Okey doke. So, getting to Bali was a smidge harder than anticipated. We walked to the monorail to the bus to the airport. Phew. Then we waited in line for over an hour to check in. Why? Because everyone in Malaysia flys with a giant cardboard box with crap taped to the sides, or three. That they haven't paid for. Then, totally relieved that we were done with the experience, we got on the plane and took off. 45 minutes later the captain came on and told us that due to 'an issue with the plane' we were headed back. Now, it's only a 3 hour flight and we were almost an hour in... which leads me to believe it was probably a doozy of an issue... Anyway, a two hour extra delay later and we got in to Bali at midnight! Woo. Then we had to wait in the line to buy a visa, and then a separate line to get them validated. Random. At the end of this trip I will have some serious words for immigration proceedures, too bad no one cares.
Crazy journey aside, we were picked up by a lovely dude named Madae who ended up being our driver on and off the next few days. Other than the fact that he tried to give us a tour of Bali at 2 am he's great. We spent a good 8 or 9 hours after that sleeping and spent the next day and a half just chilling out in Ubud. Ubud, great place to chill out. A little overfull of middle aged women hoping to be healed like in Eat Pray Love... but otherwise, great. Bali just has an amazing chilled out feeling, it smells good, there are gorgeous statues everywhere covered in moss, people are friendly. Generally great.
Our second night we went to a Kecak dance. Instead of having a gamelan (Balinese xylaphone-y music) they use a chorus of men in a trancelike state. The name comes from the noise they primarily make. It's awesome. We hardly cared about the dancing, the singing was just soooo cool. That day we also checked out a Balinese spa where for about 17 dollars each we had 1 hour massages over looking a rice paddy followed by tumeric body scrubs and yogurt masks, ending with an exotic flower bath. Life was not bad that day.
The next day we hired Madae to drive us around for a couple of hours through the rice fields and to some temples. It was gorgeous. Then we headed back to town because we heard the reason that Ubud is pretty crowded is because it's an auspicious time for cremations (which only happens every few years). People will save up money and do it as a villiage because it involves building these big like papermache/wood/fabric sculptures of cows to do it in and you need offerings and other crazy stuff. So we heard there was a royal one in town and we wanted to go. We were told it started at 12... it didn't start until 2... so we got a significant amount of sun. However, it was really interesting. There was a huge cow (carried by about 20 guys) and then a huge tower (which carries the body), I would say about 25 feet tall. They process to a cemetary about a km away with bands and yelling and excitement. Then the cut the top off the cow, took the casket from the tower, then OPENED IT, two dudes hiked up their sarongs climbed in and pulled the body out... I think this is different because this prince just died, I imagine it's different with an older body... but WOAH. Unexpected. Then they pack it in the cow with offerings from the women of the family. This was all really interesting, and then they got ready to set it on fire. We were like, oh, a little fire. Then they started using what was effectively a flame thrower! That thing went down in about 30 seconds, then all the tourists run before they catch on fire/get covered in dude ashes.
All in all, a really interesting experience. Then we walked across the street and got burritos for lunch :)
The following day we went to the craft villiages (there are a bunch of villiages south of Ubud that each specialize in something different, wood, gold, silver, stone, etc.) After a talk with our driver about not stopping at the lame factories. We finally went to a reasonably cool wood sculpture place where we bargined a decent deal on one (we even rebargined a smidge when he agreed too readily). We were feeling like our price was a bit high when a tourist walked by proud of his UNBELIEVEABLE price, it was so bad, he was paying over $50 for two tiiiiny buddhas (make note, don't buy a buddha statue in Bali, they are hindu, it's just for tourists). Then we felt better.
After we went to find a maskmaker that Ariella said was cool. He was so cool! He puts on all the masks and acts them out. We had a great time there and bought a couple.
Later... we braved the Monkey Forest.... We were a little bit nervous about the monkeys (because wild animals get nutty) but we heard it was cool. There were a TON OF MONKEYS. Also, although they were quick to jump on people (if you make eye contact) or if you have food (they can totally tell) otherwise they left us alone. Until we saw the people I'm gonna call... "the idiots". The idiots brought a stuffed tiger on a string.. I can only assume to taunt wild animals with. They proceeded to toss it to a monkey, who played with it for a minute, then hugged it and tried to leave. At which point a tugging battle began with the guy holding the string. The monkey won, and the string broke. When the monkey tried to run off, the girl ran after it and tried to grab it. At which point the monkey went a little crazy, bared it's teeth and hissed (duh.) SHE GRABBED IT ANYWAY. AND THE MONKEY BIT HER. Again. Duh.
Our last night in Ubud we went to another dance show, it was supposed to be at Ubud place but was 'moved across the street' because of rain. They were setting up for something there, but it was not the show, we eventually realized and followed some people up the street. It was like a km away, uphill in an unfinished temple? Yeah, we made it with like 3 minutes to spare. The dance was fun though.
Now we're at the Bali Hyatt, and while there is little culture... there is lots of free food! The hotel is gorgeous and being club level is so fun. We get amazing breakfast and happy hour from 5-7 when we eat enough amazing food that it's usually dinner. Also we told them it's our honeymoon (not technically a lie) so when we checked in they brought us a 'happy honeymoon' cake and took a picture of us in the lobby which they framed for us. It is adorable. We're really enjoying the end of our Asian adventure (after this its a day and a half in Bangkok then on to Jerusalem!) and can't wait to see my parents soon.
Also, a huuuuge congratulations to my sister for finishing her PhD today! Way to go Dr. Tuttle.
