Wow! February 1st already! We are well settled back into our Ubud routine and it is almost time for us to leave for a few days again. LOL....guess that means we're not meant to get too settled here. :-)
In addition to our regular self-care practices that range from yoga to meditation and massage to reflexology we managed to add in the fine art of shopping over the past week too. What fun! Yesterday was a rainy day (and today is another one) so it was the perfect excuse to spend the day with Jati following a trail of leads I'd found online for locations that cater to larger size clothing. The bonus was that the trail would also take us into some communities that we had yet to visit and so it was a day of exploring, shopping, and laughter for us yesterday. At times we felt like Julia Roberts (in Pretty Woman) with our bags filled with purchases and at others we were channeling our grandkids as we sipped decadent milkshakes while sitting in chairs that made us look like we had rabbit ears.
We lunched at a roadside warung and marvelled at the magic that is the traffic here. Somehow the chaos works and everyone just merges into the maze without mishap. We located parking spots down rutted alleys amidst the chickens and the ducks and then dodged the rain drops (thanks to our ever present umbrellas) as we hopped over puddles on our way back to the store fronts. The rain never let up all day and we were sure thankful to have a car versus a motor bike! It truly is something to see though. When the skies open in a fresh cloudburst (and they really do open and pour down) all the bikes just stop and don their rain gear and start again almost without missing a beat. And because they all do it simultaneously they don't even lose their place in traffic. Bikes weave in and out of cars like professional drivers and so within seconds they are back in the thick of it and only a few seconds behind where they might have been had there been no rain. Keep in mind here that many of those bikes have 2 or 3 or even 4 or sometimes 5 people on them too. The skill of the locals in driving their bikes is without question!
One of our "shopping" stops was at a silver and gold shop. We chose to go to the one that is a bit of a blend of traditional and new styles and where there was a little educational component. This educational component turned out to be a highlight! The intricate detail of the work that they do is beyond description. Everything is done by hand. The size of the silver balls they use to "build" the pieces of jewellery would compare to grains of sand. They glue each tiny ball in place attaching it to the one before ultimately "building" an earring or whatever it is they're working on. Once all those little balls are glued in place the silver solder stage takes place. From there it is solid enough to be polished and cleaned and as simple as I've made this sound....it is anything but simple! Lynda's comment in watching the fine work they're all doing with their incredibly steady hands was that any of them could be called a "silver surgeon" with the focus and attention to detail they demonstrated. It was very tempting to spend money at this stop both because of our appreciation for the quality of the work but also because of the very reasonable price tags. We were both able to resist the temptation but.....maybe next time when we come back to Bali....there will be a budget for silver shopping too. :-). The other thing worthy of note about this shop was that it was magnificent! Marble floors were all polished to a high gloss, coy filled pools everywhere, glass walls that left the impression of vast space, and professional staff to welcome you at the door, guide you through the education, show you the jewellery that is in the display cases, and keep the place clean and shiny. Even the bathroom at this stop was a highlight....maybe the nicest one I've seen anywhere....including some of the fancy hotels we've visited.
Earlier this week I did a little shopping of a different nature. I was off in search of a specific statue and there is an amazing story of synchronicity attached to it that is worthy of sharing here. When we were on Gili we had a lovely little private courtyard that was home to a traditional Balinese style statue at our accommodation (Smugglers). I fell in love with that statue! It was a Balinese fellow in a reflective pose and the serenity that literally oozed off of him was palpable so I missed him when we left Gili. Lynda, clever girl that she is, said "why don't you get one to take home?" Immediately I thought it was a great idea until the logistics of just what that would mean kicked in and doubt began to creep in. The statue I want is a meter high and although I didn't pick him up to see how heavy he was...there is no doubt that he is way too heavy for me to take on the plane! Then I thought about having him shipped but didn't even know where to begin with that process. It was then that I remembered something a friend had mentioned about a year ago. She told me about a friend of hers who used to live in Indonesia and who has an export/import business with shops in BC. I wondered....wouldn't it be something if I could connect with my friends friend and put my statue (if I could find one) in with her next shipment home? So I went online and found the contact info for that shop (Itsy Bitsy Emporium) sent off a note to their business email that I hoped wouldn't make me sound like some kind of a crazy stalker and thought to myself that I'd let this action make the decision....if I heard back and it was possible I'd go in search of the statue and if not...I'd let the idea go. I didn't have long to wait! The very next day I had a reply from my friend's friend (whose name also happens to be Laurie). The Bali gods were all on my team and as luck would have it Laurie was at this very moment on a shopping trip in Bali and to make it even more amazing....she was right here in Ubud! I sent her a photo of "my" statue and she was able to confirm she would have room for it in her container and even told me where to go to see about purchasing it. I couldn't believe my good fortune! I made a date with Jati to take me the 1/2 hour trip to the statue shop (Yuliani) and sure enough they were able to "hook me up". Although they didn't have my guy already there and available, their carvers would be able to make him for me in time for him to get into Laurie's shipping container which would be packing up in about 10 days. So I gave Yuliani's owner a photo of my statue and the dimensions I wanted, paid my bill ($150 plus shipping and I don't know how much that will be yet), and crossed my fingers as I asked if I could see the carvers in action. Again....the gods were all smiling on me and Jati and I were able to drive the short distance to the location where Yuliani's workers do their magic. In fact, I was able to meet and get some video of the carver who will be making my statue (it will take him a full week of working on just my piece to complete it). The limestone comes in big blocks from the neighbouring island of Java. The carver will choose the best piece for my statue and then from the photo I've supplied he will create my "guy". The carving area is very rustic but the carvers seemed very happy in their workplace. They have music playing and they just sit there with their art taking form under their expert hands. I watched the carver work on the face of another statue that was quite similar to the one that I was ordering and it was amazing to watch that face emerge from the rock under his talent and his blade. The knife he was using for the face was quite small and had a rounded end that wasn't as sharp as I thought it might have been. He was using it to scrape away the rock in tiny increments that left everything covered in a layer of limestone dust that left the artist looking like he'd been playing in icing sugar. Bottom line....my statue is being carved as I type this, it will be picked up by cargo between Feb 7-10 and loaded into a shipping container. It will arrive in Abbotsford mid April, about the same time that I'm getting home so this summer there will be a Balinese statue at my front door to greet all who come to visit.
The next day after my statue shopping adventure Lynda and I were able to connect with Laurie Dillon from Itsy Bitsy Emporium. Not only did we have a great visit with her and her friend Anita (over Bintang Radlers of course) but we also got a little more shopping in at a batik factory where she was picking up a few more pieces for her store(s). New statue, new friends, new experience, and a great new story!
Another new adventure we had this past week was a trip to the mansion. And yes....that was exactly as you might imagine when you hear the word mansion. The Mansion is a property here in Ubud that offers both a hotel type accommodation as well as private villas. There were three of us; Lynda, Julie (neighbour and new friend who introduced us to the mansion), and I. We were able to each pay $5 (plus $1 for a towel) to be allowed to use their pool that is in the main grounds. The grounds are GORGEOUS and we seriously felt like we were living the life of the rich and famous as we lounged at that poolside! As well, (and since it was a Sunday afternoon) we decided to have High Tea in a VERY comfortable seating area near the pool. High Tea Balinese style was a little different in that it didn't have tiered trays of sweet and savoury but it did have the sweet and savoury collection served on little plates for each person. We got to choose the type of tea we wanted and it was even served in proper china tea cups which always makes it taste better. Once we were done at pool side we decided to go and tour the main hotel area. Wouldn't you know it....once we were there we were "called" to sit at a table at yet another poolside area and since we were sitting there already to take advantage of the happy hour specials that were just starting. Several happy drinks later we got a cab and made our way back to our place in Ubud. What a fun day we'd all had....its been confirmed that we will have to do this again!
I just heard the click click click of a suitcase being pulled down the laneway....someone else if having to leave. There isn't a day that goes by that both Lynda and I don't thank our lucky stars that we're able to stay here for so long! Having this luxury of time has allowed us to get to know the people and the culture in ways that the typical tourist would never be able to do. Most people are just here for a week or two and during that time they run from site to site trying to fit in as much as they can. We recognize what a luxury it is to be able to take our time as we explore the variety of sites this beautiful island and it's culture have to offer. We truly do "live" in Bali now and are very thankful for that fact.
The other day when we were taking a taxi somewhere....can't remember where it was but I do recall that it was Stun (another wonderful driver who has been given the nickname Stun because his name is Ketut and there are so many Ketut's. He was given the name Stun as he is very quiet....like a stone....hence Stun. This story is an example of the type of thing the gift of time has allowed us to be exposed to.) Anyway, while we were in the cab the conversation rolled around to what we liked to eat and when we said warungs...Stun asked if we liked street food too and our response of "yes" prompted him to ask if we'd had grilled corn. Well, neither of us had seen grilled corn at any street food stalls yet and so last night after our shopping trip we got Jati to take us to see if we could find some and sure enough we did! The choices are steamed corn or grilled corn. The steamed corn is served plain and the grilled corn is served with butter and salt. I opted for grilled corn and Lynda opted for steamed BUT she also wanted to have butter and salt on her steamed corn. Jati did his best to dissuade her. He even gave her a piece of his plain steamed corn to try (which she said was very good) but "no, she still wanted butter and salt on her steamed corn". The funny part of this story is that once she got it she had to admit that the plain steamed corn was better and the even funnier part of this story is that the corn story of Lynda and Jati will long live in Ubud as everyone has found the humour in this event. In fact today, during the impromptu english class that seems to happen on our patio most mornings, that story was the focus of an entire section of the learning. LOL! Gotta love learning that takes the form of real life! :-)
On the english class front and all kidding aside the progress Ketut and Ketut have made is unbelievable! We call them Ketut 1 and Ketut 2. Ketut 1 works here at our place. He makes us breakfast and cleans our room. Ketut 2 has the same job at Julie's (yes, the same Julie who was at the Mansion with us). Both boys are in their early 20's and both are eager to learn english. Ketut 1 was further behind at the start but today both Lynda and I noticed that he seems to have taken the lead. Perhaps it is that he is here with us more often and so his "classes" are ongoing all the time but we both think that it might be that he is a little more serious about the learning and so his focus and motivation is a little stronger. The past couple of weeks he's been working with flash cards and that seems to have really propelled him forward. In fact, some of the sentences he's been coming up with have been so detailed and such a clear demonstration of his understanding that it has moved us to tears. Nice to know that we're making a difference as by having english doors will be opened for them that otherwise would never be. Both boys are from the village and until they came to work in Ubud really hadn't been exposed to english at all. In fact, village life is very traditional on every front. I can't remember if I mentioned about the pizza we had the other day when we were out on our motorcycle tour with Ketut and Jati. Ketut (1) had never tasted pizza and was kind of afraid to. Now that he has....he LOVES it! So maybe we're helping on the english front but the food front might be another story entirely. :-) LOL!
It's been raining here all day and so both Lynda and I have had a "day at home". Tonight we've got plans to head out to a unique restaurant for dinner with Julie and two of her guests. Not sure what we're going to find that makes it unique but....whatever it is....we'll let you know with the next post.
Till then,
L & L
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
January 24, 2017
If I could carry a tune I'd break into song and say...... "and I'm feeling good!" LOL
Today was full. After another delicious breakfast served on our patio to the sound of the water fountain in the garden and the birds in the trees we got to work. Lynda spent the morning helping Ketut with his English while I was online with a Board meeting.
Once that was behind us it was off to Bali Buddha where we had an appointment with Komang, our agent. She had out passports ready for us to pick up and we owed her a bunch of money! The cost is $65 each for each month of extension we get to our visas. This first extension (that takes us to Feb 14th) was a lot more effort as we had the fingerprint/photo day in Denpasar at immigration. Subsequent months will just mean we have to give the passports to Komang (a week prior to expiration) and she will look after getting them to immigration and filling out the paperwork for us. Each month will be another $65/person.
After our appointment with Komang at 2:30 (she is a busy lady!) we headed off in search of a new place to have some lunch and we found another great warung. So for less than $10 (total) we both had a substantial lunch and drinks and that included a very healthy tip!
Once lunch was over we decided to walk up a road we've never been down before and after a while Lynda found a little path that looked like it might take us all the way across to Jl Hanoman (one of the main streets in Ubud). Luck was with us again and sure enough....we popped right out on Hanoman where we met a really nice guy named Made who just happened to also be a taxi driver. Since it was starting to rain and we'd had enough walking we decided to take him up on his offer of a taxi. The usual fare is $5 to go anywhere in the centre of town. That might seem like a lot but it is because the roads are one way and there is a lot of traffic in the afternoons so it takes the drivers a long time to get back to their "station". Made dropped us right off in front of our place and wouldn't you know it....the rain had stopped so we decided to walk a little further.
