As summer 2017 drew to a close, looking back over the holiday brought to mind an extended montage comprised of moments spent gazing longingly out of the window waiting for rain clouds to disperse, and for the skies to brighten up, seizing the moment only to be caught in a torrential downpour.
In that respect, apart from the odd unreasonably hot day in June, British Summertime had certainly met its typical drizzly expectations. Hopes of days beside the seaside had evaporated, unlike the great big puddles forming all over the driveway. Many had resigned to yet another great British washout of a summer and tweaked holiday plans around staying indoors and squabbling over what next to stream on Netflix.
On the other hand, those still determined to have a stingy slither of summer refused to allow the weather to scupper best-laid holiday plans and insisted everything carried on regardless. Such blatant misplaced/idiotic optimism often resulted in families 'enjoying' a picnic in conditions in which you wouldn't even want to put the bins out, let alone attempt to eat sandwiches and posh crisps. Often it's the patriarch that insists everyone joins him in this defiance of the weather, which is why it usually ends up with dad s in the garden all by himself attempting to light a barbecue whilst the rest of the family looks on in horror from the kitchen window at dad in cagoule, wellies, complete with golfing umbrella and barbecue tongs. Essentially, just cooking dinner in the middle of a severe weather warning.
Fortunately, lady luck's cancellation of another British summer would only be a minor inconvenience as I was well aware that when back to school becomes reality in September, I would be some 12 and a half thousand kilometres away on the Indonesian tropical island of Bali.
Bali
Bali is an island and province of Indonesia. The province is made up of the island of Bali itself, and a few smaller neighbouring islands, notably Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. Bali lies west of the Lesser Sunda Islands, between Java and Lombok. Its capital Denpasar is located in the southern part of the island. As of 2014, its population stands at 4,225,000. The island is home to most of Indonesia's Hindu minority. In 2010 its national census recorded 83.5% of Bali's population adhered to Balinese Hinduism, followed by 13.4% Muslim, Christianity at 2.5% and 0.5% Buddhism.
Economy
Bali is a popular tourist destination, which has seen a significant rise in numbers since the 1980s. Tourism-related business accounts for 80% of the economy. Bali is renowned for its rich tapestry of highly developed arts;- which includes both modern and traditional dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking, and music. It also plays host to the annual Indonesian International Film Festival.
Climate
Due to Bali being located only 8 degrees south of the equator, its climate is fairly consistent all year round, with temperatures averaging 30 °C and a humidity level of around 85%.
Temperatures during the day on lower-ground generally vary between 20-33°C, although it can be much cooler in mountainous regions. The monsoon season lasts from October through to April, with the heaviest of the rainfall of the season from December to March. During the rest of the year, humidity is relatively low and rain is unlikely in lowland areas.
High season in Bali is during the "dry season", around July and August, as well as during the Easter and Christmas holidays, when the weather can be quite random to predict.
It's Bali-time!
Of course, this wasn't to be a pleasure-romp, but rather a full-on business excursion to oversee the smooth running of a corporate event; on this occasion, the event in question was the 2nd VIP Leadership Summit - a coming together of minds and sharing of ideas to establish Bitcoin in Asia.
After a mind and bum-numbing 16-hour flight, I was onto the final leg of this epic journey; before, at last, being able to go beyond the airport and explore this island I had read so much about.
Thanks to my Rough Guide to Bali, my expectations had already been set way above the roof, it would have a lot to live up to. After the familiar rigmarole of tutting in a long queue for immigration, baggage reclaims and then through customs, it was into a taxi for a short cab ride to the Ritz Carlton in Nusa Dua - my home for the next few days. As the car pulled up to the entrance of the Ritz Carlton, I was blown away by the scale of this hotel, this was by no means your average fancy hotel, the Ritz Carlton is a world-class luxury resort that benefits from a stunning clifftop and beachside setting, that offers more than 300 luxury suites and villas in an elegant tropical paradise.
On entering the hotel lobby, I was immediately wowed by the breathtaking panoramic views overlooking the crystal waters of the Indian Ocean and once again taken aback by the vastness of the resort. I was pleased to discover the facilities and amenities were on-par with the rest of the resort.
The Ritz Carlton even has its own grand wedding chapel alongside various other open-air spaces including a clifftop lawn, a senses lawn - and a beachfront.
All conveniently located on the grounds and available for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions, as well as being the premier hotel destination to host unforgettable nuptials. Its popularity as a wedding venue is building a reputation among couples looking to stage a once-in-a-lifetime lavish ceremony.
It was easy to see why the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions industry was taking off in a big way in the region, with such world-class facilities to meet the demands of hosting a premium corporate event.
Bali's Top Attractions
Siminyak- Seminyak is a beach resort area at the southern end of Bali, Indonesia, boasting many luxury hotels, villas, and spas, as well as high-end shopping and restaurants. Sleek bars and clubs with busy sunset scenes, such as Seminyak and Petitenget beaches, which are wide, west-facing stretches of Indian Ocean shoreline with grey sand and some of the best surfing conditions found in Southeast Asia.
