Bali-day

After touring Singapore and Manila, it was a welcome few days off staying in a remote resort without an agenda. Especially perfect for a holiday: my Christmas Eve birthday and Christmas day.

The flight there was uneventful until we landed at 11pm. For some reason, there were lots shuttle buses available for the planes landing/taking off and we had to wait 2 hours to deplane. Another hour in immigration and another hour traveling to the resort in Klungkung put us there at 3 am. I felt sorry for the driver we hired who had to wait at the airport and the resort employee who also waited.

Bali is the western most island in the Lesser Sunda islands, part of the Indonesia archipelago (there are 130 islands here). The majority of people are Hindu and no matter where we were greeted in their language and in English. So friendly and always a smile on their face. This is our first stop and will go to three other places on the island before heading to Komodo Island and then Jakarta.

But we arrived and the place was beautiful. The secret spot resort is right on the beach and peaceful. Not much around it which is amazing. Anything you need they can get for you when they go to the market. This was great as I did not have the adapter plug for this country.

The bathroom is outside in a courtyard. The tub is full size and I can lay down in it.

After a few hours sleep I needed coffee and something to eat. They have a free breakfast and a choice of 3 different menu: Indonesian (fried noodles or rice), pancake, or continental. Looking at their menu for the other meals, they have an amazing variety and cook everything from scratch.

Black sand beach.
We went for a walk near the edge of the water and was surprised at bring pulled in when a wave came much further than we expected. Despite our phones being submerged, they survived. Bali is known for surfing and now we know the strength of the waves.
We noticed a memorial service near the water before ashes were scattered.
This dog liked to slide down the dune.
Before I left the Philippines I purchased this coconut liquor to bring as there are not many options here. Perfect for my birthday paired with fresh fruit juice.
Our agent who arranged our driver from earlier in the night came by as we needed to arrange transport to Nusa penida island, our next stop. He also created a tour of Ubud for us. We toasted my birthday and his which is on the 25th.
Coconuts.

There are only 6 huts at the resort and my friends and I occupied 4 of them. Perfect to exist without masks. Such freedom! Our only excursion was to walk around the tiny village.

Winds and rain came up suddenly.
A local school.
This little guy acted like a tough watch dog.
The owner decorated with lights and a tree. Everyone on staff wore a Santa hat.
For my birthday dinner they made Gado Gado which was delicious. A peanut sauce with tempeh and tofu.
My friends had the owner found a cake for me with a candle. So thoughtful and yes some singing.

This is the rainy season and it did rain off and on  the two days. I did manage to swim a few times and lounge around outside under covered lounge areas. Perfect for relaxation.

Even in the rain this place is beautiful. The sound of the waves is perfect to just relax and read a book.
Balinese fish called Mujair nyat nyat

Mujair nyat nyat is one of the traditional food in Bali. It is a tilapia fish that is fried or baked with Balinese herbs and spices such as ginger, galangal, kencur, black pepper, white pepper, nutmeg, tabia bun, candlenut, jangu, bangle, and also turmeric on top of the fish. It is rich in flavor and just a little spicy. You can easily taste spicy and sour from the herbs with the savory flavor of the fish.

Dessert of black rice pudding. This is made with coconut milk and is delicious.
The lizards are tokay geckos. They provided amusement as we watched them hunt insects.

I would come back here again. The people are wonderful. They are amazing cooks and the menu has traditional Balinese food to western food.