We weren't too far up the street when we both had the idea to go for coffee and dessert at a place we both like where there is a couch facing the street so you can watch the activity as life goes on in this interesting place. Perched upon our couch and wearing our imaginary crowns (since it is kind of a fancy place) Lynda ordered a pot of earl grey tea and I a latte. For dessert Lynda decided on the lemongrass apple tart (she'd had it before and liked it so much she wanted it again) whereas I went with a new option. I ordered the molten chocolate lava cake. OMG! It was sooooo good I guarantee that I will go back there to have it again at least once more before we leave this town that is an absolute gastronomic heaven. As good as our desserts and coffee/tea were we learned that we prefer to come here after dark as by then there will be live music at the place across the street and the ambiance is just that much better. No complaints from either of us that we're just going to HAVE to come back here again to make sure the after dark option is definitely the one we prefer. :-)
With dessert behind us it was off to reflexology for me and a stop at the spa for new polish for Lynda. An hour later I felt like a new woman as I left the reflexology place where my guy Sujita had worked his magic once again. On top of that I hadn't taken more than half a dozen steps when I heard a bike come up behind me on the road, stop and a voice say...."want a ride?" I turned to see Pasek there and didn't take more than a second to reply, "absolutely!" I hopped on the back of his bike that was facing the wrong way on a one way street. We had no helmets so the breeze felt fantastic. It was just starting to turn dusk so there was that almost mysterious vibe in the air and everything looks just a little different than it did by the light of the day. We zipped down Monkey Forest squeezing past oncoming traffic (as all motorbikes do) and in no time I was hopping off the bike at the entrance to our lane. As I walked down the lane I couldn't help but smile as I thought about what a great day it had been.
I found Lynda back in the room just having returned from her spa time and with her new toes looking very pretty in their purple polish. Our conversation couldn't help but go to the topic of how fortunate we feel to be living here in Ubud and how proud we are of ourselves for moving to action on creating this opportunity. Having just past the two month mark we can already feel the value of living in a space and a place where the focus of our day is quite simply ourselves. Certainly we do other things too and have some responsibilities (like our passports or my meeting this morning or english class or yoga or a reflexology appointment) but the pace of life here is slower and it is easy to stay in the present and to not feel the overwhelm that so often makes its way into a day in the life at home. One of the things that I will take away from this gift of 5 months living in Bali that I've given myself is the feeling that comes with not over-filling the daily 'to do' list and the value of ensuring that somewhere on that list is intentional self-care activities. Certainly being here has made it so affordable to have regular reflexology and massage and living here has meant that we can afford to eat out so there is no groceries to buy, food to cook or clean up to do. All of those things help make it easy for us to focus on ourselves and I intend to figure out a way to keep some of that once I return home.
But enough of my story..... LOL..... please just know that we both wish for all of you who are reading this that you're gaining a little self-care time as you follow this blog and that you too will move forward in your own lives with your own intentional self-care practice as a focus in your daily plan.
It's just 8:30 and we're back in the room and ready for a game or two of cards so until next time.....
L & L
Today was full. After another delicious breakfast served on our patio to the sound of the water fountain in the garden and the birds in the trees we got to work. Lynda spent the morning helping Ketut with his English while I was online with a Board meeting.
Once that was behind us it was off to Bali Buddha where we had an appointment with Komang, our agent. She had out passports ready for us to pick up and we owed her a bunch of money! The cost is $65 each for each month of extension we get to our visas. This first extension (that takes us to Feb 14th) was a lot more effort as we had the fingerprint/photo day in Denpasar at immigration. Subsequent months will just mean we have to give the passports to Komang (a week prior to expiration) and she will look after getting them to immigration and filling out the paperwork for us. Each month will be another $65/person.
After our appointment with Komang at 2:30 (she is a busy lady!) we headed off in search of a new place to have some lunch and we found another great warung. So for less than $10 (total) we both had a substantial lunch and drinks and that included a very healthy tip!
Once lunch was over we decided to walk up a road we've never been down before and after a while Lynda found a little path that looked like it might take us all the way across to Jl Hanoman (one of the main streets in Ubud). Luck was with us again and sure enough....we popped right out on Hanoman where we met a really nice guy named Made who just happened to also be a taxi driver. Since it was starting to rain and we'd had enough walking we decided to take him up on his offer of a taxi. The usual fare is $5 to go anywhere in the centre of town. That might seem like a lot but it is because the roads are one way and there is a lot of traffic in the afternoons so it takes the drivers a long time to get back to their "station". Made dropped us right off in front of our place and wouldn't you know it....the rain had stopped so we decided to walk a little further.
We weren't too far up the street when we both had the idea to go for coffee and dessert at a place we both like where there is a couch facing the street so you can watch the activity as life goes on in this interesting place. Perched upon our couch and wearing our imaginary crowns (since it is kind of a fancy place) Lynda ordered a pot of earl grey tea and I a latte. For dessert Lynda decided on the lemongrass apple tart (she'd had it before and liked it so much she wanted it again) whereas I went with a new option. I ordered the molten chocolate lava cake. OMG! It was sooooo good I guarantee that I will go back there to have it again at least once more before we leave this town that is an absolute gastronomic heaven. As good as our desserts and coffee/tea were we learned that we prefer to come here after dark as by then there will be live music at the place across the street and the ambiance is just that much better. No complaints from either of us that we're just going to HAVE to come back here again to make sure the after dark option is definitely the one we prefer. :-)
With dessert behind us it was off to reflexology for me and a stop at the spa for new polish for Lynda. An hour later I felt like a new woman as I left the reflexology place where my guy Sujita had worked his magic once again. On top of that I hadn't taken more than half a dozen steps when I heard a bike come up behind me on the road, stop and a voice say...."want a ride?" I turned to see Pasek there and didn't take more than a second to reply, "absolutely!" I hopped on the back of his bike that was facing the wrong way on a one way street. We had no helmets so the breeze felt fantastic. It was just starting to turn dusk so there was that almost mysterious vibe in the air and everything looks just a little different than it did by the light of the day. We zipped down Monkey Forest squeezing past oncoming traffic (as all motorbikes do) and in no time I was hopping off the bike at the entrance to our lane. As I walked down the lane I couldn't help but smile as I thought about what a great day it had been.
I found Lynda back in the room just having returned from her spa time and with her new toes looking very pretty in their purple polish. Our conversation couldn't help but go to the topic of how fortunate we feel to be living here in Ubud and how proud we are of ourselves for moving to action on creating this opportunity. Having just past the two month mark we can already feel the value of living in a space and a place where the focus of our day is quite simply ourselves. Certainly we do other things too and have some responsibilities (like our passports or my meeting this morning or english class or yoga or a reflexology appointment) but the pace of life here is slower and it is easy to stay in the present and to not feel the overwhelm that so often makes its way into a day in the life at home. One of the things that I will take away from this gift of 5 months living in Bali that I've given myself is the feeling that comes with not over-filling the daily 'to do' list and the value of ensuring that somewhere on that list is intentional self-care activities. Certainly being here has made it so affordable to have regular reflexology and massage and living here has meant that we can afford to eat out so there is no groceries to buy, food to cook or clean up to do. All of those things help make it easy for us to focus on ourselves and I intend to figure out a way to keep some of that once I return home.
But enough of my story..... LOL..... please just know that we both wish for all of you who are reading this that you're gaining a little self-care time as you follow this blog and that you too will move forward in your own lives with your own intentional self-care practice as a focus in your daily plan.
It's just 8:30 and we're back in the room and ready for a game or two of cards so until next time.....
L & L
Sunday, January 22, 2017
January 22, 2017
I feel like I should begin with, "forgive me readers for I have sinned....its been a full week since my last post!"
The truth is...we've been kind of busy...not sure at what but the days have slipped by! Our time on Gili Air was so great that we ended up extending out stay there by two additional nights and loved every minute of it. We got into the swing of riding our bikes wherever we wanted to go. We sunned (well...we stayed under our umbrellas because we are at the equator after all!) and we swam (well....Lynda swam and I stood), and we just enjoyed our vacation because that is what it felt like. We live on Bali and we had a little vacation on Gili Air. One day Lynda went off on a snorkel boat and I went for a bike ride. My bike ride wasn't as eventful as her excursion though. Her highlight was swimming with the turtles and the not so highlight was that there was such a torrential downpour that she ended up having to walk back (about a mile) through knee deep water as the roads were all flooded and the boat wasn't able to get back to shore any closer than that! Bottom line....both of us agree....we'd go back to Gili Air in a heartbeat....it's a magical world like nowhere either of us have ever been before.
Our return from Gili Air turned out to be a little longer than planned as our boat had something wrong with it that day and so wasn't sailing. As a result we were reassigned to another boat but that vessel wouldn't be leaving till after noon and we were there in time for our 10:30 departure so it was a bit of a wait. Luckily...the scenery was amazing (no surprise there) and we even had the pleasant surprise of an nice little "extra" visit with Leni (a beach vendor we'd become friends with). Leni was just getting off her boat from Lombok (where she lives) when she spied us in the crowd waiting at the harbour so she made a beeline for us to have one final hug goodbye. We almost didn't recognize her as we'd never seen her without her headscarf, sunhat and goods for sale hanging about her neck and balanced atop her head. What a treat to get to see her as 'just Leni' for our final farewell. She is 30 years old and has been working that same beach on Gili Air for 22 years. She began the job at the age of eight with her mom and her sister (who was even younger) and has been doing it ever since. There was a time when she dreamt of becoming a doctor but now her dreams are for her two sons and that is what motivates her to keep coming to work every day...just like people the world over.
We had another visitor as we waited for the boat at the harbour too. This one was not as welcome though! He crept up from the beach and came over the edge of the road right by my foot. Lynda just pointed and when I looked down I almost had a heart attack! It was a baby komodo dragon! Agggghhhhh! Now these little guys don't eat people but they sure do eat chickens and I think he was looking at my left foot like it might have been a chicken in disguise! Once the fright had worn off a little we had to admit that the little guy was really gorgeous. He had lots of markings and as colourful as a reptile can be...he was. LOL. Once he disappeared into the pile of wood and stuff that was on the beach there Lynda and I decided to move to a location just a little closer to where we'd eventually be able to board our boat and where hopefully there would be other left feet that looked like "dinner" in case he decided to present himself again.
Our trip across the water just meant one stop this time. The stop in Lombok was short, only those going to Lombok had to get off, and since Lombok is only about 15 minutes from Air the second leg of our journey was the long one. We'd left the harbour in Gili Air at about 12:20 and it was 2:30 by the time we were pulling into the dock at Pedang Bay on Bali. As soon as we stepped off our boat we were welcomed by the beautiful smile of our Ketut who had come with the driver to pick us up. We'd planned to have Jati pick us up but he had another long tour that came up so he'd made arrangements for a friend to drive us. Ketut came along so there wouldn't be any question about who's car we might be getting into. There is no question....the people we've met here and who have become family are very very thoughtful and caring.
As much as it might not seem like a long trip home from Air we were exhausted by the time we got back to Ubud. The day was smoking hot and the drive had taken well over 1 1/2 hours. To top it off the traffic was so bad right around Monkey Forest that we decided to get out and walk up the hill the rest of the way home rather than stay squeezed into the back seat of the car that was going absolutely nowhere. And truthfully....right there at the forest the aroma can get a little funky when the temperatures soar to what they were that day so we were glad for the escape even if it meant sweating our way up the hill to our place.
That was Friday night and Saturday morning we were up bright and early to hike up to the elementary school (just about 15 minutes from us) to be there in time to see the kids all turned out in full ceremonial attire in honour of this special day on the Balinese calendar that honours the goddess Saraswati. She is the goddess of knowledge and the arts and the day to honour her comes around just once every six months so the sleeping in would have to wait as we weren't about to miss seeing this event. Our timing at the school was perfect and so we were able to see the kids perform their prayers and offerings in the courtyard. There were about 300 kids at that school and it was great to be able to see them all engaged in this aspect of their culture. Prayers and offerings are such a huge part of life here in Bali and it is interesting to see how everyone (young and old) seems to embrace it with such discipline and respect. Having said that...there were a couple of little boys (about 7 yrs old) who were sitting in the back row of the assembly in the courtyard and one of them in particular was having a pretty tough time staying focused on the prayers and instead was more interested in poking his buddy in the ribs. His buddy was none to pleased about this though and it didn't take too long for peer discipline to take effect and the poking to cease. We were able to get some video of the kids and their school that have been posted to FB in case any of you would like to see just what that event looked like.
By afternoon (on another very warm day) we were beat and so it was an easy decision to fall into what seems to be a not so uncommon norm here...a short nap in the afternoon. Feeling revitalized by that we were up for the evenings activities as we were set to don our own ceremonial garb and head to a temple that was celebrating both Saraswati and the anniversary of that temple simultaneously. It was sure to be a huge turnout and that was exactly what we found! So many people in fact that we were unable to get inside! Even 1/2 of the street in front of the temple was filled with people sitting on the road. The police were there directing traffic around them and making sure all traffic gave the temple goers the right of way. Saying there were hundreds of people there to give offering would be an understatement. There is no doubt that there were more than a thousand and when you take into consideration that people come and go over the course of the day/evening there were likely several thousand at that one temple alone and when you further consider that there are more temples in Bali than can be counted....well.....lots and lots of people attended for Saraswati. Saraswati (like every special day) comes around just once every 6 months as it is based on the Balinese calendar. We are feeling so fortunate to be able to be here for several of these special days to get to see the level of engagement of the masses in their ceremonial rites. There is another huge ceremony that will take place during our time here. It is called Nyepi or Silent Day and it is the Balinese New Year celebration. The day prior to Nyepi there is much feasting and celebration and then on Silent Day the entire island shuts down! Even the airport will be closed! Nothing will be open. No one, not even tourists, will be allowed on the streets. If you have to go anywhere you have to be there before 6 a.m. and you can't leave that place until after 6 pm. Yep...that's going to be an interesting one for sure!
