#Bali on the way to Australia

My youngest son is working in Australia for 18 months. His first 6 months are based in Darwin. I have never been to Australia. So I am on my way to spend some time in Darwin and we plan to do some touring together.

However when looking at flight options I realised/convinced myself it made sense to grab a bit of time in Bali on the way (somewhere else I have never been) ! Bali is less than a 3 hour flight from Darwin - relatively in Oz's back garden. So this blog is about my 5 nights in lovely Bali - written sat air side waiting for my Darwin flight.

So Bali. An island that forms one of 38 provinces that make up the country of Indonesia.

As usual I start by writing some general info about the country I am visiting - I do this entirely for my own interest but I pass it on just in case my young granddaughters read my blogs - ha! The results are from some basic research relating to Indonesia - in no particular order.

Indonesia is made up of 17000 islands - the largest archipelago in the world. It's land area is 14th largest in the world. It's population approaching 300 million is the 4th largest in the world. It's population is 80% Muslim makes it the largest Muslim country in the world. All a bit of a surprise for me.

Indonesia was run by the Dutch for 350 years before independence in 1945. It is now a presidential democracy. The capital city is Jakarta situated on the island of Java (where 50% of Indonesians live.) Jakarta may now be the biggest city in the world.

The list goes on. Indonesia is located on the "Pacific Rim of Fire" - it has active volcanoes and regular earthquakes but at the same time is rich in minerals including vast oil reserves. It has the highest level of bio diversity in the world and has a fully industrialised economy - including it's own space program. However many still work in agriculture and tourism and hospitality are major employers.

Bali is an island. Population about 5 million. (Unlike the rest of Indonesia which is 80% Muslim Bali itself is 80% Hindu.) Area about 150k by 110k. I always make a comparison with the Isle of Wight (where I live) for perspective. IOW 37k x 21k and the IOW is of course a diamond shape where as Bali is rectangular.

When I was a boy Bali was a place that featured in picture books along with other exotic places like the Pyramids, the Taj Mahal, Niagara Falls and tigers in the jungle ! A distant tropical unspoilt island paradise - unreachable - never on our radar. Latterly it has become reachable for many - and feedback that it has been spoilt by the backpacker party scene and tourism generally like so many other places might have some credence.

Guide book research directs me - accurately as it turns out. I decide on the Sindhu beach Sanur area. It is quiet - felt authentic and safe as I believe Bali is. My low rise hotel is on the beach. I see the sunrise each morning and immediately go for a swim in warm and crystal clear - is it The Indian Ocean or The Timor Sea ? I am not on a desert island - it is real - it is colourful - it is aromatic - it is very warm - it is definitely South East Asia. People live and work. The locals come down for a swim morning and evening. Tourism is their income here but it is not brash or loud. This part of Bali would be definitely somewhere I would go back to for a relaxing and inexpensive holiday. The only problem is if you live in the UK it is neither relaxing or inexpensive to get there.

I should point out the significance of the time of year you visit. I am here in the low season. November to April. It is the wet season as opposed to the dry season. The upside - fewer tourists - it is cheaper - it is lush. There were rain showers some afternoons and storms but I have got to say that added to the wonderful tropical experience for me. It was always hot and I enjoy the humidity (providing I have access to air con ! ) Bali is lovely made all the more special by the genuinely warm and easy going Balinese.

In my short time I will admit to a fair bit of lounging and what they call long chairs and swimming regularly in the wonderfully warm sea. However I did cycle a fair bit along the coast which I enjoyed immensely. The people going about their business made it so colourful.

I did also undertake a major activity. I was picked up at 2am and driven to the base of Mount Bakur. The drive in the dark took about 2 hours. I was met by my guide and another trekker - a young woman from Columbia. With head torches we left around 4am for the 2 hour ascent in the dark of this active (semi) volcano. It was hard. We get to the crater rim in time for sunrise as planned but alas it was mainly cloud covered below. No matter - it was still a hugely worthwhile effort. Our guide Sar cooked us eggs in the hot rock and we breakfasted on top. A memorable thing to do. The descent in theory was easier but it certainly tests the knees. The upside it was daylight of course and the views opened up. Pretty special. As usual with these type of things it is thrilling and a relief to finish. The drive back took longer because the now motor bike laden narrow roads took longer to negotiate but I really enjoyed watching the real life bustle unfold. My taxi driver got me a cold beer as we drove back. Brilliant. By 1pm I was back on the sun bed. Wonderful.

Darwin next xxx

Ps some Bali mob photos below.