Bali

Our last stop before New Zealand was Bali, Indonesia.  We decided to stay a few days here so we could see more of the island!

We stayed the first four nights at a beautiful resort in Ubud, called Sri Ratih.  We loved it there!  The staff were so friendly and helpful, and the Balinese food was delicious!  We were also served a scrumptious complimentary breakfast every morning with freshly squeezed juice.  My favourite was the watermelon juice!

Our favourite dinner spot at Sri Ratih Cottages

On our first day in Ubud, we went for a long walk through the exotic rice paddies.  They were stunning! 

A farmer working in his rice paddy

A hut among the rice paddies

Walking through the rice paddies

We also went to Ubud market where the stalls were full of beautiful sarongs, and other hand-crafted items. 

The market in Ubud

We walked around Tirta Empul (Holy Water Temple) and enjoyed the Balinese architecture.  This temple was built in 962 A.D.

Men bathing in the holy water 

at Tirta Empul

Our guide took us to a coffee plantation where we tried several different kinds of coffee and tea.  Keith was even adventurous enough to try kopi luwak, coffee made from coffee beans that have been eaten, digested, and egested by a civet. 

Keith making coffee at a coffee plantation

Keith and I visited Ceking Tegalalang, a large rice terrace not far from Ubud. 

Rice terraces at Ceking Tegallalang

Keith the Balinese rice farmer

 We went to Goa Gajah (Elephant Temple), a sanctuary built in the 9th century.

Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)

We climbed down several sets of stone steps to reach Gunung Kawi Temple, an 11th century temple with shrines built into the cliff face.

At Gunung Kawi Temple

Gunung Kawi Temple

We drove a couple hours to Bedugul to see Pura Ulun Danu Bratan (the water temple) on Lake Bratan.

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, built in 1663

Dragon Heads on Lake Bratan

Our second last day in Bali was the only rainy day we had.  It started pouring just as we reached Tirta Gangga (The Royal Gardens).  Fortunately, we were able to rent umbrellas!

On the bridge at Tirta Gangga
(The Royal Gardens)

Tirta Gangga

After Tirta Gangga we asked our driver to take us to a beach.  He drove us to White Sand Beach in Karangasem.  Unfortunately, the sand didn't look very white and the water didn't look very blue as the sun was hidden behind the clouds.  However, the water was the warmest ocean water we had ever experienced! 
 

Swimming at White Sands Beach

 

For our last night we stayed at another resort, Samanvaya, which was a little further east and closer to the coast. 

Samanvaya - the pool overlooking rice paddies

 Pretty bougainvillea