Shane and I had a couple of hours with Sophie this morning before she left us. We wished her farewell and got ourselves ready to check out the Bali Spirit Festival. This is a yoga, music and dance festival held every year in Ubud, Bali. People here were so relaxed and happy. There were many stalls selling yoga clothes, spiritual stuff and dance and yoga classes held throughout the day. We were lucky to be able to catch it. Shane is a huge yoga fan and writes for a yoga company, so this was right up his street! He was in his element, making new contacts in the yoga industry and handing out flyers and business cards. I enjoyed the atmosphere and music.
While Shane took part in one of the yoga classes, I went along to a dance class. It was called 'Masala Bhangra' and it was a dance workout class -this was right up my street! The instructor and creator of Masala Bhangra is a lady called Sarina Jain. She is originally Indian but brought up in America and she told her story of how she came about setting up Masala Bhangra. It was really moving and we all warmed to her straightaway. The class was so much fun! It was such an energetic workout and there were happy faces all around enjoying the beat of the music. There were even live dhol (Indian drums) players!
We enjoyed the rest of the festival and then headed into Ubud town or lunch and a walkaround. We would be leaving for the south of Bali tomorrow, so we made the most of our motorbike and tried to see as much as possible.
On Monday morning, we travelled south to Canguu. We were staying in a homestay, tucked away in a quiet corner and very peaceful. A French lady called Maud had settled down here and opened up the homestay. Maud was from Lyon, where I have been a couple of times, so it was great to chat away in French to her. She was so lovely. Shane and I loved playing with her little son and her friendly dogs.
For the rest of the day we just explored our new surroundings and settled down. I had some reading to do ahead of my diving course starting tomorrow. I was so excited that I will be underwater swimming with fish and other marine life again tomorrow. It's been too long since my last dive!
Showing posts with label #ubud. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #ubud. Show all posts
Thursday, 27 March 2014
Wednesday, 26 March 2014
Bali - Part 1 Ubud: Saturday 22nd March
Having just said goodbye to Surin and my fellow volunteer friends, I had mixed emotions of sadness, but excitement to see my friends Sophie and Shane, in Bali. I had a six hour coach journey to Bangkok from Surin and then a four hour flight to Bali. A good book and eye mask (thank you Marion!) and I was all set!
Sophie and Shane were already there and waiting for me when I reached Bali airport. It was so great to see them! I hadn't seen Shane since my visit to China and Hong Kong, back in 2009! A short taxi ride to our hotel and we were all set to begin our weekend together. The hotel was so serene and beautiful. We had our own private pool with jet spa too. This is all too luxurious compared to the rest of my backpacker trip! We caught up lots and enjoyed an Indonesian lunch and walk around the area. There were many beautiful scenes of greenery and rice fields in Ubud, it was so peaceful.
I felt a little ignorant as I had settled in Thailand and learnt some Thai words, but here I was in a new country and although some things were familiar, I felt like a fish in new waters. People spoke good English here though, and were very friendly too. It was lovely to speak to some of the locals about their way of life. We were invited to look around someone's personal temple. Bali is a Hindu country, so there were many familiar looking dieties, statues and food offerings around, that I felt rather at home in a way! It was also so much more vegetarian friendly here than anywhere else I have experienced so far in South East Asia. We enjoyed Balinese coffees and fresh avocado juices when the walking got too much! Although a few degrees cooler than temperatures I was used to in Thailand, it was a dry heat in Bali, so didn't feel cooler!
Tomorrow we will be saying goodbye to Sophie, as she was only visiting us shortly. We made the most of our time with her though. Tomorrow, Shane and I will check out the Bali Spirit Festival. This is a yoga, music and dance festival held every year in Ubud.
Sophie and Shane were already there and waiting for me when I reached Bali airport. It was so great to see them! I hadn't seen Shane since my visit to China and Hong Kong, back in 2009! A short taxi ride to our hotel and we were all set to begin our weekend together. The hotel was so serene and beautiful. We had our own private pool with jet spa too. This is all too luxurious compared to the rest of my backpacker trip! We caught up lots and enjoyed an Indonesian lunch and walk around the area. There were many beautiful scenes of greenery and rice fields in Ubud, it was so peaceful.
I felt a little ignorant as I had settled in Thailand and learnt some Thai words, but here I was in a new country and although some things were familiar, I felt like a fish in new waters. People spoke good English here though, and were very friendly too. It was lovely to speak to some of the locals about their way of life. We were invited to look around someone's personal temple. Bali is a Hindu country, so there were many familiar looking dieties, statues and food offerings around, that I felt rather at home in a way! It was also so much more vegetarian friendly here than anywhere else I have experienced so far in South East Asia. We enjoyed Balinese coffees and fresh avocado juices when the walking got too much! Although a few degrees cooler than temperatures I was used to in Thailand, it was a dry heat in Bali, so didn't feel cooler!
Tomorrow we will be saying goodbye to Sophie, as she was only visiting us shortly. We made the most of our time with her though. Tomorrow, Shane and I will check out the Bali Spirit Festival. This is a yoga, music and dance festival held every year in Ubud.
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