Bali!

Direstreets in Indonesia

Helmet Heads

Deus ex machina- An awesome bike shop that turns classic bikes into cafe racers. We were indifferent about the bikes because the shop was gorgeous and just exuded "cool." Hopefully one day we can incorporate their clean designs into a hostel!

Tanah Lot Temple- the one we wrote about sitting on fake rock. It is best seen at sunset, but we went mid-day to beat the tourist hoards.

 

We are traveling in Bali on their off-season, which is surprising because we haven't seen so many other Westerners since Siem Riep. We have finally left the crowd and headed to Sanur, which is called "snore" in our guide books, but we will gladly take snoring over trance music induced sleeplessness, so we are set!

Some Balinesian Surprises:

1. The island isn't all about peace and rice fields- there are a lot of people, traffic, and garbage.

2. Every time we pass Balinesians they say: Aussie, Aussie, Aussie or transport!? (which sounds like passport)- it makes us reminisce the days when we only heard "tuk-tuk" and "massageee."

3. Eat, Pray, Love- the phenomenon that spurred a thousand divorced women to head to Bali in hopes of finding their own Javier Bardem.

4. Julia Roberts (or Elizabeth Gilbert) is not walking the streets.

5. Quicksilver and Billabong are like Starbucks in Seattle.

6. Hotels are expensive even though they are the worst places we have stayed at! You have to really work to find a reasonably priced place that is well taken care of.

7. Bob Marley is idolized.

8. The Balinesian rituals make you want to stay in Bali, the beaches do not!