Indonesia - Kermas Surf Break

Keramas isn't much of an area to explore, 
but Komune Resort is pretty awesome.

Komune is built straight on the beach overlooking the Keramas surf break.
A beautiful resort with everything you need, but not much to do in the area...
they sort of have you trapped - no where else to eat or explore.

The black sand beach was a bit of a change from the other areas
and the break was killer...
(minus the fact that it was packed)

We lounged by the pool, walked the beach and relaxed a bit more.
No reason to visit this area unless you surf, but I surely enjoyed the 
"high end surf resort" - especially for the awesome price point. 

Komune is doubling in size (well, doubling the amount of villas available)

and it'll never feel the same again...

so, we are happy we had a chance to experience it as it is. 

  

snake!

Off to Gili Air... look forward to sharing this magical place with you next... 

xx

the mcgees

Indonesia - Ubud & Surrounding Villages

 After Uluwatu, we headed to Ubud but this was not without a little accident...

our driver hit a scooter as we pulled out of our Uluwatu hotel. 

Thankfully, she was ok but pretty shaken up. 

Ubud was a busy little village full of arts, culture and monkeys! 

We stayed just a few minutes away from the Monkey Forest 
and it was our first stop.

SO fun and well worth the visit. 

The monkeys were crazy! 

(has to be insanely unhealthy for them but they were brave little guys.)

We had great food while there - including dinner at the famous Dirty Duck. 

...crispy duck was out of this world 
and had our own little "cabana" overlooking the rice paddies.

Ubud is also home of the cheapest massages - ever.

And I had two (total price $25.00). 

We only spent two days in the Ubud area and since it feels like the cultural hub,

we took full advantage of the cheap personal drivers ($35 for an entire day).

In our whirlwind trip, we stopped by the coffee growers and learned about the still

very handmade way of harvesting and making ground coffee.

They are also known for their Kopi Luwak.

(little animal that eats only the very best beans and poops them out!) 

Amazing tour and even better free tasting - we came home with a few treats!

This was followed by stops in the silver village and the woodworking village.

I was in heaven in the wood village - interior designer's dreamland.

Next visit, I'll look into shipping because I fell in love with a number of pieces.

Most specifically a headboard that I'm still dreaming about.

The temples in the area were out of this world.

Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah)

Holy Spring Water Temple (Istana Tampak Siring)

We also had lunch overlooking rice paddy fields before 

heading to the Tegallalang Rice Terrace.

Of course, it had to start pouring as we arrived down this windy, hilly road

but wow... amazing sight to see.

Before our day ended, we packed in a traditional Balinese dance performance.

 

The entire time in Ubud was an experience of its own. 

It's a busy little village full of earthy, yoga-loving men and women.

(mainly single women in search of "Eat Pray Love" - where it was based/filmed)

This was the most cultural bit of our time in Bali.

We explored the villages, while taking back roads to each place.

But the main centre of Ubud was busy... busier than I expected.

But, truly amazing.

Next up was Keramas, Gili Air and Nusa Lembongan...

xx

the mcgees 

Indonesia - Bukit Peninsula

Uluwatu was our first stop after 18+ hours of travel.

We arrived after an easy Singapore Air flight and definitely felt confused...
day? night? coffee? beer? breakfast? dinner? sleep? explore?
We've never travelled that far
but after a few days, we settled into the crazy 8hr time difference.

Uluwatu (and the Bukit Peninsula) was beyond beautiful.
We are lucky enough to have a friend who lives in Uluwatu...
Curtis showed us around... the beaches, breaks and restaurants.

Ian surfed and I relaxed.
Clearly, we've turned into Brits... FRIED on our first day - especially Ian.
(he peeled like a lizard and we felt like amateurs!)
Soon after, we were back to our FL selves and could handle the sun (and heat)!

Uluwatu is filled with expats (and longterm visitors) who love to surf.
(including Curtis who started Project Clean Uluwatu... 
a rubbish & recycling nonprofit w/ the most amazing office view!!)

There are a number of good breaks in the area
and the cove beach was a fave of mine.

We did rent a scooter - sketchy - but we survived (and explored)!

Uluwatu Temple was beautiful...
set up on the cliff overlooking the water.
Ian surfed below with Curtis and said it was really an amazing sight.

Our first impressions of Bali were...
incredibly kind people.
cheap... seriously cheap.
beautiful beaches and architecture.
absolutely everything is up for negotiation.
hot and humid... seriously hot and humid.
great food with lots of rice.
oh and did I mention... cheap... and hot and humid?

Our Bali adventure started and we were already loving every minute... 

Our expectations were met and exceeded... and this was just our first stop.

(and happened to be our last!)

Thank you Curtis for showing us around and giving us the local tips 

(including your 1/3 rule of bargaining)!

We miss you.

The first on many Indo posts... do check back soon for more.

xx

the mcgees