I will be the pattern of all patience; I will say nothing.

Had a good time in Bali. And several other people will blog about it, or write about it, so this isn’t going to be the minute by minute account of what to do.

Instead, I bring you – the Bali 3′s.

When in Bali, do

1. Wear sunblock religiously. It’s really scorching hot.
2. Bring insect repellent along with you. The mozzies there are relentless! I applied some before white water rafting, but after the swim it washed off and at once I knew I was going to suffer. Suffice to say, I’m still itching from it.
3. Bring lots of spare clothes. It’s really, really hot. You get really, really sweaty. You’ll probably want to shower just to feel better.

My favourite Bali moments are:

1. Rafting down the Ayung River.
   17 of us went for this, and it was a blast. The entire trip took about six hours, mostly because we had to travel about three hours to and back from Ubud. Rafting on its own took about an hour and a half, and at the end, there was a small buffet spread and hot showers.

   The river wasn’t the most spectacular river ever, but it was fantastic just to roll over all the rapids and rocks. If you’re lucky you’ll catch a few monitor lizards and the odd native taking a bath. But what I liked was that for an hour and a half, life as I know it takes a backseat, and I’ve a first hand glimpse of someone else’s. Definitely worth the time and effort.

   You can make arrangements with Sobek, which is tried and tested. Group discounts are available, so ask. The cheaper alternative is Bali Adventure Tours.

2. Our early dip in the sea.
   Morning is the best time, it’s not as hot, and there are fewer tourists. Our hotel was by the beach, so it was easy for us.

   I went with Eh Don, Eevahn and Mozzie, and even though I had problems waking up at 7am, it was pretty much worth the while. It was more tranquil than the din that is the beachfront in the afternoon, it was cool, and it was fun. I had to be coaxed into actually getting into the sea, but once I was hit by a couple of waves, it was fun.

3. Seafood by the beach.
   Jimbaran is the place to go, you can dine by the seaside while watching the sunset. We had loads of prawns, fish and squid, drinks and transport to and from the hotel for about S$16 per person. Live music available, and the band was ok. There are also day tours that will end up at Jimbaran.

What not to expect of Bali

• Air-conditioning. It’s sparse. It’s intermittent. And ineffective.
• Easily available internet access. Internet cafes weren’t in my face enough for my liking, and the hotel had wi-fi hotspots at certain areas. Unacceptable.
• Gourmet food. Even the food at the Hard Rock Cafe was disappointing.

There you have it. My Bali 3 by 3.