Bali Street Food: Martabak

Bali Street Food: Martabak

This is going to be the first post of many covering Bali street food available all over the island. A full list of posts is now available here - Bali Street Food

I thought I'd start off with a favourite of mine which I haven't long discovered: 'Martabak'.

'Martabak' is a thick type of pancake that is sold in many roadside stalls around Bali and ranges from 8,000 IDR to 12,000 depending on what fillings you choose.  Fillings range from cheese, banana, chocolate, peanuts, coconut and other various things you might expect to find in a pancake.  Savoury options are available but I have never really looked as pancakes for me are strictly a sweet dish!


The best places to buy one are (and you probably know this already) always the one that makes it fresh, which is generally most of them but there are a few which might try to give
you the one that has been sitting there all day!  Ask them to cook it fresh or go somewhere else.

Chocolate Martabak 

When I say 'thick pancake' I mean thick!  It's generally double the thickness of a normal pancake and is then folded over and put into a box for you to take away.  Don't try to eat a whole one in one sitting - one 'martabak' is ideal for 2 or 3 people to share but is generally too heavy to polish off alone - a friend of mine who tried said it was a 'heart-stopper'!


Of all the Indonesian street food I have tried, 'martabak' is definitely my favourite as it is generally fresh and it's pretty hard to go wrong with one.  Recommended if you are in need of a cheap, stodgy dessert! Enjoy!



Bali Street Food: Martabak

Where to buy a Go Pro camera in Bali?

You can buy a Go Pro surf camera in Bali for 2 million Rupiah ($220 US approx.) for the standard 5MP version or 3.6million Rupiah ($395 US approx.) for the HD version. These are available in '526 Foot' surf shop on Sunset Road in Seminyak on the main road on the way to Canggu / Kerobokan.
 

You should see it on the right as you are going West out of town, there is a giant poster of a guy riding a SUP adorning the wall. I can also tell you that it has lots of epoxy surfboards in the windows and big Tuflite / Surftech adverts outside.  I also find it a great technical store as they offer such things as SurfTech rental as well.    Good luck!  See map below to help you!

View Surf shop to buy Go Pro Surf Camera in a larger map

Here's a link to the shop's website - 526 Foot Surf Shop

I see they recently have put up an online shop - here's the link to the GoPro page - 526 Foot Surf Shop Online Store: GoPro

Cheers!

Where to buy a Go Pro camera in Bali?

How to Survive a Long-haul Air Asia Flight!

Having recently 'survived' a long-haul trip with Air Asia (Bali - UK in two legs), I thought I would share a few tid-bits of information for anyone else out there considering the same.

First things first, Air Asia is a budget airline just like Ryanair in Europe or Virgin Blue in Australia; they keep costs down by cutting back on all 'non-essential'  details ('non-essential' in this case is their definition which might differ in meaning to that of an average passenger!).  Expect to
have to pay for bottled water, this is particularly bad as the air-conditioning on the plane and the altitude increase dehydration so it can be a serious problem.  Demand a 'cup of water' from them at the back of the plane and they will give it to you begrudgingly.  A pretty big short-coming I think you will agree, especially as you are only allowed 100ml max liquid allowance in any one container to carry on yourself.



Second, all in-flight entertainment is non-existent; no TV screens in the backs of the seat in front of you, no screen at the front of your section of the plane, nothing.  However, they do offer you a portable media player which costs about $10 US but the batteries only last 6 hours!! Not ideal for a 14 hour flight (KL - London).

Also, I would highly advise pre-booking your food (which is part of the order process).  I did and was very glad for it - the lady in front of me didn't and at meal time was told 'I'm sorry we don't have any other food left, is a doughnut OK for you?'.  I don't think a doughnut is really enough to keep you going on a long flight so definitely reserve your food as to save money they attempt to bring as little on board as possible and you will not be guaranteed any.  It is also more expensive to buy it on the plane than it is online, if you needed any more convincing!  The quality of the food itself was surprisingly good; it tasted fine and was comparable to most other airline meals I have had, much to my amazement!  You can also stock up on sandwiches and other snacks at the airport as they didn't stop me bringing through a muffin, fruit and other sandwiches.  As I was going to eat them all on the plane, I can't see the problem with it!

