Bali - Monkeys, Russians, and Bandanas

Several people have asked me how I'm doing and how my trip is going. I'm glad you're thinking of me.

Currently, I'm sitting on a plane to Auckland after a week in Bali. Luckily, I got a seat by the emergency exit, so I can look back on my week in Indonesia with extra legroom. My long legs are thankful and my seat neighbor explained all the functions of the seat to me, as things are a bit different by the emergency exit. I initially had no idea where the screen came out. I'm also grateful that the 150-kilo Thai guy is sitting three seats away from me and not right next to me. Anyway, now I have some time and the desire to write about my time in Bali.

How do you summarize this one long week? What was important?

That Emirates flights offer free Wi-Fi? That despite its small size, Bali has impressive differences in its different areas? That 10-bed hostel rooms are cooler than hotel rooms (bold generalization)? That I didn't crash into the death with Sophia, my travel mate, during my first scooter ride ever, and in a big city at that, like Jörg tried before the Wasen once? That you quickly let go of some caution and become more relaxed?

That maybe I'll come back as Lisa, 19? But let's take everything in order.

On Saturday, January 12, 2019, my parents drove Sophia and me to Frankfurt Airport for our almost hundred-day trip to Bali and New Zealand. Thank you again for that, you even missed the handball game for us. You're the best. :*

Sophia and I would only fly to Bali a week later and from there continue to Auckland for our internship, followed by a trip through New Zealand, until I fly back to Germany at the end of April.

At Frankfurt Airport, we checked in for the flight to Denpasar, Bali, after an emotional but not overly emotional farewell (thumbs up to mom). I also have to mention that my SV Hausach hoodie was envied at Frankfurt Airport. Top club like FC Spöck, just with better merch.

The flight from Frankfurt to Dubai took 6 hours and was quite uneventful. Unfortunately, I couldn't really sleep, which wasn't great because of the time difference. Unfortunately, I can never sleep on flights. After a 3-hour layover in Dubai, where even the NFL playoffs were playing in an airport bar (Cowboys lost, of course), we flew another nine hours to Denpasar. Regarding this flight, I have to say that the second and third Avengers movies are pretty boring. But that didn't help with falling asleep. We arrived in Bali at 10 p.m. local time. From the airport, we took a ridiculously cheap ride of 2€ to our first hotel in Kuta. We went to bed relatively quickly since we wanted to get up at 7 the next morning and see some things. It was a forward-thinking approach to dealing with jet lag, you know.

The second day in Bali can be summarized as beach, temple, and bad weather. We were here during the rainy season. But to anticipate the conclusion: The weather was almost always good.

As planned, we got up early and took a scooter, the preferred means of transportation for the Balinese, to Dream Beach in the south of Bali.

There were few people and the sea, together with the towering rocks and its slowly rising tide, was enchanting. We could simply watch the turquoise waves breaking on the beach. After spending a few hours at the beach, we headed to the Uluwatu Temple. This temple stands on a cliff above the sea. For me, the cliff was more impressive than the temple, but that doesn't diminish its significance. But the Russian guy who had scraped off half of his body in a scooter accident was also impressive. Russian traffic madness goes international.

Our ride back to the hotel was quite eventful. You should know that January is the rainiest month in Bali. That should have been to our advantage due to fewer tourists, but it was problematic on that day. As the rain got stronger, the water on Kuta's streets, due to a lack of drainage, rose to at least 30 centimeters. Since we had to return the scooter at 8 a.m., we had no choice but to continue driving and even push the scooter at times. Luckily, the engine didn't flood, and we were on time at the scooter rental shop, which, by the way, seemed as reliable as when I used to coach the E-Youth team. Although we both made up for it with our charming personalities. Well, one of us. Fortunately, due to Sophia's presence of mind, the rental shop owner failed to trick us later on.

The evening shower at the hotel was great. I don't even want to know what was swimming in the sewer in Kuta.

The next day, we continued to the Sidemen Rice Terraces, which are two hours away in the inland. They are incredibly beautiful and not as crowded as Bali's number one tourist attraction, the Tegalalang Rice Terraces. You've probably already seen the swing there on countless Instagram pages.

In Sidemen, we stayed in a village in a small hotel with two bungalows. The owner was very nice and helpful, but he also tried to offer himself as a guide for a hiking tour. However, we set off without him and received a hand-drawn map of the trail from him, which was very kind of him.

Throughout the day, we hiked on the road and through the jungle, but almost always with great views.

We were able to see Bali with less tourist influence. In the evening, we had dinner at the hotel, and I had to be strong to stay true to my principles of eating food and not photographing it.

Interestingly, I didn't experience jet lag in Bali, but on this day, I fell asleep at 9:30 p.m. I didn't even notice the first rain of the day.

The next day, the hotel owner drove us to the artist village of Ubud. The prices there are so cheap, not only for transportation but also for food and accommodation. It's easy to understand why so many students travel to Southeast Asia...

