We Love Bali, Brompton World Travelers (22-25 November 2018) : Day 3 - Ubud back to Kuta

Ori Bali Diners

Before the shopping began...saying our goodbyes to those leaving early

After the shopping spree with Richard and Tony sporting their makeshift headgears!

Photo bombed and finger "lickin" good!

Bali Guling Men Agus near Tanah Lot comes with a view of paddy fields

Water logged in Bali's narrow streets

This morning is more relaxed. We enjoyed another round of buffet breakfast before boarding the bus for a shopping spree at Pasar Seni Guwang Sukawati. A short 15 minutes’ drive away, we arrived fresh and all energized for the haggling.

The art of haggling is almost like a poker game…you place your “bet” and pray hard the seller “folds”, agreeing to your price. Lots of mind games are involved and even as you walk away victorious with your prized win, you are never too sure if you had overpaid!!!

Given a whole hour to shop, there’s never enough time for the shopaholics. As for the non-shoppers, they patiently waited out the time at an eatery, preferring tea and bakso over shopping!

While the regular souvenir seekers soon boarded the bus, sporting an udeng each on their heads whilst ushering the rest to return; Andrew became the Best Shopper, beating the ladies to their lacy kebayas!!! Not only was he the last to board the bus; Big Guy returned with an udeng on his head, 2 wicker baskets (to be modified for Brompton’s front block) plus many other things!!!

A traditional head gear with a triangle crest at the front, there are many varying interpretations on the udeng’s symbolism. Some belief it is a symbol of Garuda, protecting our minds from evil influences whilst there has been laughable comments of a radio antenna connecting men to God. However, the best interpretation yet, suggests the kneeling of humans in accordance with the teachings of dharma.

Packing up for Kuta, we were sorted into 2 buses, in accordance to our hotel’s locations. As many of us had booked to stay at The Sun Hotel, we enjoyed the company of Rachel for an additional hour before dropping her off for her onwards journey, back to Jakarta. Thereafter, we suffered Bali’s famous traffic jam, made worse by road works.

Approaching the city, the bus was motionless at some points. This allowed the conductor to get off the bus, stroll to the nearby stall for snacks before returning to the “parked” vehicle. It did not move a single inch throughout this process!

It took us a whole 3 hours to get to our hotel despite the short 28 km distance. Arriving at the wrong location did not help either!

Adding more drama to our unfortunate situation, it began to drizzle as we were approaching our hotel! Let off on the main road, it started to pelt!! We had to make the rest of the way on foot as the lane leading to our hotel was too narrow for our bus!!!

Whilst Team Sun Hotel suffered on Bus No 2, the rest on Bus No 1, somehow enjoyed a shorter journey with enough time for a Balinese massage!!! But nobody would have guessed the distress that Siew Yung had to go through!!! Skipping the shopping spree in the morning, she had left for the airport with Desmond, Iskandar, Hui Ming and Pang Wen; whilst Tommy had tagged along, hitching an early ride to the city. Not only did she break into a cold sweat caused by the traffic jam, but when her bike following in the box car did not arrive on time, she could have fainted had Iskandar not offered to carry it for her in his later flight!

Even the fruit seller had to take refuge from the rain

At Bakso Solo

Nice trader offered us a free hand to her knives and bowls

Prepared fresh

Huge meatballs or flour balls?

5 mangoes for RM10

The kitchen opens out to the garage of a hotel which explains where we normally see the customers are coming from!

Narrow corridor 

Doorway to the kitchen

Coming back to Team Sun Hotel, arriving in the rain, way past lunch hour, they had to overcome another challenge. Thank goodness, the hotel had enough umbrellas for everyone hence sustenance was found according to everyone’s palate for who can complain in Kuta except for price!!!

That evening, the group was split up according to everyone’s fancies. Some went to Hard Rock Café, some went dancing whilst some had an exciting motorcycle ride into the sunset, dining over Babi Guling Men Agus with a second dinner of grilled fish at Warung Ayu, Ikan Bakar ala Jimbaran!!!

Photo Credit :
Sin Tai Lim


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The Sun and Spa Legian Bali