At the airport itself, with online check-in being possible and self check-in obligatrory (I think) it was very easy; there is someone waiting to help you with the check-in procedure and, at least when I went, no queues to speak of.  The whole check-in and bag drop process took me no more than 5 minutes for both flights which I thought was pretty good!  However, this may not be the same for all so do not take this as a rule of thumb!

If you are planning on taking a surfboard, Air Asia is definitely not the carrier for you; you will get charged an extortionate amount - a far better idea would be to buy a board in Bali and then re-sell it if you are intent on or can only afford to fly with Air Asia.

All in all, it wasn't the best experience but it was what I expected with a few things exceeding my expectations (namely the queues at the airport and the food) with others being just as I thought they would (the drinking water situation).  If you choose to go long-haul with them, try to hydrate yourself as much as possible before, take on as many snack foods as you can and maybe a pack of playing cards or some kind of board game set as it does get very BORING! If you don't pay a lot in terms of money, you certainly pay for it in other ways!

Cheers,

Steve


How to Survive a Long-haul Air Asia Flight!

Bali to Lombok by Ferry - the Backpacker's Way!

Recently I did a quick island hop and went over to Lombok,  Bali's neighbouring island.  Due to the small distances between the two and the cost of ferries, this is much easier than you might think.  The ferry takes between 4-6 hours depending on which ship you happen to take.

Firstly, I should note that I took the ferry, which is an interesting voyage to say the least.  It is around $3.50 per person one way - very reasonable. If you plan to go by motorbike
, it costs 86,000 IDR ($8 US approx.) one way for one person  and one motorbike.  However, if you plan to take a rental car, it costs a lot more - it costs around 550,000 IDR ($50 US approx.) for the car alone.  Here is a link for the full price list (although I think it's a bit out of date and prices have gone up slightly since) PUBLIC FERRY TO LOMBOK

Therefore, it works out about ten times more expensive to take a car than a bike!  This is something worth considering as most rental companies don't want you to take a car over there anyway and say that their insurance does not cover this.  However, I should add that all rental companies I have spoken to DO NOT offer insurance as we it know it in Western countries - they have told me that if I damage the car, I pay for the full cost (sounds like good 'insurance' huh?!)

Frequency of ferries is not a problem as they leave almost every 60 minutes 24/7 so you literally just pull up when you want and not have to wait too long (well, at least most of the time!)

An average ferry crossing - definitely not the worst! Copyright Lonely Planet

I mentioned earlier that it takes between 4 and 6 hours per crossing - this is largely due to the varying quality of ferries used on this service.  On my trip, the outward journey meant I was sat on the floor propped up against a railing (outside) for the whole time but on my return journey however, I had a comfortable reclining seat in an air-conditioned lounge room with a TV!  This is just the sort of thing to expect when taking the ferry - you may get lucky, you may not!

Getting to the ferry is quite straightforward from Kuta and takes about 1hr30 on a good run on a bike or probably around 2h30 in a car.  Here's a map below to help you out!  Follow signs to Sanur, then follow the coast road all the way on the signposts for Padangbai (the ferry port).

Directions from Kuta to Padangbai (the ferry port) - 1h30 - 2h on a motorbike, traffic depending.

View Larger Map

As the ferry takes a relatively long time, I would highly recommend bringing on board with you a large bottle of water, a packed meal (buy one before you get near the port as there are all sorts of people selling rubbish food to tourists like yourself!) and a windbreaker or jacket of some sort, especially as you might be outside the whole time! Both ferries I went on had a small shop but this was much more expensive than buying  food & drink from anywhere before the ferry port but I would say buying from the onboard shop is better than buying from the guys in the video below!

Just before departure, it can be chaotic as lots of sellers try to push cheap and nasty food on unsuspecting travellers - avoid it by bringing your own! 

Avoid travelling around any Islamic public holidays as, with there being many from Lombok who live in Bali, a lot of people go home for long weekends, etc. and this makes for potential unpleansantly long queues.  I recently travelled just before the celebration of the end of ramadhan, known locally as Idul Fitri or Lebaran.  I was warned not to travel at this time (3 days before & 3 days after September 10th each year) as the queuing can be horrendous - I was lucky but don't think it will always be quiet, it really is a matter of chance and, as with so many things in Indonesia, you never know until you go!