In the morning, we visited the Besakih Temple. It's the largest temple in Thailand and a beautiful photo motif. We even had a "tour" there and received background information. It was the icing on the cake when a dog came up to me. :D

Once we arrived in Ubud, Sophia and I briefly separated. I went to the Monkey Forest, another major tourist attraction. This forest is similar to Schloss Salem in our area, just bigger and more jungle-like. You can walk around the large area, and there are free-roaming monkeys everywhere. Petting, feeding, or touching them is not allowed. I immediately broke one of those rules.

First, you have to know that the monkeys often steal sunglasses and can open backpack zippers. Especially if they smell food inside.

In the forest, I quickly met a Finnish woman who has been going to the forest for several years whenever she feels like it. Just go with the flow. Unimaginable for a civil servant like me. :D

When we walked past a larger group of monkeys, one of them climbed onto the Finnish woman's backpack and pulled on her zipper and hair quite aggressively. As a wannabe white knight, I immediately intervened and grabbed the monkey, trying to pull it off. But when the monkey hissed at me and bit my hand, I preferred to let it go. It then jumped off by itself. Later, a ranger told us to stay calm in such situations, as the animals eventually leave on their own. I don't think I need to say more. :D

On the way back, I bought some souvenirs for home. My negotiation skills with the merchants improved over time, even though I don't consider it a great achievement to pretend to leave when you want to pay less...

In Ubud, I finally found a bandana. Unfortunately, mine is in Hausach. On the way back, I also noticed all the Chinese tourists everywhere. It's also interesting, but maybe not for you :D, that in Bali, almost only tourists walk on foot. Balinese people even cover the shortest distances by scooter. And despite all the chaos, the traffic works here.

Back at the hostel, we relaxed and went out for dinner (price for two people: 80,000 Balinese Rupiah, which is €5) and in the evening, Gusto, the 30-year-old son of the owner, entertained us. I finally got to sleep in one of the bunk beds. A dream.

On our second day in Ubud, we went to the big market. According to our hostel mom, the regular market for locals, with fresh fruits and such, ends at 7:00 a.m. Shortly after, the market for tourists starts with all the trinkets. That's why we got up at 6 a.m. and walked there. The many different colors of fruits on the market were beautiful to see. It was also impressive how much the prices had increased in the afternoon.

When we were done in the morning, we brought my now second bandana to the hostel and went for a hike on the Campuhan Ridge Walk. And again, I met an amazing dog. 😍

There, you have wide and impressive views of the jungle. Since it was the low season, we could even take pictures without tourists. During the peak season, this path is apparently totally overcrowded.

In the afternoon, we relaxed at the hostel and had a longer chat with a 28-year-old Indian dentist. Eventually, an American guy joined us, who was in some kind of sect. I honestly couldn't quite understand the sect's goal and reason for existence. But he definitely liked his guru. :D

Sophia chose a restaurant for dinner. The way there was adventurous. Imagine Ubud as a busy city with a lot of traffic. We walked along a main road, and suddenly Sophia said, now we turn right. I first looked at the alley, which seemed to be the narrowest and darkest in all of Ubud, and then at the Indian woman who accompanied us. That couldn't possibly be the way to a restaurant.

We tried it anyway and walked for at least 10 minutes along the pitch-black and narrow path with stone walls on both sides. Then we reached a dirt road and suddenly you find yourself in the middle of rice fields and small streams. If I hadn't been there myself, I wouldn't have believed that it looks like this right next to the city.

The food at the restaurant was very good. But probably everything would have tasted good with that view. On the way back, many fireflies came out as well. A beautiful end to our time in Ubud.

On the next morning, our sixth day in Bali, we continued to Kuta by shuttle. Sweaty and after walking about 2 km with our backpacks on this hot day, we arrived at the hostel. From there, we went to the beach by scooter and in the evening to the Tanah Lot Temple. That was definitely the highlight of our trip. Seeing the sunset with rising tide, waves, and the monastery in the foreground is indescribable. It must be seen. Luckily, the sky was clear, and we could see this natural spectacle well.

After a hair-raising scooter ride back to the hostel (under my guidance) - Russian traffic chaos with a German and without Russians - we relaxed in the common room and watched some tennis. The hostel was new, clean, and really cool. The beds were like bunks. So, I slept well.

The next day was our departure day to Auckland, and there's not much more to say about it. The ride to the airport and the departure went smoothly, and now I'm looking forward to the next adventure.

What can be said in conclusion about Bali? It's a great country with very different sights, culture, beaches, and friendly people. It was never boring, and every temple was great.

Stories from New Zealand will follow. I would be happy if you enjoyed my not-so-short summary. Hats off if you've read this far.

Missing most of the Handball World Cup and having already missed the NFL playoffs is, of course, outrageous. But what wouldn't you do...

Here's also a shoutout to SVH. Unfortunately, I can't be there for the second half of the season or Carnaval. But I'm sure you will be successful in both.

So far, my trip here has been a success. I naturally miss my family and friends a bit.

@GangGang: Don't you dare meet up too often without me. :D:*

If you would like more pictures, I will gladly send them to you. :)