Yesterday, Sunday, was a great adventure and it all started with Pasek asking Lynda and I what our program was for the day. This is a question that he often asks and it just doesn't seem right to say, "nothing". So.....we just said....we're not sure yet and asked Mr Google what kind of things we might see/do around Ubud (that we haven't already seen/done). Luckily Mr Google is a seemingly endless resource and in no time at all we were booked in with Jati and Ketut (on the back of their bikes) for destinations of rice fields, an organic restaurant, and a village that is home to more than 10,000 herons every evening at dusk.
We left the house at 2:00 and didn't get home till after 7. For those of you who've been on the back of a bike...you know that is a long time. Granted, we stopped along the way for lunch and to walk for a bit (for reasons I will explain shortly) but it is still a long time to be on there when you're not used to it. Luckily we're both quick learners and our drivers are really really good and in spite of the fact that the whole business goes against every safety thing we've ever been taught (or taught our kids) all is well that ends well and we had what is probably one of our best days yet!
Our first "little walk" was when we got off the bikes so they could make it up a steep (very rough) hill that led up to the rice fields. As we climbed that hill we stopped to watch some workers as they bagged up sand and gravel and then packed those bags onto their motor bikes (bags on the back, bags in between their legs, bags on top of bags...they had as many as 5 large bags per bike). Once the bags were tied on as securely as anything is done when there are no safety measures in place they buzzed those bags up the hill to a location where roadwork was being completed.
At the top of the hill we hopped onto the back of our respective bikes and we were off on a skinny little path through the rice fields. It was breathtakingly beautiful, the sun was shining, there was no threat of rain, the wind was blowing by to keep us cool....it just couldn't have gotten any better. And then that skinny little lane turned into an even skinnier lane and then the lane turned into a rut and then the rut turned into a puddle and then the puddle turned back into a rut that was heading in the direction of a tiny piece of concrete that was a makeshift "bridge" over a creek that was adjacent to a cliff on one side and the rice terraces on the other. We both hung on for about 10 or 15 minutes of some very serious BUMPS and sketchy moments before we decided it was time to walk for a bit again where we could catch our breath.
So there we are....no helmets, flip flops on our feet, bare skin everywhere, and loving every minute. Having said that I should preface with the standard warning, "don't try this at home kids!" When in Rome you do as the romans and when in Bali you do as the Balinese and that is what we're doing. But I digress...back to the bikes and buzzing through the rice paddies. There were men and women working their fields in the traditional ways up past their knees in mud as they turned the previous years crop under with their "hoe". There were little "shops" along the path where silver smiths and painters displayed their art and where spices and coffee were for sale. There were moments of hair raising fright (although neither driver will ever admit to it) and there were times of absolute perfection as we buzzed along. The entire time our eyes were filled with sights that were so perfect there was nothing to do but blink in the hope that somehow the eyelids would be like the shutter of a camera and capture the scene in the photo album of our memories. Each field was like a checkerboard of colour ranging from muddy brown to shades of green with the odd block of water thrown in for variety. It was as though an artist had designed the scene it was so perfect and the day was so beautiful. Eventually we arrived at the organic restaurant, Sari Organik, where we enjoyed an amazing meal with even more amazing views and ambiance. I even had Kombucha with my lunch which reminds me...it's probably time that I disclosed that little story to you all cuz now in hindsight it is worthy of a laugh or two.
A couple of weeks ago....about the time that we returned from Lovina I decided it was time to try this Kombucha craze out. I've thought about it for a while and believe that it is probably really good for what ails you and since Ubud seems to be a health nut heaven...what better place than here. My first little taste of the nectar was at that fish spa where they gave us each a shot (1 oz) and a little kombucha and chia pudding treat. It was delicious and I figured...in for a dime might as well be in for a dollar and so the decision was made. This Kombucha stuff would from this point forward be a part of my daily routine. In fact, that very night I ordered a glass of it with my dinner (it's available at most restaurants here). It was different than the one that I'd had at the fish spa....I didn't like it as much but heh....what doesn't kill you makes you stronger right?! The next day we went to the show and there they sell kombucha by the bottle so I ordered a bottle of the stuff. It's kind of an acquired taste and I was beginning to acquire a taste for it so I drank the whole bottle. The next day I had it again....I had a glass of icy cold kombucha in the afternoon while Lynda had a coffee and then at dinner I had another glass. The next day I had some more and I think that is when it hit.....something was definitely working in my belly and for the next several days I couldn't be far from a bathroom! I think that is when I asked Mr Google about kombucha and discovered that it is best to build up to it. An ounce a day is best and eventually after a week or two you might get up to a glass at a time. Yikes! I guess I might have benefited from checking into this first before jumping into the deep end of the Kombucha pool! Its all good now though and I'm back onto Kombucha. This time I'm being a little easier on my system though and taking it in smaller doses....no more than a glass a day! Lesson learned and bowel definitely cleaned out! LOL
Now back to the bikes and the rice fields. We didn't come out of the paddies the same way we went in and I think the way out might have been a little smoother but as I type smoother I know that's a lie! There was nothing smooth about much of that path. However, the scenery was just as spectacular and the unique scarecrows and musical wind noisemaker we saw along the way were worth stopping for a photo. The musical wind chime was super cool but I wouldn't want to be near it for long as it is also very very loud!
As we buzzed through the fields we could see many of the white herons that feed in the rice paddies heading off into the sky. Their destination would be ours as well. We were off to the village that is home to 10,000 herons every night at sunset. Once out of the fields and onto the road it was smooth sailing and we literally flew along the smooth pavement and banked around the corners that were perfect for a motorbike. The only glitch came when we faced a very long very steep hill that we almost didn't make it up! Jati zigged and zagged from about 3/4 of the way up to maintain some momentum and then just before the top we started pushing with our bodies in a forward motion to will the bike to continue and finally the feet went down. First Jati pushed with his feet and then I added mine to the mix. It was Fred and Wilma Flinstone in action for the final few feet to the summit. Once we'd summitted we knew that nothing could stop us now. We'd survived the ruts in the fields, the path along a cliff, and a seemingly unreachable summit. Yep....these grandmas are taking big bites out of life and loving it. LOL
The village full of birds was exactly that. Once again, we were lucky and happened to be here at the very best time of the year to see the largest number of birds. They are currently nesting and so in addition to the adults there are also many many babies of all size. You might think this little village would want to get rid of the birds (cuz with them comes a lot of mess!) but no....they love the birds....the birds are considered to bring good luck and blessings to the village every night that they return. What a great attitude! As well, the birds provide a little extra income for the village. Tourists have to pay $2/person to come into the town and access the two viewpoints that have been built so you can get up to the height of the treetops where the view of the birds and the surrounding countryside/rice fields is breathtaking. This is also a very popular place to view the sunset so we were there at the best time of the day for that too.
One funny story abut our time in the village of the birds is that for the first time ever....Lynda was unprepared and Lorrie was totally prepared with an umbrella! The only problem is that Lorrie neglected to use her umbrella until after she'd been pooped on. On the upside....isn't it true that getting pooped on by a bird brings good luck? And when you consider that these birds are considered lucky just by the mere fact that they're here....wouldn't that then mean that getting pooped on by one of them would bring even greater luck? Thats the story I'm going with anyway. LOL
By the time we were on our way home it was after dark and all four of us had been on the bikes long enough to feel more than relaxed and comfortable so it was a great trip home with the cool wind blowing through our hair and the heat of the day behind us...yep....another great day and we capped this one off with a few bintangs on our patio for us and the boys. Pasek and his brother also joined us here and we had some more great laughs as we reflected on the adventures of our day.
Till next time,
L & L
The truth is...we've been kind of busy...not sure at what but the days have slipped by! Our time on Gili Air was so great that we ended up extending out stay there by two additional nights and loved every minute of it. We got into the swing of riding our bikes wherever we wanted to go. We sunned (well...we stayed under our umbrellas because we are at the equator after all!) and we swam (well....Lynda swam and I stood), and we just enjoyed our vacation because that is what it felt like. We live on Bali and we had a little vacation on Gili Air. One day Lynda went off on a snorkel boat and I went for a bike ride. My bike ride wasn't as eventful as her excursion though. Her highlight was swimming with the turtles and the not so highlight was that there was such a torrential downpour that she ended up having to walk back (about a mile) through knee deep water as the roads were all flooded and the boat wasn't able to get back to shore any closer than that! Bottom line....both of us agree....we'd go back to Gili Air in a heartbeat....it's a magical world like nowhere either of us have ever been before.
Our return from Gili Air turned out to be a little longer than planned as our boat had something wrong with it that day and so wasn't sailing. As a result we were reassigned to another boat but that vessel wouldn't be leaving till after noon and we were there in time for our 10:30 departure so it was a bit of a wait. Luckily...the scenery was amazing (no surprise there) and we even had the pleasant surprise of an nice little "extra" visit with Leni (a beach vendor we'd become friends with). Leni was just getting off her boat from Lombok (where she lives) when she spied us in the crowd waiting at the harbour so she made a beeline for us to have one final hug goodbye. We almost didn't recognize her as we'd never seen her without her headscarf, sunhat and goods for sale hanging about her neck and balanced atop her head. What a treat to get to see her as 'just Leni' for our final farewell. She is 30 years old and has been working that same beach on Gili Air for 22 years. She began the job at the age of eight with her mom and her sister (who was even younger) and has been doing it ever since. There was a time when she dreamt of becoming a doctor but now her dreams are for her two sons and that is what motivates her to keep coming to work every day...just like people the world over.
We had another visitor as we waited for the boat at the harbour too. This one was not as welcome though! He crept up from the beach and came over the edge of the road right by my foot. Lynda just pointed and when I looked down I almost had a heart attack! It was a baby komodo dragon! Agggghhhhh! Now these little guys don't eat people but they sure do eat chickens and I think he was looking at my left foot like it might have been a chicken in disguise! Once the fright had worn off a little we had to admit that the little guy was really gorgeous. He had lots of markings and as colourful as a reptile can be...he was. LOL. Once he disappeared into the pile of wood and stuff that was on the beach there Lynda and I decided to move to a location just a little closer to where we'd eventually be able to board our boat and where hopefully there would be other left feet that looked like "dinner" in case he decided to present himself again.
Our trip across the water just meant one stop this time. The stop in Lombok was short, only those going to Lombok had to get off, and since Lombok is only about 15 minutes from Air the second leg of our journey was the long one. We'd left the harbour in Gili Air at about 12:20 and it was 2:30 by the time we were pulling into the dock at Pedang Bay on Bali. As soon as we stepped off our boat we were welcomed by the beautiful smile of our Ketut who had come with the driver to pick us up. We'd planned to have Jati pick us up but he had another long tour that came up so he'd made arrangements for a friend to drive us. Ketut came along so there wouldn't be any question about who's car we might be getting into. There is no question....the people we've met here and who have become family are very very thoughtful and caring.
As much as it might not seem like a long trip home from Air we were exhausted by the time we got back to Ubud. The day was smoking hot and the drive had taken well over 1 1/2 hours. To top it off the traffic was so bad right around Monkey Forest that we decided to get out and walk up the hill the rest of the way home rather than stay squeezed into the back seat of the car that was going absolutely nowhere. And truthfully....right there at the forest the aroma can get a little funky when the temperatures soar to what they were that day so we were glad for the escape even if it meant sweating our way up the hill to our place.
That was Friday night and Saturday morning we were up bright and early to hike up to the elementary school (just about 15 minutes from us) to be there in time to see the kids all turned out in full ceremonial attire in honour of this special day on the Balinese calendar that honours the goddess Saraswati. She is the goddess of knowledge and the arts and the day to honour her comes around just once every six months so the sleeping in would have to wait as we weren't about to miss seeing this event. Our timing at the school was perfect and so we were able to see the kids perform their prayers and offerings in the courtyard. There were about 300 kids at that school and it was great to be able to see them all engaged in this aspect of their culture. Prayers and offerings are such a huge part of life here in Bali and it is interesting to see how everyone (young and old) seems to embrace it with such discipline and respect. Having said that...there were a couple of little boys (about 7 yrs old) who were sitting in the back row of the assembly in the courtyard and one of them in particular was having a pretty tough time staying focused on the prayers and instead was more interested in poking his buddy in the ribs. His buddy was none to pleased about this though and it didn't take too long for peer discipline to take effect and the poking to cease. We were able to get some video of the kids and their school that have been posted to FB in case any of you would like to see just what that event looked like.
