First day in Bali and Kim's 11th

My first impression of Bali was not the best... Kim was sick as soon as we got off the plane (nausea and vomiting), luggage porters took advantage of the situation to force us into using their (useless) services, we got robbed on the US $ currency exchange at the airport and then we were harrassed by taxi drivers for the ride to Sanur. The usual unpleasantness of holidaying in hyper touristic and cheap countries. On the way, the traffic was horrendous (as expected), the taxi driver complaining about it and trying to sell his services for the following days (as expected) and the number of tourist boutiques selling wood carving, statues (for the temples and hotels), sarongs, jewelry and other trinkets just unbelievable.

Sanur is made up of 2 parallel streets along a lazy beach jammed packed with hotels, guest houses and tourist boutiques... But also small, private temples are everywhere and luxuriant vegetation springs out of any gap in the buildings. When we finally got to our guest house (The Flashback's) we just wanted to hang out there, protected from the aggressive tourist business, in a little heaven of greenery and architectural beauty.

On our second day in Bali (24 Nov), we headed for the Orchid Garden which was nice although a bit dried up... not the right season for those water loving plants.

Then, a little visit to the markets of the capital city Denpensar. Starting with the bird market (Pasar Burung).

followed by the fruit & fish market (Pasar Badung)

and finally the textile market (Pasar Kumbasari. It was an interesting walk in heavy heat, strong smells and bright colours. The girls bargained some very yummy lollies (Rp 50,000 for 500 gr; a deal?) and we found a local bakery for Kim's birthday cake that looked quite the part but didn't taste anything like the real thing.

On the way, we spotted a little French soccer supporter with a Ribery shirt!

Finally, the big day for Kim who was able to start using her much loved IPod touch and enjoy an exotic birthday at the Flasback's air conditioned retaurant (The Porch) with all her favourites: nachos & coca-cola.