Leaving Kintamini behind, it was back in the bus once more for us and Jasleen. Everyone else was heading for the one week extension on Lombok, including an overnight climb on Rinjani. A stop at Klungkung with a chance to visit the palace and museum. The Klungkung Palace was built in 1710 and is actually a reconstruction as the Dutch destroyed the original palace and grounds in 1908. I don’t think any of us visited but there were a few antique stores (couldn’t hold a candle to the ones in Yogyakarta and Ubud) and a small market selling Balinese temple paraphernalia. Temple umbrellas to shield the gods…View image, temple houses (called “spirit houses” in Thailand), lengths of cloth…View image, offering bowls, traditional headwear…View image, and more. Several women were sitting outside the market making temple offerings with paper, fruit and material…View image. There was also an unusual Hindu statue in the center of the roundabout…View image and perseverant sellers who never give up until the bus pulls away.

Another hour to the small fishing village of Padangbai/Padang Bai nestled in a cove and an important port for the ferries to Lombok. These ferries sail back and forth, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and vary in quality…View image. Most of the large air conditioned buses that we see coming off the ferries are on their way back to Denpasar.

necessary objects whether it be a family, business, village or important Balinese temples 

arrangements to be placed both inside and outside Balinese temples 

it’s easier to just carry goods on the head rather than carry in Bali
The Hotel Puri Rai is big and beautiful with three, small, scenic swimming pools and an excellent restaurant with some of the largest portions we’ve eaten since Ubud with the exception of buffets…View image. Lovely, clean and spacious rooms that range in price from $30-50 U.S. including all taxes, service and breakfast. The rate depends on whether or not you have air conditioning or a fan. The white sand beach is just across the street and it’s a 10-minute walk over the headland to Blue Lagoon Beach for snorkeling.

tranquil Puri Rai fountain, Bali 

ferry over to Lombok
It may take you 10 minutes, maximum and walking slowly, to see all of Padangbai. There are several Internet cafes, restaurants, hotels (including homestays, rooms or more luxurious accommodations), bars…View image… and then there is just people watching.

flying kites on the beach in Bali 

a weird looking rooster in Padangbai, Bali
Children flying kites along the beach of Padang Bai. Kite flying is a big sport in Bali, especially during July and August when the winds really pick up. Fisherman working on their boats. Roosters in baskets along the road, or strutting their stuff in the sand, are not for sale but used for cock fighting, another big sport in Bali.

 

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