We're staying at the Grand Mirage...and lots of stuff is included in our package...some different water sports and various shows that happen here at the hotel. Saturday night had us seeing the Kecak show here. It was a gorgeous night and the stage is outside so we grabbed a cocktail and settled in for the performance. This is a Balinese dance depicting Vanara (he looks like a monkey) helping Rama defeat King Ravana. (You can read more about it here!)
The kids were a little bored with the repetitive chanting all night long, but really did a good job paying attention. I have to admit, as I did not know the story until after the show - I had a hard time following it. But, the costumes and dancing were very interesting.
Performers in the show
After the show
Monday was planned as a relaxing day at the hotel - beach and pool and swim up bar. Additionally, the hotel provides complimentary vouchers for the family to do the Seawalker...you know, the underwater spaceman helmet thing which allows you to look at the fish and not get your face wet. Well, Grayson was too little - as you had to be 8 - and Blaine doesn't know how to swim - so I really didn't think it would be a smart thing for him to try - and that left me and Caleb. I honestly thought Caleb would say no as he's not the bravest child. But, lo and behold - he was in. So, we left first thing Monday morning with two other women from the hotel. I'll admit - this was freaking me out a bit - not for me, but for Caleb. And when he got to the platform, he started to cry. BUT, the crew was incredibly nice and showed him how it was done and the kid totally rocked it!! Came down and fed the fish and his smile was HUGE the entire time. Totally worth it!
Seawalker
Tuesday brought a full day tour of Ubud and the surrounding area. We had the hotel pack us breakfast and lunch (mainly so we could feed the monkeys with it!) and we left the hotel at 8:00 a.m. Now, Ubud really became famous after Liz Gilbert's "Eat, Pray, Love" and I have to admit - I was quite enchanted with it from her description in the book and from the movie. I'd also been told that I could do some great shopping...so this day seemed like a win-win for me!
Our guide was Nyoman - and he was fabulous! He provided just enough information without being boring and listened to what we wanted to do on the trip.
Our first stop was to learn about batik - which Indonesia is famous for. The shop was quite large and we did do some shopping. Nyoman explained about the weaving and the batik making that was going on. My kids were really good listeners...and since they also like to shop - they were bought in for the day.
Batik and weaving - and Nyoman explaining
Next we hit an artists' studio. Blaine and I have had intentions of buying art while here in southeast Asia, but so far nothing had really caught our eye. Today, we could've gone crazy. But, we kept it under control and each bought a painting that we liked. (No pics of of the ones we bought - will post once we get them framed!) The kids helped to vote on the painting that Blaine chose as he was torn between two - and then, once again, Blaine put his negotiating skills to work. (He finds this fun - I find it stressful.)
At the art studio
Woodcarving was next. There were no actual carvers at the shop today (maybe they were hungover, who the hell knows!), but some of the women were working on finishing pieces. There were a couple of things I was specifically looking for - Laughing Buddha being one of them! This shop had lots!
Finishing a piece at top - and the little Buddha that just had to come home with us
Another gorgeous piece
We were off to Monkey Forest next, but we asked Nyoman to show us some of the rice fields - which he happily did. They are quiet beautiful and amazing to look at...
Rice fields
A farmer planting his rice seedlings
Now, my children are still not sick of monkeys - so Monkey Forest was a must. Nothing like walking around a jungle area where hundreds and hundreds of monkeys are frolicking and waiting to be fed. We took lots of pictures while here and had fun feeding the monkeys hard boiled eggs, fruit, and danishes from our breakfast! (Let me just tell you - they LOVE eggs! They would watch us pull one out of our backpack and come sprinting for us!)
Family pic with a monkey and this poor woman got felt up by the monkey on her! Additionally, the monkey lifted her dress. Her friends caught it all on video and we all stood around just laughing at her expense! Bad tourists!
Grayson had a monkey jump on him - and really was not thrilled by this! We laughed our asses off!
We grabbed a quick coffee at Starbuck's in Ubud and then went to see the temple located right behind Starbuck's. I had read about this one online - and it doesn't get a lot of traffic as it is kind of hidden behind some restaurants. But, Pura Saraswati is a beautiful temple. (This temple is known for its lotus ponds which were not in bloom while we were there.)
We were then off to see a silversmith - yes, jewelry. I had intended to skip this since we purchased a couple of paintings, but Blaine said what the hell!! Yeah, couldn't resist - a few things may be coming home with me!
Grayson trying on a one of a kind $7500 necklace and silversmiths at work
By this time, the kids were burnt out, but Nyoman stopped at one more temple for us...a small community temple. A nice way to end the day with our guide...
The final temple of the day
We made it back to the hotel at about 4:30 p.m. with some very tired boys - not tired enough that they wanted to miss the fire dance mind you! So, quick showers for everyone and off to the fire dance show.
This show was right up their alley - loud music (I believe I heard Safri Duo) and fire and stilts! They were mesmerized! We grabbed a late dinner after the show over at the beachside grill. (Our favorite waiter, Gun, works here! He's taken great care of us and befriended our boys!) I think it was mere minutes after dinner was done that they fell asleep.
Yesterday the hotel was busy preparing for the New Year's eve festivities. Blaine took the boys on a speed boat ride (which scared the heck out of Grayson) and we lounged at the pool most of the day.
Lots of activity for the holiday last night. There was a cocktail party at 7 p.m. with performances from the Devdan show and the fire dancers. There was a huge buffet and lots of beer and wine. There was a not-so-great band playing a lot of music that my kids did not enjoy, and a couple of over-the-top hosts for the party! But, we did have fun! It was a great way to bring in 2014!
Cocktail party entertainment
Ice scuptures and party hats
Grayson and his new friend, Phoenix
(It's hard to tell, but he's up there dancing with Phoenix and Phoenix's mom, Peeta)
The band and some dancers during dinner
So there it is! Today is January 1, 2014 - our last day here in Bali. It has rained all day and while we would've loved one more day of sunshine - it really wasn't so bad! Blaine and I booked ourselves into the spa here at the hotel, we played several hardcore games of Farkel and I got caught up with the blog! I'm sad that vacation is coming to an end, but looking forward to getting back to KL for a few days before we head to Kota Kinabalu. (Yes, it's another little vacation, but Blaine actually does have to work while we're there!)
Happy 2014 everyone!!!
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