Bali with Oscar and Trish, Indonesia 2013

What is there to say about Bali that hasn’t already been said, written, photographed, re-written and re-photographed? So here’s some more . . .

Not much surfing action for the first few days an offshore wind on our last day brought a smile to Oscars face
The Thais may take the biscuit for style and design in Asia, but the Indonesians win hands down at grafitti. Sadly they are always painting over it in Jakarta but it always comes back

We headed over there last weekend for a long planned rendezvous with Oscar and Trish, old friends from Perth. We stayed in Legian at the Puri Raya Hotel which we all really liked. Thanks for the recommendation, Jan. The buildings were like two storey colonial shop houses, set back from the pathways several feet with rich lush gardens providing foliage and privacy. The restaurant is separated from the beach by a walking path so no traffic noise of exhaust to spoil your breakfast or your view.

Oscar, Trish and me enjoying a being together
Hawkers on te beach selling everything from coconuts to massage, hats to headlice removal

Not much has changed since we were last in Bali a year or so ago. The streets seemed perhaps a little quieter and apparently the Russians have taken over from the Aussies for disturbing the peace: boozing, brawling and generally having bloody good time! I was surprised by the amount of garbage on the beach but at least something does seem to be being done about. There’s something a bit incongruous about a JCB on the beach scooping up garbage while tourists enjoy a bit of sunbathing!  

Neil and I in the pool
Football action on the beach as the sun was going down

It was lovely to spend some relaxing time with Oscar and Trish. We hung out around the pool when it wasn’t raining and went shopping or headed for the spa (Trish and I) or bar (Neil and Oscar) when it was. We had lots of big bintangs, big chats and big laughs. There’s something very relaxing about Bali which always keeps you coming back.

It was a bit disappointing to see so much garbage washed up on the beach. Even if Bali does clean up its act the garbage still washes in from elsewhere – a never ending story in Asia.

Ciao for now

Suzy and Neil