Day 8: Exploring Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia (Friday May 19th, 2023)

Today would be my first day exploring Bali! I decided to hire the driver for the day to explore which was 350000 ($23USD). This seemed like a good deal to me to be able to explore for the day without renting and driving a motorbike myself. I didn't feel ready to drive on the left in the crazy traffic. He was picking me up at 1:00, so I had the morning to get ready. I woke up at 8:00 and did 30min of yoga, showered, and got ready. For breakfast, I went to a cafe around the corner from my hostel.

Afterwards I walked back to the ATM and grocery store to get more cash and some snacks. Although it was early, it was still so hot out.

Once back at my hostel I packed up my things because I had to move rooms for the night. I had decided to extend an extra day here. Then, I went back out (to the same cafe) to get lunch before I would be home leaving for the afternoon. After that I went back and got ready for my afternoon of exploring!

Once the driver picked me up, I told him I wanted to go to the beaches and Uluwatu temple for the Kecak dance. He recommended also stopping at the "Big Statue" since it was right nearby, and I said "sure".

But I regret that...

First, I assumed. That's then second wrong thing I did (after saying yes). I thought it would be like a "get out of the car, look at a statue, and leave" type of thing. 5min maybe. 15max.

Nope!

We got to the statue place and you paid 10,000IRD to park. Then waited in line (10min?) For a buggy cart to get you. But then, that buggy cart only brings you to another ticket counter - the actual entrance. I thought this would bring us to the statue.

It did not.

That ticket counter then wants 125,000IRD for an entrance ticket into this huge cultural visitors park with shops, museums, restaurants, souvenir shops, etc. She said it was a 25min walk to the big statue each way or you can add ANOTHER buggy ride for ANOTHER 80,000IRD. I thought, the big statue is big, so I should be able to see it from far away and I can walk faster than the average person... I'll walk.

At this point, I almost left though. I really didn't want to be here and had so far only spent 10,000IRD on parking. I really just wanted to get to the beach. But I thought, I'm here, I should just do it. It's a cultural thing. So I got the entrance ticket and hussled up.

I went, I saw, I left.

Part of me does wish I had time to see more of the park and learn about the cultural meaning behind it. If I had weeks or months to spend in Bali, then I might. But honestly, statues just aren't really my thing. So maybe.

I walked back down, waited for another buggy transport cart to bring me back to the parking area, and left. All about an hour in total just for a 2min sitting of a large statue. By now it was 2:30pm and I was more than anxious to get to the beach. I had hoped to go to both Padang Padang Beach and Uluwatu beach, but I doubt there will be time for both now.

We went to Padang Padang beach first - which apparently is where Eat Pray Love was filmed! It was a beautiful beach with turquoise water. I spent about an hour there and then changed before going back to meet the driver - who had dropped me off.

Afterwards, we headed to Uluwatu Temple for the Kecak dance! I was so glad I had on dry clothes too. We got there around 4:00, right when the ticket office for the Kecak dance opened. My driver offered to wait in line to get my ticket so that I could explore the temple while he waited. I thought this was so nice of him!

I explored the temple enjoying the views and avoiding the monkeys. It was on a huge cliff right over the water, which made for a beautiful setting. There were a few statues (my favorite) and what not further inland, but I spent most of my time along the cliff walk.

I met the driver again around 5:00 to get the ticket. But he told me that I got the second show, which starts at 7 (instead of 6). So while we waited, we went to get some food just outside the temple. There were some food stands and I got stir fried noodles with vegetables and egg, again.

Afterwards, it was perfect time to catch the sunset. We headed back into the temple to watch the sunset.

Then, my driver (Wayan) had a clever idea to try and get me into the first dance, and it worked! I was so relieved to not have to wait another hour. The arena had an absolutely gorgeous view right over the water at sunset.

The dance was incredible and I'm so glad I was able to go, especially to the earlier show with sunset.

All of the music was vocally created by 75 men. Although they are not actors, they are a significant part of the show as they pace the melody, make the rise and fall of energy, add suspense, and create calm, all with the human voice.

It was a dance about a love story, which was a little hard to follow but entertaining to watch. The actors were funny too and had their own ways of engaging with the audience. The monkey man ran up the railing right to me!