By afternoon (on another very warm day) we were beat and so it was an easy decision to fall into what seems to be a not so uncommon norm here...a short nap in the afternoon. Feeling revitalized by that we were up for the evenings activities as we were set to don our own ceremonial garb and head to a temple that was celebrating both Saraswati and the anniversary of that temple simultaneously. It was sure to be a huge turnout and that was exactly what we found! So many people in fact that we were unable to get inside! Even 1/2 of the street in front of the temple was filled with people sitting on the road. The police were there directing traffic around them and making sure all traffic gave the temple goers the right of way. Saying there were hundreds of people there to give offering would be an understatement. There is no doubt that there were more than a thousand and when you take into consideration that people come and go over the course of the day/evening there were likely several thousand at that one temple alone and when you further consider that there are more temples in Bali than can be counted....well.....lots and lots of people attended for Saraswati. Saraswati (like every special day) comes around just once every 6 months as it is based on the Balinese calendar. We are feeling so fortunate to be able to be here for several of these special days to get to see the level of engagement of the masses in their ceremonial rites. There is another huge ceremony that will take place during our time here. It is called Nyepi or Silent Day and it is the Balinese New Year celebration. The day prior to Nyepi there is much feasting and celebration and then on Silent Day the entire island shuts down! Even the airport will be closed! Nothing will be open. No one, not even tourists, will be allowed on the streets. If you have to go anywhere you have to be there before 6 a.m. and you can't leave that place until after 6 pm. Yep...that's going to be an interesting one for sure!
Yesterday, Sunday, was a great adventure and it all started with Pasek asking Lynda and I what our program was for the day. This is a question that he often asks and it just doesn't seem right to say, "nothing". So.....we just said....we're not sure yet and asked Mr Google what kind of things we might see/do around Ubud (that we haven't already seen/done). Luckily Mr Google is a seemingly endless resource and in no time at all we were booked in with Jati and Ketut (on the back of their bikes) for destinations of rice fields, an organic restaurant, and a village that is home to more than 10,000 herons every evening at dusk.
We left the house at 2:00 and didn't get home till after 7. For those of you who've been on the back of a bike...you know that is a long time. Granted, we stopped along the way for lunch and to walk for a bit (for reasons I will explain shortly) but it is still a long time to be on there when you're not used to it. Luckily we're both quick learners and our drivers are really really good and in spite of the fact that the whole business goes against every safety thing we've ever been taught (or taught our kids) all is well that ends well and we had what is probably one of our best days yet!
Our first "little walk" was when we got off the bikes so they could make it up a steep (very rough) hill that led up to the rice fields. As we climbed that hill we stopped to watch some workers as they bagged up sand and gravel and then packed those bags onto their motor bikes (bags on the back, bags in between their legs, bags on top of bags...they had as many as 5 large bags per bike). Once the bags were tied on as securely as anything is done when there are no safety measures in place they buzzed those bags up the hill to a location where roadwork was being completed.
At the top of the hill we hopped onto the back of our respective bikes and we were off on a skinny little path through the rice fields. It was breathtakingly beautiful, the sun was shining, there was no threat of rain, the wind was blowing by to keep us cool....it just couldn't have gotten any better. And then that skinny little lane turned into an even skinnier lane and then the lane turned into a rut and then the rut turned into a puddle and then the puddle turned back into a rut that was heading in the direction of a tiny piece of concrete that was a makeshift "bridge" over a creek that was adjacent to a cliff on one side and the rice terraces on the other. We both hung on for about 10 or 15 minutes of some very serious BUMPS and sketchy moments before we decided it was time to walk for a bit again where we could catch our breath.
So there we are....no helmets, flip flops on our feet, bare skin everywhere, and loving every minute. Having said that I should preface with the standard warning, "don't try this at home kids!" When in Rome you do as the romans and when in Bali you do as the Balinese and that is what we're doing. But I digress...back to the bikes and buzzing through the rice paddies. There were men and women working their fields in the traditional ways up past their knees in mud as they turned the previous years crop under with their "hoe". There were little "shops" along the path where silver smiths and painters displayed their art and where spices and coffee were for sale. There were moments of hair raising fright (although neither driver will ever admit to it) and there were times of absolute perfection as we buzzed along. The entire time our eyes were filled with sights that were so perfect there was nothing to do but blink in the hope that somehow the eyelids would be like the shutter of a camera and capture the scene in the photo album of our memories. Each field was like a checkerboard of colour ranging from muddy brown to shades of green with the odd block of water thrown in for variety. It was as though an artist had designed the scene it was so perfect and the day was so beautiful. Eventually we arrived at the organic restaurant, Sari Organik, where we enjoyed an amazing meal with even more amazing views and ambiance. I even had Kombucha with my lunch which reminds me...it's probably time that I disclosed that little story to you all cuz now in hindsight it is worthy of a laugh or two.
A couple of weeks ago....about the time that we returned from Lovina I decided it was time to try this Kombucha craze out. I've thought about it for a while and believe that it is probably really good for what ails you and since Ubud seems to be a health nut heaven...what better place than here. My first little taste of the nectar was at that fish spa where they gave us each a shot (1 oz) and a little kombucha and chia pudding treat. It was delicious and I figured...in for a dime might as well be in for a dollar and so the decision was made. This Kombucha stuff would from this point forward be a part of my daily routine. In fact, that very night I ordered a glass of it with my dinner (it's available at most restaurants here). It was different than the one that I'd had at the fish spa....I didn't like it as much but heh....what doesn't kill you makes you stronger right?! The next day we went to the show and there they sell kombucha by the bottle so I ordered a bottle of the stuff. It's kind of an acquired taste and I was beginning to acquire a taste for it so I drank the whole bottle. The next day I had it again....I had a glass of icy cold kombucha in the afternoon while Lynda had a coffee and then at dinner I had another glass. The next day I had some more and I think that is when it hit.....something was definitely working in my belly and for the next several days I couldn't be far from a bathroom! I think that is when I asked Mr Google about kombucha and discovered that it is best to build up to it. An ounce a day is best and eventually after a week or two you might get up to a glass at a time. Yikes! I guess I might have benefited from checking into this first before jumping into the deep end of the Kombucha pool! Its all good now though and I'm back onto Kombucha. This time I'm being a little easier on my system though and taking it in smaller doses....no more than a glass a day! Lesson learned and bowel definitely cleaned out! LOL
Now back to the bikes and the rice fields. We didn't come out of the paddies the same way we went in and I think the way out might have been a little smoother but as I type smoother I know that's a lie! There was nothing smooth about much of that path. However, the scenery was just as spectacular and the unique scarecrows and musical wind noisemaker we saw along the way were worth stopping for a photo. The musical wind chime was super cool but I wouldn't want to be near it for long as it is also very very loud!
As we buzzed through the fields we could see many of the white herons that feed in the rice paddies heading off into the sky. Their destination would be ours as well. We were off to the village that is home to 10,000 herons every night at sunset. Once out of the fields and onto the road it was smooth sailing and we literally flew along the smooth pavement and banked around the corners that were perfect for a motorbike. The only glitch came when we faced a very long very steep hill that we almost didn't make it up! Jati zigged and zagged from about 3/4 of the way up to maintain some momentum and then just before the top we started pushing with our bodies in a forward motion to will the bike to continue and finally the feet went down. First Jati pushed with his feet and then I added mine to the mix. It was Fred and Wilma Flinstone in action for the final few feet to the summit. Once we'd summitted we knew that nothing could stop us now. We'd survived the ruts in the fields, the path along a cliff, and a seemingly unreachable summit. Yep....these grandmas are taking big bites out of life and loving it. LOL
The village full of birds was exactly that. Once again, we were lucky and happened to be here at the very best time of the year to see the largest number of birds. They are currently nesting and so in addition to the adults there are also many many babies of all size. You might think this little village would want to get rid of the birds (cuz with them comes a lot of mess!) but no....they love the birds....the birds are considered to bring good luck and blessings to the village every night that they return. What a great attitude! As well, the birds provide a little extra income for the village. Tourists have to pay $2/person to come into the town and access the two viewpoints that have been built so you can get up to the height of the treetops where the view of the birds and the surrounding countryside/rice fields is breathtaking. This is also a very popular place to view the sunset so we were there at the best time of the day for that too.
One funny story abut our time in the village of the birds is that for the first time ever....Lynda was unprepared and Lorrie was totally prepared with an umbrella! The only problem is that Lorrie neglected to use her umbrella until after she'd been pooped on. On the upside....isn't it true that getting pooped on by a bird brings good luck? And when you consider that these birds are considered lucky just by the mere fact that they're here....wouldn't that then mean that getting pooped on by one of them would bring even greater luck? Thats the story I'm going with anyway. LOL
By the time we were on our way home it was after dark and all four of us had been on the bikes long enough to feel more than relaxed and comfortable so it was a great trip home with the cool wind blowing through our hair and the heat of the day behind us...yep....another great day and we capped this one off with a few bintangs on our patio for us and the boys. Pasek and his brother also joined us here and we had some more great laughs as we reflected on the adventures of our day.
Till next time,
L & L
Saturday, January 14, 2017
January 14, 2017
Jeez....that four days since we last posted has flown by! We must be having too much fun. Yesterday didn't feel like all fun though! It was Friday the 13th after all so we should have known. Our morning started bright and early as we were scheduled to leave Ubud with Jati (driver) at 8:00 a.m. for the 1+ hour drive to Pedang Bay where we were booked to catch the 9:30 ferry to Gili.
Not sure if we've mentioned yet or not but Bali time is a little different than fits with clock punching activities and so by the time we were loaded into the car and the car filled up with gas and on our way it was past 8:30 and so our 1+ hour trip had to be tightened up to fit into less than an hour. Fortunately Jati is a very good driver and we made it....by the skin of our teeth....but we made it. Actually, the only reason we made it was because Jati's friend works for the boat company (Mahi Mahi Delwata) and so in addition to getting us a better price ($70 return with an open ticket so we're not locked into a return date) he was also able to hold the boat and have our tickets ready for us when we arrived. As a result we drove up to the ticket table, picked up our tickets, handed over our money, and walked right onto the boat that was ready and waiting. Lucky lucky us! Oh ya....we just learned that luckylucky in Indonesian means gentleman and we're always saying how lucky we are so we're starting to think we need to reframe our "lucky" to fortunate or something else or people might think we're men!
But back to the story....so we made it onto the fast boat and settled in for our "direct" trip that might be about an hour long. In the end, Gili Air was the third stop and took almost 3 hours from the time we left till we arrived here! Our boat was great and the seas were calm (thank heaven for that!) so it was an awesome trip. We were super thankful to be on the fast boat as the slow ones would have taken forever to get here....maybe even more than a day! Our boat had 5 X 250 HP engines on the back of it and they were running at high speed so we were flying across the water. At the first stop Lynda and I moved from inside the boat to a couple of seats that were right at the back of the boat and outside. It was noisy but the air felt great. Also at that first stop two young men dressed in matching blue outfits, ball caps, and flip flops came aboard the back of the boat. One of the young men grabbed my hand and started shaking it while the other kept snapping photos of the two of us. Interesting we both thought that these two young men would want photos of themselves shaking hands with this old lady but heh....whatever..... It was then that I asked one of the staff from the boat who they were and why they were taking photos. He replied that they were the police and so it all began to make sense....this was probably them working! LOL....seriously.....they wondered if I might be a threat to security?! Or....maybe I'll just go with the original story that they just wanted a photo of themselves shaking hands with some random old broad. LOL. When I found out they were the police I told them my son is a police in Canada and the boat staff translated that for them. Not sure if that was a point in our favour or not but either way they then pointed out their police boats. They had three of them right there in the harbour....two were very small and one was quite large. They were very proud of the big one! When it was time for our boat to head out again the police hopped off and we were underway. We were certain that stop number two would be our destination, Gili Air and so when we docked there we joined the folks who were departing the vessel. Now you may think that is an easy task but Oh No....not when us "lucky" girls are involved. In order to depart the vessel we had to climb up onto the edge of the boat and then hold onto a handrail at the top of the roof as we "walked" along the ledge that was the edge but it was skinny as there was a wall and windows in the way. The ledge we were walking along was maybe about 4-5 inches at most. If you want to imagine that...just look at the width of your foot....that is almost exactly how wide our ledge was! Now imagine that you have to traverse about 30 feet of that ledge before you get to the bow of the boat where we were then expected to step around an even skinnier corner where the ledge merged with the bow. Bottom line....it was all a tricky maneuver! When we finally made it to the bow of the boat where the workers were passing up the heavy pieces of luggage to departing guests they noticed that we were among the crowd leaving. Oh No they said...this is not Gili Air....this is still Trabahan.....you have to go back. So we did.....back the way we came. And did I mention that we didn't have any large luggage? Oh no....we just had our small backpacks, purses and bags which meant that they couldn't go into the hold...we had to carry them with us (in both directions)! Don't despair too much though because if you've been reading along you may recall that we'd spent some time practicing for just such a moment as this when we were in Lovina walking that balance beam. In fact, that balance beam didn't even have a handrail to hold on to....there we were freewheeling it from bamboo branch to bamboo branch and there we had to beware of things jumping out at us too so this boat business was like a walk in the park! It was as our boat was pulling out of Trabahan that we noticed the MASSIVE sign on the beach that said Welcome to TRABAHAN! OMG....that made us both laugh! Another 15-20 minutes across the water and we finally arrived at Gili Air where we once again did the balancing act across the ledge and across the bow. From the bow it was down a VERY STEEP/VERY SKETCHY ladder down onto the beach. I am going to not even think about getting back up onto the bow of that boat when it comes time to depart here. That ladder is kind of leaning backwards and well....let me just say that I might be here on Gili for a very very very long time!