Gunung Kawi - Gunung Kawi is a 11th-century temple and funerary complex in Tampaksiring northeast of Ubud in Bali, Indonesia., that is spread across either side of the Pakerisan river.
Jimbaran Beach- Jimbaran is just south of the airport and Kuta. This was formerly a tiny fishing village with a daily market. The area underwent development in the 1980s and Jimbaran is now home to several world class 5 star beach resorts, plus a few more moderate mid-market hotels. However, there is little in the way of budget accommodation and there are also many high-end villas in this area, particularly on the ridges of high ground above Jimbaran Bay. This has resulted in monikers such as the "Beverly Hills of Bali" or "Millionaire's Row".
Tegenungan Padang Bulia-Tegenungan Waterfall is a waterfall on Bali, Indonesia. It is located at the Tegenungan Kemenuh village, in Gianyar, North from the capital Denpasar and close to the artist village of Ubud. The waterfall is isolated but has become a popular tourist attraction to explore and relax. This attraction also features views of the jungle and waterfall at the main entrance.
Ubud- is a town located amongst rice paddies and steep ravines in the central foothills of the Gianyar regency. Ubud is known as Bali's capital of culture and the arts. The town has a thriving tourism industry.
Gilit (Trawangan)Islands-The Gilit Islands are a group of 3 tiny islands – Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air – in Indonesia, near the coast of northwest Lombok Island. Characterized by sandy beaches fringed with palm trees, they're known for their coral reefs just offshore. On the smallest island of Gili Meno, sea turtles swim at Turtle Point. At Gili Trawangan, the largest island, a sunken ship sits at Wreck Point near Mentigi Beach.
Kuta-Kuta is a beach and resort area in the south of Bali that is best known for its party-centric atmosphere and surfing in the Indian Ocean. Kuta's long, consistent waves make it a popular surf spot, particularly for beginners, with plenty of outfitters offering board rentals and surf lessons.
Uluwatu - Uluwatu is a place on the south-western tip of the Bukit Peninsula of Bali, Indonesia. It is home to the Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple and is the fourth surf destination in the world for surfers of all abilities.
Canggu-Canggu is a resort village on the south coast of Bali. It's surrounded by terraced rice paddies and known for beaches like Canggu and Echo, with strong surf. The nearby Seminyak resort area has high-end shops and restaurants. Just south of Seminyak, the beachside town of Kuta is famous for its nightlife. North of Canggu, Tanah Lot is a Hindu temple that sits just offshore on a rocky outcrop.
Nusa Penida-Nusa Penida is an island southeast of Bali and a district of Klungkung Regency that includes; the neighbouring small island of Nusa Lembongan. The Badung Strait separates the island and Bali.
Nusa Dua- Nusa Dua is an area in the southern part of Bali, Indonesia, known as an enclave of large 5-star resorts. It is located 22 kilometres from Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali. Nusa Dua means two islands (Nusa-'island', dua - 'two') because of the 2 islands in the bay of Bali Tourism Development Corporation area. On the southern side lies Peninsula Island, and on the northern side lies Nusa Dharma Island, which is smaller but shadier and contains the Pura/Temple Nusa Dharma.
Mount Agung - Mount Agung or Gunung Agung is located to the east of the Bali and is the highest point on the Island. It dominates the surrounding area, influencing the climate, especially rainfall patterns. As fate would have it, my visit to Bali coincided with the landmark volcano threatening to erupt; for the first time in more than fifty years, still active with a large and very deep crater which occasionally spews smoke and ash. Thousands were being evacuated from a 12-kilometre exclusion zone, we were reliably informed that our position on Nusa Dua, 77km away would put us safely clear of the danger zone, and the imminent threat the volcano posed. Confident of our safe distance, I'd be lying if I said that part of me wasn't the tiniest bit excited about witnessing first-hand, mother nature at her most formidable. Having a penchant for big-budget Hollywood disaster movies, and a morbid fascination of natural disasters, when talk around the island turned from 'if' to 'when' Agung blows, it would seem by the end of this trip, not only would I have a front row seat at one of natures greatest events, but also potentially feature in my own disaster film. However, there was still the matter of the 2nd Annual VIP Leadership Summit, volcano day would have to wait.
Conveniently, the event I was here for was being staged at the Carlton-Ritz resort also. Staging events on foreign territory is always fraught with the usual pitfalls and issues that you'd expect to crop up; concerns with catering and entertainment services arriving at the right place and with enough time to be briefed and set up.
The stage was set, catering and welcoming committee organised, and entertainment due to arrive, there was a short calm before the storm prior to delegates arriving. One final check before curtain up there was time for a quick photo opportunity with the local press who were present to cover the event.
Canapes at the ready, roaming entertainers in position, delegates arriving and with the sun setting over Indonesia, the Ritz transformed from exemplary beachside retreat to a neon red carpet extravaganza!
Delegates were welcomed with an A-list VIP reception.
The conference was opened with a Balinese brass and percussion band, and a traditional Legong dance performance.
Travel Tips & Etiquette
Bear in mind the following do's and don'ts when visiting Indonesia to ensure you're well informed about the culture and customs, and that your experience is memorable for all the right reasons.
