This is definitely a trip designed for younger people. The activities were wonderful and fun including ATV trips and Monkey Park visits as well as superior drama dance and singing of an old legend presented at a seaside venue. The hotels were beautiful and the food was really good. As a 76 year-old, some of the activities were a little strenuous. I could not drive the ATV because insurance did not dover anyone over 65. I was able to ride behind the guide on an ATV. Staying on was strenuous and driving my own would probably have been les strenuous. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the experience. Additional sights were seeing one of the active volcanoes still on the island which last erupted in the 1990's and the Bally Swing.
The Bally swing is an astounding photo op where you can rent a flowing dress ( I did not do that ) and get on various mobile hanging swings that would send you over an abyss as if you were just soaring in the wind. There were chain link fences positioned horizontally below to catch you if you fell. No one did. Photographers took myriads of photos to make you the star of these exotic adventurous settings.
I enjoyed the Senses hotel in Ubud with staircases above a river flowing through a very steep canyon. We were surrounded by Hindu houses, all of which had temples in their front yard. Every morning families would visit their personal temple and leave offerings. This was not seen because it is behind walls even though the temples rose above the walls and their extraordinary appearance was wonderful. Also Every morning offerings were left in little green squares, woven out of leaves, with fruit and seeds for the Hindu gods. They were devoured during the day by birds, dogs and other animals. Crops were visible while travelling through Ubud, including rice, oranges, peppers and other fruits.
The second hotel was across from the beach and was just as beautiful but was surrounded by commercial areas like shops and restaurants instead of houses and rice paddies. Walking along the beach, some of the areas were very reminiscent of Venice Beach in Los Angeles, especially the skate board park.
My driver was wonderful. He answered questioned and drove confidently on the "wrong " side of the street.in heavy , crazy traffic. He answered all my questions and we had a conversations where I would ask him something about Bali and he would ask me something about the United States and we were able to make a lot of comparisons. The car was air conditioned and comfortable. I was picked up at the airport and he found me before I saw him with the sign with my name on it. On the last day, he returned me to the airport in plenty of time to catch my plane.
Young families will love visiting Bali. I would not suggest that they try to drive there. The crowds of cars and scooters are too much.
Barbara Armstrong
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