Bali Back Road Tour and the Selbys show - 17 February 2008

Bali map showing whereabouts for the day

Up early again – and off to breakfast. Again a very hearty one – a nice buffet breakfast with loads of fruit juice and coffee We are all meeting at reception at 8.30 – but 8.15 sees most of us waiting there, and then the rep appears. It is not Mahdi from the airport pickup but another rep called Ari – I think that how you spell it – could be ‘Arry for all I know Though truthfully he looked nothing like Mr Rednapp!

Anyway we mount up on the coach and are off – everyone looking hopeful, with cameras to hand. We drive off and head north (sounds good – I only know this because I have a map in front of me now haha). Our first stop is in Celuk – at a gold and silver place called Rama Sitha. The drive is about 40 minutes, and we pull into a compound. We are the only people there. Suddenly about 10 pretty girls come out and begin to do things to the silver and gold that is laying on the single tables spread along the front of the shop. They are showing us some of the techniques that they use in making the jewellery and trinkets.

Once we have watched for a few minutes we enter the shop, and there is some wonderful work on show. Some fantastic pieces are shown to us – motorbikes with intricate slivers of silver for spokes etc, fish, birds, watches – you name it they make it. A couple of things take our fancy – and so begins the barter – but their starting prices are exceptionally high – too high for non-hallmarked silver and gold. Almost the same price that we would pay at home for hallmarked and therefore items worth more – or that you can easily prove are worth more.

They do not reduce their prices – when we suggest a better figure they looked dumbfounded and refuse to budge. After twenty or so minutes – we realise that there are no bargains to be had here – and all make our way back to the coach – no one has bought anything at all. None of the whole party bought anything - absolutely zilch! Everyone is looking none too pleased and are worried that every stop we make on this tour is going to be the same kind of thing.

The coach pulls away and even the rep has a look of defeat about him. The scenery is fantastic – with rice terraces absolutely everywhere. The rep gives us a bit more information on the local area – and interesting facts about Bali, and the way of life here. We continue northwards – and arrive at another little town called Mas. It is here that we will witness wood carving. Everyone is thinking oh here we go again, as we pull into a compound. Once again people come running and pick up tools and begin to carve.

Wood carvers

The rep gives us a little chat about the woodcarvers – and the fact that it is a family. A moped arrives into the compound, and as soon as it stops the rider is on the dias beginning to carve. The work is explained – and that each person has a specific task. It is fantastic to watch as they work – and we can see some of their handiwork around the dias. Everyone is looking happier – and some of the work is absolutely exquisite.

We are then invited into the shop. We enter with a little trepidation, but the goods on sale are all great. We start to look around and someone appears close to each group. Unlike the metal place earlier they were not at all pushy, in fact very helpful. As we pick up a piece they give a price – then say its 20% off today – and you must bargain with us! Totally different to the rip-off merchants in the metal shop!

Nanny is looking at some of the carved fish – and Granddad has wandered off. She is considering buying something for him, as a present, but he comes over and picks up the same piece. We had arranged that if the price was right we would buy it for her. but that went out of the window. As we walked we picked up loads of things, which were taken over to the counter for us – to review, get a price for and buy or not as the case may be.

It had got very hot in the shop, and the nice people brought us all drinks – at no cost! A bottle of water was well received – I think a bottle of Bali Hai (one of the two local brews) would have been better – but hey it wasn't quite lunch time yet!

Lauren picked up a couple or three carved Horses – one for herself, one for Wanda, and one for Vicky (her bestest best mate in the world!). All in all we have about ten things and then they work out a price for us. Every price was very good – adding up to a great deal – and they took plastic! As Anita paid for it – about five people began to pack them for us – and to say they were very well packed is an understatement! I can confirm nothing got broken until we got home.

The were some amazing carvings – some of which were very large – they even offered us a price on some of those – which again was very good – but the cost of shipping home was astronomical! I think everyone bought something here – and felt like they weren't being ripped off.

Before we left, we were shown around the family compound – so got to see a little of real Bali home life. Every compound in Bali is very similar – with a sleeping area for all, a temple, a kitchen area.. really amazing to think that the whole family – which appeared to be about 30 strong - did everything in the compound. We also found out that the wood carving is secondary to the farming that they do – a sort of hobby on the side – which they aer every good at!

Lake Beratan

Everyone is a lot happier now – and so we head off to the next stop which is a lake with a temple. The lake is called Lake Beratan, and the temple is Ulun Danu Temple. The temple itself is the place of worship for the goddess of the waters Danu, who is believed to control the country's irrigation system. As we pull up it begins to rain (guess Danu knows what she is doing!) – and there are people there hiring out umbrellas. It costs about 30p for each one – so a few are grabbed, and off we march after the rep. We are not allowed into the temple itself, but can walk around it.

It is interesting that there are no ducks on the water – but then again when you see what the fisherman were fishing for it is hardly surprising. I think that the ducks that used to live there might well have already been served with plum sauce! But I have to say that it was a little disturbing to see such an expanse of water with no ducks. (OK I know that you don't see ducks on the sea!)

After a wander around for maybe 20 minutes through some lovely gardens and around the lake we return to the coach and head off and drive to a restaurant – but not for lunch just to look at the views – primarily the rice paddies on the mountain side. A very large and unusual spider is spotted in a bush – and everyone tries to get a picture of it! Soon that bit of fun is over –although we had to pull Paul away from it he was considering taking it home with him to sell in his shop – we climb back into the coach. This time to find the restaurant for lunch. The restaurant was the Kintamani Restaurant, and lunch was a pleasant buffet, which of course was not to everyone's tastes (ooh would I be talking about Lauren again do you think?). The toilets are absolutely disgusting here – and I will not go into more detail than that – as I don't want to give you the reader the opportunity to say "his writing is shit!"

