1980 BALI

After returning from touring Europe we settled down in the Inner West of Sydney. In the late seventies, friends returned from a trip to Indonesia raving about the stuff to see and do there, especially Bali. We decided to go with our daughter in 1980.

Giant Garuda Bird

"Beji 1 up"

The tropical feel to the place was a real surprise to us, as well as the spectacular vegetation and the lifestyle of the local people. We stayed at Kuta Beach as everyone did at that time and found the accomodation was (to us) quite luxurious. The fruit was unbelievably tasty.

We also had booked a lodging up in the mountains of Ubud, at the Tjampuhan Hotel, the original abode of the painter Walter Spiess in the thirties. On the side of a jungle stream, the whole place was exotic and the pace of the village life was totally relaxing. We adjusted our pace accordingly. It was then that we discovered "Murni's Warung"

Travel around the Island was mainly by "Bemo" or motorized Becak. It was cheap, effective and airy, not a bad thing in this steamy heat! They could be hired for the day with a driver thrown in so that you could choose what to see.

Bemo Driver and Shotgun

KlungKung Gardens

The Monkey Forest

There was also the exploratory drives to be made around the island, discovering palaces and macaques. One experience with the monkeys is generally enough for anyone!

Food around Ubud was simple and fresh but there was not much choice.

We had been supplied with a two stroke Yamaha to get around the generally deserted streets so we did get to discover the countryside which was rewarding. Jungle and ricefields with the occasional village made for a rich experience.

After some time we took a sidetrip to Jogjakarta in Java to visit the gigantic Buddhist mandala at Borobudur and the Hindu temple at Prambanan. Both very rewarding to see. Jogjakarta also had the Palace of the local prince which was very much inspired by the 400 years that the Dutch had spent running the show. The island of Java was friendly but very different to Hindu Bali. The town of Jogja was a bit chaotic but full of interest. Main street was called Jalan Marlioboro from the time that the English took control for a short time.

 We returned to Bali and wound up our days at Ramayana Seaside Cottages in Kuta. The lonely beach produced a spectacular sunset every evening and was a fitting end to our trip!

Kuta Beach Sunset