Having just got back from our fabulous wedding and honeymoon in Bali, I’m reposting from our wedding website my Bali guide. It is such a gorgeous, versatile island, with delicious foods and friendly people, we can only recommend everyone should visit this paradise once in their lives.
Part 1 are fast facts about Bali:
Location: Bali is an island 3.2km (2mi) east of Java in the Indonesian archipelago, approximately 8 degrees south of the equator.
Time zone: GMT +8
Airport: Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar (DPS)
Provincial capital: Denpasar (the capital of Indonesia is Jakarta, which is on the island of Java)
Principal cities: Denpasar, Singaraja in the north, and Ubud the cultural center of Bali
Area: 5,632.86 km² (2,175 sq mi) – East to west 153 km (95 mi) wide; 112 km (69 mi) north to south
Population: 3 million
Language: Indonesian, Balinese, English
Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR or RP) – $1 is approximately 10,000 RP
Temperatures: from 17 degrees C / 62 degrees F to 32 degrees C / 90 degrees F
Rainfall: from 30mm in the dry season (April to October) to 350mm in monsoon season (November to March)
Economy: Tourism, rice, fruits and veggies, crafts (batik and ikat cloth, wood and stone carving, silverware)
Art: Painting, sculpture, woodcarving, handicrafts, and performing arts
Religion: Hindu (93.18%), Muslim (4.79%), Christian (1.38%), Buddhist (0.64%)
Main tourist locations: Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Sanur, Ubud
Highest points: Gunung (Mount) Agung at 3,142 m (10,308 feet) high, an active volcano that last erupted in March 1963. Gunung Batur (1,717 m) is also still active.
Beaches: White sand in the south, black sand in the north and in the west.
Next : A quick guide to local customs and culture
A city bus decorated with balloons and a banner saying: My last working day
Getting caught talking to myself during a meeting at work
Witty banter with my colleagues
Feeling married
And the ultimate highlight: To celebrate my nuptials, my colleague organized a champagne breakfast for me at work during our morning briefing. She brought croissants, three bottles of champagne with her own glasses, and tropical fruit. Another colleague put rose petals all over the floor. I say “put”, because she did not toss them as we would; she placed them carefully so they wouldn’t cluster. The team also gave me a beautiful orchid. Instead of the usual 15 minute briefing, we spent an hour drinking champagne, after which we were pretty much useless for the rest of the day.
The Ferret and I were legally wed on Friday 9 October 2009. In Belgium the law requires that before you get married in any type of religious or other ceremony, you stand before a civil officiant who reads to you a piece of text from the constitution and asks you both whether you agree to get married. You say yes, you and the witnesses sign all legal documents and the deal is done. You’re out in under 15 minutes, if that.
What we anticipated would be a rather administrative event, turned out to be an amazing, special day. Here’s how the day went:
07:00 – The Ferret and I lie in bed talking and giggling like teenagers. We gab about exploding whales, like the sperm whale in Tainan, and wonder why the city wouldn’t cover it with tarp before transporting it through the city.
08:00 – We finally get out of bed. Before getting ready we hang out in the living room listening to music and checking our email.
10:15 – My aunt and grandma arrive while I’m still in my underwear blow drying my hair.
10:25 – Grandma finally made it up the stairs. My aunt helps me zip up the dress my stepmom made for the occasion. It’s a gorgeous cocktail dress in steel satin. It has pockets and a belt with silver paillettes. The pockets are my favorite. Every girl needs a cocktail dress with pockets.
10:45 – My parents, sister and brother, one of my friends and The Ferret’s witness have arrived; we break out the champagne on our empty stomachs. The Ferret says he loves Belgian weddings already.
11:10 – We make our way to our town hall. The weather is nice for the first time this week and most of the group decide to walk there. The Ferret and I get in the back of my aunt’s three door hatchback. We could have taken a more fancy car, but this has a certain charm.
11:15 – Our witnesses, our friend and my sister, register at the front desk, and we make our way to the ceremonial room where they perform the wedding. It’s a spacious, light room with a view on the town and the surrounding fields. The Ferret and I are all smiles as we take our seats in front of the civil servant. I am suddenly very aware of everything around me.
11:25 – The Ferret and I shake hands while we say yes to each other. It’s the local custom, descendant from the cattle farmers who shook hands to seal the deal. What I had imagined would be a rather awkward moment, turned out to be really nice. I feel a wave of happiness and love (not unlike Gilbert and Anne), and just cannot stop smiling. My cheeks make me feel like a hamster stocking up on food.
11:30 – The Ferret is the first to sign, and because he’s not Belgian, he has to sign all his official documents, like his birth certificate and the apostille, the translations, etc. We all start laughing and joke that it’s worse than buying a house.
11:35 -The lady from the town hall reads the official declaration of our marriage. She makes an effort to pronounce all those non-Belgian names perfectly. When she’s done, she sighs and asks whether she had it all correct. It lightens up what would otherwise be a dull, formal ceremony. The town gives us champagne and two glasses as a gift, set in a pretty box. Instead of eating gross wedding cake, we’ll save this bottle for our one year anniversary.
11:40 – My parents are like paparazzi. We hug everyone and head out to the local restaurant, Bertembrug, for a long lunch. The fare is homely Belgian. We have chicken fillet with cream of mushroom sauce and mashed potatoes. Served with wine of course, and followed by a Café Glacé.
14:30 – Stuffed and exhausted we say goodbye to everyone and crash on the couch.
15:30 – The Ferret and I head into Leuven to buy a guest book, but give up frustratedly after visiting every book and stationery store we know. No guest book it is. We should have just stayed home to consummate the marriage.
18:00 – We meet up with our recently married friends for dinner at the best Italian place in town: La Stanza. Because it’s so early we’re the only people there, but it’s nice to catch up with close friends and the food was absolutely fabulous. If only we were still hungry. Lunch is still heavy on my stomach and the prospect of all those hors d’oeuvres leaves me no choice but to leave half of my Penne alla Norma untouched.
19:10 – We rush home to change back into our dress clothes. The Ferret and I are strangely relaxed. Just like this morning.
19:50 – We finally head out of the house. It’s a good thing the reception venue is close. Our friends give us a ride and marvel at how unfazed and at ease we are.
20:00 – We’re just on time for our own wedding cocktail reception at Bertembos. 50 people celebrate this day with us. The Ferret and I hardly see each other. It’s a matter of divide and conquer to be able to welcome everyone and squeeze in meaningful conversation before saying goodbye again.
21:00 – I’m buzzed. The catering is superb. The food is delicious, beautifully presented and plentiful. Though not as plentiful as what I have come to refer to as the bottomless glass of Cava. The waiters are fast on their feet and friendly as they make sure no one has a glass that’s even half empty.
22:00 – Guests start to leave. We get loads of compliments about the food, drinks and the service. And my dress got tons of compliments too, which are really compliments for my stepmother whose skill brought my vision to life.
22:40 – The last guests take their leave. My mom drives us home. It’s pouring rain now, but we don’t care. This day has been wonderful. Much nicer than we expected, much more special.
23:10 – The Ferret and I call each other husband and wife for the first time and still cannot stop smiling. Though by now it might be the alcohol.
… and for those who wonder (as for sure you must), yes, we did consummate the marriage that very night. :p