Once lunch is consumed, along with a beer or two.. we are back on the coach and heading towards a local market. The coach pulls up – and suddenly there are crowds around it. Most are trying to sell "real" Rolex watches for $10.00! Sorry mate already been there done that, in Tijuana, Mexico. But they still keep harassing us – as we get off and try and walk through the market. There are some great things to buy – but also a lot of tack!

Anita gets into the bargaining mode quite quickly – and buys quite a lot of stuff mostly as presents for people, although she did buy a photo album for us, and possibly a great set of fruit baskets – but we will have to see. The watch sellers still follows us – but we were having none of it – well except from Maria who bought at least three for the $10.00. I don't think she realised that they were fakes or then again maybe she did. If one turns up in my Christmas stocking I'll know!

Paul and a relative????

Once everyone is happy – back on the old coach and off for our final stop – the Sangeh Monkey Forest. We pull into the car park – and disembark, and a group of people come toward us. They are the guides for our walk around the forest. Anita, Andrew, Lauren and I have the "pleasure" of a highly pregnant woman who is very friendly. We are almost frog-marched around the temple outskirts – looking at the monkeys – who are very mischievous, and the fruit bats that are all asleep in the trees. Joyce, another member of our group nearly has an accident as a monkey jumps on her back – and Lauren has one climb up her leg. A monkey silly not an accident! Paul seems so happy to finally find some of his relatives so far away from home – lol!

I laughed all the way round – though truthfully we didn't have too long a walk – as Mrs Preggers had an ulterior motive – trying to get us to go into her shop and buy stuff. We are virtually pushed past every other shop – and then trapped in hers. Actually it wasn't as bad as all that – but it kind of gives you the idea. Anita buys a few wooden trinkets and a lovely sarong for Lauren, and it is all for US$50.00 actually a real bargain. Nanny and Granddad had a different guide, but dad has seen a painting in another shop – so goes off and buys that. Nanny is none too happy – its quite a big picture – and of course she had to deal with her guide.who she thinks was far far too pushy..

Lolly and a monkey

Everyone re-boards the coach – ready for the journey home – which turns out to be about an hour and a half. Granddad starts to have a go at the locals – not seeming to realise that our guide and the driver are both local! Nanny looks daggers at him – but he carries on - until tiredness begins to get the better of him. All too soon everyone on the bus is quiet – either reading or sleeping.

The journey is over quite quickly – well it was for me cos I slept for ages – and we arrive back at the hotel. Everyone is feeling very lethargic and hot – so decide to – yes you guessed it – head for the pool!

The white water rafting had been a success – well if you can call a fractured cheek bone – and a very bad case of sunburn a success. Seems that health and safety are not necessary alive and well in Bali!

As we sit in, partaking of a drink or two, Cathy and Mike, with Emma and Andrew (to save confusion from this point onwards our Andrew will be referred to Andy, or "Big" Andrew, and Andrew Selby as Andrew – or "Little" Andrew) arrive at the hotel. They join us by the pool and everyone catches up and just chills a bit.

The crew in the pool @ the pool bar

John comes over to say he has received a phone call – advising that the pick up for the road trip tomorrow will be 6 o'clock for those travelling anti-clockwise (i.e. us!), and 6.30 for those travelling clockwise. A lot of moaning and groaning is heard for the next fifteen minutes as our group realise that breakfast is a no-no as the restaurant only opens at 6 – and we have to leave as close to that as possible.

Les and Den have disappeared – but return about half an hour later advising that they have spoken with the reception – and have ordered a breakfast box for their room to be delivered at 5.30am.

PuriSantrian - another view

Everyone begins to clamour round and suddenly we have 15 people wanting breakfast boxes for the morning. I had not changed in to my swim stuff – so I was given the job to go and order them all. The only two people who don't want one is John and Su.

Off I traipse to reception (fortunately not getting lost on the way – bloody hell that must be a first - lol), and approach the desk. The receptionist is smiling broadly as he asks how he can help me. "Please can I order 15 breakfast boxes?" It went very quiet until it was broken with a loud thud – as his chin hits the reception desk! "Let me go and speak with the chef – can you wait a few minutes please."

I wander over and take a seat, and wait for maybe fifteen minutes. He comes over to me and says that he hasn't ordered the boxes – as the chef will open the restaurant at 5.30 for us! It was the turn of my chin – lol. I thank him and return to the pool in a bit of a daze.

I arrive at the pool and tell everyone that they will not do the breakfast boxes. You could almost feel the anger begin until I continued with cos they are opening the restaurant at 5.30 for us! Anger turns to relief – and almost joy – and people are thanking me (what the heck did I do?? – well apart from trying to wind them up! hehe). Everyone including John and Su (who you might remember didn't want the breakfast boxes) – and the other team all said they would be down by 5.30.

Another view of the PuirSantrian

As Cathy and Mike have only recently arrived it was decided that we would again eat in the hotel – only this time in the outside restaurant. Unfortunately the menu inside and out are the same (sorry Lauren!) I have a tandori chicken dish, Anita and Mike have beef stroganoff (which I had on our first night!) John has a local noodle dish called Mie Goreng – and Su and Cathy have good old spag bol. A couple more drinks after dinner – and we all return to our rooms to pack for our road trip – due to start so early tomorrow.

One slight worry is that Anita's ears are playing her up – she might not be able to dive – which might really annoy her – but we will have to wait and see.