After Phuket, we flew to Bali, Indonesia for four days and stayed at the Bali Hyatt on Sanur Beach.  We had read some people called this place “snore” and that’s exactly what we wanted.  It was quiet, relaxing, and an amazing resort.   The next morning, we didn’t waste any time and explored the surrounding area, taking in the views of the local fisherman and the jukung boats along the water.  The locals were friendly and the small restaurants on the beach were so fun.  Sanur was truly a paradise for us.  Bali was predominately Hindu with elements of Animism.  When talking to people, we understood the checkered cloth wrapped around the entrances to temples represented a way to keep bad spirits out and good spirits in.  The Balinese people gave offerings to the gods, usually baskets of leaves with rice, flowers, and incense inside.  These were found frequently along sidewalks and was their way of paying back the good things that were given to them.  The offerings and decorated temples were very beautiful.

We also ventured into the bustling Kuta Beach, known for its nightlife, crowds, and most importantly surfing.  We rented boards and left our backpack with a local that rented to us.  It was then we started to see how trustworthy and friendly Indonesians were!  The next morning we walked the beach looking for a prospective boat to take us snorkeling on the nearby Nusa Lembongan.  We found one interesting boat named “My Darling.”  The owner of the boat was very colorful (drunk) and it was this reason we decided to pass.  Instead that day, we hired a driver to take us to Ubud, a famous arts and crafts hub, and explored the lotus gardens, the temples, and the rice fields.  Ubud also was the setting for the “Love” part in Eat, Pray, Love.  (One of Andy’s favorite games was trying to figure out who was getting their eat, pray, love on.)  When talking with the driver on the way back (who also called me “Fate” and liked to joke with us) we mentioned we were looking to snorkel.  Fortunately, his cousin ran a boat, with the name “My Darling.”  It’s a small island.  The next day we did find a boat, not my darling, but one suitable to take us snorkeling along beautiful waters.  During the evenings we were able to enjoy World Cup games with a screen setup along the beach.  On Sanur, we loved walking around looking for small places to stop and found a place, through the woods on the beach, that advertised they had the coldest beer in town.  We had to try it.  We met a nice man who ran a bar out of a small shack with some picnic tables on the beach.   In Indonesia, or at least in Bali, there seemed to be one beer – Bintang.  There were two ways to order it on all menus throughout the island, large or small.  It might not have been the coldest beer, but it was large and the ambience couldn’t be beat.  We noticed a small dog run out and we started to play with him.  The owner told us “His name is Jigger.”  We came back to that place a couple of times to play with Jigger and chat with the owner the best we could.  Our last day there we rented bikes and toured as much as we could.  We came across beautiful countrysides.  It was a great way to get to know Indonesia and prepare for what was coming next – a walk up Gunung Rinjani!