THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES

After an exciting week in Ubud, we make our way through the lushness of Bali to our next destination, Legian Beach. Along the way we experience the splendours of Tanah Lot, one of the most famous and beautiful temples in Bali. Tanah Lot is actually on an island that is connected by a land bridge at low tide! If the timing and tides are in our favour, we may be lucky enough to be able to walk out to the temple to be blessed by the resident Hindu priests.

On a clear evening the sunsets over Tanah Lot are amazing, while nearby cliffs create an opportunity for a stunning and memorable group photo. Sunset cocktails prepared in rather large coconuts have been known to be served!

The shopping is also renowned at Tanah Lot, inspiring one of the past "Babes" to rename it "Shop A Lot" in recognition of the many bargains to be had at this perennial stop.

Our ocean-front days at Legian Beach include more free time to allow everyone to set their own pace and priorities, while truly enjoying this island paradise!

Our days are spent swimming, taking long walks on the beach, enjoying world class spa treatments, reading and of course, the favourite past-time of all...shopping. There really is nothing in Bali that you cannot buy. The whole island is like one big craft, furnishing and accessory market while they are constantly re-inventing themselves to match or lead global trends or to tantalize your imagination! Shopping in Bali deserves it's own separate blog, so stay tuned for more tales of shopping treasures, adventures and highlights!

One of the highlights of our second week in Bali is the trip to Uluwatu to see the Kecak Dance. Uluwatu is another beautiful temple perched high above the ocean on the southern-most tip of Bali. After touring the temple grounds we are treated to an amazing and much heralded dance performance.

The Kecak Dance is performed primarily by men, who sway and chant while sitting on the ground as a few colourfully outfitted dancers enact the story. This sunset performance unfolds in a natural amphitheatre high above the ocean, as the sky delights us with its palate of hues beyond. The setting and view are breathtaking while the photo opportunities would delight even the most jaded traveller.

Speaking of sunsets, some of my most wonderful memories of Bali are of sitting on the beach enjoying a glass of wine or a cold Bintang, and watching Balinese life as the sun sets. At twilight, the beach is usually bustling with locals and children who have come out to play soccer as surfers from around the world take in their last wave before darkness sets in.

As Bali is close to the equator, the sun rises and sets at almost the same time year-round.

The sun typically rises at 600AM and sets by 615PM. Sunset is a very peaceful time at the beach with everyone patiently waiting to see if it is going to be better than the night before, while opportunities abound to engage local beach hawkers for some "sunset" pricing!

Our group dinners while in Legian allow me to share my many years of grueling research and experimentation in identifying the 'best of the best' for dining out in Bali. It has been a tough job, but it was a challenge that I was prepared to take on for the benefit of "the Babes". The result of my years of dedicated culinary adventures is that the biggest challenge remains narrowing down the choices, as the vast selection of delectable food from around the world is definitely one of the highlights of Bali. "All-Inclusive" remains off-side in Bali, as all it would do would be to limit your choice and the opportunity to dine exquisitely and inexpensively around the island.

There is a limitless selection of wonderful restaurants to choose from in and around Legian. Whatever your fancy...Thai, Italian, Indonesian, Indian, vegetarian, Swiss, Australian, fusion, Chinese or even steak...I will be able to recommend the best choice for your dining pleasure .

Of course, as is the case throughout Bali, the prices in the restaurants are so low as to be almost embarassing, as the prices for a great meal are often smaller than the tip you would leave at home! You will of course be pleasantly surprised...more money for the spa and shopping!

All too soon, our stay in Bali winds to an end, with great memories, experiences, new friendships and a deeper understanding of the people and culture of this fabled island. I am always honoured to be able to share this time, and my favourite place in the world, with a diverse collection of amazing women. We share lots of laughs and many special moments and "once-in-a-lifetime" experiences as we explore (and shop!) together. I know that all of the "Babes" come away with a better understanding of the uniqueness of the people, culture and spirituality of Bali, while also creating bonds and friendships to last a lifetime.

As we prepare to move to our next destination, there is the inevitable challenge of compiling the shopping list, creating the "goods to follow" declaration, and then trying to squeeze the past 12 days of supporting the local economy into our suitcases! Can you say "excess luggage"????

Our last emotional duty is saying goodbye to the man in the centre of this photo, "Nick" (Anak Agung Gede Oka), who is my tour guide (and an honourary member of my family) in Bali. I have personally known Nick for 17 years and couldn't imagine doing these groups without his friendship, knowledge, good humour and guidance. You will know why he is such an important part of "Babes in Bali" as we bid him a heartfelt farewell.


For more information on the 'Babes in Bali' tours, please contact Cathy Gotfried (Head Babe) at 403 278 4084 or erawantravel@telus.net. My next departure is March 26, 2009 and there are still a couple of opportunities to join me on this adventure.

