Bali Sunrise Tour

I just got back from an amazing four days in Bali!  I went with 11 other ladies for a fun-filled trip!  My other blog post will have more general information, but this blog post is specifically about the Sunrise Trek a few of us took.

When I say a few, I mean three!  We were picked up from our  Airbnb villa at 2:30 am.  No, that was not a typo.  2:30!!!  I had gotten a solid three hours of sleep, so I was halfway ready.  We drove for about an hour to the Bali Sunrise Trekking and Tours Restaurant.  When we got there, there was quite a crowd waiting to start.  It turns out they were there for the longer hike.  We were on the 'short and easy' hike sunrise hike. For more information, CLICK HERE.  We had a cup of coffee while waiting to start our hike.  

We drove a short distance to the beginning of the trail.  This is the famous 'supermoon' that lit our way.  Most of our hike was done in total darkness.  We were provided with flashlights and large water bottles.

It was a dark and steep climb. If you read the description of this hike in the above link, you will see this hike was described as an easy beginner hike.  Hmmmm, really?? Let me tell you, it felt like 45 minutes of a Stair Master machine, especially for a short woman.  We were able to take occasional breaks, but we were against the clock here.  We wanted to make it to the top before sunrise.  So, I don't want to discourage you, but you may not want to take young kids or your grandma.

As I was huffing and puffing up the mountain, this is what came to my mind.  See this sunrise?  The view from my very own living room!!!!  No waking up at 2:00 am or sweating necessary for this view.  But back to the hike....

This was our sunrise.  That is the ocean up there.  It was nice, but I didn't see what the fuss was about. 

Then we climbed further, and saw beauty in every direction.

No, this is not the beauty I was talking about! Leslie, our tour guide (whose name escapes me), Mona, and me.  That is a volcano behind us and glimpses of a village below.

While we were at the top of the mountain, the clouds rolled in and out.  We were provided a breakfast of tea or coffee, boiled eggs, bread, and fruit.

The path on the way down.

I really need to point out that I did not take all these pictures.  There was so much sharing, that I am not even sure which pictures were mine.  But I do know I didn't take this picture.  We climbed down the mountain to a different spot than we began.  

We took a short boat ride back to our car.  The beautiful scenery surrounded us!  

This was our boat.  It was a lovely way to end the hike.  It was definitely worth doing!!

After the hike, we had about an hour drive back to our villa.  Luckily, it was now daytime and we could enjoy our scenery.  Our driver was really good to stop and let us take pictures whenever we wanted.

There is a lot of food in this picture!  That is vegetables in the foreground.  In the water there were fish farms.  Beyond the water, more farms.

This tall decoration was in front of just about every home and business along the road.  It was for the celebration of the full moon festival.

These decorations were spectacular!  This is typical wedding decoration.

Close up view.  

We passed by some of the well-known terraced rice fields of Bali.

The people on the roads were also interesting!

We saw many, many women carrying loads on their heads, but not any other on a motorcycle!!

These women were heading to a festival.

Precious!

This is also very common.

We got back to the villa in time for lunch.  Then I just sat and watched the waves crash into the seawall at the edge of villa property.

As the tide came in twice a day, this is what happened.  Spectacular waves crashes.  It would actually shake the whole villa!  Which is why most of us didn't realize the earthquake that occurred during our stay was actually an earthquake!!  We just thought it was crashing waves!

The villa pool at night.

I just had to include this picture!  The day after we returned from Bali, four of us 'Bali Girls' attended the Latin Ball!  What fun!!

Deepavali (and Halloween) in KL

Malaysian citizens are made up of three major ethnic groups-- Indian, Chinese, and Malay.  This is evident in the four major holidays celebrated and decorated for in KL.  The holidays are Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year), Hari Raya (the Muslim celebration at the end of Ramadan), Deepavali, and Christmas.   I am finally blogging about Deepavali.  This is my third year to experience and enjoy the beauty of these holiday decorations.

Deepavali (also known as Diwali), is the festival of lights.  It occurs in either October or November, depending on the Hindu lunar calendar.  This year it fell on October 30.  Hindus celebrate the holiday with gift exchanges (our local grocery store had amazing gift baskets), fireworks, and special meals. 

I have been gathering pictures of the stunning decorations around the city.  Every  mall I have been in has had elaborate decor.

 These designs are all on the floor.  They are made of RICE.  That's right, rice.  Hence the ropes around all the designs.

 Mid-Valley Mall 

 A different mall, a different design.  These are very elaborate and finely detailed.

Bangsar Shopping Center

Sunway Pyramid Mall

This was in the grocery store inside Bangsar Shopping Center.

The peacock and peacock feathers are heavily featured in Deepavali decorations.  But this is the first time I had seen a balloon peacock!!

This design is in the elevator lobby in my building.  The first year we lived here, there was no barrier around the design.  As you can imagine, it didn't last long before there was some damage.  Last year they began putting up the small fencing.  Good idea.  The black part of the design looks to be colored sand, also commonly used.  Our condo complex is also decorated with colorful garlands and strands of lights.

I would be remiss if I blogged about Deepavali but failed to mention Halloween.  I don't have as many pictures of Halloween because I wasn't planning on blogging about it.  But there were Halloween decorations and celebrations everywhere around KL.  Yes, malls and stores had simultaneously decorated for both holidays.

This was the pumpkin display at Village Grocer.  The big pumpkin with the hat would set you back over 1000 rm, or over $250!

This was the main stage area at Bangsar Shopping Center this weekend.  They put on an elaborate festival in the mall.  There are lots of activities for the kids and they go around trick-or-treating in the stores.  As I sat in my favorite coffee shop yesterday, I was surrounded by small witches, cowboys, super heroes, princesses, and the like.  

                                                                   Joe and Savannah

I have a friend who lived in London.  I remember wondering if they celebrated Halloween there at all. Well let me tell you, Halloween is alive and well in Kuala Lumpur.  Just not necessarily on October 31.  Especially if it conflicts with Deepavali!  

P.S.  I have seen the beginning of Christmas decorations!