Back to Bali for Christmas

Sunset from Candidasa

Breakfast every morning at Villa Sarchi

A young Bali beauty

This year we flew JAL staying overnight in Tokyo before going on to Jakarta the next morning. It's easy to fly from Jakarta to Denpasar on Air Asia, which is like Southwest Airlines, no frills, on time, gets the job done. 

Like last year, we were again surprised as the ever-worsening traffic and the demise of many things we loved about the island. The place is bulging with tourists from China and Russia and of course the Aussies. The Balinese keep themselves more and more separate from the tourists, except for work. They must do this to protect their culture. 

Villa view in Candidasa. Beach and Mt. Agung.

At the last minute, the reservation at our villa in Singaraja was cancelled. The owner called to tell us the place was falling apart. Attacks by termites and some serious deterioration of the pool forced her to close the place for repairs. Graciously she offered to help us find a place and she paid for the difference in the price. Fortunately a place I've always wanted to try, the Samuh Hill Residence was available and we spent a glorious six days there, agog at the view and amazed at the service.

Full moon in Amed

The villa in Amed was just as enjoyable the second time around. It has the best pool I've ever had the pleasure of soaking in for ten days. In Ubud we enjoyed a place owned by a Balinese (a rarity) with a rice field in a jungle-like setting. Ate a great restaurant across the way from it — Sacred Rice. Lovely place.

We had a great time in our own very familiar places in Bali. But sadly, most of the island is disappearing under concrete, tourists and cars.

Salt man

They solved the dog problem and now they have a cat problem.

Sacred Rice restaurant

Wonderful clouds over Indonesia flying to Jakarta.