Bali - Part 3

Continuation from here and here.

Thursday (22 May) was another early morning start. We were at the lobby by 8 AM to wait for the Bali Sobek people.... We've made a booking with them for white-water rafting, and our package includes pick-up from hotel to River Ayung departure point, near Ubud.

However, being the ultra-spoilt people that we are, H did not want to ride in their van. Instead, we took our own car and driver (which was also good as it gave us some flexibility). Ride to our departure point was also pretty long... 1 1/2 hours? Or was it 2 hours? We passed by quite a number of exclusive resorts like The Four Seasons at Sayan, The KayuManis....our departure point was just next to the Como Shambala.

We changed and geared up with life-jackets, helmet and our paddle...and head on down the steep cliff to the River Ayung. I was told that the gradient is 120 meters! H kept on saying "it's not the going down. It's the climbing up later that is the problem!!! We'll see how fit your mother is!!"

The white-water rafting here is quite mild. That's why kids from 7 years old can come along. We did collide with some huge rocks twice, which we had to move to one side of the raft to avoid it from over-turning. That kept the adrenalin-pumping a quite bit. Otherwise, it was a tranquil float down the river.

The River Ayung

Waterfall @ The River Ayung

After approximately two hour, our rafting came to an end. It was then that I understood why the price for this rafting was so expensive. Look at the pics below:

Every raft have to be dismantled after each ride

Folded and Carried Uphill!

I was told that each of these rafts weighs 60 kg!!!

Plus the helmets, life-jackets, paddles etc...need to be carried up too!

This company also charges a premium as compared to the others.
WHY?

Think their safety standards are quite stringent (Boys' school also Okay-ed this company). They've got proper changing facilities etc at both the departure and exit points of the river. And I mean quite nicely built ones.... Our package also includes lunch, which was served by the river. But again, we didn't wanna eat. We decided to go on to Ubud for lunch. That's where the flexibility of having our own transport comes in. :-) Otherwise, we would have to hop onto their van to head back to the hotel.

Our exit point is just next to the famed Amandari.

So...naturally, I had to take a picture..... I've been to Amandari!!!!

Old Lady farmer...by Amandari

Now...where did we go for lunch???

At IBU OKA ....am told that it's the best Babi Guling in Bali!

Babi Guling

Quite Scary, hor??

I have to admit that when I saw the plates of babi guling and vege over rice, I was a bit kiah-kiah....like so messed up like that. So we ordered the meats to be separately served. Turns out... the pork was pretty tender and yummy.

This ornate door was found inside Ibu Oka...which is NOT a fancy place. So this door is kinda out of place lor.

After lunch, we jalan-jalan in Ubud abit. I was NOT allowed to go into Pasar Ubud.... Aiya..you know the 3 boys lah. Grumble Grumble Grumble.

Did stop by at the Cafe Lotus for a drink and a pee before we head on back to the hotel.

We arrived back at the hotel with another 2 hours to kill before dinner , so again...boys played at the pool and beach. Me? Had another potent cocktail. Happy hour maaaa...

We had dinner reservations at Ku De Ta @ Seminyak. Was quite impressed with the shops in Seminyak. Not the usual tourist bric-a-brac type of shops...but quite hip and stylish type of shops and merchandise. Ku De Ta is located just next to The Oberoi.

So romantic, yeah?? Unfortunately, we had our 2 monsters with us....who were talking d@mn loud in this fine dining establishment. Ku De Ta does have a kids menu (Thank God!) and S1 had a Chicken Snitzel roll and S2 fish and chips.

What did I have?

Seared Scallops for starter, and a veal something for main and creme brulee for dessert.

BURP!!!!