Once we were back on dry land and I could breathe easy again (you see....I have a tendency toward sea sickness so it is always a very happy day for me when I am back on hard ground!). It had been a long time since breakfast and we were ready for a bite to eat so we found a nice little coffee shop right there at the harbour and enjoyed a delicious sandwich and icy cold health drink that restored our energy and gave us the push we needed to make a move to find some accommodation on the island.
There are no cars on Gili Air; no motorbikes either. The only method of transport around the island is by foot, by bicycle, or by horse and buggy. We opted for horse and buggy as we needed to check out some places to find where we'd like to stay and the island is about 8 km around. We started up the west coast of the island and after checking about 1/2 dozen spots decided on Pure Air as it boasted a gorgeous pool, was right on the beach and was within our price range ($65 incl b'fast). Horse and buggy might sound romantic but let me tell you it is a core workout without the gym! that little horse pulls that 2 wheeled cart across the sand and the ruts and the puddles and over the roots and the rocks and the rope speed bumps that some crazy mean person added to slow down traffic that is already moving pretty slowly.
Pure Air was nice but within a very short time of our arrival Lynda discovered that the pool was broken and that the water in it was green and yucky! The manager assured us that it would be fixed by tomorrow but we told him that if it wasn't we'd have to move on and request a refund for the remaining four days we'd booked because we definitely wanted to have a pool. (It is me that is pretty anal about having a pool cuz when I think about going in the ocean all I can think about is jelly fish!)
As well, we had a HUGE thunderstorm overnight and with the lightening and thunder also came the rain which would have been just fine except that about 1/2 of our bathroom was outdoor and so when I went out in the night to use the toilet I had to sit in the rain! This morning I said to Lynda...."I don't like it here...I feel like I'm camping and I don't think I like camping". She laughed and promised she would work on developing her "princess skills".
Sadly the pool was no better this morning and they were bringing someone over from Bali to try to fix it. We decided we would not wait any longer and so packed up, got a refund for the remaining four nights and moved to our current location, Scallywags Smugglers Bungalows (which is much more to the liking of this princess!)
So as I type this I am sitting at Scallywags Beach Club (about a 3 minute bike ride from our accommodation. We are watching the waves roll up on the beach with Lombock across the straight. Our Scallywag staff are plentiful and always at the ready to jump any time we want anything at all....yes....this princess is loving Gili Air now! In fact, I dropped my fork on the floor and four of them...yes....four of them raced to see who could pick it up first! Lynda is doing better at practicing her princess skills but in truth she still has a ways to go. LOL. In fact, she just ordered us a couple of Bintang Radler beers (kind of like a shandy) and an appetizer (tiger prawn lollipops with a dip of lemongrass, chili syrup, crushed peanuts, roasted coconut, crispy shallot, and garlic dip to dunk them in) so she is getting a little better. And....our server has decided her name should be Juliet and that he is Romeo so she's feeling pretty regal at the moment....so much so that she's decided she is going to demand that the table we're currently sitting at be permanently reserved in our names! OMG! I may have created a monster!
Scallywags is going to be easy to take! One of the staff just pulled all of the covers off the beach chairs that are complimentary for us ($5 for anyone else). The covers are freshly laundered every day and before I forget to tell you....there is a crazy strong current in the straight right in front of the beach here so people go into the water just to our right and they zip along parallel to the beach for about 100 yards or more and then the current butts up into another one that is coming in the opposite direction which allows the "riders" to safely get to shore. I have agreed that tomorrow I too will be one of the "riders" so hopefully that current that butts up against me does its job or Lynda has said she's just going to let me go all the way to Sumatra! Other complimentary value added elements to our stay here is complimentary buffet breakfast (that is reported to be unbelievable!), complimentary bikes (which is hilarious as it has been years since I was last on a bike!), wi fi in our room, private courtyard, pool, free DVD's for our room, a ton of TV channels in case we get the urge, a gorgeous room with two beds and an outdoor bathroom that has a roof over the toilet, and 24/7 security and support if we need it. Yes....it is going to be easy to take. In fact, we're already thinking about extending our stay and we haven't even slept in this room one night yet! LOL
Till next time,
L & L
Not sure if we've mentioned yet or not but Bali time is a little different than fits with clock punching activities and so by the time we were loaded into the car and the car filled up with gas and on our way it was past 8:30 and so our 1+ hour trip had to be tightened up to fit into less than an hour. Fortunately Jati is a very good driver and we made it....by the skin of our teeth....but we made it. Actually, the only reason we made it was because Jati's friend works for the boat company (Mahi Mahi Delwata) and so in addition to getting us a better price ($70 return with an open ticket so we're not locked into a return date) he was also able to hold the boat and have our tickets ready for us when we arrived. As a result we drove up to the ticket table, picked up our tickets, handed over our money, and walked right onto the boat that was ready and waiting. Lucky lucky us! Oh ya....we just learned that luckylucky in Indonesian means gentleman and we're always saying how lucky we are so we're starting to think we need to reframe our "lucky" to fortunate or something else or people might think we're men!
But back to the story....so we made it onto the fast boat and settled in for our "direct" trip that might be about an hour long. In the end, Gili Air was the third stop and took almost 3 hours from the time we left till we arrived here! Our boat was great and the seas were calm (thank heaven for that!) so it was an awesome trip. We were super thankful to be on the fast boat as the slow ones would have taken forever to get here....maybe even more than a day! Our boat had 5 X 250 HP engines on the back of it and they were running at high speed so we were flying across the water. At the first stop Lynda and I moved from inside the boat to a couple of seats that were right at the back of the boat and outside. It was noisy but the air felt great. Also at that first stop two young men dressed in matching blue outfits, ball caps, and flip flops came aboard the back of the boat. One of the young men grabbed my hand and started shaking it while the other kept snapping photos of the two of us. Interesting we both thought that these two young men would want photos of themselves shaking hands with this old lady but heh....whatever..... It was then that I asked one of the staff from the boat who they were and why they were taking photos. He replied that they were the police and so it all began to make sense....this was probably them working! LOL....seriously.....they wondered if I might be a threat to security?! Or....maybe I'll just go with the original story that they just wanted a photo of themselves shaking hands with some random old broad. LOL. When I found out they were the police I told them my son is a police in Canada and the boat staff translated that for them. Not sure if that was a point in our favour or not but either way they then pointed out their police boats. They had three of them right there in the harbour....two were very small and one was quite large. They were very proud of the big one! When it was time for our boat to head out again the police hopped off and we were underway. We were certain that stop number two would be our destination, Gili Air and so when we docked there we joined the folks who were departing the vessel. Now you may think that is an easy task but Oh No....not when us "lucky" girls are involved. In order to depart the vessel we had to climb up onto the edge of the boat and then hold onto a handrail at the top of the roof as we "walked" along the ledge that was the edge but it was skinny as there was a wall and windows in the way. The ledge we were walking along was maybe about 4-5 inches at most. If you want to imagine that...just look at the width of your foot....that is almost exactly how wide our ledge was! Now imagine that you have to traverse about 30 feet of that ledge before you get to the bow of the boat where we were then expected to step around an even skinnier corner where the ledge merged with the bow. Bottom line....it was all a tricky maneuver! When we finally made it to the bow of the boat where the workers were passing up the heavy pieces of luggage to departing guests they noticed that we were among the crowd leaving. Oh No they said...this is not Gili Air....this is still Trabahan.....you have to go back. So we did.....back the way we came. And did I mention that we didn't have any large luggage? Oh no....we just had our small backpacks, purses and bags which meant that they couldn't go into the hold...we had to carry them with us (in both directions)! Don't despair too much though because if you've been reading along you may recall that we'd spent some time practicing for just such a moment as this when we were in Lovina walking that balance beam. In fact, that balance beam didn't even have a handrail to hold on to....there we were freewheeling it from bamboo branch to bamboo branch and there we had to beware of things jumping out at us too so this boat business was like a walk in the park! It was as our boat was pulling out of Trabahan that we noticed the MASSIVE sign on the beach that said Welcome to TRABAHAN! OMG....that made us both laugh! Another 15-20 minutes across the water and we finally arrived at Gili Air where we once again did the balancing act across the ledge and across the bow. From the bow it was down a VERY STEEP/VERY SKETCHY ladder down onto the beach. I am going to not even think about getting back up onto the bow of that boat when it comes time to depart here. That ladder is kind of leaning backwards and well....let me just say that I might be here on Gili for a very very very long time!
Once we were back on dry land and I could breathe easy again (you see....I have a tendency toward sea sickness so it is always a very happy day for me when I am back on hard ground!). It had been a long time since breakfast and we were ready for a bite to eat so we found a nice little coffee shop right there at the harbour and enjoyed a delicious sandwich and icy cold health drink that restored our energy and gave us the push we needed to make a move to find some accommodation on the island.
There are no cars on Gili Air; no motorbikes either. The only method of transport around the island is by foot, by bicycle, or by horse and buggy. We opted for horse and buggy as we needed to check out some places to find where we'd like to stay and the island is about 8 km around. We started up the west coast of the island and after checking about 1/2 dozen spots decided on Pure Air as it boasted a gorgeous pool, was right on the beach and was within our price range ($65 incl b'fast). Horse and buggy might sound romantic but let me tell you it is a core workout without the gym! that little horse pulls that 2 wheeled cart across the sand and the ruts and the puddles and over the roots and the rocks and the rope speed bumps that some crazy mean person added to slow down traffic that is already moving pretty slowly.
Pure Air was nice but within a very short time of our arrival Lynda discovered that the pool was broken and that the water in it was green and yucky! The manager assured us that it would be fixed by tomorrow but we told him that if it wasn't we'd have to move on and request a refund for the remaining four days we'd booked because we definitely wanted to have a pool. (It is me that is pretty anal about having a pool cuz when I think about going in the ocean all I can think about is jelly fish!)
As well, we had a HUGE thunderstorm overnight and with the lightening and thunder also came the rain which would have been just fine except that about 1/2 of our bathroom was outdoor and so when I went out in the night to use the toilet I had to sit in the rain! This morning I said to Lynda...."I don't like it here...I feel like I'm camping and I don't think I like camping". She laughed and promised she would work on developing her "princess skills".
Sadly the pool was no better this morning and they were bringing someone over from Bali to try to fix it. We decided we would not wait any longer and so packed up, got a refund for the remaining four nights and moved to our current location, Scallywags Smugglers Bungalows (which is much more to the liking of this princess!)
So as I type this I am sitting at Scallywags Beach Club (about a 3 minute bike ride from our accommodation. We are watching the waves roll up on the beach with Lombock across the straight. Our Scallywag staff are plentiful and always at the ready to jump any time we want anything at all....yes....this princess is loving Gili Air now! In fact, I dropped my fork on the floor and four of them...yes....four of them raced to see who could pick it up first! Lynda is doing better at practicing her princess skills but in truth she still has a ways to go. LOL. In fact, she just ordered us a couple of Bintang Radler beers (kind of like a shandy) and an appetizer (tiger prawn lollipops with a dip of lemongrass, chili syrup, crushed peanuts, roasted coconut, crispy shallot, and garlic dip to dunk them in) so she is getting a little better. And....our server has decided her name should be Juliet and that he is Romeo so she's feeling pretty regal at the moment....so much so that she's decided she is going to demand that the table we're currently sitting at be permanently reserved in our names! OMG! I may have created a monster!
Scallywags is going to be easy to take! One of the staff just pulled all of the covers off the beach chairs that are complimentary for us ($5 for anyone else). The covers are freshly laundered every day and before I forget to tell you....there is a crazy strong current in the straight right in front of the beach here so people go into the water just to our right and they zip along parallel to the beach for about 100 yards or more and then the current butts up into another one that is coming in the opposite direction which allows the "riders" to safely get to shore. I have agreed that tomorrow I too will be one of the "riders" so hopefully that current that butts up against me does its job or Lynda has said she's just going to let me go all the way to Sumatra! Other complimentary value added elements to our stay here is complimentary buffet breakfast (that is reported to be unbelievable!), complimentary bikes (which is hilarious as it has been years since I was last on a bike!), wi fi in our room, private courtyard, pool, free DVD's for our room, a ton of TV channels in case we get the urge, a gorgeous room with two beds and an outdoor bathroom that has a roof over the toilet, and 24/7 security and support if we need it. Yes....it is going to be easy to take. In fact, we're already thinking about extending our stay and we haven't even slept in this room one night yet! LOL
Till next time,
L & L
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
January 10, 2017
Just posted a couple of videos to facebook so you could see our view from the little restaurant we're visiting this afternoon. Not sure if this is a late lunch or an early dinner but in truth here in Bali this seems to be the norm. A leisurely morning and late breakfast and then just one more meal. If I'm totally honest we sometimes fit in another little snack too (or maybe a dessert) but as delicious as all the food is here....eating isn't a big priority. Maybe that is because it is just too hot to even think about food!
LOL....a monkey just came into our restaurant and tried to steal a coconut! There have been a group of at least 30 or 40 of them who must have decided they wanted to explore the world outside the forest this afternoon and as a result they've been all over the roofs of the buildings, sneaking into shops and restaurants and eyeing up the tourists looking for an easy target.
