First acquaintances and indonesian traffic

After a couple of days Bali we got a little used to the place and find it comfier to move around and fit in. We even stopped jumping for our lives every single time a scooter speeds 20 centimeters past us, since we learnt how to ride them like a real indonesian. We even stopped taking 2-hour detours whenever we want to go somewhere.

Today we went to Ubud, Bali's geographical center, where we got to see rice paddies, people with rice paddy hats and lots of rural indonesia. I actually thought we sort of get to go over the countryside just a little, but it seems like there is hardly any patches of land, where there are no houses or hats with people sitting outside of it. When we got to the township of Ubud we were already so full of impressions, that we nearly couldn’t take anymore. Uh, and our bums were hurting! So we decided to take a little walk around and happened to end up at the monkey forest. It is a small rainforest in the middle of town with a couple of ancient temples and hundreds of maquaques. We thought we miss out on the banana feeding (thought they were full anyway*g*), but there was this 30cm beast that was highly interested in my bright green tub of insect repellent. That little bastard soon figured, that I didn’t plan to feed the stuff to him. He just climbed up my leg, nearly pulling down my skirt – ooops! – my side and up on my shoulders. Well, first I thought we’re friends and all is good, but when my little buddy started going nuts at me and nibbling on my shoulder (me of course crazy for rabies) I got a little scared and after another tiny little while I was honestly frightened. You know, all his monkey mates came to see what he’s up to and circled me in. Morgs – I think so anyway – wanted to help me get that creature off, but if he put down any of our stuff it would’ve been gone for sure. Lucky that Japanese fella (who certainly had a laugh, too) managed to distract the bitch’s attention with a colorful flyer. He showed him first and then threw away. Arigato!

In our losmen (you already learnt, what that is...) we got to know a lovely russian couple (22 and married - Jesus), Tania and Dima. They were on their late honeymoon and you can see them walking on this picture. Thank you so much for the umbrella!!!!
The flowers on little banana trays are a hindu tradition. You find them in front of every shop, restaurant, hotel or hut, because they keep out the evil spirits. Definitely works, we haven't had any bad vibes in place, which had that little thing. The police hut we got

pulled over into (does this work?) for stopping (didn't want to run a red light) where I wasn't supposed to, didn't have one. The policeman was definitely a bad spirit, he wanted to make us pay for all sorts of stuff. Breaking rules, not having the right license etc. Lucky indonesians are all into bargaining, so we managed to haggle down the bribing price from 100000 rupiah to 50000. Indonesia - full of bargains! :)

Got my first wave yesterday, too! But please don't associate me with surfing again!

Cheers,
Dorli





PS: Morgs loaded this photo from Uluwatu. I met these really awesome Vorarlbergers there. It was a feast for my ears and my heart! Thanks!