Know before you GO!!!

It is definitely an adventure but once you get to Lombok, you won't regret it as there many wonderful things to see and do seemingly a world away from Bali, get over there!

Selamat jalan & hati-hati!

Cheers, 

Steve

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Adventure Island: Bali Beyond the Waves

Adventure Island: Bali Beyond the Waves

Although Bali is known to many for its incredible waves, it also has much to offer for those wishing to seek out another kind of adventure.  Here are a few suggestions of actvities to do when you are looking for something a bit different!

November Rafting in Klungkung

Rafting in Klunkgkung - I would recommend doing this as a day trip from Ubud as it is cheaper than doing it from Kuta due to its proximity.  It usually costs around $30 / person for rafting.  This includes full pick-up & return in a nice care with AC from your hotel, rafting & all equipment and a 'buffet' lunch at the end of it.  I would recommend taking plenty of sunscreen & at least one bottle of water.  When you stop along the river there are people selling drinks however they sell for $2 for a can of coke as these people are trying to live from it.  Also, expect to see plenty of local villagers washing naked in the river!  I would recommend this for able-bodied people only as you have to duck under a few low bridges along the way! Highly recommended.

Price : $30 / person (inc. buffet lunch & hotel pick-up)

Distance from Kuta: 2 hours approx.

Our tour guide, Adiana, praying at sunrise
on Mt. Batur, with Rinjani on Lombok peeking
out in the distance.

Trek Mount Batur -  First of all, I should note that Mount Batur is not just an ordinary mountain, it's an active volcano! You can trek up it and see inside for yourself! It has stunning views from the the top and is not too difficult a climb, taking around 2 hours to reach the top.  I would recommend staying in Toyabungkah, a small village at the foot of the volcano itself, and I would specifically recommend Losmen Nyoman Mawar II (opposite the entrance to Toya Devasya Spa).  It is cheap & cheerful at around $7.50 US / night based on 2 people sharing (but possibly 3), which includes breakfast.  To climb the volcano, you have to have a tour guide (a bit of a local racket but c'est la vie) from the Mt. Batur Trekking Association.  I would highly recommend speaking to Sari or Putu who work at the losmen.  They can organise a guide for you for the correct price (around $25 US / person, which inc. torches, water and a small breakfast).  Some of the members of the 'Association' are out to rip-off tourists (I heard they charged one guy $100 for him and his son).  DON'T book directly through them as some of them are quite clearly pocketing some of the cash, and, ironically, it is actually cheaper to book through an agent.

Price: $25 US (inc. small breakfast, torches & water)

Distance from Kuta: 2hrs 30

Snorkelling - there are 3 main places I think are the best for this - Amed (Gemeluk Beach), Tulamben (Liberty Shipwreck) & Menjangan Island (Nature Reserve).

Firstly, Amed is about 2h30mins from Kuta by car.  It is a quiet coastal town which relies solely on tourism & fishing.  There are lots of places to stay & restaurants to eat at along Gemeluk Beach but it has not been over-developed and still maintains its natural feel despite catering for many tourists.  Both times I have been, I stayed at the Villa Coral and it was very nice & right on the beach, tucked in at the foot of the headland at the southern end of the bay.  It cost around $25/night based on 2 sharing with A/C and including breakfast  (a bargain I think for most tourists!).  There, you can swim just a few metres out to sea and find stunning coral in the 'Coral Garden' or alternatively take a boat for the day to the 'Japanese Wreck', a few kilometres away.  Both are good fun and easy to do, the 'Coral Garden' is especially good for kids or less confident swimmers as it starts practically on the shore.

Snorkelling the reef shelf at Menjangan Island (this photo
doesn't do the colours justice - it is stunning!)

Secondly, Tulamben is about 10km further up the coast from Amed and is home to the 'Liberty Shipwreck', a US Navy warship sunk by the Japanese during World War II.  This is, as far as this author knows, unique in that it is the only shipwreck which you can snorkel in relative close proximity to the shore (about 50m from water's edge).  It is pretty impressive and you will see some big fish around the area.  Admittedly, diving it would be better as it is quite deep but snorkelling alone gives you good views and is much cheaper!  I would recommend staying at Amed and going up for the day (you can easily get transport).  You have to pay to snorkel there but it is minimal (maybe $1 / person).  Also, the accommodation options there seem a bit limited and it does not have the same character or beauty as Amed.