Which leads nicely into the story I wanted to share with you about this morning. Lynda had gone down to Coco's (a larger store) in search of a couple of specific items. The story really begins on her journey home though. You see....she had to travel right past the Monkey Forest to get home. You've heard us tell you before that we're not overly fond of those little buggers and you may even remember that the first time Lynda walked by the forest one of the guards had to "protect" her from the monkeys who were on the road beside it. Well....a lot has changed since then! It's amazing what a little desensitization can do! This morning as she was walking home carrying her purchases in a single plastic grocery bag (no food) one of those little buggers snuck up behind her and grabbed it right out of her hand! But don't despair....Lynda went immediately into warrior mode and in no uncertain terms gave that monkey a piece of her mind as she shouted and shook her finger in his face. That monkey didn't know what to do.....this was a new experience for him. Usually the tourists are more afraid of him than he is of them. Today though he learned a lesson....don't mess with a grandma who is overheated and sweating and who is NOT interested in having to return to the store to re-buy stuff she's already paid for! In the end Lynda recovered all of her purchases and made it home with a story to tell.
While Lynda was off fighting monkeys I was at home fighting spiders. There wouldn't be too much of a story in that except that I had forgotten my lesson from Lovina with the flip flop. It was one of those awful jumping spiders....I really don't like any spiders but those ones really freak me out because they can jump so far and so fast. This guy was on the wall beside the head of my bed when I tried to swat him with my book. As I lifted the book expecting to see his squished body either on the wall or on the book I was disappointed to see neither of those things. I could not figure out where he'd gone until I spied him on my hand! I shook him off and he landed on the floor about 4 feet in front of me. It was then that my primal instincts kicked back in and used that book as though it was my flip flop. That book shot out of my hand like a missile and landed flat on that little spider who didn't have any idea what had hit him. There was no doubt that this time I'd been successful. I gotta take this as a lesson and remember to use my Tai Chi move when it comes to killing! LOL
So that was pretty much the extent of our morning. Other than that I picked up my laundry (which MaeMae had washed, dried, and folded for a $2 fee), checked to see if the custom ordered strap had come in for my purse (it hasn't), and beyond a little yoga and a shower that about kills a day in the life we're living here. Again.....easy to get used to!
We finally heard back from our agent and so tomorrow we have an appointment in Denpasar to get our fingerprints taken at the immigration office. They say that it will only be about 1/2 hour but.....time will tell how accurate that estimate is! We've booked Jati for the whole day so even if it's longer than a 1/2 hour we'll have plenty of time to explore the south coast. With any luck we will make it all the way to Uluwatu where (if the weather holds) we'll see another version of the Ketcak dance (fire dance) at sunset.
Till next time,
L & L
LOL....a monkey just came into our restaurant and tried to steal a coconut! There have been a group of at least 30 or 40 of them who must have decided they wanted to explore the world outside the forest this afternoon and as a result they've been all over the roofs of the buildings, sneaking into shops and restaurants and eyeing up the tourists looking for an easy target.
Which leads nicely into the story I wanted to share with you about this morning. Lynda had gone down to Coco's (a larger store) in search of a couple of specific items. The story really begins on her journey home though. You see....she had to travel right past the Monkey Forest to get home. You've heard us tell you before that we're not overly fond of those little buggers and you may even remember that the first time Lynda walked by the forest one of the guards had to "protect" her from the monkeys who were on the road beside it. Well....a lot has changed since then! It's amazing what a little desensitization can do! This morning as she was walking home carrying her purchases in a single plastic grocery bag (no food) one of those little buggers snuck up behind her and grabbed it right out of her hand! But don't despair....Lynda went immediately into warrior mode and in no uncertain terms gave that monkey a piece of her mind as she shouted and shook her finger in his face. That monkey didn't know what to do.....this was a new experience for him. Usually the tourists are more afraid of him than he is of them. Today though he learned a lesson....don't mess with a grandma who is overheated and sweating and who is NOT interested in having to return to the store to re-buy stuff she's already paid for! In the end Lynda recovered all of her purchases and made it home with a story to tell.
While Lynda was off fighting monkeys I was at home fighting spiders. There wouldn't be too much of a story in that except that I had forgotten my lesson from Lovina with the flip flop. It was one of those awful jumping spiders....I really don't like any spiders but those ones really freak me out because they can jump so far and so fast. This guy was on the wall beside the head of my bed when I tried to swat him with my book. As I lifted the book expecting to see his squished body either on the wall or on the book I was disappointed to see neither of those things. I could not figure out where he'd gone until I spied him on my hand! I shook him off and he landed on the floor about 4 feet in front of me. It was then that my primal instincts kicked back in and used that book as though it was my flip flop. That book shot out of my hand like a missile and landed flat on that little spider who didn't have any idea what had hit him. There was no doubt that this time I'd been successful. I gotta take this as a lesson and remember to use my Tai Chi move when it comes to killing! LOL
So that was pretty much the extent of our morning. Other than that I picked up my laundry (which MaeMae had washed, dried, and folded for a $2 fee), checked to see if the custom ordered strap had come in for my purse (it hasn't), and beyond a little yoga and a shower that about kills a day in the life we're living here. Again.....easy to get used to!
We finally heard back from our agent and so tomorrow we have an appointment in Denpasar to get our fingerprints taken at the immigration office. They say that it will only be about 1/2 hour but.....time will tell how accurate that estimate is! We've booked Jati for the whole day so even if it's longer than a 1/2 hour we'll have plenty of time to explore the south coast. With any luck we will make it all the way to Uluwatu where (if the weather holds) we'll see another version of the Ketcak dance (fire dance) at sunset.
Till next time,
L & L
Sunday, January 8, 2017
January 8, 2017
Today Lynda was out making friends again. This time she made 27 of them! She was out in search of a new bag and got waylayed by a couple of young people who were wanting to complete an english assignment for school with her. Of course she said yes and the Q & A ensued.
For those of you who have been approached by kids (usually teens) in search of someone to complete a school assignment with you will know the drill. It is pretty much the same questions every time (and this is the case regardless of what country you're in). They ask you your name and how long you'll be here and how you like it and whether you like the food....etc. Lynda answered all of their questions dutifully before she continued along to the soccer field where there was a specific photo she wanted to take. While she was busy with her photo in the middle of the soccer field she was approached by four more young people with the same list of questions and a request for her help with their assignment. Never one to say no to this kind of request but feeling a little tired of the drill she replied, "yes, and then you have to answer my questions and that will be more practice for you." As you may imagine the kids faces dropped and they looked as though they wanted to run from the field but it was too late now.....they'd already asked this crazy woman who wanted to talk to them even longer than they'd been assigned!
These kids were like most who are learning english....more lacking in confidence than in vocabulary and so in short order Lynda had them all laughing and fully engaged in conversation without them even realizing it had happened. Their conversation went on for some time and eventually Lynda asked where their school was and they replied that it is a private english school that they attend two evenings per week and that on Sundays they come into town (Ubud) to engage with the tourists in the hope of finding a native english speaker who will give them a little time so they can hear the words delivered with the correct pronunciation.
It was at that point that Lynda asked where their teacher was and the kids pointed over her shoulder. When she looked behind her there was the teacher and 23 other kids all waiting patiently while these four had their "extra long" session! Lynda apologized for keeping them all waiting and the teacher replied "not a problem" and somehow from that short dialogue Lynda and I have signed up to go to their school at some point to have focused conversation with them. As you may imagine they are all over the moon and Lynda is the hero of their day in Ubud. Not only did they complete their assignment today but they also have the promise of native english speakers coming into their class for an extended private session! Bottom line here is that Lynda and I are looking forward to the opportunity to help these kids out a little. They are all like sponges and so appreciative of the help. Last night we had another focused conversation with Ketut (the young man who makes our breakfast) and the difference in his confidence between when we arrived mid November til now is phenomenal! But back to the kids....not sure when we'll be going but it will happen at some point between now and April and it will be a fun way to spend an evening.
Later this evening after another wonderful meal we decided to head a little further up Monkey Forest Rd in search of an ATM. The one we had been using wasn't working properly and tonight it was only dispensing small amounts of money and since we have to pay a service fee for every transaction we look for ATMs that will give us the largest amount we can get to cut back on the service fees. I should mention here that it is SOOOO cool to go into an ATM and ask for $2.5 Million and get it! And then to see that your bank balance is in the tens of millions is even better. LOL
Anyway, while we were walking up the street (it was a beautiful evening by the way) we decided to stop for coffee and maybe a little dessert at another place we had not been to yet. It is a restaurant on the front of a very swanky hotel and they have comfy couches facing the street. At luck would have it there was also live music at the Laughing Buddha across the street from where we were and so there we sat....watching all the action from our comfy front row seats while being entertained with some fantastic live music that because it was across the street was the perfect volume to be able to enjoy it but still carry on a conversation. Lynda had some tea and a piece of apple pie that had been infused with lemongrass and I had an iced latte (light foam) and a lime tart. Lynda's pie had a scoop of strawberry ice cream on it and my tart had a scoop of sesame seed ice cream (yes....you read that right and it was delicious!). On top of each of our desserts was a pastry stick that had been dipped in chocolate as a garnish and if all that weren't enough the plate also had a smear of foam and a sprinkle of fresh fruit that was the perfect finish to this perfect finish after our perfect dinner! Oh ya....total bill at this swanky place for 2 desserts that were literally art on a plate, an iced latte, and a pot of earl grey tea was $14 including tip.
We thought it just couldn't get any better and just then a guy came walking down the street carrying his wife piggy back! He stopped in front of us and explained that she had refused to walk another step so he was having to carry her. We asked why they didn't come in for a rest and some refreshment and she gave him a little kick (like he was a horse) so he shrugged and they were off and on their way to find their motorbike that was parked somewhere among the masses of bikes along the road. A couple of minutes later we heard a "beep beep" and saw them waving at us from their bike going up the street. They called "good night" and we waved back to them as they drove off into the night. Only in Ubud we thought.....seriously.....the longer we're here the more it seems like a place to come back to or maybe just stay..... LOL. :-)
After leaving our comfy couch with the view (and finding an ATM that would give us some $$) we came across a young couple that looked to be visiting from Japan. They were both terrified of the big dog that was in the laneway they had to go down to get to their bungalow. As luck would have it this is the same laneway that we've gone down many times (last night being the most recent) as it is where one of our favourite little warungs is. So we ducked into the nearest phone booth and donned our superhero suits. Within seconds it was Lynda and Lorrie to the rescue. Lynda called the dog out of the alley and Lorrie ran blocker so the couple from Japan could run down the laneway (alley) in search of their bungalow. It's not that the dog was doing anything at all...not barking or jumping up or anything....it was just there and it was a dark alley and that was enough for them to be too afraid to go home!
Well....that's about it for another day.....so till next time,
L & L
For those of you who have been approached by kids (usually teens) in search of someone to complete a school assignment with you will know the drill. It is pretty much the same questions every time (and this is the case regardless of what country you're in). They ask you your name and how long you'll be here and how you like it and whether you like the food....etc. Lynda answered all of their questions dutifully before she continued along to the soccer field where there was a specific photo she wanted to take. While she was busy with her photo in the middle of the soccer field she was approached by four more young people with the same list of questions and a request for her help with their assignment. Never one to say no to this kind of request but feeling a little tired of the drill she replied, "yes, and then you have to answer my questions and that will be more practice for you." As you may imagine the kids faces dropped and they looked as though they wanted to run from the field but it was too late now.....they'd already asked this crazy woman who wanted to talk to them even longer than they'd been assigned!
These kids were like most who are learning english....more lacking in confidence than in vocabulary and so in short order Lynda had them all laughing and fully engaged in conversation without them even realizing it had happened. Their conversation went on for some time and eventually Lynda asked where their school was and they replied that it is a private english school that they attend two evenings per week and that on Sundays they come into town (Ubud) to engage with the tourists in the hope of finding a native english speaker who will give them a little time so they can hear the words delivered with the correct pronunciation.
It was at that point that Lynda asked where their teacher was and the kids pointed over her shoulder. When she looked behind her there was the teacher and 23 other kids all waiting patiently while these four had their "extra long" session! Lynda apologized for keeping them all waiting and the teacher replied "not a problem" and somehow from that short dialogue Lynda and I have signed up to go to their school at some point to have focused conversation with them. As you may imagine they are all over the moon and Lynda is the hero of their day in Ubud. Not only did they complete their assignment today but they also have the promise of native english speakers coming into their class for an extended private session! Bottom line here is that Lynda and I are looking forward to the opportunity to help these kids out a little. They are all like sponges and so appreciative of the help. Last night we had another focused conversation with Ketut (the young man who makes our breakfast) and the difference in his confidence between when we arrived mid November til now is phenomenal! But back to the kids....not sure when we'll be going but it will happen at some point between now and April and it will be a fun way to spend an evening.
