- SWIM The balmy weather means you can swim during the day or night, at the beach or pool. Take two swimsuits as they can take a while to dry in the humidity and putting on a clammy, still damp swimsuit is a bit off putting!
2. EAT There’s a huge variety of cuisines available in Bali and the food is delicious. Experiment! I felt quite sad when a young boy staying where we were told me his family had hamburgers from a well known world-wide hamburger company delivered every night. Take the opportunity to talk to local people and ask them what’s popular or new.
3. ENJOY THE ARCHITECTURE The local style of architecture is so different from other countries and is ornate and beautiful. Craftsmen still carve and decorate wood and stone. Originally, strict rules dictated the order and arrangement of rooms in the houses but as properties have been divided due to inheritances, the size of land available has been diminished and the layout of rooms is less formalized.
Private home, set in lush gardens. So calm and peaceful and very beautiful.
A family temple. The Balinese are very spiritual and each family, larger family group and village has a temple.
4. BE PAMPERED So many opportunities for massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. So affordable compared to Australia.
I had an excellent facial from a male beautician. I’ve never had a male beautician before anywhere! No photos as I fell asleep almost immediately but my skin felt hydrated and soothed for days afterwards.
Reflexology is so relaxing. We went to a few places but my new favourite is Chill Reflexology in Seminyak. After a foot wash we were led into a cool, darkened room where we lay down, were given eye masks and ear phones and enjoyed the next hour listening not to dying whale music as I feared, but lovely soothing sounds. So restful, so relaxing.
Really good foot scrub and pedicure, too. Takes an hour with oils and creams massaged and rubbed on feet and legs, nails shaped, plenty of time between each application of polish. My local shop in suburban Perth follows a business model where they never say no to anyone who walks in, so even when I’ve made an appointment, the girl doing my nails might be flitting between three other people while I’m waiting and waiting and I’m there for so long.
Leaving Prina Spa, so pretty.
5. SHOPPING Most people like a memento of their holiday, especially when you have the time to shop without too many time constraints. I have always admired these roof “crowns” common on the peak of many Balinese buildings and was lucky enough to be taken by a friend to where they are made and was able to buy one.
Then I needed to buy a basket to carry it back to Australia!
Quickly discovered the drawstring basket was handy for carrying towels and books, too..
So many clothing, decorator, food, and souvenir shops everywhere and now, the ubiquitous tattoo shops! There’s antique furniture, rustic furniture and modern designs, clothing for everyone of every age, bags, shoes and masses of knick knacks!
A surprising discovery…a Catholic Church!
Did you watch the Royal wedding? Such a gorgeous dress, a lovely service and it looked like a beautiful day with the sun shining, but why did the bride’s mother seem to be alone?
Today is Quiche Lorraine Day, celebrating a shortcrust pastry filled with egg custard, cream, cheese, bacon or ham and sometimes added vegetables. Although we think of Quiche Lorraine as a French dish, it is actually thought to originate in Germany.
Has anybody done a book on Balinese architecture? Gee whiz, maybe…
Hello!
Yes, written by Fred B. Eiseman Jr, just called BALI and lent to me by our friend Ketut. It was written in 1985 and I dip into it often as I find Balinese architecture fabulous. It’s about every aspect of Balinese life such as religion, food, games, traditions of different areas and the structure and expectations of village life.
Do you think you’d ever go to Bali?
Deborah