Where’s Anne? Bali – Part 1

May, 2011
The Beautiful Indonesian Island of Bali

Part One: The Vacation

In a little bit of heaven, that’s where I am at the moment.

I’m on a business/pleasure trip with my husband. How lucky am I? This is my third trip here but the first with a chance to spend time off.

Every time I arrive, Bali just surprises me. After traveling 36+ hours, arriving in airport chaos and driving through a busy city with nonstop traffic, I’m still surprised that it’s not the natural, relaxing experience I keep envisioning.

My husband is totally engaged in pointing out all of the fun sights: families of 5 on mopeds, over-the-top fountains in the centers of traffic circles, beautiful smiles on the children by the roadside and miles of lush greenery mixed with road side shacks.

We arrive at our hotel – wonderfully lush, hot, pungent, humid, beautiful ocean and the best smiles of any place on earth. Smiles are the country’s richest resource. Whisked to our room with efficiency, friendliness and pride in showing us that our room opens to a lagoon and almost private pool – even a perfect cup of tea to refresh after the flights.

My husband is a golf fanatic so off we go the next day. Bali is near the equator, so did I mention it’s hot? We get to the course and meet our caddies who wear long sleeve shirts and are completely covered. Don’t let this fool you. It’s hot! What fun we had, though: views too beautiful to describe, plentiful wildlife including smaller versions of the fearsome Komodo dragons, and communicating with the caddies in the international language of golf. The caddies had a great sense of humor about my game but they still made me feel like Paula Creamer.
Sweaty and satisfied with our golf adventure, we splashed into our pool and then luxuriated in a wonderful nap. Refreshed, we headed off to the restaurant with its amazing Indonesian food. I have never had less than an outstanding meal in Bali.

The next day, our driver Dewa, whom I’d met on a earlier trip, picks us up and takes us to play golf at Nirwana about 90 minutes away. This is definitely golfer’s Nirvana. The GM, John Berndt, and our friend, Jeff Matthews from Mandara Spa, join us. I think the beauty of the course overwhelmed us; at least that’s my excuse. It is one of the loveliest courses I have ever played anywhere.

The adventure continued with a ride home during rush hour!!! It felt like we were being swarmed on all sides by motorcycles, each teeming with people. Our driver tells us there are more motorcycles in Bali than people and we saw all of them on our drive back.

In hot and sticky Bali, the traffic is unbelievably chaotic and unavoidable wherever you’re going on the island. Your clothes never dry and everything is wrinkled but the naps are long and luxurious, the scenery fills your senses, the food is spicy and wonderfully flavored and the people are the nicest in the world. I can’t wait to go back – even if it is 36 hours away.