Later this evening after another wonderful meal we decided to head a little further up Monkey Forest Rd in search of an ATM. The one we had been using wasn't working properly and tonight it was only dispensing small amounts of money and since we have to pay a service fee for every transaction we look for ATMs that will give us the largest amount we can get to cut back on the service fees. I should mention here that it is SOOOO cool to go into an ATM and ask for $2.5 Million and get it! And then to see that your bank balance is in the tens of millions is even better. LOL
Anyway, while we were walking up the street (it was a beautiful evening by the way) we decided to stop for coffee and maybe a little dessert at another place we had not been to yet. It is a restaurant on the front of a very swanky hotel and they have comfy couches facing the street. At luck would have it there was also live music at the Laughing Buddha across the street from where we were and so there we sat....watching all the action from our comfy front row seats while being entertained with some fantastic live music that because it was across the street was the perfect volume to be able to enjoy it but still carry on a conversation. Lynda had some tea and a piece of apple pie that had been infused with lemongrass and I had an iced latte (light foam) and a lime tart. Lynda's pie had a scoop of strawberry ice cream on it and my tart had a scoop of sesame seed ice cream (yes....you read that right and it was delicious!). On top of each of our desserts was a pastry stick that had been dipped in chocolate as a garnish and if all that weren't enough the plate also had a smear of foam and a sprinkle of fresh fruit that was the perfect finish to this perfect finish after our perfect dinner! Oh ya....total bill at this swanky place for 2 desserts that were literally art on a plate, an iced latte, and a pot of earl grey tea was $14 including tip.
We thought it just couldn't get any better and just then a guy came walking down the street carrying his wife piggy back! He stopped in front of us and explained that she had refused to walk another step so he was having to carry her. We asked why they didn't come in for a rest and some refreshment and she gave him a little kick (like he was a horse) so he shrugged and they were off and on their way to find their motorbike that was parked somewhere among the masses of bikes along the road. A couple of minutes later we heard a "beep beep" and saw them waving at us from their bike going up the street. They called "good night" and we waved back to them as they drove off into the night. Only in Ubud we thought.....seriously.....the longer we're here the more it seems like a place to come back to or maybe just stay..... LOL. :-)
After leaving our comfy couch with the view (and finding an ATM that would give us some $$) we came across a young couple that looked to be visiting from Japan. They were both terrified of the big dog that was in the laneway they had to go down to get to their bungalow. As luck would have it this is the same laneway that we've gone down many times (last night being the most recent) as it is where one of our favourite little warungs is. So we ducked into the nearest phone booth and donned our superhero suits. Within seconds it was Lynda and Lorrie to the rescue. Lynda called the dog out of the alley and Lorrie ran blocker so the couple from Japan could run down the laneway (alley) in search of their bungalow. It's not that the dog was doing anything at all...not barking or jumping up or anything....it was just there and it was a dark alley and that was enough for them to be too afraid to go home!
Well....that's about it for another day.....so till next time,
L & L
Thursday, January 5, 2017
January 5, 2017
Another short post tonight. Now that we've been here as long as we have (more than 6 weeks) it seems like much of what we might write would be a repeat story but I guess that's what happens when you're "living" in a place for as long as we'll be in Bali. (No complaints from this end!!)
Today we learned that umbrellas are good for much more than rain. Lynda used hers to shield her from the sun this afternoon when she went in search of a hotel she'd borrowed a book from a few weeks ago and that she couldn't remember where it was. Actually that is not the first time we've been faced with not being able to find places we're sure we can find again! I lost the shop that I put a deposit on a little bag they were putting a longer strap on. I'm pretty sure they must have moved it because it couldn't be that I simply can't find it!! LOL. But back to the umbrellas....so Lynda used hers for sun and tonight I used mine as a shield to protect us from spider webs across the lane as we walked home. Last evening as we walked past the monkey forest and there were sooo many monkeys everywhere on the road (raiding the many offerings that had been put out because it was the special day for recognizing the goddess of money and business.) I had my umbrella at the ready to use as a weapon in case one of the little buggers decided to make a grab for either of us! See....umbrellas are a handy tool! :-)
Lynda went on another little shopping spree today and came home with a couple more new outfits....she is having fun in the 'more than you can imagine' number of shops here! While she was out spending a little money I got a start on some online courses I've been wanting to do for a long time. They are courses for my role as a Director with the Credit Union and today I made my way through 2 modules with a score of 100%. Wahoo! Next on my list are some of the financial focused ones so those scores might not be as worthy of sharing. Not to worry....I'll do just fine with them.
I can also tell you that tonight we had chocolate for dinner and it was good. We've been thinking about a dessert that we saw delivered to a table next to us at a restaurant a few nights ago and decided that tonight would be the night. So instead of dinner we had a very late (and very healthy) lunch and then it was "Death By Chocolate" for supper. YUMMY! Super sweet icing but the cake was not sweet at all so overall we enjoyed every bite.
After our dinner of chocolate we headed off to Paradiso where we saw the documentary "Drop Box" and decided popcorn would be perfect for dessert. Yep...I guess the biggest story of today is all about the food. Drop Box was a moving documentary about a pastor in South Korea who has dedicated his life to receiving abandoned babies anonymously through this drop box in the wall of his church. At the time of the documentary he was at 345 and counting. I guess there are these Drop Boxes set up in many countries the world over and they are very controversial as some say they encourage irresponsible parenting. Personally I think that it may be the most responsible decision someone can make when they move to action to give their baby up so it can have a better life than they can provide for it. I also think it is unfortunate that they have to do it anonymously. Bottom line is that it was a moving documentary and worth watching.
I may have told you this before but in case not I will mention here that it costs $5 to get into a show at Paradiso and that ticket entitles you to $5 worth of food off their menu so tonight our dessert of popcorn was absolutely free. BONUS!
This week when I was at my reflexology appointment my therapist once again hit some pretty tender spots at the area of my foot that is somehow magically connected to my stomach. As a result, I've committed to drinking Kombucha every day. I'm starting to get used to it and am thinking that it might be something I could get to like so for those of you who have never had it.....you might be getting it when you come to my house for coffee once I'm home again. :-). Tonight I had a bottle of mango kombucha with my popcorn and I'm pretty sure that someone else paid for it on their bill because as I type this I'm thinking it didn't show up on ours. Another BONUS. :-).
So other than this little bit of trivia I can tell you that we did a little laundry, played a lot of cards, spent some time on facetime and facebook catching up with family and friends, and well....we sort of did a lot of what we do most days....just stay present in the moment and breathe it all in.
Well, this post turned out to be a little longer than I thought it would! I guess I am a bit verbose. :-). Lynda always asks...."how can you type so much for what we did today?" She says that her blog would look like this: "got up, did some stuff, went to a show, home again...oh ya....had chocolate for dinner." Now aren't you glad it's me typing this and not her?
Till next time,
L & L
Today we learned that umbrellas are good for much more than rain. Lynda used hers to shield her from the sun this afternoon when she went in search of a hotel she'd borrowed a book from a few weeks ago and that she couldn't remember where it was. Actually that is not the first time we've been faced with not being able to find places we're sure we can find again! I lost the shop that I put a deposit on a little bag they were putting a longer strap on. I'm pretty sure they must have moved it because it couldn't be that I simply can't find it!! LOL. But back to the umbrellas....so Lynda used hers for sun and tonight I used mine as a shield to protect us from spider webs across the lane as we walked home. Last evening as we walked past the monkey forest and there were sooo many monkeys everywhere on the road (raiding the many offerings that had been put out because it was the special day for recognizing the goddess of money and business.) I had my umbrella at the ready to use as a weapon in case one of the little buggers decided to make a grab for either of us! See....umbrellas are a handy tool! :-)
Lynda went on another little shopping spree today and came home with a couple more new outfits....she is having fun in the 'more than you can imagine' number of shops here! While she was out spending a little money I got a start on some online courses I've been wanting to do for a long time. They are courses for my role as a Director with the Credit Union and today I made my way through 2 modules with a score of 100%. Wahoo! Next on my list are some of the financial focused ones so those scores might not be as worthy of sharing. Not to worry....I'll do just fine with them.
I can also tell you that tonight we had chocolate for dinner and it was good. We've been thinking about a dessert that we saw delivered to a table next to us at a restaurant a few nights ago and decided that tonight would be the night. So instead of dinner we had a very late (and very healthy) lunch and then it was "Death By Chocolate" for supper. YUMMY! Super sweet icing but the cake was not sweet at all so overall we enjoyed every bite.
After our dinner of chocolate we headed off to Paradiso where we saw the documentary "Drop Box" and decided popcorn would be perfect for dessert. Yep...I guess the biggest story of today is all about the food. Drop Box was a moving documentary about a pastor in South Korea who has dedicated his life to receiving abandoned babies anonymously through this drop box in the wall of his church. At the time of the documentary he was at 345 and counting. I guess there are these Drop Boxes set up in many countries the world over and they are very controversial as some say they encourage irresponsible parenting. Personally I think that it may be the most responsible decision someone can make when they move to action to give their baby up so it can have a better life than they can provide for it. I also think it is unfortunate that they have to do it anonymously. Bottom line is that it was a moving documentary and worth watching.
I may have told you this before but in case not I will mention here that it costs $5 to get into a show at Paradiso and that ticket entitles you to $5 worth of food off their menu so tonight our dessert of popcorn was absolutely free. BONUS!
This week when I was at my reflexology appointment my therapist once again hit some pretty tender spots at the area of my foot that is somehow magically connected to my stomach. As a result, I've committed to drinking Kombucha every day. I'm starting to get used to it and am thinking that it might be something I could get to like so for those of you who have never had it.....you might be getting it when you come to my house for coffee once I'm home again. :-). Tonight I had a bottle of mango kombucha with my popcorn and I'm pretty sure that someone else paid for it on their bill because as I type this I'm thinking it didn't show up on ours. Another BONUS. :-).
So other than this little bit of trivia I can tell you that we did a little laundry, played a lot of cards, spent some time on facetime and facebook catching up with family and friends, and well....we sort of did a lot of what we do most days....just stay present in the moment and breathe it all in.
Well, this post turned out to be a little longer than I thought it would! I guess I am a bit verbose. :-). Lynda always asks...."how can you type so much for what we did today?" She says that her blog would look like this: "got up, did some stuff, went to a show, home again...oh ya....had chocolate for dinner." Now aren't you glad it's me typing this and not her?
Till next time,
L & L
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
January 4, 2017
Not a lot to report on today but did want to check in to let you know that it is absolutely possible to buy a gorgeous outfit at the movie theatre. Yes....you heard me.....the movie theatre in Ubud does quadruple duty as a health food store, a restaurant, a clothing boutique, and the local movie theatre! We stopped into Paradiso (movie theatre) to pick up the January schedule of movies and while there Lynda stripped down once again. (It may be getting to be an addiction!). In short order she was having the girl who also sells theatre tickets and popcorn cutting the tags off her new outfit. It really is beautiful....the top is more of a work of art than clothes....she'll get lots of use out of it I'm sure!
Beyond that shopping expedition I can tell you that we listened to a local tourist newspaper about where to go for dinner. We opted for the "best new restaurant" and although it was good...it didn't compare to some of the other meals we've enjoyed since arriving here. Their menu was a little more touristy and I'm a firm believer that when in Rome do as the Romans or more accurately...when in Bali....eat as the Balinese.
Finally, today as we were sitting out on our patio (after being served another delicious breakfast) a big black butterfly with blue spots on his wings came for a visit. I guess he liked my blue dress as he stopped by for a visit a few times and on one of those visits he even decided to set a spell on my shoulder. I held my breath not wanting to scare him away and when he finally did move he went only so far as to move to my knee. Lucky lucky me! That was a first!
What we were chatting about before that butterfly paid us a visit is how impressed we are that the Balinese have been able to retain their traditions amidst all the pressures of tourism and the massive numbers of people who visit this little island. Our conversation was prompted by the fact that today is a special day on the Balinese calendar. It is the day to celebrate the goddess of money (and business) so there are extra offerings put out at all places of work and huge celebrations at the temples (of which there are more than 10,000 on the island- and that number doesn't include all the private temples people have on their own properties). This special ceremony goes on for a couple of days and so the people that work at our house have had to run back and forth between here and their village (about an hour away) to participate in ceremonies there. They've been having to go home for the ceremony as one of their special family ceremonies also falls on this same day. So they've been paying homage to their ancestors as well as the goddess of wealth and business. Anyway...it is amazing that they're able to keep it all straight - it is a complex culture/religion and it is even more amazing that there seems to be a continuing strong commitment to all of the traditions even among the younger generation.
Soooo....it was another good day here in paradise....till next time,
L & L
Beyond that shopping expedition I can tell you that we listened to a local tourist newspaper about where to go for dinner. We opted for the "best new restaurant" and although it was good...it didn't compare to some of the other meals we've enjoyed since arriving here. Their menu was a little more touristy and I'm a firm believer that when in Rome do as the Romans or more accurately...when in Bali....eat as the Balinese.
Finally, today as we were sitting out on our patio (after being served another delicious breakfast) a big black butterfly with blue spots on his wings came for a visit. I guess he liked my blue dress as he stopped by for a visit a few times and on one of those visits he even decided to set a spell on my shoulder. I held my breath not wanting to scare him away and when he finally did move he went only so far as to move to my knee. Lucky lucky me! That was a first!
What we were chatting about before that butterfly paid us a visit is how impressed we are that the Balinese have been able to retain their traditions amidst all the pressures of tourism and the massive numbers of people who visit this little island. Our conversation was prompted by the fact that today is a special day on the Balinese calendar. It is the day to celebrate the goddess of money (and business) so there are extra offerings put out at all places of work and huge celebrations at the temples (of which there are more than 10,000 on the island- and that number doesn't include all the private temples people have on their own properties). This special ceremony goes on for a couple of days and so the people that work at our house have had to run back and forth between here and their village (about an hour away) to participate in ceremonies there. They've been having to go home for the ceremony as one of their special family ceremonies also falls on this same day. So they've been paying homage to their ancestors as well as the goddess of wealth and business. Anyway...it is amazing that they're able to keep it all straight - it is a complex culture/religion and it is even more amazing that there seems to be a continuing strong commitment to all of the traditions even among the younger generation.
