew I wouldn’t understand it. After reasonable research I was able to find out the language used on the pillar is most likely old Javanese (kawi), and it tells the story of a king …
Date: July 20th, 2008 |
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The State of the Reefs of Bali
We are all fully aware of global warming and its effects on the environment and oceans worldwide. In the oceans, pristine coral reefs are being bleached to the extent that the organisms living within just die and so does this precious tourism resource for not only Bali, but the whole of Indonesia. Up until now, roughly 34% of Bali`s coral reefs have been destroyed or damaged. This constitutes a large area and it is estimated at over 65.08 square kilometres and this translates to about 27% of coral reef in Bali. …
Date: July 17th, 2008 |
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Bali Coffee Environmentally Friendly
Two things I am passionate about and the environment being one, the other being coffee. Yeah, I am a coffee nut and quite happily slurp down fifteen mugs per day. When I first tasted Bali coffee I thought it was absolute crap and strong, and like most people who first try it, I ended up drinking the dregs in the bottom of the cup much to my disgust. Now, I can’t get enough of the beautiful coffee and I put that down to having tasted the coffees of the archipelago on my travels throughout the islands. I have to admit when I am in a café in Bali I tend to more often than not order Lampung coffee (very strong) or Arabica. However, back at the homestay it is always Bali coffee and drunk delightfully so.
Date: July 11th, 2008 |
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Seven Gems of Bali
Pretty much over the decades I have seen and explored Bali to the max. On my travels there are those places that have re-visited and been disappointed mainly because of the ‘overkill’, due to the mass tourism that exists now on the island, where tourists and travellers alike are being charged ridiculous prices for entry fees and then getting hassled non-stop by persistent hawkers. And, there are those beautiful, quiet places that were gems to find and these were generally off the so-called tourist track and now, as I am led to believe, are also being included on tour itineraries. So, I decided to put together a few gems that maybe some of you have already seen, but if you haven’t, then it will give you something to look forward to on your next sojourn.
Date: July 10th, 2008 |
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Discovery Mall Evolving
After a 10 year absence from Bali having had these years in Yogyakarta, Central Java, I returned in 2003 to see many changes had occurred on the island of Bali. One place that particularly took my attention was the near completion of the Discovery Mall on Jalan Kartika Plaza. At that time I can recall mentioning to my wife as we passed on our way from the airport that the white edifice would be a ‘white elephant’. How wrong was I in my statement. Of course every year I have returned to Bali since 2003 and over the years I have seen the Discovery Mall evolving into one of the best shopping complexes on the island. There are not many tourists to the island that dislike the place as it offers an excellent choice of restaurants, coffee shops and stores, but also affords spectacular ocean views from the rear of the building. Little by little over the years a new shop or restaurant has been added, another bank installed in the complex making it a delightful place to spend a few hours, or in some cases with over-enthusiastic shoppers, a whole day.
Date: July 1st, 2008 |
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The Valley at Kekeran
There are countless spectacular rice-terrace views on the island of Bali and the most visited being Jataluwih in central Bali. Others would be at Sidemen, Ubud and Belimbing to name a few. Of course, we all have our favourite view and rave endlessly to our friends about it. Wherever you travel across Bali you will see endless patchwork verdant green ricefields and each one a photographers delight depending on the time of day and the light situation. On the road north of Pupuan I came across a great view. As you enter the Kapbupaten of Buleleng along the main Antosari to Mayong road there is a small village, Kekeran. Just off o the side of the road you will notice a small one table warung, hastily put together with a few old planks and sheets of iron roofing. It is owned by a cheery fellow, Nyoman. His wife is quick to sell you freshly cut Papaya, Mango, and Watermelon and the most delicious Krupuk Pisang, or sliced and fried banana. But it is the view from the mountain road that is the attraction.
Date: July 19th, 2008 |
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Snakes in Bali
I have often been asked the question by first-timers to Bali as to the prevalence of things that slither and bite, crawl and bite, or even look downright ferocious. Great news – there are snakes in Bali and only a few of the species are poisonous, in fact about six species. That’s not many compared to Australia or other parts of the world. You will often see on your travels some of the locals offering to let you have a photo taken with their pet 20 foot Python or allow you to play with their pet hairy spider that just happens to be the size of a dinner plate whilst some grinning local snaps away with a polaroid camera. Staying calm in these kind of situations for the normal person is somewhat impossible and generally entails a shriek or a loud scream from the holder of the said animal and of course invoking all manner of laughter from the locals. In general these ‘pets’ are pretty cool and are used to being manhandled and mauled by some freaked-out tourist. But, what will you do if confronted out in the countryside by an inconsiderate snake (according to you) that has crossed your path?.
Date: July 14th, 2008 |
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Bokashi - The Magic Oil
Quite a few years ago when I returned to Bali after having spent those previous years in other islands, I woke up one morning to find myself scratching the back of my legs like some maddened Banshee. At first I thought I had contracted some strange tropical disease and henceforth started to write my will. My wife rushed out and obtained some Calamine lotion upon my request and that did little to ease the itchiness or annoyance of the bright red welts that had appeared on the skin surface. Fortunately for me the Balinese lady who owns the homestay in Bali where I reside on my sojourns recognised my painful ailment. It was Bamboo Rash. As it turns out her husband suffered from the same malady on occasions and she promptly returned with Bokashi Oil. So, I applied liberal amounts of this magic oil onto the reddened welts whenever it became itchy and after a couple of days the rash had disappeared.
Date: July 11th, 2008 |
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Ice Skating Rink Opens
Many times in my younger years I have tried ice-skating in England and as an adult in New Zealand. I even tried it in Australia but it doesn’t matter what country I do it in, I fall flat on my bum. I reckon I have damn good balance but standing up on slits of metal just ain’t happening for me. Seriously, I give up unless they start putting trainer wheels on the skates. For those with the skills needed and are lovers of sheets of ice then the newly opened Bali Skate Run is right down your alley. The weird thing is you will be skating on ice in a tropical country. I think I’ll just do my thing as a spectator!
Date: July 7th, 2008 |
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Crap in Bali
Seems like a stupid title to an article but, that’s what it’s about. Okay, let’s start at the beginning. Over the decades tourism has increased on the island to the point now of what is referred to a ‘mass tourism’ where the island is literally saturated. Although this is great for the Balinese as far as the economy is concerned, there are some things that need to be addressed. Consider it my quirky sense of humour, but, haven’t you at one time or another whilst sitting on the throne in Bali doing your morning duty and wondered where ‘it’ all goes. After all, Bali is only a small island. I am not talking about No. 2 here, but the big one. Yes, No. 1. Seriously, if you think about all the tourists over the decades that have deposited their bodily waste deep into the bowels of wherever via pipes, that amounts to a fair amount of shit!. I have no idea what sources these hotels used over the years to process these disposable items. On one occasion back in the 80’s I recall talking to a farmer who claimed that he regularly obtained the effluence and used it as fertiliser. Sounds feasible I suppose as it is bio-degradable and would have some nutrients (not just the yeast from Bintang).
Date: June 26th, 2008 |
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