Day 5 of Bali Trip, Part 2, Proposal Day

Before our trip, we have already been talking about a suitable date to get married and have booked the hotel banquet as we chance upon a good deal. So technically speaking, the proposal was long overdue.

When the Bali trip comes, I had an inkling that he may proposed but am also wondering if he had the time to get the engagement ring customized. Before the trip, I imagine that if he were to propose, it will be great that if he will propose at the summit of Mount Batur (which thankfully he didn’t!) and when it didn’t happen, I didn’t think much of it thereafter.

So as shared in previous post, we left Ubud early and had an early lunch at Ibu Oka. We ordered one plate to share and when we check in to our villa, he complained that he is not hungry and his stomach feels bloated.  He suggested to grab a light meal nearby instead of going to Potato head for dinner. I was really puzzled as he only ate 2 – 3 bites of the babi guning, how can he be full? It was our only free evening in Seminyak to visit Potato Head, so I half pleaded and half coerced him to go instead..

When we were at the gate of the Potato Head Beach Club, he was half hoping that we won’t be let in. To his dismay, we got a front row seat and had to spend $50 on food. So we ordered a burger with fries, a side and a drink to share as he wasn’t hungry. While eating, he didn’t eat much and me the hungry one ate most of the food and almost all the fries. He kept asking me to stop eating the fries which I found really annoying. Never did I know… back in the villa, he had something prepared for us. Haha.

So the room was really dark and not ideal for photo taking and after the proposal, there was a three course meal for both of us and a huge plate of truffle fries waiting for me! We just kept laughing as we recall back the events for the day while I was really kicking myself for insisting on going to Potato Head. We wasted a lot of food that night.

Day 5 of Bali Trip,Part 1

On the fifth day of Bali, we check out of our hotel at Ubud and had an early lunch at Ibu Oka for their fame Warang Babi Guling. The environment of this branch is great, huge and comfortable, and if you are curious, you can also asked to see how they roast their pork.

We ordered one to share as it was too early for lunch and we were more amazed by the whole roasting process then the food itself. But the crispy pork crackling and spicy pork are great!

We then leave Ubud and travel towards Semiyak, but before that, we also dropped by Tanah Lot. Before visiting Bali, we were deliberating if we should visit this temple. There are many myths and rumors of it being a cursed temple where unmarried couples will break up within 6 months of visiting the temple. But when I try to find out more information from my driver guide, he didn’t know of this curse. To the locals, this temple is there to protect the fishermen. So off we went and it has being 8 months and we are now busy preparing for our wedding! When we visited, we went during high tide and were unable to cross over to the temple.

We then head over to Seminyak and check in to our villa. We love the villa we stayed and it deserves a post on it’s own! We then rested for a while before walking to Potato Head Beach Club, it is a 20 minutes walk to Potato Head and we went there without knowing that we had to make a reservation. In the end, we pleaded with the guard to let us in, told him the sob story of us being really hungry, walked 20 minutes from our hotel and gave him our huge pitiful eye look, and it worked! He let us in to let us to ask their concierge if there are available tables for us. God must be watching us as we got the first row day bed seats for a minimum spend of $50! Woot!

Front row day bed seats! Woohoo!

We had an awesome view of the sunset!

The food wasn’t too bad but by the time they served the food, it was dark and we couldn’t quite see what we are eating. Haha.

Day 4 of Bali Trip, Climbing up Mount Batur

On the fourth day of our Bali Trip, we woke up slightly past midnight to prepare for our sunrise climb up Mount Batur – an active volcano. Once we reach the starting point of the climb, our Bali  driver guide Bagus from Beat Bali Adventure, found a local hiking guide and off we go. Hiking in complete darkness with the path illuminated by nothing more than our flashlights, we were excited and filled with energy.

The first hour of the hike was the easiest part of the climb as the path was generally flat, we also had a quick break at the beginning where the guide will stop for a prayer and offering session to ask for safety and smooth journey during our time on Mount Batur.

Both Bagus and our hiking guide prepared some offerings and offered their prayers on our behalf. Soon after, the real hiking began. Along the way, we saw people of all  age and sizes. There were the seasoned climbers armed with hiking sticks, the determined retirees in their 50s and 60s and the fearless youths in their shorts and t-shirts.

Most of the tourists we spotted are largely Caucasians and we only bumped into a group of Malaysian while climbing up. We reckon that most of the Asian tourists in Bali will opt for the beach than the climb.

There are many types of hiking groups as well. We saw a large group of 6 to 8, climbing with 1 guide and there were also another group of 10 – 15 with 2 guides. We were thankful to get the best deal! We have 1 hiking guide all to ourselves and Bagus who decided to sweat it out with us and boy were we thankful to pay for the slight premium! The hiking guide is my lifesaver, he practically hand held me up and down the climb while I trip and tumble along.

When we finally reached the submit, it was pitch dark with howling wind and drizzling rain. We huddled in a hut and ate the egg sandwich which Bagus prepared and brought it up for us. When the sun is up, we didn’t managed to enjoy the sunrise with the thick fog and rain, but we were nonetheless thrilled to have reach the top!

Our guide gave some offering to thank the God for their protection.

My happy face when the sun is up, not knowing the greater challenge before us with the climb down.

There are hot steam coming right out of the rocks!

The way down was the worst! I practically screamed and grabbed the hand of the guide while sliding down the sandy volcanic sand. There were plenty of loose rocks and pebbles and it was really steep. My better half slipped and fell 5 times while making his way down. Poor him and his butt got to sacrifice as the hiking guide had all his attention on me.

But we were rewarded with beautiful views as the fogs cleared.

Will I ever climb up Mount Batur again? Definitely no. But should everyone give it a try? Oh Yes! After the climb, you will feel like you can overcome anything that comes your way! The guide was also really proud of me! Even though I was going really slowly with all his help, we made it up steadily with little breaks in between!