This morning we went to breakfast early to beat a busload of Chinese who made it into the hotel last night. We sat at our favorite table and the kids went to get food while I waited for a baby chair.
Our plan was to leave at 9am but unfortunately, the kids jumped in the pool when our backs were turned so it took us an extra 45 minutes to get out the door.
At 9:45am we went down to the parking area and met Komang, Ble Made (my brother-in-law), his daughter Dia and his son Andi.
We were off to Agung the Volcano. We traveled through Denpasar and headed out towards Sanur. We stopped at a bank in Sanur to change some money for smaller bills. We've been having a hard time buying goods because we do not have small change.
Past Sanur somewhere, we found a Pertamina near Payamang where we snagged some fuel and used the restroom.
Sometime during the trip, we were whistled over and made to pay a tourist tax because I am white and sitting up front. Not racist, just a fact of life here on the island.
After driving for about 2 hours we made it to the village where the Batur temple was located. The scenery was breath-taking. We could fully see Mount Batur but Mount Agung was partially covered. We took many great shots.
We stopped nearby at the restaurant Gong Dewata where we took many many great shots. We also ate at their restaurant where we paid $6USD per person for the adults and the kids were free.
After lunch we continued on the visit Besakih Temple, the "Mother of all Temples", located in Karangasem, Bali.
At around 2:30pm, we made it to the temple area. We had to stop and pay a pretty steep tourist tax. Again, since I am white. Our vehicle is not licensed to carry tourists, so they wring the money out of you. So the fun started. First, I need to explain that I make my wife pay for everything. She's the boss when it comes to paying. Because she is from here normally she gets a locals price. But they stuck it to us. Also, the police officer asked for some cigarette money (30,000RP, yes it's straight up corruption but if you do not pay now, they will target you later - no escape!).
Shortly there after, we stopped and parked the car. We were swarmed by a bunch of women who demanded that we rent sarongs and head gear to enter the temple. So we did. To give you a frame of comparison, Chris and I had to pay 20,000 RP ($2USD) and my wife only had to pay 5,000RP (~ .50 cents).
We proceeded to the temple and went inside the first set of courtyards. We took some beautiful pictures. Next, Chris and I decided to ascend into the temple. We had to climb over 100 stairs to get to the top. Once inside, a temple guardian met us and escorted us around. First they told us we were not allowed inside but then they took us inside. I had a weird feeling about this because my wife told me that we were not to go inside.
Once we went into the internal courtyard the temple guardian grabbed our camera and took some pictures of Chris and I. We decided to leave immediately because this didn't seem right. Also, a nice young girl was trying to sell us postcards and I kept telling her I had no money but that "the boss" had the money.
The girl and several other men followed us all the way out until I saw my wife. I turned them all over to her and I descended into the outer courtyard with Deeky Doo and Chris.
A short time later, Sani rejoined us and bought me a Magnum Ice Cream Bar which I quickly ate. Sani bought some post cards from a very small girl. Then we walked out towards the car.
The ladies who rented us the Sarongs approached Chris and I at the exit. They took back the Sarongs and demanded payment again. I said Udah! (Already) but they persisted so I turned them into the boss and they ran the other way. In the US we call it a shakedown.
The trip back was filled with rain and flash floods. At least one side of the ride contains very deep ditches to carry rainwater. It was very interesting to see that the motorcycle riders stop to put on rain suits but continue on.
I put together a must see list of places. One of them is the BLACK SAND beaches of Sanur. The rain had stopped and the sun was out. There was still some flooding but we managed to find some dry parking (2,000RP/$2).
We went to the beach and snapped some photos, took a bio break and headed back to the hotel. On the way through Sanur, we went through the McDonald's drive through. We ordered 8 chicken nugget happy meals and 1 order of fried chicken. The total came to (267,500RP/$26.50).
Upon our arrival at the hotel, Sani and the kids quickly changed clothes and went to the beach. I sat up on the balcony so I could scoop up a wifi connection and write up today. This is the first day that I have been totally caught up with the blogging. The sooner things happen, the better to write while the memories are fresh.
The kids returned quickly due to a tremendous tropical down pour. So much for dry season. It has rained everyday since we have been here.
We all took showers and went to bed.
I woke up at 4am to the sound of a heavy rain, so I'm finishing this up. We have an abrupt change of plans. We were supposed to visit the temple in the ocean but Sani received a call at the hotel from an old friend she went to school with who will only be here a day or two. We will meet her (Ramabierty) in Denpasar tomorrow at the Matahari Supermarket to spend a few hours to visit. We will also visit her other good friend after 6pm.
Chris and I may rent motorcycles but have to see about the rain and if he can actually drive it here. I am not worried about if he can drive, I'm worried about the drivers here versus his inexperience.
As Grandma Rose always said, "We'll see."
The end of day #3.
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