The Bukit peninsula

This peninsula is a knobbly bit to the south of the island with a narrow entry point. The places that I have read about that I wanted to see here are called Nusu Dua beach and Uluvatu temple at Uluwatu; trouble is they are at opposite ends of the peninsula. To make matter worse, I didn’t start off until late and I didn’t manage to talk Claire into coming as you have to go too close to Kuta for her liking.

I had an easy run not going wrong at all and was surprised to see how lovely the grounds are; very well kept but it costs 1000 Rupias to get in. Don’t worry; it’s less than 70p in real money, and well worth it with unbelievable views. I took dozens of pictures but not room for more than a few here. If you park and walk towards the beach there seems to be a small island connected to the mainland by a thin strip of land like a bridge. You can walk all around this island with wonderful views of beaches, cliffs, the sea etc. One of these fisherman looks like he’s just caught something.

Once I had walked around looking at the views I headed back to the bike to continue onto my next destination, the temple. It’s a nice journey to ride a bike to get to the temple as there are few cars and bikes and lovely windy, hilly roads lined with colourful trees and shrubs that seem to be in blossom. Difficult to take pictures of them as you are riding along. Finally got there and paid my 1000 Rupias to get in and park. I found the temple area but had to pay a further 3000 Rupias to get in there. I said, “I only want to take a few photos” but they wanted my cash. To add insult to injury, they made me wear this purple skirt with a yellow sash whilst in there to show some respect. Good job Claire didn’t come else she would have taken photos of me. Also they said, “Watch out for the monkeys, as they will steal your glasses or anything loose that you have.

The monkeys were everywhere, troops of them and they weren’t frightened of you either. I had visions of one swinging from a tree and snatching my glasses from my face so held onto them most of the time. Again there were spectacular views everywhere around with all the cliffs on 3 sides but not room for many of them here. Don’t worry, I will show you the others when we get home. It was getting really hot now, especially with all the concrete and stone everywhere which soaks up the sun like giant radiators. There were steps everywhere that you have to walk up then down as they all seem to be dead ends. That dammed skirt didn’t help, making me hotter by the minute and also having to hang onto everything so the monkeys didn’t steal them. As the skirt was silk it kept sliding down so I was also trying to hang onto that. Thank goodness Claire’s not here; she would have had a field day.

Finally made it back, spectacles and all and my bike and helmet were still there. I have done quite a lot of riding these last two days and my bum is so sore. I take a small towel to sit on but its very thin and then you have to carry it around so the monkeys don’t steal it. On my way back I spotted this huge statue and entrance but have no idea what it is, and it’s stuck right in the middle of nowhere. Anyway worth a photo. I had been getting worried as my petrol was very low and no stations on these small roads and villages. Anyway just made it before it ran out and I was soon home. Claire was waiting for me as she was hungry by now and it was about 2pm. I had forgotten to take the breakfast voucher when we ate at the Parrot yesterday so we used it this morning with the other one we got at night so it was free breakfasts all around. Anyway Claire wanted to find a place on the bike to eat so off we went and I got this picture of her with her helmet on in reception; my poor bum. We drove to the south end of Sutar and tried another Irish place called the Rat and Parrot. Claire has seared tuna in a prawn sauce while I tried the Indonesian chicken and vegetable curry which was another good choice and also cheap.

We headed back to our hotel satisfied and noticed that nobody was in the private balcony bit by the middle pool so we got our towels and claimed that while having a relaxing read. They even have an elevated whirlpool at the side of the pool but I didn’t try it as I was too engrossed in my new Dan Brown book; I can hardly put it down. Claire did try it but I missed her and didn’t get a photo in time. We have decided to stay in tonight and have a quiet one reading outside on our balcony. Unless of course I finish it early.