something-to-remember: Germany- Bali

A month has gone and you wonder why?
Well, like last year, so I had my holiday.
This time I was traveling to the wonderful Island Bali.
Bali is part of Indonesia and Indonesia has itself 17 500 little islands, 240 million people living on an area about 2 mill. km2. Big and very much surrounded with water. India and pacific ocean and the wind from the north asia front and from the south, coming from Australia are giving these islands a very special climate and as it is, so is Bali warm around the year and the Balinese self say they only have two different seasons, the rain season and the summer time, which is from April to end of September.
Bali also is a bit special because of it's religion. The rest of Indonesia has the Islam, but be sure it is a very open minded way they live it. Although the "Miss world" -Girls had to wear a sarong- the first time not allowing to show they body in a swimsuit.
So arriving from Frankfurt/ Main after a very long journey by plane, I was surrounded of 4 million people on an island which the Balinese self call the home of gods.
As it is, 4 million does not make me fear, cos Berlin self has this number inside and so I started my time in Bali very well.
Landing on an airport in Denpasar- south- Bali, which lays next to the ocean, the beach, I heard next to every minute a call which goes like: "Happy landing Mister XY from....". After a while you which that this will come to a happy ending. The airport is part old and part new and like I know it from other airports, you have to walk a little time to come to your baggage. Although, the way was little confusing, cos less orientation was to find and then the visa. I had one but on the gate for the people who already have an visa, there was a lot of people who did not have one and it seems no one cared about that fact. So no rushing through the controlling and as this was not enough I had to fill in another paper, which I already had. But so it is. being through it, calm and with a smile, I just had to look out for my one and only baggage. Turns out that this was another challenges. Not only people everywhere. No there was also no sign of where to pic up your packed clothes... Just ask three times to get to the right line and thanks to the Balinese it all stood there on the ground so you just had to look and find it, what you're looking for but next to it there is always a guy who wants to help you- o course for a Dollar or two, but I did not needed it and went out of the hall, cos my driver was already waiting.
A half hour drive and I was arrived at the Bali Agung Villa in Seminyak. That's what the place or part in Bali is called. Two nights now and the tour around the country will start. Something I can hardly recommend. Take the two first days kind of free. Arrive and sleep, eat and take a walk, like on the beach and through the area you stay. Jettlag is very common when you travel with time and Bali was 6 hours later then home in Germany. So while I arrived in the morning, it was midnight in Berlin.

After my two nights it was time to see a driver again and go to south- west Bali to Manggis to the very beautiful Hotel Alila Manggis, which lays between typical Bali houses, next to the street and was only for the driver easy to find. But who am I to talk bad and mad? The hotel is directly to the beach, although the beach is very little and had a lot of stones, but the view is stunning and you can catch a sigh on the Nusa Penida Island. This Hotel by the way shows the new Bali Style, which means that it is very simple, modern and just a few palms and a swimming pool (which was more or lesson best for children to play in, because the water was not deep at all..). You know it all starts with some man from foreign countries who build the first Hotels and Villages and had the idea to put in the rain forrest and everything traditional from Bali, which became famous as the Bali Style. The balinese itself would never had done it this way, cos they wanted to put away all plants and everything which reminds of the forrest. It had to be clean, clear and with stones. Thanks that it never came like this and so more things where to come up again for all the balinese. Anyway, with the years this very classic bali style had some things that a part of tourist did not like so much, like the wooden windows, who make it easy for mosquitos to come into the room and bite you. But yes it became with the years the absolute opposite, which became now a mix of old and new, due to the fact that there is a rain time and so the open restroom and shower room was and is much better.
So after all you have mostly those little complexes and houses-- mostly, because in Kuta, which is next to Denpasar and comes before Seminyak, there are the big hotels and the Mallorca Style. Sad but true but luck was on the side for a nice Bali. No hotel is allowed to be build bigger then a palm can be, although they try nowadays everything to come higher and bigger. And here in Kuta to reach the beach is hard. A typical mistake many countries made and make. To build in a way that no one can see the beach. But then again, since ten years they try to rule the tourist thing in a good way out.
So Bali became aware of garbage and that you have to clean up and recycle. Not that it is clean everyway. Not at all. It's quite dirty on the ways you pass.
Another thing people like me brought to Bali is, that balinese now live next to the ocean, which was not a though before, cos the ocean is the home of the bad gods and demons.
Did I mention that Bali is hindu dharma? A mix of hindu, Buddha and their old gods and demons. Yes balinese are very religious and every day they give things to the gods. So the gods have to do something the day long and will not play with humans. All gods- god and bad get those flowers, fruits and tabac. But if you know believe they flying in holy spirits all they long, then you're wrong. When they drive and work, it is very down to earth. Rules may be there but no one cares, but each is looking for another. Taking care is important and showing respect to. They may become richer, live longer because of us tourist, but never forgot the roots yet.
That's why they still take of the shoes when they enter a room. And if you as a tourist are smart, you do it too and when you want to show them real respect- learn some worths in indonesian... it is very simply and they appreciate it very much.
And now the last words for this start.... by a business ticket! As long it is not emirates airlines, you will have a much better comfort flying all the long way... 10.000 km from Middle Europe to Bali. That is quite a distance and I can surely say.. I loved it!
Now enjoy the first pics and then look out for the next post!!!!!