Short All Girls Getaway Weekend to Bali

My sister is a big fan of Mix.fm. While doing her thesis for her MBA, she had it on all the time. Listening to Mix.fm certainly pays off when she won a flight for 2 to Bali, 3D2N stay in Hard Rock Hotel with breakfast, 2-hours spa treatment for 2 and RM1000 pocket money. We decided to go on the Raya Haji long weekend and had to top up RM800 but it was definitely worth it. We invited our cousin, Erin, Miss Rawak Ramblings to join us.

Hard Rock Hotel

Our Room

2 Queen Size Beds

Bath tub for two~!

Toilet

The Small Pool just outside of our room.

Erin took a much later flight so we decided to hang out around Kuta and the hotel where we had a short swim. What I love about the pool is that the water is salted and just at the right temperature (not too hot and not too cold). Halal food is not easy to find there though. There was one which closes very early so we opted for fish sandwiches and mushroom soup at some western bistro. Later that night, we hung out at the lounge listening to their live band.

The stage was literally on top of the bar!

The next day was a fun filled sight seeing day. It started at 9.30am when our guide picked us up at the hotel. First stop was a local temple. 

We had to wear these sarongs to enter the temple. The entrance fee was IDP5000.

At the temple

Erin testing her musical skills.

Next, we visited "Rumah Bali". This was a traditional Balinese House. What I can conclude is that Balinese are very religious. Each house (or rather compound with small areas) have their own temple. Newly weds have their own honeymoon home and every time they get a child, they will plant the placenta in front of the house (Boys on the right and Girls on the left).

Traditional kitchen

Next was the batik factory where they showed us how they make the batiks.

Batik Making

Batik Making Tools

Then we went to Kintamani to check out the volcano. We were basically at the top of the crater overlooking the smaller volcano. However, I think this trip was not that worth it as we can only see the view unlike Mt Bromo where we can really go to the volcanic area.

Kintamani

Erin and I

Lunch overlooking the view

On the way to Uluwatu temple, we dropped by at Ubud. Now this is a very nice place to shop. There is this famous market with all sort of handy crafts and the price is pretty much reasonable. However, we were in a hurry and I only managed to buy my mom a woven bag.

Entrance of the Uluwatu temple

Things you should know when going to the temple, there are freaky monkeys that which instantly reminded me of the notty monkeys in Disney's Jungle Book. They will snatch your valuables. So if you are going their, do not wear any jewelry, wear tightly zipped bags and do not wear slippers with blings. 

Wearing the sarongs before entering the temple.

One of the main attraction here is the Kecak dance. This are mainly men dancing to their enchantments of "Cak". There are 4 different "Cak" rhythms that they will sing. They perform it everyday during sun set. I believe it is some sort of religious ritual which they made as a tourist attraction.

Kecak Dancers

The priest throwing holy water at each of the dancer's head.

Ramayana and Sita 

Sunset at Uluwatu

With the Kecak Dancers

Next stop was seafood at Jimbaran (dinner at the beach)...

Jimbaran

Seafood Platter for one.

The platter comes with vegetables.

Then it was already our last day there. Hard Rock Hotel is very big that we decided to spend the whole morning exploring the place. The pool is the main attraction of the place. However, sad to say, the main  pool is not that clean. We took a swim around the pool, took some pictures then decided to retreat to the gym's whirl pool and cold plunge.

Here are some pictures of the pool:

We paid a visit to the spa for the 2-hour treatment before our flight back home. It was a short but still fun weekend getaway. Thank you Kakichah for letting me come along! You are my one and only (literally ONLY) favorite sister! Love you lots and lots! Muachs!!!!!!