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My View on Bali
Bali was amazing! We got to see a temple, monkeys, and go shopping. At the temple, there is a beautiful lake with a perfect breeze. We got to ride swan boats on the lake. My dad said the boats were hideous, but I think that they are the most beautiful boats in the world. Something that I found strange was that there was a statue of Sponge Bob in the Demon Garden. Alex says it’s for a reason, but I think it was a mistake. After that, we went to the monkey forest. We bought bananas to get the monkeys on us. Alex was afraid, so I got a monkey on me first. We also saw two little baby monkeys hanging on to their mothers. After saying bye to the monkeys we went painting shopping. We ended up getting two paintings. Something that they do when someone buys something, is that they wipe the money you gave them on all their other valuables as good luck. Then we came back to the room, had dinner, and slept.
The Monkey Forest
Bali was great, and it is a shame that we were only able to stay one day. In the short time we were here we went to a place I would recommend to anyone that comes to Bali, the Monkey Forrest in Ubud. It is a small forest with paths and statues that is home to more than six hundred wild monkeys. When you go through the main entrance you go into a small tunnel that takes you above a small road. From there we got our first view of the Monkey Forest and about 5 of the native monkeys. From there we looked down the path and saw monkeys running and sliding down the handrails. At the bottom of the small path, there were people selling bananas to feed the monkeys. We decided to buy some, and I am glad we did. At the nearest Banyan tree one of the workers there, equivalent to a park ranger in National Parks, showed us how to attract monkeys onto your shoulder. You would hold your arm out straight and strong and a monkey would run over and jump on your arm knowing that you would give it food. Maile got a monkey on her first and she enjoyed it. Next, I got one on me that was a sloppy eater. He ate the banana while on my head and dripped a fourth of it on my hair. My dad tried it at a different place and got two monkeys on his head. My mom was the only one that didn’t get a monkey on her because she said she would flinch and scream. When we tried to take a family photo a monkey climbed on my dad while he was sitting next to mom, and she sat still, at least until the picture was taken. After that, she walked away quickly.
The Monkey Forest, Ubud Bali
My view of Bali
So far, today was a relaxing day. We traveled from Wakatobi to Bali by plane. Then Alex and I went swimming in our private pool. At Wakatobi I made a friend named Talula who was very kind. Now I am relaxing on the beach with Alex enjoying my mocktail.🏖🏝🏖
Wakatobi
Finally. We made it! After scrambling to find a flight out of Darwin, passing through Singapore, one day in Jakarta, two in Makassar, we finally caught a break. The uncertainty surrounding the volcanic eruption on Bali prompted Wakatobi to change their charter flight from Denpasar (Bali) to Makassar. Instead of a local flight to either Kendari or Wangi-Wangi followed by several hours of bus and boat travel, we were able to fly from Makassar to Tomia (one of the four main Tukangbesi Islands that give Wakatobi—Wangi-Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia, Binongko–its name). From Tomia, it was only a short ride from the airport to the dock where two dive boats were waiting to take us the last 20 minutes to the small neighboring island where the resort is found.
Nothing says “Welcome” like a personalized, hand-carved mahogany placard over the door of your villa.
It wasn’t hard to settle into our 2-bedroom villa with a private pool overlooking the ocean (believe me, it’s better than it sounds)!
I think we have found paradise!
After a nice lunch, Alex, Maile and I met Yono–our private dive guide–for a briefing. Twenty minutes later we were in the water, diving Wakatobi’s House Reef. It was only the three of us. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived Stacy was suffering from food poisoning. Since we never made it there we can’t rightly call it Bali Belly; let’s just say it was Makassar’s Revenge. Hopefully, a good night’s sleep (and a couple of Cipro) will take care of it.
House Reef, Wakatobi
Singapore?
Never planned to be here but at this point, we are just winging it. Kids are having fun–Changi Airport is like an amusement park. They are already asking when we can return. Video games, movie theaters, a butterfly garden (plus others dedicated to orchids, sunflowers, fairies). . . Our 3-hour layover was too short for them.
I’ve never been, but I suspect Jakarta may not be quite as nice. We’ll find out soon enough.
Changi Airport, Singapore
