Bali's "Kuta Karnival"

We were lucky enough to be in Bali during their 5th annual "Kuta Karnival" a celebration of life, an event that arose after the Bali bombings

Kuta Beach was the place to be, conveniently located opposite our lovely hotel. It was a really busy place, as there were so many activities happening through the week - day and night! Kite competitions, judging size, decoration, and flight height etc.

There were bands playing in concert throughout the whole celebration nonstop (it was a bit full on) they had a big skate ramp set up for anyone with a board to have a go... As you can see in the following clip, there was a definite combination of cultures (or clash)

They were the Hare Krisna's and one of the many many many hardcore bands.

As I said it was the place to be - virtually everyone we saw, were local people.

This team of guys playing - were among several teams playing soccer along the beach. It was pretty cool!

Another day we were trying to find somewhere for lunch, we noticed that they were about to start a parade through Kuta. This photo below is of some of the funky scooters and bikes that started the parade off...

This was one heck of a parade... it lasted all afternoon!!! Through it all, we had lunch, stood and watched a bit of the parade, went and got a massage, watched the parade again for another hour or so, walked home and it was still going!! (It sure beats the Sunshine festival parade we have in Geraldton!)
(nice photo Dave!)

it seemed everyone joined in the fun.

FLOWERS OF BALI

Every single day this big 'ol' wooden bowl would be used to make the most spectacular display of floating flower petals! I was actually around at just the right time to catch this happening.... I never managed to do it again! What a fluke.
Voila! The finished result!
I tried to catch as many of the different designs as I could - but I definitely missed quite a few!

Needless to say they weren't the only gorgeous flowers to be seen!

and finally a petal of another sort......

the BALI holiday at last!

I know I promised to do some updates while we were still actually in Bali, but the Internet connection speeds were just rediculously sloooowww... that, and relaxing took up so much of my time!

Sooo...... here are some shots of our fabulous hotel, the Alam Kulkul. We were very pleasantly surprised by this hotel. The tropical gardens and flowers all along this winding path, pictured, led all the way to our room. As you look across the pool - you can just make out our room there!
This photo is taken at the front door of our room looking back to where the last photo was taken.
This balcony/patio area was so private, that you could lay down and read a book and no-one would know that you were there unless they spotted your feet poking out
More of the private patio surrounded by lush tropical garden..... blisssss
Well this is our room, I forgot to take a photo the moment we arrived - it had been a loooonnggg day and I was tired! (Plane delay of 6 hours!) So consequently the room looks a little lived in... yup shopping bags everywhere.

Everyday we had flowers on the bed, I had mentioned how much I liked the pink/yellow frangipanis (flowers) to the housekeeping guys (yes they were all male house keepers - a good precendent!) and from that time on I had extra flowers on the bed and in the ashtray outside... (I used it as a floating bowl)

Aren't they beautiful?? I was spoilt!... I will devote a whole post to the flower display in the lobby, I won't say too much now - but it was brilliant!

We met this guy on our first night - while we were having tea.... he is the size of my forearm or slightly smaller... in the world of gecko Lizards ... he's huge!!

Our first day out adventuring - we didn't really get very far - but wound up here for a nice lunch... The legian beach hotel, just down the road from ours.

Well thats it for now.... I have a bit of editing to do to the rest of the photos. So I will add a few more when I get organised.

There are a just couple.... hundred!

bali!

we are here!!

we had a fun wait in the airport on the Tuesday that we left. we got to the airport at 6am with plenty of time to spare for catching our 8.00am flight. unfortunately the message to tell us about our flight being delayed by 6 hours was made on our home phone number in GERALDTON!!
nevermind..

we got here and since then its been lovely!

we will be posting some photos as soon as we find somewhere reliable to do our internet stuff.... has not been easy! Specially as almost all the places we've tried so far have NO AIRCONDITIONING!!

:) Rae n Dave

well thats it for now - I will be back and posting photos as soon as we are organised!!