Day # 18-20 Bali

Bali, Bali, Bali!!! I was so excited to go to Bali- not for anything we were going to do, but for what we were not going to do! I was ready to be a beach bum and do NOTHING!!!

We arrived at the airport late, around 9pm. We were greeted at the airport by our driver. There were a Million people flying in at the same time. It was crazy. Finally we hopped in the car and set out for the hotel- The Grand Mirage Bali- all inclusive. 

When we got to the hotel, we were ushered to a private room to conduct our check in. We were given welcome gifts and a drink. 

Our friends, Beth and Dave saw us as we were checking in and came to chat. They had waited for us to eat dinner. 

Here is our lovely room. 

I love the little details! 

We had dinner outside and caught up with Beth and Dave. 

The next day we got up and we were bumps on a log. I had breakfast in the room and laid out by the ocean. We had lunch ocean side and then Beth and I went to a manicure and pedicure treatment at the spa. It was so nice. Strange thing is I had to ask for them to paint my nails. They refused at first because they said the smell could harm the baby. But I said it was ok and I would take the risk. 

We had dinner at the Italian restaurant on the property. I was loving that all we needed to carry around was a room key. 

Then we made a crazy decision. We booked a trip to hike the active volcano near by called Mt. Batur. We got up at 1am, we were picked up at 2am and we were hiking by  4am. The volcano is 1700 meters high. They said it would be a two hour hike up. At about one hour into it, half way up the mountain, I nearly passed out. So I decided to head down. I was really disappointed in myself, but Bill said the climb got more treacherous. This time last year I climbed Mt. Fuji. I said I would never climb again. But here I was attempting to climb at 7mths pregnant. 

Here are Bill's pictures from the top of the volcano. 

They saw monkeys- so bummed I missed out! 

And the tired climber on the way down. 

On the way back to the hotel we stopped at a coffee plantation. Bill and I are not coffee drinkers, so we do not know much about coffee. One, did you know that it is a red berry on the tree? Two, did you know it is the inside of the pit that people roast? 

Apparently Bali coffee is very good. On type of coffee they have is called Luwak coffee- or as I call it poop coffee. So a Luwak is a small rodent native to Bali, kind of looks like a weasel or a ferret. The Luwak eats the coffee berry. Then farmers hub through the forest for their poop. The animal passes the pit of the berry all they way through their digestive system they boil the Luwak poop and peel away the outer shell. Then they roast the inside of the pit and that is what they make coffee from. I tried some of the poop coffee- I am not a coffee drinker so I thout it was bitter. But what an experience! 

Our hotel had a traditional folk lore dance and story at dinner time. We had some delishious balianiese food and watched the show. A great way to end our last night at the hotel.  

Our last day, like most days consisted of this- laying by the water on the beach. All 4 of us took advantage of being lazy! Bill and I did walk out when the tide was out to the coral reef. We walked out about a quarter of a mile from shore. We saw some great wildlife. On the way back, I stepped on the edge of a tide pool, it gave out underneath me and I rolled my ankle. All I could think was please don't be broken. It wasn't, but I was in lots of pain. I sprained it. But when Bill came to pull me out of the tide pool and help me back to shore he accidentally stepped on a snakes head in the process. I am not sure if he killed it, but was gla it was under his foot and not attacking me. 

On our last day we were flying out at midnight. We we had to check out at noon and store our bags. We decided to catch a cab to the market near by and wonder through. It is always great to see the local culture and flair. Their souviners were very beachy. Bill bought his shot glass and Beth bought a few trinkets. 

We went back to the hotel and hung out an read by the pool. 

We had dinner across the street. They served Mexican food. Mexican on Bali is like Mexican in Okinawa- not that great.  At 9 pm we took a shuttle to the airport and checked in. Apparently this is a normal time to leave Bali. It was a busy airport. Here we are standing to board the lasted of our 20 day trip. 

We had a layover in Hong Kong. My ankle was so swollen and hurt, Bill maneuvered me to a chaise lounge. We both slept like homeless people in the Hong Kong Airport. It was 5 am after all. We caught our flight to Okinawa at 11:40am and made it back to Okinawa by 2pm. Home at last. At least for me, Bill had to turn around to catch a flight to Iwakuni that night for work. But our adventure of a life time had come to an end. What a wonderful experience for the both of us and to spend so much time together before the baby arrives, couldn't have asked for a better Honeymoon/babymoon or whatever you want to call it. Best Trip Ever!

Angkor Thom

This is the temple of the eternal smile. Such a neat place to visit. Interesting fact is that the French took a lot of artifacts from this temple for their collections back when they tried to conquer Cambodia. They are just now giving them back to Cambodia so they can restore the temple. 

This is the grand gate at the entrance of Angkor Thom City. Can you see the face and the smile? 

Here is another face. 

Here is the main temple. 

The faces face directly north, south, east and west. 

Here are our eternal smiles- what a great day exploring. 

This is the top of the highest point of this temple. 

At night we went to an Apsara dinner show. It taught us some history about the Khmer people and the temples the kings built. It was a very good show. 

Siem Reap was a great city. I would highly recommend  a visit for anyone looking for some adventure. Loved the trip here! 

Paphrom the Jungle Temple

After lunch we went to the Paphrom Temple or the jungle temple. It is currently under conservation. There was lots of construction. It was at this temple that Laura Croft Tomb Raider was filmed.

Here is the entrance.  

Here you can see some conservation and reconstruction workers. 

Here is a famous shot with the tree on top of the temple and the roots encroaching onto the temple. These trees will grow anywhere. 

More reconstruction. 

Here is what the temple looks like without any reconstruction. 

Trees taking over the outer wall. 

Bill being Indian Jones again- I could not keep him off the rubble. 

I think the structure is just beautiful! 

This gives some perspective of how large the trees are compared to the temple and compared to people. 

The roots just lined the outer walkway. 

Here is some nice restoration. 

Here they have lined up all the puzzle pieces prepared to put them bak at some point. 

The carvings are very detailed. 

My favorite tree. 

And the exit. Just a cool experience. 

Day # 16- Angkor Wat

We woke up and headed out to the Angkor area. Our driver Sophoan picked us up at 9am. First we had to stop and buy a ticket. They are quite serious about their tickets. We had to take our picture and if we get it wet, tear it or loose it we have to pay another entrance fee. 

Our guide dropped us off and we had about 3 hrs to wonder. 

Here is the outside wall entrance. 

Looking through the walls entrance towards the center temple. 

Out lying buildings within the surrounding walls. 

Master architect skills to build arched ceilings. Just amazing for the 12th century. 

Look at the internal structure. Impressive and pretty. 

Center part of the temple. 

This reminded me of a mirror. It is a hallway that continues on and on. 

A battle elephant in one of the elaborate reliefs along the outer wall. 

A bullet hole from the Civil War in Cambodia. 

And inner, inner building. 

The outside of the central temple. 

Inside the inner temple, this was a pool.  

We finally got to the center of the temple and they wouldn't let me go up. Apparently it is too dangerous for a pregnant woman. So Bill went up and left me sitting in the shade. 

When he can down we walked out of the complex. We met our driver and headed to lunch.