10 Things to Experience in Bali

1) Jimbaran - seafood. You get to choose your own seafood (crabs, fish, clams, prawns, squid) and tell the cook how you want it done. Walk towards the beach, where romantic lanterns, tables of frolicking families and romantic couples abound. As you sit, the chair sinks into the sand. As you eat some more, you sink a little deeper. Live band going around playing music to suit all tastes.

2) Besakih - mother of all temples. I had to rent a sarong because you're not supposed to bare your knees in the holy place. But spaghettis and tubes are fine. So up we climbed the slope to the many, many temples clustered on the hillside. Our local guide had really brown eyes and we think he's mixed. Couldn't speak Indonesian, but schooled in English.

3) Ubud - Bali version of our Central Market. Lots of stuff to buy to your heart's content. Wooden carvings of cats and dicks, accessories of beads and shark's tooth, acrylic paintings of mythical creatures and women's chests. They're pretty good at painting boobs, from the many variations we saw there.

4) Kintamani - view of volcanic mountain. Didn't get to actually step on the volcano and its dark lava-enriched soil. But we were on the opposite side, where they have rows of restaurants with open-air views. Much like dining with the Swiss Alps at the background. Cool mountain breeze with afternoon sun. Japanese tourists seem to love it there.

5) Legian - shopping spree. Long road with little shops all along. Excellent place if you know how to bargain. Let me give you a tip if you plan to visit Bali - haggle until the shopkeeper cries. OK, maybe not that harsh, but sometimes I think they look like I'm asking for free. But hey, better to sell and get rid of inventory rather than hoard them and not earn anything. Seriously, I got my stuff for more than 50% off quoted price!

6) Spa - Green Garden Resort. Don’t know whether we were ripped off, but paying USD44 for 2 hours of massage, scrub and mandi lulur didn't seem to be so worth it. I had a better time in my Sri Hartamas massage compared to here. But the cottage where we had our pampering session opens up to the sky above. Lots of greens and bougainvilleas, piped-in Balinese music and sounds of gushes of water from nearby man-made fountain made it really relaxing, though.

7) Kuta at night - happening area. We walked past the place that got bombed 2 years ago. Hollow and flattened, with a memorial on the front. Can still see faded signatures along with fresh writings of consolation on the banner. Opposite is Paddy's Pub. Very hip and happening, loud music.

8) Hard Rock Cafe - bigger than KL's. No cover charge, but drinks are exorbitant. Paid rup800,000(!!!) for 2 jugs of alcoholic drinks. They have a proper stage for guest artists performing. "T-Rex" was rocking away when we arrived. Pretty good repertoire of songs backed up by solid vocals. Lead lady singer came down to chat with us, delighted that we're Malaysians. Word got to cute lead guy singer, who dropped by during break to take pics with us. Told us they'd be coming to our shores come September to perform in Planet Hollywood. Can't wait!

9) Kuta Beach - big waves, fine sand. Only managed to enjoy the lovely beach on the last day, though. Locals come rushing to you, offering hair-braiding services, tattooing, mats for rent, and of course, surfboards. Must mention hunky surfer dudes too. Rippling muscles and cute smiles. I was right, they were from Sydney. They were sporting enough to pose with us.

10) "Horse-trishaw". Brings you for a tour around Kuta area for a reasonable fee. Popular with Taiwanese tourists. Can smell horse backside from where I sat. Other than that, not too bad. Authentic, something like bullock cart. Just replace bull with horse.