Bali at last!

Leaving the ship, arriving in Bali. 

As usual, I'm in arrears and trying to catch up.  As we left the ship what seems like a lifetime ago but is only three days, these young ladies were on break from their Balinese dance, but they agreed to smile for me.

Our guide and new friend in Bali, Komang.  After working through the crush of humanity during the disembarkation, we finally found Komang and liked him instantly.  His duty that day was to drive us the two hours or so to Ubud where we are staying, but he asked if we wanted to sneak in a little shopping (for which there has been little opportunity) and I of course agreed.  He took us to a batik factory where the ladies were demonstrating the many-stepped process of turning cloth into batik; then to a wood carving factory where the carvers spend up to a year carving one large intricate piece; and then to an artist colony, where several artists were demonstrating not only traditional Balinese art, but modern and abstract art as well.  He told us that the reason Bali among the 1,500 islands of Indonesia is such a tourist destination is because the art, culture and tradition are so strong.  The carvings, while not my particular cup of tea, are amazingly beautiful and all done by hand, the craft passed down from father to son generation after generation.  The same with the textile arts and the painting.  After these three stops we made our way to Ubud and stopped at the Monkey Forest which is very near our hotel.

The Monkey Forest is a magnificent real forest practically in the middle of Ubud.  This is the entrance which looks a little contrived, but the natural beauty is preserved and there is no amusement park atmosphere.  You have to pay to get in, but the setting is completely natural, set on a hilly terrain in a lush forest.

Yes, there are plenty of monkeys (Macaques).  These are members of a family group.  That looks like Granddaddy on the right.

A giant banyan tree.

Another family, complete with baby that Komang said is probably about two weeks old.  He was quite active and Mama kept having to rein him in.  Below, a frustrated monkey tries to open a coconut without success.

There were people, but the crowd was manageable.

An old stone bridge crosses a beautiful stream.

And finally, relaxing on our private deck in the beautiful Komaneka Bisma

With infinity pool!