July 20th, 2013.
I thought I’d make a list of some of the things I experienced and noticed whilst in Bali. Our trip had quite a few mishaps, but was also filled with fun, new and interesting experiences.
#1. The most popular method of transportation in Bali are motorcycles. Almost every family has one, and the streets are filled with them everywhere you go. If you are driving in a car, you are at a disadvantage because of traffic. We saw up to four people riding on one bike, and many babies and small children. As soon as their kid can sit up (about 6 months) their parents ride with them on the bikes.
#2. The national language in Bali is Balinese, but Malay, Indonesian, and English are also spoken.
#3. The island has a kindof free-for-all feel. Everybody pretty much does what they want. Examples: dogs roaming loose, construction workers barefoot with no helmet, switching lanes with no signal, 10 year olds driving motorbikes, 6 month old babies and young children riding motorbikes with parents
#4. Balinese food is delicious. I had beef satay, grilled tuna, samosas, and friend plantains while there and it was all very tasty!
#5. You can ride elephants in Bali. I rode a 28 year old elephant named Nancy! Such a fun experience. They are really smart animals, it only takes a year to train them.
#6. There are loads of rice farmers in Bali, who plant rice in rice paddies. They are staggered so that water from one flows into the one below it and irrigates the whole thing.
#7. Batik is a fabric printmaking process that is very popular in Bali. Beautiful batik dresses, scarfs, and accessories are exported to different parts of the world and is a good source of income for the nation.
#8. 3 Million people live in Bali alone. Thats a lot of people for a little indonesian island!
#9. Bali is a 4 and a half hour plane ride from Hong Kong, and lies directly south.
#10. Bali is south of the Equator! Which means it is currently Winter in Bali. A nice cold 80 degrees F!
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