We returned to the room, where we would then book our activities. Last night I'd read through 4 pamphlets, all advertising many tour options. I had found a 2 day, 1 night option that looked very appealing. So we had planned to book that for tomorrow and hire a car and drive for 6 hours from the same company. So we did... then we spent some time looking up a few places to go today that would not be on our two day tour, though as it turns out we really just took the driver's suggestions.
The driver was very friendly when we met him... though I neglected to remember his name. He successfully navigated then numerous motorbikes on the road and got us out of Kata. Turns out that the traffic is at its worst in Kuta... Anyway, the tour tomorrow follows a mostly north loop, so we planned to do some of the southern tip and the east coast.
Our firs stop was the town of Nusa Dua. On the way we passed a golf course and dad... I reminisced about playing... anyway, this town is one of the more vacation resort areas on the island from what I could tell. It seemed much more expensive and much more family vacation oriented. But, first we stopped at a huge roundabout. Not because of many traffic lanes but the round about was centered on a quite fantastic fountain. After the fountain view we heads out to one of the beaches. The sand was soft, and you could see the strip of golden land curve out of site around the far trees and bends. It was quite nice and enough to appreciate why people might go to Bali for the beeches.
After the beeches of Nusa Dua, we headed north a bit to Hanjung Benoa, which is another beech and home of many water sports. For us, we took a glass bottom boat out over a small reef, were we tossed bread in the water and could see hundreds of zebrafish swim around under the boat. Occasionally the were larger fish too but they were hard to identify. I can vouch it was no snorkeling and one day I hope to scuba dive, but for now this sufficed. The boat was en route to Turtle Island, known for its sea turtles. Now, its more of a really cool fretting zoo. They did have many sea turtles of many types and ages. Apparently they help when they lay eggs and then release them, but they keep a few. We got to hold two, and they got bigger quickly. Then we fed a 70 year old, and a few a bit younger. They were too big to hold...
Then they had other animals too! First we visit an iguana, and got to hold him. Then, and possibly my favorite, was a sea eagle. It was a magnificent bird. Very protective of having its head scratched, but very lenient elsewhere. We were offered the chance to hold a bat... but that seemed like a bad idea so we passed. We hung out with some toucans though and saw a few tropical birds. The last stop was with a python who we got to hold. They are intimidating creatures... we ended the island by each drinking/eating a coconut. It was tasty.
From there we drove quite a ways up the east coast to Goa Lawah. A large temple (Hindu?). It had many open spaces and huge black spires. I did learn that the stone used for the spires comes from volcanic rock and ash. This temple also had some connection to bats, as there was a large bat emblem on it and had a cave... with like a million bats in it. That was a bit creepy.
We then went up just a bit further to Candidasa, a small ocean/beech town. Not like the southern towns we saw where the beech was so prominent. Here it seemed thinner and...blacker... I assume from volcanic presence. But, here we saw another temple, though very different from Goa Lawah. This was much more plain, with large staircases to small and simple altars for worship. While in Chandidasa we stopped at a very nice hotel restaurant for dinner. Apparently the owned was a friend of our guide. I once more had the same dish I've been having... it was an accident as I picked an item with a name, but did not realize it was the same name. At least its good...
So then we headed back. A few comments... yesterday I said that the trees grew right to the waterline along rivers. That's false. The trees simply grow into the rivers. Plants here seem to have no concern for frowning on land or in water. Also, while i've learned why so many sculptures and structures are black, I don't yet know why so many rooftops are red. Unknown, but red ornate tile roofing is quite common here.
Anyway, our guide returned us here and I belove he is also our guide for the next two days. Its nice, cause I did like him.
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