After the HENNESSY ARTISTRY CONCERT in Singapore, my tour manager Maaji and I decided to take off to Bali for some R&R.  We convinced the other artist Celcius 7 to roll (you don’t fly 22 hours to the other side of the world and not go to BALI!!!)  I love Pulau Bali…I call it the Jamaica of SE Asia.  The vibes, the music, the creativity in the air and of course the beautiful surfable ocean.

Lion Air food hurts my stomach and my heart

We flew a budget airlines called LION AIR over to the island.  The flights are very affordable at around $60 US one way (less during non-peak seasons) but I have to warn you…don’t try the food.  It tastes like someone dipped poo in perfume. I kid you not!

Kiwi Penguin Juice?

I was trying to explain to Maaji before leaving Singapore that although Balinese people are amongst the kindest and most friendly people you’ll meet in the world, there are many things that seem non-sensical here.  Here’s a prime example…read the description for the Iced Kiwi Tea (bottom of the menu).  Actually all the drink descriptions are pretty unhelpful.

No dogs and guns you hear?

The madness continues…you gotta love it when the convenience store is letting you know to leave your gat at home.  No smoking, taking pictures, dogs and…oh yeah guns.  HAHAHAHA!

Here’s another good one…What was the thought process for the owner of this store was deciding on the name his clothing business?  Let’s throw a picture of Princess Di in there for good measure. LOL.

Republic of Pimpin

We arrived in Bali before a major Indonesian election.  My vote is for this lady that reps The Republic of PIMPIN!  She even got the right perm for the job! LOL.

Eminem album Booleg - out in Indonesia before the rest of the world.

The water of choice for Emcees

Soto Ayam one of my favorite dishes!

Nagasari Maxing and relaxing

Maaji & I chillin' at the Nagasari, Kuta Bali

We arrived in Bali in peak season with no reservation, but there are many affordable and amazing places to stay in Kuta, the city center of Bali.  Hotel price ranges from $8 a night (bamboo hut by the ocean with no running water), to $2000+ a night in Nusa Dua for accommodations the St Regis.

The first night we stayed at The Negasari for $15/night and especially enjoyed the mountain lion puking water back into the pool.  A breakfast of fried noodles and fried rice was included with the hotel…pretty heavy for the morning but effective hangover grub.

Oasis Bali

We upgraded to the Oasis, Kuta at around $45/night. These digs were choice for the Wi-Fi (though if you’re in Bali you probably don’t want to be on Facebook).  The pool was great too frequented by Austrailian college folk.

St Regis Bali $2000 USD / night

St Regis, Nusa Dua Good spots to write rhymes

We stumbled upon the St Regis @ Nusa Dua.  Immediately I fell in love with the landscaping, the lagoon which permitted one to swim from your room around the hotel, the perfect views of sunsets and the massage beds set up by the water.  Oh yeah…rooms start at $2000 USD +/night!

Sporadic parade in Kuta

Narrow Streets of Kuta

The streets of Kuta have tiny side lanes that Scooters fly through with too many people on 1 vehicle.  In spite of this danger, the lanes are great places to explore as residential homes will have uniquely carved PURIS (prayer alters) in the front yard.  Don’t stay exploring too long…the family dog may not be pleased.

Do i find the music? Or does the music just find me?

Reggae music, universal vibes and unity sounds.  Check out Apache Reggae Bar in Kuta for some solid live Indonesian Reggae.  Yagga Yow.

Cold chillin' in Jimbaran

Jimbaran is known for it’s seafood.  All the restaurants set up umbrellas and tables on the sand in the early evening creating a space for a scenic sunset lobster meal.  The food is delicious, the entertainment is great (Balinese dancers and wandering musicians that mumble lyrics they have forgotten from popular Karaoke favorites) and the view is spectacular.  I wouldn’t suggest trying to swim in the water…the waves here might just beat you up right Celcius?  In such a situation, you can order a doctor to your hotel for a convenient shot of morphine to take the edge away.

