Power sight-seeing

Due to the 5 hour time difference we woke early and walked to the airport for some breakfast before our 3 hour flight to Bali. We essentially had had an afternoon and an overnight in Bali for all the things I had in mind. Lengthy immigration queues ate into this time.

We headed out within 20 minutes of checking in at the cramped but comfy no-frills Tune Hotel smack in the middle of Kuta.

We hired a car and driver as that was the only way we could accomplished my plan … the things that we didn’t get to do last time, namely to go to Tanah Lot and a Kecak performance.

First up, Tanah Lot is a Hindu temple about an hour out of Kuta, located on a rocky outcrop which gets cut-off during high tide. It was far too touristy for my liking.

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Fortunately, the enchanting Kecak made up for the long and pricey private-car drive. The Kecak is a performance of the Ramayana but without the usual gamelan instruments, a male choir sits in a circle and chants “chak” sounds and throw up their arms. It’s amazing that mere 50 or more human voices can be more powerful and captivating than a gamelan orchestra.

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On the way back to town, we stopped at a Babi Guling stall on the roadside. While this is Balinese-style spit-roasted pig, it isn’t that simple … the meat is served pulled and mixed with a greenish marinade, the fat is fried into balloon puffs … all that is served with the cripsy skin, a green-chilli sauce and rice.

I had forgotten that this and Bebek Guling (roasted duck) were also things I hadn’t gotten around to do last time. I was pleased to have come encountered the pig but will have to leave the duck for next time.

Babi Guling … spit-roasted pork, Balinese style.