The Beginning

THE START OF THE ADVENTURE

Our journey to the beautiful island of Bali begins with a 7 night stay in Ubud, the cultural centre of Bali. Ubud was once a secret hideout for backpackers but it has now become a hot spot for those looking for culture, nature, inspiration and beauty. It is the perfect introduction to the Balinese way of life. Ubud is surrounded by most of the things that bring people to Bali - beautiful scenery, ancient temples, cultural dance performances, amazing spas and the most wonderful restaurants on the island. And, did I mention shopping????

This is a trip just for women (of all ages!)...preferably those with a sense of humour and adventure. Grab your best friend, Mother, daughter, neighbor, sister or co-worker and let the journey begin. You'll be glad you did, and once you have experienced a 'Babes in Bali' trip, you'll have a new appreciation for life, a new sense of self and an enhanced view of what our great world has to offer!

Are you ready to let your spirit soar?

On our first morning we will have an opportunity to learn the rituals of the preparation and presentation of Balinese 'offerings'. You'll be able to create your own offering and then present it to the temple at our hotel. Afterwards, we'll have a chance to visit a local family compound and see how the Balinese live.

Next is one of our highlights...a 2.5 hour leisurely walk through the countryside. Most of our time will be spent in beautiful rice fields where you can see the Balinese tenderly nurturing their rice crops. The walk will give you a hearty appetite so I've arranged for lunch at an organic restaurant in the rice fields. Incredibly healthy food in a spectacular setting!!!

Later this afternoon there will be an opportunity to visit the Taro Elephant Park. A personal elephant ride will be an option for those who have held this as a lifelong dream; and Bali is the perfect place to fulfill it! This beautiful, lush tropical setting is the ideal place to learn about how the elephants live and to enjoy a show highlighting their many talents.

Over the next few days there are some amazing things you will experience. One day we'll visit the market at Bedugul - great shopping as the prices here are competitive and lively bargaining is encouraged!

After the market we will have lunch at a wonderful restaurant overlooking beautiful rice terraces. Then we are off to Beratan Lake to see the spectacular Ulun Danu Temple, built right at the water's edge. The gardens here are lush and beautifully manicured.

If you really want to experience something unique and fun, then you'll want to book yourself on to the optional bike tour. It's mostly downhill for 25 km., so no need to train for this!!! Our morning will start with a healthy breakfast overlooking Mount Batur. If it's a clear morning, you'll enjoy the view of the volcano in the distance. We will ride the bikes on small, 'off the beaten track', roads. There is time to stop in a couple of villages along the way but the most fun part is seeing all the kids who will greet you like a celebrity as you travel past them.

For anyone who loves cooking or is just intrigued by the spices the Balinese use to make their mouth watering dishes, you'll totally enjoy our day spent at the Ubud Market and following that, the Cooking Class. The local market is bustling with the early morning shoppers gathering their fresh fruit, vegetables, rice, fish and chicken that will be prepared in the morning for the family to eat as they feel hungry during the day. Most Balinese still do not have refrigeration, so they cook just once a day, using lots of spices to preserve their food. Following our market experience, we will head back to the cooking school where we will be introduced to the exotic herbs and spices that are the soul of Balinese cooking. This is a hands on experience, so save some energy for chopping, stir frying and most importantly, enjoying the lavish feast at the end of the class.

At some point during our stay in Ubud, there will be a day set aside for total pampering at a local spa. My favorite experience is the 'Full Day at the Spa' treatment. The first amazing treatment will be a 2.5 hour Ayurvedic Massage. A litre of warm oil is slowly poured over your body during this treatment to help "cleanse your chakras". This massage is truly a favorite, as it will leave you totally relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated! But that's not all...you will still have a facial, body scrub, flower petal bath and one hour hair treatment. If you didn't feel like a princess yet on this trip, you certainly will after all this pampering. This Spa Day will cost you less than $100USD including lunch. Where else in the world can you get this done for so little????

Evenings are a magical time to experience the real Ubud. Most of the surrounding villages (including Ubud) have evening dance performances for us to choose from. One of my favorite places to watch Balinese dancing is at the Ubud Palace. The dances last for approx. 1.5 hours, and you'll be mesmerized by the gamelan band. There is always a story told in these performances. Fortunately we are given a program at the beginning of the evening so you can follow along with these ancient stories. It is a photographers dream to witness these exotic dances, as the intimacy of the venues are ideal for photography and the subjects colourful and fascinating!

During our 7 nights in Ubud we will also enjoy the wonderful cuisine that is offered at the divine local restaurants. Some restaurants are known for their spectacular views while most are also reknowned for their amazing food. You will be surprised and delighted by the variety of food choices in Bali, but Ubud in particular has many world class restaurants. Plus you won't have to break the bank to enjoy these fine establishments! Most meals cost between $6- 15USD, a small percentage of what you'd pay if you found similiar restaurants on tropical islands or major cities around the globe. The Balinese take great pride in the presentation of their food, so don't be surprised if you want to take photos of your meal! The other bonus of going to Bali is you will be eating fruit that really tastes like fruit should taste. Rambutan, pineapple, passionfruit and mango are just a few of my favourites.

To be continued...shopping, beaches, restaurants, Hong Hong.