Andre and Jill's Adventures: So this is Bali?

Hello from Bali, Indonesia!

We finally arrived on one of the islands we were most looking forward to visiting. The first thing I will say is that first impressions AREN'T everything.

Like most tourists, especially our Aussie friends, our first stop was Kuta Beach. Kuta is best known for the unbelievable surfing and Poppies district for guesthouses and bars. We made our way to the beach the first evening, weaving our way through numerous market-style stalls filled with "I love Bali" souvenirs and "Ray Ban" Sunglasses, only to be welcomed by a pile of garbage running the length of the beach. We embraced this first impression with hopeful optimism as we continued our walk further up the beach. I mean, it couldn't ALL be like this....could it??

Our first Bali sunset

Day 2, second trip to the beach. Ok, so they attempted to rake up some of the garbage, at some point in the night. Now there were piles dotting the beach, but only part way down. We found a couple of chairs and an umbrella (further down), with a good view of the late morning surfers. I settled in with a book and a beach front pedicure while Andre went in search for a rental board.

Surfing...Day 1

Paddle! Paddle! Paddle!

Maybe the next one

Up on the first wave!

My "Wade, Splash, Exit"

We repeated this itinerary a few times throughout the week. Andre had fun working on his self-taught surfing, with some friendly and valuable tips from the locals. And I continued to bask in the sun. To clarify, one does not swim at Kuta unless you are so hot you can't stand it any longer, in which case you wade in to your knees, quickly splashing yourself before making a quick exit back to your sunning spot. Clearly we were able to see past Kuta's downside and have a very enjoyable time there.