Adventures of Ed and Lou - Galavanting around South Asia: March 2015

I mentioned in my title page that we were hoping to see other parts of South East Asia and Thailand. So the next few posts will be about some of those adventures!! First up Bali.

Some of you will know that we own timeshare and we made use of that at Christmas and went to Bali to stay at the Medewi Bay Resort. Medewi Bay is known for it's surfing so we thought that was pretty appropriate. Not that we surf, just that we would be on the ocean. This time - the Indian Ocean! For you surfers out there - apparently you can ride the waves right up the river!

We stayed away from the more touristy area of Bali and went NW from the airport. The ride there at night was quite literally a nightmare. We had no idea where we were going, the driver wanted it over fast and took the most bizarre short cuts. For the first time in my life I experienced car sickness and was so happy when we stopped I almost kissed the ground.

Little Shrines everywhere

The hotel was about 500 yards/meters from the ocean. And it was beautiful. We walked it almost everyday and watched the fishermen throwing in their nets. Tide pull was strong so not much swimming. Left that for our pool. We also had Christmas day massages pool side! Fabulous.

The Indian Ocean!

Fishermen throwing net.

We hired a driver to take us around the island. We went further north to do some snorkeling in the Bali Sea and snorkel the corals. We found Nemo!! A first for both of us. The cup and saucer corals were incredible at Palau Menjangan. The Marine Park portion of Taman Nasinal Bali Barat was a disappointment. Plastic was everywhere! You had to move it out of your way while swimming. Sad really. It sure hit home that plastic is a problem in all oceans and seas :(

National Park entrance - no fee!

Corals and beach.

Another day, our driver took us to the farming fields and a temple on the lake - Para Ulun Danu Bratan. This is a Hindu-Buddist temple and was founded in the 17th century. So beautiful. Thatched roofs, lake, mountains quite the backdrop! The tiered rice fields were so many shades of green that you just can't describe it - just stare in awe.

Terraced fields.

Flooded fields.

Our last trip with Harry, our driver, was to see the fishing fleet and do a little shopping. Seeing the boats was like stepping back a couple of centuries! Most amazing water crafts I have ever seen. They are Arabic and the busyness that was taking place on shore was also a site to behold. I hope my photos do them justice. Shopping was overwhelming! I've learned not to touch or show an interest in anything!! If you do - well let the haggling begin.