Archive for October 5th, 2006
Potrass handicrafts on Jl. Legian in Legian, stands out to passersby, because of the array of large wooden necklaces on display.
The staff, Bayu from Jawa Barat (west Java) allowed me to try on some necklaces. I looked ridiculous, but if you want to dive headfirst into going ‘troppo’ this is a good place.
Bayu showed me a belt, decorated with seashells, for 11,000rp. He told me that the long thick necklaces cost 4,000-7,000rp, smaller necklaces were 3,500rp, thin necklaces were 800rp.
Prices in this store are highly negotiable. Can handle wholesale and retail, made to order.
Potrass handicraft is open from 10am-9pm Located across the street from Stella Shop.
Potrass Handicrafts
Jl. Legian #461 D
Legian
Bali
(0361) 753197
potrass@hotmail.com
source : www.baliblog.com
October 5th, 2006
Bali has a new thirst quenching drink, PowerAde Isotonik made by the Coca Cola company. We already have Pocari Sweat, made a Japanese company, now this new version is available in many convenience stores.
Visitors to Bali often are not used to perspiring so much and get dehydrated without realizing. Water by itself won’t help either. The new drink comes in orange and lemon flavors and cost 4,000rp. As well as electolytes, it contains Vitamins C, B3, B5, B6, B12, plus other ingredients. I have had a couple and they are good at getting you anc to speed, after a few hours in the sun.
source :www.baliblog.com
October 5th, 2006
Ebano is located on Jl. Legian, north on Rum Jungle Rd. There are actually 2 shops, the other on Jl. Oberoi, in Seminyak.
The first thing that grabs your attention in this shop is the selection of wooden hairpins. I thought they were chop sticks at first. There are also pendents and bracelets.
The staff at Ebano told me the following prices:
Necklace - 5,000 / 30,000rp
Rings - 3,000 / 25,000rp
Earrings - 3,000 / 25,000rp
Hairpins - 1,500 / 4,000rp
Bracelet - 6,000 / 25,000rp
According to the staff, all items are made from ebony and are made here in Bali.
Ebano
Jl. Legian #457
Legian
Bali
(0361) 761440
source : www.baliblog.com
October 5th, 2006
Visitors to Bali are familar with the Legian area and walking through there this afternoon I took a few photos of familiar sights.
These include a couple of young Balinese kids at the art market on Jl. Melasti, Balinese locals passing the time making offerings, massage ladies looking for customers, a horse drawn carriage, a scrap metal recycler, traffic on Jl. Melasti.
People are keen to have their photo taken in Bali and often say ‘thank you’. Having a digital camera means I can show them their photo, which adds to the good time.
source : www.baliblog.com
October 5th, 2006
The highlands of Bali offer a multitude of routes that are perfect for a slow cruise, in a car, or on a motorbike. My recent trip to Jatiluwih, which took about 7 hours roundtrip from Seminyak.
Another area close to Jatiluwih is Wongayagede. Taking the route that I did, heading up to Bedugal, and turning off to the west for Jatiluwih, if you keep going you will hit Wongayagede. Wongayagede is located just south of the Batukaru temple, and is only 2kms from the trailhead that leads up the mountain. There is accommodation at Wongayagede, the Prana Dewi. This place offers a good level of comfort, with carefully made bungalows. The other place to stay is 750 meters east along the Wongayagede - Jatiluwih road, called Warung Kaja. Both places have a restaurant, though the rooms at Kaja are cheaper and simpler.
From Wongayagede village you can take a hike through beautifully fertile scenery, where coffee, cocoa, rambutan and sugar plum grow. The hike will lead you across the Mawa river through local forests. Its possible to swim in the river, which for westerners, is the last touch of paradise. I have bathed in Balinese rivers and if I ever build a house here, it will have to be close to a quiet stream.
The walk continues to a shrine at the bottom of Mt. Batukaru, and this 2 hour hike terminates by swinging home via the temple. An alternative hike takes you across another river, exploring forests and rice paddies. This hike will take 3-4 hours.
You can go 2 ways in doing these hikes. The first is to buy a map and just go for it yourself, which would be my prefered way to go. The other is to arrange a hike from an organized agency. The Prana Dewi Mountain Resort can arrange hikes, as can Cafe Jatiluwih and Galang Kangin Inn.
One of the cool hikes I want to try is Jatiluwih to Lake Tamblingan. The trail was origianlly used by Balinese farmers looking for a way to get their products to the north coast on Bali. The hike itself starts just after daybreak in Jatiluwih, and takes you through th forest for 34 hours, follwed by a section that goes to a large crater, Lubang Nagaloka, which means the ‘Dragon Hideout’, which is located on Gunung Lesong.
The hike finishes at Lake Tamblingan around sunset. Looking at a map you can see the hike follows a roughly northerly direction and you will, no doubt see a part of Bali, that few locals and even fewer westerners have.
