Exotic Bali, Indonesia

Bombings in Kuta in 2002 killed 202 people, many of them foreign tourists. This attack, and another in year 2005, severely affected tourism, bringing much economic hardship to the island.

Year 2005, we still make up our mind to visit Bali, even after the second booming. First day after breakfast, the local tour guide, Alex brought us to visit Kintamani. Situated on the rim of an active volcano, Mount Batur, Kintamani Village overlooks the spectacular crater lake of Lake Batur .

We continued our next destination to Ubud for lunch. Before we reached Ubud, there are many rice terraces along the way coz until the late-twentieth century tourist boom, agriculture dominated Bali's economy.

This is the best food in Ubud. People came all the way to taste this traditional pork rice. Well, it looks oily, but when i sunk my teeth into the juicy meat, i can feel the Bali spices and seasonings melt in my mouth. It's simply irresistable!

We stayed in Kuta Beach. One of the 3 star hotel. Walking from the hotel to Kuta Beach takes about 15mins. We enjoyed sitting at the Kuta beach, even doing nothing. I like the crystal clear water.

Oh ya!..Hard Rock Hotel is located right at the Kuta Beach. After the suicide booming in Bali, every shops and hotels increased their security control. At night, It's safe to walk at Kuta, coz there are many soldiers with weapons on duty along the road. Obviously, the booming left strong impact to Bali, less foreign tourists perhaps! Not forget to visit Nusa Dua.Crystal clear water and stretches of white sandy beach of Nusa Dua makes Nusa Dua a perfect spot for luxurious resorts. "Monumen Tragedi Kemanusian"is built to rememberance those who died in the suicide booming 2002 at Jalan Legian Kuta.

Tanah Lot is one of the most sacred temples in all of Bali. The temple of Tanah Lot, silhouetted against the setting sun. At the foot of the rock is a spring of holy water. Only Hindu devotees are allowed to ascend the steps into the temple. Other visitors are content to visit the little island, or sit on the mainland beach, gazing at the striking silhouette of the temple against the brilliant setting sun and changing tides.

Sunset is the best time to visit Tanah lot, when the golden red skies frame the temple and waves crash into the rocks. A lot of photographing lovers set their lens at the best location to take their best shoot.

Before we depart to 3hrs Balinese spa and massage, we filled up our stomach with Balinese set lunch. What can i say....erm..is just yummy!

P/S, not to scare you, but it's happened to me on the first night in the hotel i stayed. In the middle of the night, i heard of dogs barking and crying loudly. The noise disturbed my sleep throughout the night. Later, i unconciously heard of kids giggling while playing with my long hair and my ears. I reached his hand and felt his hand is small and soft... ... Erm...what happened to the following night?? Ask me personally!!

Bali, i will come back one day! ..hopefully with my loved ones.