Finally, Menjangan Island (or Pulau Menjangan to the locals, meaning 'Deer Island' in English) is a nature reserve and so there is no development whatsoever on this tiny yet arid lump of land.  It is, however, what lies below its lapping shores that will enchant you; a coral reef teeming with vibrant colours and life as striking as any I for one have witnessed.  However, visiting Menjangan Island is not as straightforward as the other 2 spots I have listed above for several reasons.  First, its location means it is not well connected with South Bali and other tourist hotspots so it really requires you to stay in North Bali for the night & is not a day-trip option like the other two. Second, you have to hire a boat, guide & boat driver at the port upon arrival as well as pay an entrance fee to the national park. This sounds worse than it is but I would advise trying to get people together either before going or at the port as the boats can take a maximum of ten people and that is the main cost. The boat hire is a flat fee regardless of how many people so if you share with 9 others it will save you a fair amount! Also, the same goes for your transport out there from wherever you are staying so, depending on the numbers in your group, the price can vary quite a lot.  Even in a small group, it is not extortionate but a bit pricey by Bali standards.
Price: $30 US (based on 2 people sharing with transport from Lovina and all costs at Menjangan itself)
Distance from Kuta: 5hrs

Bali Treetop Adventure Park - I should point out that this is the only one I haven't been to myself but it looks interesting all the same.  The only downside I can see from it is that it only allows your 2hrs30mins on the various 
courses and the like.  A good afternoon activity if you are planning to go to Bedugul or even Lovina as it's not far from either.  They seem to have a good variety of course and things to do and I think it caters for varying levels of difficulty.  I should also note that it is situated inside Bali Botanical Gardens, which is definitely worth a look around. It is not the most spectacular park of its kind but the cooler climate, due to its altitude, and lack of motorcycles make this an ideal spot for a family picnic or simply a leisurely afternoon stroll.  Try their website for more info --> http://www.balitreetop.com

Price: Click here! 

Distance from Kuta: 2hrs 30

OK, so this isn't an exhaustive list, just a few ideas for things you might not have thought of! Some things to do in or near Kuta include Waterbom waterpark, AJ Hackett Bungee Jump (which is open 24 hours!) or maybe some water-sports at Benoa like the Flying Fox or trying the Banana Boat.  There's lots to do so get out and have fun!

Best,

Steve


Adventure Island: Bali Beyond the Waves

Balangan Ezy Rider!

Balangan Ezy Rider!

Just had a morning surf down at Balangan before work....very fun! I had a better barrel than the one on camera but (typically) the  GoPro camera cut out as I was paddling for it!  Still.......here a couple of shots for you to enjoy! Cheers!

Here's a still from the GoPro

Here's a shorter video that gets straight to the point;

Balangan Ezy Rider!

Balangan Wave

Me on a set wave at Balangan - didn't want to do many turns as it was dead low tide and pretty shallow!  The  lip landed on the camera and turned it off!  Still just toying with the GoPro to get it right as it takes

a fair bit of getting used to!  Here's the vid! Enjoy!

Here's a sequence and a couple of photos - really fun session!! Balangan is fast becoming my favourite spot in Bali!

From BALANGAN WEEKEND

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Weekend at Balangan

A quick slideshow of a weekend of sun & fun down at Balangan on Bali's Bukit Peninsula

Kuta by Scooter!

Ever wondered what it is like to drive or walk through the Kuta back alleys? Well, here it is! I took a Sunday afternoon drive around Kuta and got my girlfriend on the back to film some video clips.  Bear in mind, this is the quietest time of day!

It's really not the best place to go for an afternoon stroll, even if the streets are narrow and don't seem made for cars, they are still everywhere down there!  If you go down there, be careful.....
with those horrible grills in the floor - I have seen about 3 or 4 caved in (we're talking rusty metal) in the middle of the street. If you fell down one at night, your hols might be cut a little bit short, shall we say!

