"PERFECTLY PREGNANT IN BALI" Bali by jewels63

We told our Bemo driver, Ketut(4th born) that we were Puppeteers and wanted to see real Balinese Wayang(puppets and masks) - not ones made for tourists, but those made for performing with.
We negotiated a price for the day, and we went out on an adventure to the cultural hub of Ubud and surrounding area.
I trusted my husband's opinion on the standard of mask-making on display at the famous wood carving village of Mas. He has been a puppeteer for over 30 years. The owner, sniffing the scent of a frangipani, allowed us to put the masks on and 'play'....It didn't take long for the spirit to take hold of us as we tried different masks on. Roy felt guilty at bargaining for a low price (we were poorer then!)for three carved masks, made with such wonderful skill, so we were very appreciative.
Then to the shadow puppetry workshop where exquisite attention is made to the traditional characters, followed by a wood carving workshop.
I'm sure there are organised tours to Ubud, but we liked the one on one experience, for a reasonable price, along with the spontaneity and element of surprise of where we were being driven!
(See my Home Page album for more)

We couldn't afford a honeymoon straight after the wedding in Melbourne, and by the time we could I was five months pregnant! The doctor advised I would be fine by staying in a hotel which boiled the water, and not consuming the icy drinks from the street stores etc.
The best thing we did was to base ourselves at Sanur Beach that catered for families and mature couples rather than the younger crowd which holidayed around Kuta beach.
Our complex had lovely detached Balinese bungalows with the usual dance and dining/bar area and swimming pool.
We found that taking a Bemo(chartered vehicle-see my home page personal album) every morning at 8am across to Kuta for breakfast was excellent, as all the party goers were still in bed, and we had the beach to ourselves!!
After a swim it was coconut oil and massage time by a local woman for incredibly low price. It doesn't take long to find the right hands for you. What bliss for me and my baby, and a kiss in the surf with hubby - I felt like a Goddess.
Indeed, the many Hindu gods and goddesses have managed to retain their Balinese paradise in an Islamic Indonesia. What a delight to watch a procession of locals walking along the shore-line with their sarongs and shirts, and bobbing silk umbrellas, taking offerings to a sacred spot(which is everywhere!).

Legong dance at the Grand Hyatt

Being pregnant in Bali one was utterly aware that children were loved and very much a part of life and artistic culture. We saw children on the village pavilion having fun practising their dance.
Eating at a restaurant, children were welcomed and kept entertained by the waiter so the parents could read the menu.
Of course, the peak of celebration of their culture for us tourists was attending the evening entertainment and dinner where the children shine in the ancient Legong temple dance, and the gamalang orchestra resounds in the balmy, frangipani scented air.

• Pros:Friendly, affordable, beautiful culture
• Cons:untreated water, environmental degradation
• In a nutshell:Magical introduction to unique Hindu culture in Indonesia.