Archive for December 20th, 2006
To get to Green Ball, you head up the hill onto the Bukit, from Bypass Ngurah Rai (heading to Nusa Dua), then at the 4 way intersection (Nusa Dua, Uluwatu, Balangan), turn left towards Nusa Dua. You will see a sign for the Bali Cliff Resort, and the surf beach at Green Ball.
Arriving at Green Ball you’ll see a dirt parking area, with an old guy selling drinks. A small water was 3,000rp, so best to bring your own drinks if price in a concern. There are a couple of hundred concrete steps leading form the cliff, down to the sand beach. We saw some small surfable waves and while we were there, probably 5 or 6 other surfers were there also. Ollie paddled out and caught many long rides, although the swell was small. Green Ball is a reef break and is the southern most tip of Bali, next stop Australia.
For us non surfers, Green Ball is an okay beach to relax on. Devoid of trees, the cliffs provide some shade. The water is relatively clean and to the right of the beach is a large cave with bats. Ollie liked Green Ball because there seemed to be many spots to catch a wave, which combined with the lack of people, meant a mellow time. I have been to the cliffs overlooking Green Ball before, but never to the beach. The stairs got us sweating on the way up, poor old Toby dragging a backpack and carrying his daughter.
Green Bowl
•What is it?
Green Bowl is a beach / surf spot on the Bukit Peninsula.
•Where is it?
Located next to the Bali Cliff hotel on the central southern coast of the Bukit.
•How do you get there?
From Kuta, Bypass Nusa Dua, Jl. Uluwatu up the hill, take left hand turn, to Nusa Dua, look out for turnoff for Bali Cliff hotel. Road to beach is indicated.
•How long does it take from Kuta?
30 minutes.
•Services:
Parking, drink seller.
•Who is Green Ball good for?
People who want a nice beach, turquiose water, hot sun. Surfers who are looking for surf, when there’s none anywhere else. Green Ball picks up swell from all directions.
•Who is Green Ball not good for?
People who don’t like stairs, driving more than 5 minutes, or need creature comforts.
•Best time to go?
To enjoy the beach you need mid-low tide. For surfers the waves suck up more when it starts to get low ide, of course. It is reef, so factor this in.
source : www.baliblog.com
December 20th, 2006
Lucky Day restaurant in located on Jl. Dhyana Pura, about 150 meters in from Jl. Seminyak. Last night Toby, Maya, Ollie and Asia went for dinner. Lucky Day is one of those places that makes an effort all round. Inside the place is a selection of seating options from 2 person, 4-person, 6 person, or large Japanese style low tables for groups.
The extensive menu covered Indonedian, western food with seafood and steaks, plus appetizers. I ordered the satay ayam for 30,000rp which was lovely. Ollie ordered a grilled shrimp dish which had massive shrimp on sticks. Everyone was very happy and the staff were very attentive to us and Maya. All the while we ate, a trio of Balinese musicians played jazz, and popular songs on electric guitar. These guys were real musicians, who could play, adding some tasty touches here and there. I felt sorry for the staff, that we were the only customers.
Lucky Day is ideally located for people staying in the Seminyak area. It is literally 300 meters from the beach, and close to the nightlife on Jl. Dhyana Pura. The problem in Bali is the amount of choices available. Lucky Day still puts out quality, in service, food and presentation. give them a try if you are in Seminyak.
source : www.baliblog.com
December 20th, 2006
We are at December 20th and the wet season hasn’t really shown up. Sure there have been the occassional morning shower, but mostly its been dry here in Seminyak.
My friends from Oregon were looking forward to hot sunny days, and that’s what they got. It was cooking down on the Bukit today! Our 10 day weather forecast says the sunny weather will continue, with a 10%-20% chance of rain. Great news for tourists coming for Christmas/ New Years. The western part of Indonesia get more rain than Bali. Recently, the north of the country got hammered with a storm, the Batam area suffering damage.
Visitors to Bali should bring the sunblock and hat. We’ve all been doing that and still got caught out in places. I wore a wide brim felt hat all day today, still got a bit pink on my abdomen, which doesn’t get out much. Staying hydrated is key also. I see westeners, who look like they are suffering sometimes. You get someone a bit overweight, out in the sun, no hat, dehydrated, not a happy camper. I’m encouraging my friends to knock back a Pocari Sweat, isotonic drik now and then (found in every Circle K).
source : www.baliblog.com
December 20th, 2006
Illegal foreign tour guides have been arrested in Bali. As
Bali Discovery reports, 2 Europeans were caught at a Balinese temple, leading groups of foreigners around. Fancy that!
The 2 guides, one from Poland, the other from Russia, were snapped by cell phone camera, by a rival tour guide (another big surprise!) and forwarded to the cops. As the article points out, there are some hoops to jump through, if you wannabea tour guide in Bali. This kind of thing is run of the mill, as far as the way things go on this island. As soon as you show up on someone else’s rader scope, watch out. I was chatting with a Latin American guy the other night, who told me, “When they know you have money you are a target, and they are waiting for you to make a mistake.” I guess the same is true, if somebody feels you are stepping on their tows. Aussie guys have told me, they have called ‘La Migra’ on other foreigners! Then what happens is the immigration show up with a video camera, to get evidence of you working.
In order to be a foreign guide in Bali, you have to undergo testing, to show knowledge of the language and culture. Funny thing is, some of the local ‘guides’ at temples in Bali, don’t know much at all about the place, or Balinese history. Maybe the government just wants the best educated set of expats in the world.
source : www.baliblog.com
December 20th, 2006