This is just the beginning of the main area.  Always plenty of traffic! Try going down there at night - it's nuts!

Driving down along Poppies 2 - check the guy next to me who has his little son sitting in front of him without a helmet - classic Indo style parenting!!!!!!!! And no, this road isn't one way! If you go down there, expect to be beeped off the pavement by perturbed motorcyclists because they want to use it as a way round the traffic jams! I apologise if the footage is a bit shaky but that's because the road is awful!

Down on to the turn for Kuta Beach - check the poor horse pulling the carriage throught the heat at the end......they are always foaming at the mouth from dehydration & exhaustion - don't get on one!!

So there you have it, Kuta by scooter! It's not the cleanest place on earth, it's not the nicest place on earth, but you are sure to stop by there at some point on your trip to Bali, some love it, some hate it, go and check it out and see for yourself!!

Here are a couple of stills from the vids........

        

Cheers,

Steve

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Uluwatu GoPro Test!

A wee while back I bought a GoPro Surf Hero camera for my board.  I finally got the FCS plug put into the deck of my board to attach it and took it out for a run at small, but very shallow, low-tide Uluwatu.  The vid starts with the infamous walk down to the 'entry cave', although on low-tide it's not quite as daunting as on high as you can walk out of it - on high you just paddle from the cave without really know what's going on!  The tide was low and the waves were small so it ended up breaking in about knee deep water on the inside and was very ledgy and so I wasn't trying too many moves! Annoyingly....
the camera mysteriously cut off the recording right on the take off of my best wave! Typical! Still some fun ones!

Anyway, without further ado, here it is - a few highlights from my session!  ENJOY!

GoPro Test!

PS I never knew I looked like such a freak when I'm paddling - scary!

A Sumbawa Sojourn: Surfing Lakey Peak

A couple of months ago, some friends & I decided to head East from Bali on a trip to Sumbawa, namely Lakey Peak.  I wanted to get out of Bali as it was 'Nyepi' - a Hindu ritual to rid all the bad spirits from the island, a sort of Hindu / Balinese new year.  However, this means that everyone has to stay indoors for the whole day and do absolutely nothing; no going out as there are people on the streets to tell you to go back in, no loud music, no loud TV, just stay indoors & be quiet.  For which, it seemed like as good a time to hot-foot it out of there as any! This is what I learnt from my short (but amazing) trip to Sumbawa.

A return from flight from Bali to Bima (Sumbawa) with Merpati costs around 1.1million Rupiah (about $100 US) and they only leave twice a week. You can also try Lion Air who go for around 1.2million Rupiah return.  You have to pay a little bit more for a board, I think an extra 15,000 Rupiah / kg so don't stuff your boardbag!  You can book flights to Sumbawa directly from Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali and it is better than getting them through an agent in Kuta.  It's a strange trip as it is the only time I have been on a flight where every other tourist was a surfer or a surfer's girlfriend! There were some locals but they were pretty heavily outnumbered by tourists it is a much cheaper option to drive there (but obviously, it takes forever to get there by car!)  On the other hand, the 45 minute flight is no hassle at all!

Arriving at Bima Airport, you
 will see something like this...

Once at Bima Airport, after you go through 'security' (which is a total joke), you will need to negotiate a deal on a driver.  At the moment, it's a set fee to get to Lakeys  - 600,000 Rupiah or $60 US. It takes three hours and you can get up to 4 or 5 people to share I believe. This one way and they have all agreed on the price so no bargaining here! If you are staying at the Aman Gati Hotel then you will have your transport waiting for you!

Once you have got your driver and leave the doors of the airport you will have people coming at you from all angles asking you to help with your bags (see photo below!) DON'T LET THEM! They DO NOT work for the driver you are with or the the hotel you are going to - they hang around in the car park and try to make money from surfers and will demand some stupid amount of cash from you for carrying your board about 20 yards and stuffing it on top of the car (which made me wonder if they had some ding repair racket going, too!)

DON'T let these guys carry your bags
to avoid their aggro hassling! 

