It’s been two weeks since we left Australia! Two weeks exploring Bali. Half our time has been spent in Uluwatu, the other half in Ubud. So here’s the low down of Uluwatu!
Bali airport to homestay number 1
We flew into Denpasar airport and fought off the hoards of taxi drivers to get to our arranged transport. Our 2 hour taxi ride gave Ben an insight into the driving rules and regulations here in Bali. It seems to be structured as follows:
- If there’s a space in the road, take it.
- Road lines are to be interpreted as guidelines.
- Whoever is going faster has the right of way.
- Lights and indicators are optional.
- Honk to let people know you’re there, or just for fun.
If this sounds like it would stress you out, you’re not alone. Ben was practically sweating in the AC cooled cab, having taken on some backseat road rage. Our driver seemed the epitome of calm, nobody was shouting at anyone, no elongated horns or violent hand gestures. I know that’s not how we do it, but it works here, c’est la vie (or mule kato as they say here!)
Nasi goreng, all day, erry-day
Our homestay was a nice place to call ours for a week. We booked a private room with an en-suite (and AC). Breakfast was included which consisted of questionable western dishes like eggs, bacon and sausage, and the much more flavorful nasi goreng or mie goreng. A quick language lesson: Nasi=rice; Mie=Noodle; Goreng=fried. Yes, fried rice or noodle was our favourite breakfast, also eaten for lunch and dinner! Served with some prawn crackers and a fried egg on top this breakfast really does hit the spot looking out to the Indian Ocean.
Uluwatu exploration
In Uluwatu, despite what I told you earlier about the road ‘rules’, we decided to hire a scooter to get around. Even though I’d already had some experience when I visited Bali in 2019, and this was Ben’s first time, he was designated driver and I was passenger princess (as it should be). He was okay with adopting the road rules, because honestly (and listen closely mum), if you were to drive ‘safely’ you’d be the dangerous driver over here.
Ben honked, weaved and sped his way through Uluwatu so we could visit the main streets, the beach, the temple and also so I could get a haircut, head massage and conditioning treatment. When in Bali eh?
Uluwatu Temple
The most famous landmark in this region would be the Uluwatu temple. Perched on the edge of a cliff with tremendous views of the Indian Ocean and cheeky monkeys everywhere. We walked the cliff edge pathway when I had (yet another) traumatic encounter with a monkey. I will just say, I am an animal lover, but I’m pretty much terrified of any undomesticated animal when they come too close to me. It’s a flaw in my character and loathe that I can’t act like a carefree Dr. dolittle.
Monkey Mayhem
Before I get into the story I want to punctuate this fact with some true experiences I’ve had with animals:
- A herd of cows chased me and my best friend Erin in a field in the English countryside, narrowly escaping being trampled on.
- In the same countryside, horses chased after us, again forcing us to run away.
- A cassowary (the world’s deadliest bird) squaring me up and essentially chasing me round a camp chair
- A monkey jumped on my head in the monkey forest in 2019, making me panic and thinking it attacked me and gave me rabies.
Okay maybe the last one was more about my reaction to it than anything, but still, can we admit that I’ve had some less than favourable interactions with animals?
Returning to the most recent one, back at Uluwatu temple last week. We’re walking along the cliff, many monkeys littering the wall that separates the path from the drop below. I see an adult monkey lock eyes with a keychain swaying from my bumbag, and a moment later, fierce determination narrows his eyes just before leaping for the keychain in question. This little mother fudger grabs hold for dear LIFE and begins swaying from my keychain, brows furrowed, staring straight back into my soul. This monkey is never letting go. He’s a permanent addition to my accessories.
Holding onto my bumbag, monkey swaying side to side with his death grip, I look up to Ben, pleading with my eyes and my voice to get this thing off me. Ben shakes himself from the shock and steps in abruptly, making a pssshhtt noise at the monkey. The furry creature startles and drops his grip, turning to run back into the trees. My relief is brief when the monkey swivels and looks back at Ben bearing his teeth.
I won’t lie, at this point, if I was Ben I would have made things a lot worse by running in the opposite direction. Me and a monkey standoff? No way. Running is something you’re advised not to do when engaging a monkey. Thankfully Ben had balls bigger than the monkey and stood his ground, stomping forward once again making the pppssssshhtt sound. The monkey flees, and I release the breath I didn’t realise I was holding. We will live to see another day.
Kecak dance
Uluwatu temple holds a show twice a night called the Kecak dance. Also known as the Bali fire dance and the Ramayana monkey dance, the Kecak dance tells us the story of Sanskrit epic, The Ramayana. We got our tickets and settled into the rather cramped arena. I’ll admit we didn’t read about the story beforehand, but trying to interpret what was going on felt part of the fun! We read about it afterwards and it made a lot more sense! The show is incredible with 70 Balinese men chanting as the only instrument.
My favourite was Hanoman, the cheeky monkey that comes in, weaves his way through the crowd to, literally, nitpick the audience and kicks fire about the floor (almost setting a poor lady aflame, I kid you not).
Bye Uluwatu
This pretty much wraps up our time in Uluwatu! The area had certainly grown since I visited in 2019, but it was pleasant to return and be able to experience it with Ben! Next stop, Ubud, check what we got up to by following this link!
