Ubud, Bali

Below: Sign indicating that I'm either leaving Spain or not; I decided to go for it!

Below: Singapore Airlines from Barcelona to Singapore

7,813 miles and two flights later I arrived in Ubud Bali.   Total fly time: 15 hours   Total time lapse (including time zone changes): 28 hours.  Looooooong day

The flight from Barcelona to Singapore is approximately 12.5 hours and I can’t sleep on planes.  Not sure why but I can’t and I find myself secretly bitter as the entire plane is passed out and I’m on movie number 3 (the entire flight time can also be measured in movies; a 12.5 hour flight is 5 movies and two sitcom episodes) with a mini doze off just as you hit pretty decent turbulence. 

The plane itself wasn’t half bad and as the flight wasn’t completely full (and each seat had its own tv), after some maneuvering, procuring a seat you wanted was easy (ie no one next to you).  Also, on Singapore Air, you’re fed two rather good meals considering its airplane food and snacks/beverages when you wanted them throughout the duration of the flight (including wine, beer, liquor) for free.  Plus they come around with ice cream cones for dessert.  No lie.

Below:  I snuck this picture of a flight attendant on Singapore Air.  They were all this tiny and their outfits color coordinated to indicate their status (lead flight attendant, first class attendant, etc)

A short layover in the Singapore airport and it was back on a 2.5 hour flight to Despensar, Bali.   The Visa and immigration process is much like any other small tourist airport, i.e. you just line up and give them money; they ask no questions and stamp your passport.   Voilà you’re now officially allowed in the country in as soon as you process through the queue.

I was greeted outside the airport by the Wayan (the owner of the bungalow I’d rented) and we began our 1+ hour north to Ubud.  I can tell you nothing of the drive other than the drivers are crazy as it was 9:30 at night.  Oh and there’s KFC, McDonalds, Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts here.  The dunkin’ donuts really amuses me because you can’t easily find one outside of the New England region (including NY and NJ) but you can find on in Bali.  But I digress….

Below: This dunkin' donuts is actually in the Singapore Airport but it was the best picture I could get.

When I arrived at Gerebig Bungalows I was greeted by the Wayan’s wife, Kadek and they promptly escorted me to my bungalow. Now let me start by explaining that my bungalow is a free standing, brick unit with bed and bathroom.  This is not a 5 star hotel by any means and if you enjoy camping in tents, this is 5 star accommodations to you.  If navigating through a rice patty field lit by little path lights and unknown animals making strange sounds and spotting a colony of lizards outside your window is not on your vacation “to do list”; then a bungalow may not be what you’d want to book. 

Personally, I find the entire situation so oddly serene and relaxing; even at 5pm while listening to the crickets and roosters crowing. 

Below:  Bed complete with mosquito netting.  This is starting to feel a little like Africa all over again.

Below: Yes the shower has no walls and is directly next to the toilet.  

After a long needed night’s sleep I was provided breakfast of fresh fruit, coffee and banana pancakes right outside of my room.  It was great having breakfast outside in such an idyllic environment.  Funny enough though, here banana pancakes are actually a whole banana encased in a thin crepe (like we’d expect in the US, not like the one I showed you all from France).     

Below: View of the rice patty field outside of my room

I then was shuttled to the center of town to explore.  To be honest, there isn’t all the much to do here except for shop, walk through museums and go to temples.   Oh and much like Spain – eat and drink.   That is not to say though that it’s boring here.  It’s definitely not boring to me as I was able to locate a yoga studio (for which there are a lot here) and find the quite location of my bungalow to be refreshing.   Both of which are needed after walking around here.

Sidewalks are sparse and when there are sidewalks lets just say you’d probably have an easier time on the road.  They’re busted, cracked (sometimes literal gaping holes so pay attention!), unexpected drops and step-ups for which I see no utilitarian reason.    It is quite enjoyable to just wander around and to see the mix of locals and tourists; how else would you encounter a little girl of say 4 years who’s only words of English (which she is screaming to every tourist who walks by) are: “Hello.  I’m only looking”.  Hilarious.

And so, after another long day of wandering (man, I wander a lot) I’ve returned for a little rest and relaxation before figure out what to do about dinner.  It includes more walking on treacherous roads some with “sidewalks” some without, at night, with all these crazy drivers out and about.  Suddenly, sleeping through till breakfast tomorrow is starting to sound pretty nice.  Yea, right… who am I kidding! 

Below:  My dinner at Naughty Nuri's which was featured on an episode of Anthony Bordains and maybe mentioned in Eat, Pray, Love (they had a magazine cover with the book on it but not sure why).  Its also been written up multiple times in the NY Times (its owner is a man from NYC and his Balinese wife).  The place is known for its bbq ribs and strong martinis.  Since I don't drink dry gin martinis, I ordered a bloody mary; it wasn't so good.  Dinner was ok though.

Oh and things to note:

1. Buying Dove Body Milk in Barcelona and thinking it was soap was a bad idea; it's not soap and now I'm super slimy today.  
2. Riding of the back of a scooter, in the dark, in Bali trying to get to dinner is equally a bad idea as is walking.  Note to self, find closer place to have dinner.  
3. Massive bug in room is awful; spraying it with only thing you have that "sprays" in hopes it'll kill it (Happy Perfume) is the worst idea ever though I can't find it so maybe it worked?  Props to my mom for asking (upon hearing this story) "did the bug die or go looking for a hot date" Ha.