Once in the car, it's plain sailing - you can sit back and relax and take it all in! The landscapes are stunning and  the people will not stop waving at you for the whole time you are in Sumbawa! The drivers can be a bit crazy so it's hard to take photos from the car but generally it's an amazing journey and it gives you an idea of what to expect on your time there! I would recommend stopping in Dompu (the last town before Lakey Beach) and get some supplies, namely water as it is about half the price of everything at the beach.  It is also home to the last ATM before Lakey Beach too and don't expect them to accept your credit card!

Once you get to Lakey Beach, you will see that it is just a short stretch of hotels along a stunning and unspoilt beach.  The Aman Gati Hotel is the most expensive and best but it was out of my budget so I opted for the Balumba Bungalows.  They were around $15 US / night for two single beds, AC and en-suite bathroom.  We also had views of the peak from the bedroom window! Nice!  There are other similar places available like Puma Bungalows, all offering mostly the same for a similar price.  They are all so close together that you can easily ask the driver to have a look around at what's on offer without too much hassle.

The view from my bedroom window :)

The waves are epic but as a result can get crowded, even here in deepest, darkest Sumbawa! The main

peak at Lakeys (see above) is the wave which is always most crowded but if you get out and have a look around, there are lots of other great waves in the area to keep you 'occupied', ;-) I think the only advice would be not to surf the heavier reef breaks on low tide.  Other than that, it's epic!

Lakey Beach Surf Breaks 

Don't forget to either take anti-malarials before coming or to pack some long-sleeved t-shirts and linen trousers as the mosquitoes are everywhere in the evenings and the threat of malaria here is very real - you will see sign posts about it in many of the smaller villages and it is not something to be taken lightly.  Sumbawa is not a place you want to become ill so pack your bags wisely!

 Other medication is only available in supermarkets in places like Dompu but don't expect much, it would be a better idea to come ready-prepared for this.  I should also note that Sumbawa (as with many places in Indonesia) is a seismic hot-spot and, even though we were only there for 5 days, there were a couple of mini-earthquakes.  They are frequent and so the locals know what to expect but, if you are like me, it can be terrifying the first time! It's not something to worry about, just to be aware of.

Warning about Malaria in a town near Lakey Beach

www.davidburdenphotography.com

From there on, you cannot help but enjoy yourself and love the experience! The people are as fantastic as the surrounding scenery and you will be met with nothing other than warmth.

Here is how I would sum up a Sumbawa experience in short...........

Expect; epic waves, heat, goats, buffaloes, wild horses, fishing, amazing seafood, friendly people, malaria, beautiful unspoilt landscapes, chill out vibe, world-class honey, power-cuts, the odd earthquake or two.

Don't expect; uncrowded waves, Western commodities, great hotels (except for the pricier Aman Gati Hotel!), cheap prices, many activities other than surfing, fully functioning AC (because of the power-cuts!), or to pay anything by card.

Below are some of my favourite photos from my short stay in Sumbawa........(click on them for a closer look!)                     

The serene Lakey Beach

Meeting the locals

Lakey Beach sunset

A Monarch Butterfly perched

 on a leaf just outside our room

 The omnipresent Sumbawan goats

The following photos are courtesy of David Burden Photography, who is available in Bali for weddings, parties, modelling and other kinds of shoots.

Amazingly fun session somewhere nearby......

Giovanni 'Top Gun' Cossu

Dave's sunset boat shot

www.davidburdenphotography.com

Bali: A Love/Hate Affair

I have tried to sum up all that's good and all that's bad about Bali in a few paragraphs, here it is, as I see it......

5 THINGS YOU WILL LOVE;

• Beaches - I'm sure this a reason why most of you came in the first place - not all the beaches in Bali are as serene as you might think but I would recommend
  Kuta, Padang Padang, Balangan the beaches of Nusa Lembongan - all have golden sand and are fine for swimming (some not so great on low tide).

A view looking from the cliff above Bingin down to Dreamland with Kuta in the distance

• Surf - think Padang Padang, Uluwatu, Bingin, Keramas, the list goes on. Bali is known as the 'Land of Lefts' but in reality it has waves for everybody - learn in the Kuta closeouts,...
  have fun at Canggu, get barrelled at Ulus or Bingin and charge at Padang Padang. It's all out there and you will find great surf no matter what time of year you come!

