Everyday Exploring

First time trying cola infused beer, rather sweet and syrupy.....and strange.  This is one of three "Prost" beers.  I've noticed it more in the supermarkets.  I probably won't have it again, Prost Alster tastes much better.

I was a day late for International Pancake Day but at least I was able to enjoy some cassava pancakes at Bali Buda. 

Beautifully landscaped garden as you enter the house.  It was done for a relatively low price by a local landscaping business in South Kuta.  Slowly, everything in this house will be complete.

My dad and I bought this umbrella almost 19 years ago on the streets of New York City during a sudden rainstorm.  The cost?  Only 2 dollars, it was a group of African immigrants that normally sell other small items on the street.  I'm not sure why but I have been holding onto this object for quite some time, but now it is time to let it go.  I guess things, even umbrellas, don't last forever.  I will still remember that first trip to NYC in the spring of 2002.

Valentine's Day dinner at Kenja Seafood House located in front of the southern gate of ITDC.

After nearly a year of this ongoing pandemic, the big resorts in Bali are barely able to cover overhead costs.  If the pandemic persists and tourism doesn't go back to the way it used to be, I see many of these resorts headed towards closure.  Walking around this resort, I felt that it resembled more of a nuclear fallout zone than a lively resort.  

I found a lap pool in front of the spa building at Nusa Dua Resort.  There wasn't a single person here, I had the entire place all to myself.

First time ever receiving a map of a resort upon check-in.  I loved the layout of the hotel as well the hidden gardens that surround the property. 

This was the first time for my wife and I to stay at Nusa Dua Resort and Spa.  This resort was built in 1983 and the first of its kind in the core ITDC area.  I could tell that the hotel was old by the fact that the main pool is over two meters deep (most modern hotels built today only have a pools between 1 - 1,3 meters deep).  It underwent a massive renovation in 1993 and still remains the same until today.  All of the restaurants and clubs were closed with the exception of the main restaurant, "Wedang Jahe".  

I surprised my wife by having the resort leave a cheesecake in our room upon check-in.  This was our first time staying at Nusa Dua Resort and Spa located in the core ITDC area. 

My wife and I took a short trip to Impossibles Beach since she wanted to explore a beach that she hadn't been to before. This was the first that we were able to experience low tide at a South Kuta beach, we could actually walk over to Bingin from Impossibles.

This was my first time exploring the area around Geger Beach, I was able to climb up to Pura Geger which resembles a castle up on a hill. This is the area that divides Nusa Dua with Sawangan.

I took a quick snap of the sidewalk area in front of the derelict "The Maj" Shangrila Nusa Dua.  I'm still unsure if this property is actually open to the public or it's just an abandoned project. 

This was the first time that my wife and I had ever stepped inside Starbucks located in the Sogo area of Bali Collection.  We were just strolling through the outdoor styled dead mall and stumbled across a "Valentine's Day" deal for two which we couldn't resist.  Also, it should be noted that this is the only café currently open at Bali Collection, I highly doubt even Starbucks will stay open at the current rate of tourists in Bali.  

Interesting diamond shaped pool with an island in the middle at Courtyard Nusa Dua. 

I had to wait nearly two hours for the rain to die down before heading back home after a massage at Courtyard Nusa Dua.  It had rained so hard that the courtyard itself become a pool as well as most of the Nusa Dua area.  Later I read that this abnormally hard rain has been part of the la nina effect which has effected much of Indonesia.

Enjoying ginger tea (teh jahe) after a traditional Balinese massage at C Spa located at Courtyard Nusa Dua Resort.  

Pushing Endang around in an innertube at Marriott Nusa Dua which is actually connected to Courtyard Nusa Dua (two properties in one).  One of the best pool experiences that I've had in Bali.

Endang and I taking a quick selfie at the pool bar located inside in the lazy river at Marriott Nusa Dua Garden hotel.  Even though we were staying at nearby Courtyard Nusa Dua, we were able to use the facilities at this hotel as well.  It was an unexpected surprise and one of the best experiences at a hotel/resort in Bali.

I parked my innertube at the bar to stop for a drink, this has got to be the first time seeing a bar inside a lazy river.  Unfortunately at this time the lazy river was a bit slow due to the hotel trying to cut down on costs.

Courtyard at Courtyard by Marriott, this is the garden area right after passing the façade of the resort on the way to the reception.

One of the best pics I've ever taken in Bali showing off the very green and lush Courtyard by Marriott Nusa Dua.  At only $44 per night, this has got to be one of the best deals I've seen in Bali.

I've noticed with a lot of these resorts here in Indonesia that the entrance is usually located on a man-made hill.  I guess that it gives the guest a sense of grandeur and regal.  

My wife and I actually came to Bali Collection to try some Italian food at Uno only to find out that all of the restaurants are closed save for Starbucks and this Indian restaurant called The Royal Kitchen.  It turned out to be pretty good and I hope to return.  I especially liked how they cooked the biryani rice in a clay pot with a bread crust edge.

Lego has got to be one of the greatest, most innovative companies in the history of toys.  Here is a Japanese bonsai tree from Lego's new Botanical series which is aimed at adults (full grown kids) that grew up with Legos but still want to enjoy the building blocks.  

Amazing views from this restaurant which is part of Uluwatu Surf Villas.

My wife and I stumbled upon this café after meeting with the owner of Bali Canopy next door.  Definitely one of the trendiest, best hang out places that I've experienced in Bali. 

This is an especially hard time for businesses in Bali due to the lack of tourism.  Getting my haircut at Seven Barbershop located on this strip, I couldn't help but notice that there are many businesses that have recently closed like this Mexican restaurant.

I was able to find the western half of Impossibles beach by taking the small "le cliff" road which leads to a narrow staircase down to the beach.  Mandala resort splits the beach area in half, definitely one of the most hidden beaches in Bali.

Enjoying this retro arcade game from 1997at Amazone located on the top floor of Discovery Mall Kuta.  Playing these types of games brings me back to the later half of the 90's, the greatest era of video gaming.

Endang trying out the new full face helmet that Honda Heronusa gave me for the purchase of my new Honda Streetfire.  I initially was excited about wearing a full face helmet but came to find out that my glasses would bob up and down while wearing it.  Endang didn't like the helmet much either. 

The south wing of Discovery Mall, a complete disaster of mismanagement.  There are still shops open in this wing but it is nearly walled off and only someone who is exploring the entire property will stumble across this area.  It is only a matter of time before all of these shops close.

Enjoying durian with family after visiting Jatiluwih.

Taking a break to take in the views at Jatiluwih, one of three UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in Bali.

I recall over 24 years ago playing with this paperweight at my grandparents house in Sarasota, Florida.  I would shake the paperweight trying to get all of the playing cards off the side of the walls.  This was one of the remembrance items that I had brought with me to Indonesia, however I have had to get rid of this item due to it leaking oil.  I guess that items don't last forever but we can hold onto the memories. 

After mastering the art of a six-speed clutch, I decided to upgrade to a standard motorcycle.  This 2020 Honda Streetfire offers a sport shifter (no heel shift) as well as a gearless display (only displays neutral) and of course the most important aspect of this bike is the massive fuel tank located in the front.