We have had an excellent couple of days - mainly due to the fact that we met an excellent guide called Dewi Yoga, who has driven us around the island to see all the best spots. We decided not to hire a car and drive ourselves as we didn't want to take the risk of an accident (the Balinese have odd road rules!).
On Monday we travelled to Ubud to see the Monkey Forest - immediately we arrived we were surrounded by lots of monkeys looking for food. There were stalls selling bananas to give to them, but we were advised not to feed them as they can get quite vicious!
We also stopped off at a place making traditional batik materials by hand - they showed us the lengthy process of repetitively dying the cloth and then adding wax to make a pattern. We weren't too keen on the finished product but were impressed by the pain staking skills it takes the people to make it!
We then moved on to a gold/silver factory where they make jewellery by hand. Again, so much work goes into their craft - I bought a small silver ball pendant as a souvenir - it only took me 10 mins to choose it - I think James got off lightly as I could have stayed there for hours, they had so much beautiful jewellery to look at!
After that, we went to a coffee and cocoa plantation and saw the plants growing in their natural environment - it was very interesting and they offered us samples of coffee and cocoa to try. James bought some coffee beans to send back to the uk.
Having stopped once again to admire the view of rice fields several times (great photo opportunities!), we drove the steep hill to see Mount Kintamani. We ate lunch high up on the mountain overlooking breath-taking volcanic mountains and huge lakes. Simply stunning!
As our guide was so good, we asked him to take us out on the following day too. We went to Tanah Lot, where there is a temple on the edge of the sea. We got blessed with holy water, had rice stuck to our foreheads and flowers put behind our ears. Have to say, it rather suited J! We weren't allowed in the temple though, so James got out of having to wear one of my sarongs.
The evening was perhaps the best experience of our trip so far. We went to Jimbaran (the home village of our guide). He took us to a restaurant with tables on the beach. There we sat sipping cocktails while we watched the sun set and the waves lap just metres from our table. We enjoyed a meal of freshly caught and grilled red snapper and were then seranaded by a local band! The type of experience money can't buy!
Today is our last day - we plan to do a few bits and bobs (last minute
shopping etc) and will meet up with our guide tonight once again, who is going to introduce us to the delights of Arak - the local alcoholic drink. Hope we're not too hung over for our flight tommorrow...F&J.xxx.
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