• People - the local people are among the nicest and friendliest people you will find anywhere and, despite the rampant development due to tourism, they treat foreigners with genuine kindness.  They are also guaranteed to ask 1) 'What your name?' 2) 'Where you from?' and 3) 'Where you stay in Bali?.  Some of the more adventurous might even ask 'Married, Mister?'.  They are very chilled out (except when they get on their motorbikes!) and will make you feel welcome wherever in Bali you go.

A couple of the local boys chilling out on a Sunday afternoon

• Food - there is, in South Bali at least, every kind of restaurant imaginable, from local Indonesian cuisine, to Mexican, Persian, Italian, Greek, you name it - it's here! And all for a very decent price. You can choose to suit your budget as the range is so good.

I highly recommend trying the 'Nasi Kuning' (meaning 'Yellow Rice') from Ketupat Restaurant!

• Prices - the price of just about everything you will ever want to buy as a tourist is cheaper than you can find it at home (except perhaps surf stuff!). Also, you can barter your way to a bargain or simply stumble on something dirt cheap.

5 THINGS YOU WILL HATE;

• Traffic - over-crowded, badly maintained roads lead to nightmarish traffic jams and stressful trips.  Best ways to avoid getting stressed about the traffic is to either hire a driver or find yourself a place to stay from where you will have to do very little travelling.  For surfers, from April - late October, there's no place like the Bukit Peninsular!

• Police - they are out there and, as far as I can see, are glorified traffic wardens who spend their days directing traffic and taking money off tourists.  This said, you can avoid their hassles by wearing a helmet, not driving over the line at the traffic light (they love that one!), having an international driving licence, or simply not stopping when they try to flag you down (I have heard this works but am yet to try it....I'm assured that things won't get any worse if you ignore them and carry on driving!)

• Prices - 'Again?!' I can hear you say - yes, the prices go both ways - with nothing having a real 'price' on display, it is hard to know if you are really getting a bargain or paying over the odds, especially if you have just arrived! Also, it can be annoying with people always trying to rip you off just because you're a tourist and having to barter can be tiring.

• Rubbish - it is a big problem and it is everywhere.  It's sad to see but, with many other developing nations, the people here are used to only using natural products and throwing them away without a second thought, yet they still apply the same idea to plastics, glass, metal, etc.  Bali is without a refuse collection system to further compound the problem.  Private areas are usually kept very clean, however.

Double Whammy - 'sacred' cows are left to graze on a rubbish tip.....go figure!

• Treatment of Animals - you will see roaming dogs treated as if they were rats, with many people on the roads just going full-steam at them as if they weren't there, chickens carted around on the backs of pick-up trucks in cages a couple of centimetres high and cockerels primed ready for fighting (and that means to the death).  Even 'sacred' cows aren't spared as they are often seen left to graze on rubbish heaps.  Another thing you will see are the horse & carriages that give tourists lifts around Kuta - the poor horses are pushed through heavy traffic all day, sucking in all the fumes in the heat and are often seen foaming at the mouth - my personal advice would be not to take any of these as it is not something that should be encouraged.  Also, if you see a stray dog that needs help, call / text BAWA and they will come to attend to the dog - 0811389004 (http://www.bawabali.com/v1/contact.html)

A man selling chicks that have been dyed to sell to kids - they are kept in these cages, peddled around the streets through the traffic in the sun - not nice.

I should say that this list is in no way exhaustive! I'm sure you will find a thousand and one other things that you will love about Bali.......as the old saying goes, 'you never know until you go!'

Cheers

Steve

Balangan Sunset Sesh

Yeehaw!

Uluwatu & Padang Padang photos

Rizal Tanjung was out there and (as always) ripping it up! He was getting the best waves of the sets and definitely stood out from the crowd.  It was the first Padang swell of the season and they were out in their droves.

Here's a video I just put together of some shots from Uluwatu & Padang Padang the other day
from my friend Mr. Wiley -


                                                 'Slideshow'

Here are also some of his photos;

For more, check out his blog - www.willspelan.blogspot.com

Padang Padang

More photos -->

Ozzy Wright

Ozzy Wright flying down the line at Ulus

.......and 2 seconds later on the same wave.......

Mission Impossible(s)

Wall of Water

www.willspelan.blogspot.com