Bali ~ The W in Seminyak and Ubud (i.e. a temple, rice terraces, the monkey forest, and shopping)

I'm not really sure, "why", but I've always wanted to go to Bali.  So, this past weekend, that's just what I did.  Now I don't care if you think it's cheating or not, but I stayed at the W Retreat & Spa Bali - Seminyak (Seminyak, Indonesia).  Why?  Because I'm Starwood Platinum and I deserve to treat myself to a little bit of rest and relaxation once in a while.  Don't get me wrong, I like culture but there's only so much "culture" that I can absorb before I start to crave the beach and some pool time.

Prior to landing in Bali, I had arranged for the hotel to send me a driver.  Yes, that's how I roll.  As I checked out the fantastic room that the property had upgraded me to, I started to snap some pictures for this blog.  Enjoy. 

  

  

The hotel opened in March, but it was "officially" open in July.  It has good security (i.e. similary to other properties on the island there are guards at the vehicle entrance who sweep the vehicle).

As I fell asleep listening to the waves crash the beach and looking out at the Indian Ocean under the moon, I knew I'd made the right choice. 

All day Saturday I was at the pool. 

I ordered the nasi goreng for lunch and it was good.  It's basically fried rice with beef satay, a piece of fried chicken, and an egg on top. 

After the pool, I watched the sunset on the beach.  Just gorgeous.

In the evening I met my Brigitte (i.e. a friend of my friend, Pam) and we talked over drinks and food at Ku De Ta.  ****  Brigitte had been in Bali for some time as she was on a retreat to become a yoga instructor.  She and I became friends and hopefully we'll catch each other again in Dubai one day!  I really want to see Dubai...

Ku De Ta is a great spot on the beach to have drinks and eat, while you watch the waves.  Definitely check it out if you're in Seminyak.  If you plan on eating dinner, make a reservation.  Otherwise have a seat and just order off the "bar menu" and enjoy cocktails along the railing by the beach or upstairs.  I didn't check out the upstairs, outdoor bar.  However, I'd imagine that it's nice.

Sunday I eased into the day and hired the same driver that swooped me at the airport to drive me to Ubud for a 6-hour day trip.  I wanted to see a temple, the rice terraces, the monkey forest, and do some shopping before I flew back to Singapore.  ****  Hiring a driver is definitely the way to do it.  He waited while I enjoyed the different site and also served as a photographer when I needed someone to take my picture.  It's a great deal!

I only visited one temple, but I'm sure if/when, I go back I'll try to check out Uluwatu and Tanah Lot.

When I was younger I learned a song about planting rice.  The lyrics are:

Planting rice is never fun

Work all day, til the set of sun

Cannot stand and cannot sit

Cannot rest for a little bit.

My driver tried to explain to me the process of growing rice, but I still have so many questions... 

From what I hear, the older generation is the one that plants rice.  The younger generations have decided that they want an easier life and go into other fields. 

From what I saw, planting rice is hard work, but the terraces look gorgeous!

Ok, the Monkey Forest... 

Now this is interesting.  Loved watching the monkeys interact with each other and take care of their babies, but after a while it became a bit much.  There were too many tails and too many monkeys for my taste after a while so I left. 

I wasn't brave enough to try to feed a monkey and unlike some of the other people at the forest, I wasn't keen on touching one or having one touch me.  I'm more of an observer, I guess, so I did my best Jane Goodall and got out.

After seeing the sites, of course I did some shopping.  I picked up a couple of decorative items and a couple of rings.  Yes, I love rings.  My dad even laughed when he saw the picture and said, "More rings?!?".  Yes, always...  More rings! 

Bali is just beautiful!  So happy I went.

THE WIRK