September 24, 2011 / Detour

Nothing went as planned today. After a filling breakfast we waited at the front of the hotel for an hour for a tour guide that never showed up. We were meant to be headed towards Komodo Island for the weekend for swimming, boating, trekking, snorkeling, and watching the komodo dragons in their natural habitat. This was the only tour we booked in advance of our trip. When the hotel called, they said the tour group said they didn't have our reservation. Matthew called back and spoke to the man he had corresponded with via email. The man said there were problems with their boat and he had emailed Matthew the night before. We had no such email. After some deliberation, we canceled the trip and decided not to go a day later, but rather not go at all, especially as they couldn't guarantee the boat would be fixed the next day.
The marriott hotel was booked full for the weekend. Plan C: Head north to a city that is known as the cultural center of Bali, Ubud.
I spent 30 minutes finding a decently priced hotel in that area and even called the Expedia reservation hotline, who couldn't understand how it was Saturday for me and not Friday. So we were on our own. With some internet google magic and trickery, I found a well priced place in the center of the village with decent reviews. Only one room left, it was fate.
After an hour and a half drive there, we were warmly greeted with mixed juice and rice wine along with a perfumed cold towel. The hotel is made of multiple little houses with a couple to few rooms built in each. It is set in the jungle on the edge of a small valley. its serenity and beauty cannot be captured in words.
We went for a lunch where our drinks were served in a pineapple and in a papaya. The decoration was slightly ridiculous but completely fun as we overlooked the jungle valley below from our table.
After a siesta, we walked and walked more exploring the area and weaving in and out of markets. The bargaining for market goods is almost silly. I saw some hand painted keychains and asked for a discount in the asking price. She offered again 400% my asking price, I came back and she dropped a couple bucks, at which I walked away. To my back she continued to yell lower and lower prices until she finally hit my asking price. But a day late and a dollar short, I wasnt buying from her.
We wondered around looking at little shops, or warungs, and then attended a traditional dance. The dance was of the story of the Legong, a tale of a king who takes a maiden captive and starts a war in which he dies. The costumes were unreal and gorgeous. This was performed by a famous dance group well known internationally.
Next was a late dinner with live reggae. Both band and meal were a bit bland and over done, but the deal on shots was great. Buy 1 get 5 free! Of course the one shot cost was marked up quite a bit. But we tried a round.
We got a beer for the road and walked back a ways to the hotel for a midnights bedtime. Another day awaited.

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