The hike arrives at the southern end of Lake Tamblingan, the nearest accommodation is Bukit Kember located on the northern side. Bukit Kember has simple rooms with hot water. (082 836 1386. It has a restaurant attached and some nice views of the surrounding area. If I was to attempt this hike, I’d probably hire a local at Tamblingan to ride with my bike and me down to Jatiluwih. I hike and meet up with him back at the southern end of the lake, that evening. Having a cell phone would of course facilitate this much easier.
source : www.baliblog.com
October 5th, 2006
Nasi padang is a version of Indonesian fodo that originates in Sumatra. All over the Kuta/ Legian / Seminyak area are padang places, selling a version of the same thing. Basically you get a plate of nasi putih (steamed, white rice) and select from plates of food in the window. A curtain protects the food from flies, and locals have learned, that burning a candle helps to keep them away.
Items include grilled chicken, tuna, pototo cakes, fried tempe, beef, and random animal parts. Today I stopped into Pondok Duo, on upper Jl. Seminyak. The people operating this place were Muslim as are all padang places. A visual clue will be the black and gold Arabic writing from the Koran on the wall.
Today I chose a chunk of tuna, kangkung, ( the course, leafy green vegetable ), a potato cake, curried jackfruit and a black tea (teh panas). Often with padang places there is no price list. You chose what you want, get served, then the staff calculate at the end. One of the intersting pricing aspects is that for the most part, vegetables are free. You pay for the rice, and any fish/ meat/ tempe items, but the other stuff isn’t usually counted. My brother in law gets rice, one item and several vegetable for next to nothing. Todays meal for me was 8,000rp. Start choosing meat and fish and your bill will rise fast.
Padang food is known to be spicy hot, particularly in Sumatra. I remember travelling the length of Sumatra in 1993 and in some places, every single dish was covered in red hot chili.
Here is Bali its toned down, but they do like to dip your meat / fish choices in a bowl of orange /brown sauce, before putting it on the plate. I always ask them to go light on the sauce, and give me no extra sambal (hot sauce). I have found the best way to enjoy nasi padang is to wait an extra hour, after I’m hungry. I never go there for taste, just a gut filler. When I’m starving I want to tear into it. Other times the flavours may not be exactly what I’m looking for.
Pondok Duo actually does serve Bintang even though its Muslim run, which was surprising.
source : www.baliblog.com
October 5th, 2006
Here is a rundown of the sports on offers in Bali by region.
•South Bali:
Surfing:
The beach areas of southern Bali and the Bukit peninsula have extensive infrastructure for surfing. Beginners can take a lesson from a surf school in Kuta / Legian. Experienced surfers can head to the reef breaks on the Bukit.
Horse Riding:
Riding a horse along Seminyak beach at sunset is an activity/sport that is available. Cost is $60 per person for 2 hours.
Golf:
South Bali has a lovely course at Nusa Dua. The Bali Golf Club is designed by Greg Norman. a 4 hour session is $143 per person. Par 72(36 out, 36in), Yards 6805 (metres 6222 ).
Diving:
Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida are both equipped fro scuba diving. Nusa Lembongan has 1 dive site called Blue Corner, Nusa Penida had a few sites. All the diving is boat / drift diving.
Sea kayaking:
Sea kayaking in Jimbaran Bay is $39.
Cricket:
Udayana Cricket Club will help you combine a holiday and cricket.
Bowling:
Kuta Paradiso Bowling & Billiard has an 18 lane facility.
Aussie Rules:
The Bali Gecko’s Aussie Rules team lpays at the Canggu Club, and practices in Seminyak. Their drinking hole is the Bottle Shop on Jl. Kunti.
Beach soccer:
Every afternoon on Kuta Beach there are pick-up game of beach soccer. Feel free to join in.
Pool:
Buddha’s Belly on the Sunset Rd. just noth of Simpang Siur roundabout is the best place to play pool in Bali.
•West Bali:
Surfing:
Medewi is the best surfing break in west Bali. Balin is another quiet spot that gets surf. Accomodation is available in both place but not too much of anything else.
Diving:
Pemuteran and Nusa Menjangan in NW Bali are 2 decent diving locations. For new comers, you can either book your trip, via a dive operator in Kuta / Legian / Sanur, or hea up there yourself and deal directly with the diving operators. It will be cheaper of course if you go direct.
•North Bali:
Golf:
Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club is lcoated in the Bedugal area, about 1.5-2 hours from Kuta.
Par : 72 (36 out, 36 in)
Yardage : - Champion Ship 6983, - Regular 6371, - Ladies 5698
•Central Bali:
Cycling: SOBEK does biking trips from the Batur crater to Ubud, and from Batukaru to Yeh Panas hotsprings. There published rate is Adult ($68 ), Under 12 ($45 ).
Rafting:
SOBEK also does rafting. Their office is located on the main road that goes through Sayan, just west of Ubud. Rafting the Ayung River, 8km from Ubud costs $68, according to the published rates (you can get cheaper by looking around online).
•East Bali:
Diving:
Amed, Tulamben and Amuk Bay (Padangbai etc) are the main dive areas in East Bali.
Rafting:
SOBEK provides a rafting route of the Telaga river for $68 (cheaper prices available by looking online).
Sea Kayaking:
Sea kayaking in Amuk Bay, includes pick and transport from Kuta, plus snorkeling, for $59.
source : www.baliblog.com
October 5th, 2006