The Start is hard - Seminyak and Uluwatu

After our arrival in Seminyak, we briefly explored the surroundings and got an idea of the location here on site. To ensure the flow of money during the holiday, the cash reserves in our pockets had to be replenished next. It is now a good tradition that something silly happens at the beginning of our trips, as was the case this time. The first time at the ATM immediately resulted in the loss of my credit card. Unfortunately, here on the island, the ATMs only spit out the money first and then the card...

Bills in hand - mind off - card gone. Darn!

After breakfast, the girls took the time for the first successful shopping raid, while the gentlemen lazily lounged by the pool. In the evening, parts of the group got sporty again. Mateo had to follow his training plan and was flanked by Manu and Nadi. After that, there was street food in all variations - after all, we are not here just for fun. ;-)

This morning, the first tour was on the agenda. The hotel pick up was at 900 Zulu. The jetlag kicked in last night, leaving us all semi-asleep as we started the day. Komang, our Balinese driver, relaxedly steered us through the crazy traffic towards the south of the island. The program included the GWK Park (https://www.gwkbali.com), the fish market in Jimbaran, and the dreamily located Uluwatu Temple on a steep cliff.

After the impressive park with its huge statues, parts of the travel group faced their first test at the local fish market. Fresh fish and seafood of all kinds were offered under at least questionable hygienic conditions. However, this did not stop Manu, Luis, and me from stocking up on lobster and fish and having them prepared on the grill by a stand further down the street. With a generous portion of Balinese sambal, it turned into a top-class lunch. Fresh lobster and Red Snapper right on the beach - you can't get more authentic than that.

Before we let ourselves be chauffeured back to our hotel through the traffic that is hard to imagine for Europeans, we went to the temple. The impressive location alone makes the visit worthwhile, and the wild monkeys on the premises provide an additional thrill. The cheeky creatures regularly steal from tourists and, with some luck, exchange glasses, caps, and phones for something edible. Luck was denied to a tourist in close proximity. He had to watch with (presumably blurred) vision as the wild primate indulged in destroying his glasses. For the uninvolved observer, this spectacle had a certain entertainment value... the visually impaired person saw it differently, of course. The monkey didn't care! ;-)

Since we can't live on air and love alone, we're off to get some food now.

Tomorrow we're moving to the yoga hotspot of Ubud.

In this spirit: Namaste!