The grub @ Jimbaran wash it down with a Bintang Beer and every irie!

Bali is a fairly large island with a lot of amazing things to take in.  When we got tired of the slight polluted bustle of Kuta, we called our driver UC OK! (no for real, that’s his name…You-see-oh-kay!) and he would take us all over the island.  If you’re headed out to Bali and need a driver, shoot me an email and I’ll send you his phone number!  info@masiaone.com  He’s a great tour guide and an awesome photographer.

We headed out to UBUD known for it’s painters and natural beauty.  Temples, volcanos and rice fields in one day is great fodder for the imagination and to take off the stresses sitting in front of a computer waiting for destiny to find you through email.

UBUD temple with Emcee Celcius 7 (as a tiger) and tour manager Maaji

UBUD Temple

UC OK goes to work at his make shift temple photoshoot!

Batik paintings of Fish in Ubud

Batur Volcano in the Kintamani District

UBUD Rice Patties!

Everyday I'm hustlin...This lady was gully she chopped her wares right into your car!

Seaweed Farm

The next day UC OK took us Turtle Island: apparently a turtle sanctuary that rehabilitates the turtles of the area then releases them back into the wild.  Our guide on Turtle island told us he was part Organgutan part Indonesia *shrug*.  Maaji was really NOT feeling to chill near the water with turtle poo but she eventually chilled with the wildlife!

Turtle Island's baby turtles

Maaji & the turtle!

Dark Knight, bat signs...

The final destination was GWK (Garuda Wisnu Kencana) Cultural Park.  This place was pretty amazing – the builders cut a mountain literally in half so that the section of the mountain is exposed.  I was told these were the grounds they booked major musical acts!!!  I would LOVE to play a show here – working on it!  I think you have to be Bruce Springsteen or something LOL.  Giant statues of Hindu Gods have been erected here and the carving as well as the feng shui of everything is pretty amazing in this space.

GWK (Garuda Wisnu Kencana) Cultural Park, photo by Jaak

Garuda Statue

Wisnu in the dark

Wisnu's hands point to the moon

Our last few days in Bali were spent with the Homeboy Ricky who owns a store called Emperor Bali in Kuta. I met Ricky the last time I was in Bali, at the airport and had missed my flight.  I had to buy a new ticket, none of the bank machines work (cash only!!!) and i was 6 hours away from opening for The ROOTS in Jakarta!  He saw me in a near sobbing state and simply brought me over to another ticketing counter and bought me a flight to Jakarta!  From there we spoke about life, music (he ran tattoo studios with studio space upstairs for punk bands to practice for a while) and now manufactures clothing and customizable leather products (see the jacket he made me HERE).  He even services a Hiphop clothing line in German and will be developing my line of MERDEKA merchandise for release Summer 2010.  Visit Emperor Bali if you’re in the hood and say what up to Ricky ok?  He’s good peoples, guaranteed to make you laugh and does some part time work as a guardian angel.

Chillin' inside Emperor Bali while waiting to take measurements for my jacket

We trekked to ULUWATU where the waves are ideal for surfers.  Although I love surfing, these waves were much too big for me so I hid out in a cave while Maaji tanned.

Quaint surf shops

Masia One @ Emperor Bali store! (I caught a cold the last few days, so I was mostly sleeping...)

No Bali Ballin’ trip is complete without a yacht ride!  We spent the afternoon on a catamaran headed toward Pulau Lembongan.  Once the boat reached the island we were able to swim and snorkel before heading right back with the wind pushing the sail forward.

I *heart* Bali I do...

At the end of our field trips, it’s always back to Kuta beach to people watch before the Sunsets.  We just poured our spiked Guava juice and wandered up the long stretch of beach.

Masia & Maaji back to Kuta Beach!

Sandy Freeze!

Bali zen face!

I will

Peace Bali, I’ll miss you but I’ll be back.  Next stop…Halifax Nova Scotia! LOL.