Or don't; discovering things the hard way often makes for a more interesting anecdote, some cases, a faux pas might earn you a couple of disapproving looks. In the worst case scenario, you might be needing Boris Johnson's assistance in getting released from a foreign jail. Good luck with that.
• Do dress appropriately- modesty's the key word when considering an outfit for your day's planned activities. If your day is likely to involve temples, donning short-shorts and vest is likely to get you turned away; remember temples are holy places and must be regarded as such.
• Do be wary of freebies- accepting free alcoholic drinks from anyone, anywhere, has led to alcohol poisoning and severe internal injuries and possibly even death.
• Do take in a dance performance-
Definitely, a must-see if you're making the effort to go all the way out to Bali - you wouldn't go to Egypt and not look at the pyramids. The traditional dance performances are a spectacle to behold. The colourful costumes are without a doubt the highlight of the Barong dance which also contains a narrative, and is performed as a play rather than a stand-alone dance piece.
• Do remember to offer with your right hand- as with a lot of other places in Indonesia. Always pass and offer items with your right hand because using your left hand is seen as extremely rude. The left hand is usually closely associated with "toileting" - loo paper isn't as common as one would hope.
• Do learn a few phrases- at the very least, learn to say "thank you" and a few other basic courtesy phrases. "Terima Kasih"
• Do keep your feet flat on the ground- as is the case in many parts of southeast Asia. The soles of feet are considered unclean and therefore the height of rudeness to have them on show, putting your feet up in public won't score many points with the locals.
• Do trust your intuition- even though you're likely to be on holiday, please do remember this is Indonesia and not Magaluf, partying hard into the wee small hours with people you've just met can put you in an undesirable position. So if something/someone seems a bit off, make your excuses and walk away as soon as possible.
• Do remember a helmet- wearing a crash helmet is a legal requirement when getting around on a scooter. Otherwise, you could end up with an on the spot fine, or worse, in the hospital with a serious head injury, which would put a real dampener on your visit.
• Do enjoy an ice-cold Bintang- more of a recommendation than a rule, Bintang beer is a localized version of Heineken both in taste and presentation, the perfect thirst-quencher to accompany the island's heat and humidity.
• Do use your horn often when driving- should you feel brave enough to hire a car or scooter, be prepared to use your horn regularly. It is common practice to sound your horn lightly when manoeuvring in traffic, as a friendly 'heads-up' to other road users. Don't get too flustered up when others beep at you out of courtesy. Unless of course, you are driving like a maniac. Also, aggressively beeping from impatience is a good way of becoming public enemy number one.
• Don't sashay around in beachwear- beachwear means beachwear, keep it to that. Even though it's hot, it is highly inappropriate and offensive to swan about town in a bikini or speedos. Always be sure to cover up when transitioning from beach to town.
• Don't get involved- parts of Bali can become very overcrowded, and altercations are both common and inevitable, should you bear witness to an incident, your skills as a pacifist are probably not required, gawping with your mouth open and rubbernecking could well see you go from spectator to reluctant participant.
• Don't drink tap water- Consume plenty of fluids to avoid heatstroke... only don't drink from the tap. Bali tap water is often to blame for many cases of food poisoning, so avoid it entirely. Stick to canned drinks or bottled water
• Don't go overboard when haggling- although haggling is expected in markets, aggressive haggling - i.e. pushy haggling without resulting in a purchase won't win you any friends. You are able to bargain for many items and services in Bali but do so respectfully and with a smile on your face. You'll know when a vendor has reached their limit, and at that point don't push it. When in doubt, walk away – if the seller doesn't come after you, that's confirmation that they aren't prepared to lower the price.
• Don't tread on the offerings- pay close attention to where you walk, offerings to local spirits are widely left on the ground outside homes and shops. Kicking over someone's offering will probably result in an annoyed resident and an extended period of bad luck or both. So eyes peeled.
• Don't get bitten by a monkey- Hopefully not something you'd be seeking to do. A popular tourist activity in Ubud is to visit the Monkey Forest where you can feed the wild monkeys. The simian residents might look cute, but they have serious sharp canine teeth and can be quite bitey. They have also been known to carry rabies, so being on the receiving end of a monkey bite will require urgent medical attention for a series of rabies shots. A wild monkey-bite has rarely led to a positive outcome. These vicious little furry kleptomaniacs are often responsible for relieving tourists of belongings, ranging from smartphones to bottles of water.
• Don't take your eye off the ball- be extra vigilant when changing money, as they are known for sleight of hand techniques to undercut you. If you have to use a money-changer, do your own calculations and double check theirs. Notes are large and some moneychangers have been known to play on tourists' confusion, giving you less than you've agreed on.
Volcano Update
On reflection, it was probably a good thing mount Agung held off from erupting during my visit, as the major disruption to airspace, may have resulted in being stranded in Indonesia for up to two weeks if Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland is anything to go on.
Two weeks later and back on UK soil, The National Disaster Management Authority for Indonesia has raised the volcanic alert level for Mount Agung to level 4, the highest possible!
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