Soooo....it was another good day here in paradise....till next time,
L & L
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
January 3, 2017
I'm going to have to begin today's post with an apology for yesterday. It seems I am a year behind! I didn't even give the 2016 I typed last night a second thought until I was putting in today's date and realized I was going to do it again! So.....sorry for my lapse yesterday and whew! I'm once again living in the current year. :-)
Now for today....it is hard to know where to begin. If I were to start at the end I'd say that we had the best day ever and while walking home down our lane tonight actually saw two frogs fornicating! That was a first! But....if I were to start at the beginning I'd say that we were both prepped up for fun and ready for a day of adventure. I guess the beginning is the best place to start as the story does kind of build on itself...
We set out in search of a couple of motorbike taxis because we had a number of errands and things on our 'to do' list. We were tempted by taxi drivers with cars as the skies threatened rain (it is the rainy season after all) but getting around Ubud in a car can be a very challenging task when traffic is at it's peak which is much of the afternoon! Eventually we were able to talk a couple of taxi drivers into leaving their cars and getting their bikes. We negotiated a fair rate for 4-5 hours of their time and I left with Eddie (or Eddie Handsome as he introduced himself to me). His bike was at his house in his village just a "few minutes away". Lynda left with her driver to drop his car and retrieve his bike too. The difference was that his bike was much closer than Eddies! So....there I was.....in the car with Eddie.....no one in the world knowing who he is or where we're headed. First we left the city of Ubud and then we turned right onto a small track at which time he said, "we're in my village now". I looked out the window and replied, "you live in a graveyard?" Eddie laughed but said nothing...not sure if he hadn't understood me or if I should begin to worry! Next we passed a large structure that Eddie identified as the location of the cock fights (illegal). This structure was not hidden away at all but right out in the open...but as I type that....it was kind of hidden away in that it was in the middle of nowhere which is the same place we were! Next we turned off that small track onto an even smaller lane (none of this is paved by the way) and followed it for a few more minutes. There were moments that I wondered where my head was but then I would see another kid on a bike or someone waving to Eddie and my anxiety would subside. Eventually Eddie pulled off to the side of the laneway and said I could get out. There was nothing around! Jeez...there comes the anxiety again! But not to worry...I just had to get out of the car so Eddie could park it inside the building that is just wide enough for the vehicle to fit and for him to be able to squeeze out his drivers door. Once he had his car safely stored away he said, "now you walk with me". I asked where we were going and he replied, "to get my bike - it is at my house." Oh ya, I remembered we were heading somewhere with a purpose. LOL. So off we set. We walked for a little way on a narrow little path before coming to a section of the path that was paved with lovely stonework and on the left of this path that had suddenly become a beautiful road was an exquisite door that Eddie opened and disappeared into. He didn't invite me inside but left the doors open so I could see inside to the courtyard and the several buildings that were behind the door/gate. A moment later another man (who turned out to be Eddie's brother which explains why they looked so much alike) came out the door, introduced himself, asked how I'd met Eddie, and then said he was off on his walk at the same time as his daughter poked her head out of the door too. Within seconds of the brother leaving Eddie returned with two helmets in hand and a minute after that he and I were perched atop his bike and headed back into Ubud to the location we'd planned to meet Lynda and her driver. We zipped over the lane and back onto the track and past the cock fighting place and through the graveyard and back onto the road. All the while I was hanging on for dear life because none of those roads I just described are paved or smooth! Keep in mind too that I am not a seasoned motorbike rider; in fact this is the third time I've ever been on the back of a bike! But Eddie was a good driver and he was having fun with me on the back of his bike. Maybe he was having so much fun because I'm bigger than the average Balinese and so fitting my butt (and boobs) on the back of that bike meant that Eddie and I were in pretty close quarters! On top of that, ever time we went up or down a hill or over a serious bump I would hang on with my legs as tightly as I did with my hands! Now that I think of it...no wonder Eddie was having such a fun day! LOL. Before we got back to where we were supposed to meet Lynda the rain started and within a couple of minutes that rain had turned into a torrent. Luckily we were just a few doors from our destination and so Eddie pulled over where there was shelter, got his rain poncho out of the bike and gave it to me to wear so I could walk the rest of the way. He'd meet me there when the rain subsided a little.
Lynda and I were meeting at the Goddess on the Go store as I was looking for another pair of leggings and as luck would have it Lynda managed to find a gorgeous new top there too. Eventually the rain let up but before it did we had time to shop and then to spend a little time at the Turkish restaurant next door to Goddess on the Go. We enjoyed a cup of mint tea and a few little tastes from their menu while our drivers opted for a glass of fresh pineapple juice as thanks for waiting for us in the rain.
Eventually we were off again and this time we were headed up into the rice fields. We wanted to tour some of the roads north of town from the back of a bike as it is such a different perspective than you can get from inside a car. Once we'd toured long enough for some of my parts to actually be on the verge of going numb we arrived at the restaurant we'd chosen for lunch. Kampung Cafe is set in the jungle and surrounded by lush tropical gardens and waterways. It truly is a magical setting and as we'd already had some appetizers at the Turkish place we decided coffee and dessert would be the fare for this stop. It was delicious and once we'd had our fill of sweets and the views we were back on the back of our bikes and headed back into Ubud where we had an appointment at Bali Buddha with our agent. But before I go too far with the story about meeting Komang I should tell you that the rain had started up again on our way back from the restaurant (about 1/2 hour away) and so it was back on with the rain poncho. The only problem was that Eddie just had one poncho and so...you guessed it....I had to get under that poncho with him! Man do we know one another well now! He put on the poncho and then I actually climbed under the back of it. I lay my head on his back and rode blind for the next 15 or so minutes until the rain subsided enough for me to be able to take my head back out. OMG! What an adventure! Lynda (smart Brownie that she is) had come prepared with her own raincoat and so she didn't have to try to fit into her driver's poncho with him!
Komang is the agent we're working with to get our visa extensions and today was the day that we had to give her our passports. Tomorrow morning she will give them to the immigration office and get an appointment for us to go into Denpasar to have our fingerprints taken. (The fingerprints is just for the first extension - subsequent times it will be a simpler process.). Komang has agreed to "sponsor" us and so everything should go according to plan. As soon as the immigration office has our passports in hand tomorrow our visas will be in process for the next 30 days and so we're covered until the middle of February. The appointment for our fingerprints may or may not take place prior to this current visa's expiration date of January 14th. Komang knows that we're planning to be on Gili Jan 13-18 and so she will make the appointment in Denpasar for a date that doesn't conflict with our Gili trip.
Once we were finished with Komang we were back on the bikes and off again. This time we were just touring an area at the top of Hanoman and Monkey Forest. We wanted to stop on the bridge where we could look out over an amazing temple that has a great view point there. All of this was accomplished and for those of you who are on FB you will have seen the video I posted of a small section of that back of the bike ride. I'm still not sure how I managed to stay on the bike while I got my ipad out of my bag and then set it up to video and then to actually run the video! I didn't do a very good job of showing Eddie as I introduced him but I sure got lucky when I aimed backwards over my head and managed to get a clear shot of Lynda on her bike right behind me! I wasn't even sure how far back she might be...but....lucky again! LOL
From the temple view point we were off to the Fish Spa and honestly it was hilarious because I had to give both our drivers directions to find the place. Even with the map they were having a hard time figuring it out. I guess we really do "live" here now!
The Fish Spa deserves to have a pretty significant chunk of this post as it was a definite highlight. Well....actually....the whole day was full of great moments but that fish spa was a memory neither of us will soon forget! We booked ourselves in for the 1/2 hour treatment that consists of a foot wash with lime and sea salt and aromatherapy to ensure all traces of lotions or sunscreen or bug spray are washed from your skin. (They're looking out for the health of their fish!). Once your feet and legs up to your knees are squeaky clean it's into the fish tank. Yes...INTO the fish tank! We'd chosen the medium sized fish and I was the first one into the tank. I stepped into the water and carefully made my way across the bottom of the tank trying not to step on any of the 300+ fish that were in there! I had to get to the other side so Lynda would have room to come in too. As soon as I stopped moving and sat down those little buggers latched on and I almost hit the ceiling! It was like a million tiny little electric nibbles zapping and zapping and zapping you. It didn't hurt at all but it really really tickled! I could not stop laughing! The worker said it was usual for it to tickle and that it would subside in a few minutes. OMG! I was going to be in there for 20 minutes?! How would I last?! Next it was Lynda's turn to join me. She'd been video'ing my entrance to the tank (for FB) and I couldn't tape her from where I was so you'll just have to believe me when I tell you that she almost went crazy. At one point I thought she might crawl out of her skin to get out of the tank! Neither of us could stop laughing and the man who'd had his feet in the large fish tank when we arrived was having so much fun watching us kill ourselves with laughter that he actually video taped us for himself to share with his friends! The workers gave us a sheet describing the value of the fish spa and Lynda read that page like she was an old LP record playing on a 45 speed. (That reference is for those of you who actually remember vinyl - for the rest of you....she sounded like she was in high speed and her voice was kind of squeaky and she kept yelping and all the while she was squirming. In fact she was so wound up that she worked up quite a sweat!). In the end...those little fish had their way with our feet and lower legs for the full 20 minutes and by the time we were down to the final few minutes it was really kind of enjoyable. Those little guys just nibbled and nibbled and tickled and tickled. Too funny! Once we were out of the tank we were than set up with some kind of electromagnetic zapper that we put our feet on. It too is supposed to be good for circulation and overall health. Man...we are going to be soooo healthy! In addition to all the fish and electromagnetic zapping we also enjoyed a shot of kambucha while there as well as a kambucha and chia pudding and a glass of ice water. Honestly....the overall experience was one that everyone should have a chance at. In fact, we're here long enough....I'm sure I'll do it again. Not so sure about Lynda though! LOL
From the fish spa we were about done for the day and so it was back home where we trundled down our little alley to put our feet up for a few minutes.
Once we were rested it was time to head out for dinner (as though we hadn't already eaten enough for the day!). There are just so many great restaurants here that we didn't want to miss out an opportunity for a meal. :-). We ended up at a spot a little ways up Monkey Forest road and dinner was excellent once again but it was on the way home that was really the icing on the cake! We were passing by a little place called the Art Cafe and in it was two guys playing guitar and singing. They sounded sooooo good we just had to stop and that is where we stayed until 10 pm tonight. They could play anything you asked them to and it was absolute evidence of the rumours we've heard about the quality of the music scene here in Ubud. On top of the great duo that they were there was also another guy in the audience who was almost as amazing. He got up and joined in with the duo for several songs and there was no karaoke going on in that place....this was pure talent and we were the recipients of a great performance/jam session.
What a fun night! What a great day! And then to see two frogs locked in the throws of passion on the way home....how could it get any better?! LOL
Definitely ready for bed tonight...Lynda is already long gone to sleep I think. So till next time,
L & L
Now for today....it is hard to know where to begin. If I were to start at the end I'd say that we had the best day ever and while walking home down our lane tonight actually saw two frogs fornicating! That was a first! But....if I were to start at the beginning I'd say that we were both prepped up for fun and ready for a day of adventure. I guess the beginning is the best place to start as the story does kind of build on itself...
We set out in search of a couple of motorbike taxis because we had a number of errands and things on our 'to do' list. We were tempted by taxi drivers with cars as the skies threatened rain (it is the rainy season after all) but getting around Ubud in a car can be a very challenging task when traffic is at it's peak which is much of the afternoon! Eventually we were able to talk a couple of taxi drivers into leaving their cars and getting their bikes. We negotiated a fair rate for 4-5 hours of their time and I left with Eddie (or Eddie Handsome as he introduced himself to me). His bike was at his house in his village just a "few minutes away". Lynda left with her driver to drop his car and retrieve his bike too. The difference was that his bike was much closer than Eddies! So....there I was.....in the car with Eddie.....no one in the world knowing who he is or where we're headed. First we left the city of Ubud and then we turned right onto a small track at which time he said, "we're in my village now". I looked out the window and replied, "you live in a graveyard?" Eddie laughed but said nothing...not sure if he hadn't understood me or if I should begin to worry! Next we passed a large structure that Eddie identified as the location of the cock fights (illegal). This structure was not hidden away at all but right out in the open...but as I type that....it was kind of hidden away in that it was in the middle of nowhere which is the same place we were! Next we turned off that small track onto an even smaller lane (none of this is paved by the way) and followed it for a few more minutes. There were moments that I wondered where my head was but then I would see another kid on a bike or someone waving to Eddie and my anxiety would subside. Eventually Eddie pulled off to the side of the laneway and said I could get out. There was nothing around! Jeez...there comes the anxiety again! But not to worry...I just had to get out of the car so Eddie could park it inside the building that is just wide enough for the vehicle to fit and for him to be able to squeeze out his drivers door. Once he had his car safely stored away he said, "now you walk with me". I asked where we were going and he replied, "to get my bike - it is at my house." Oh ya, I remembered we were heading somewhere with a purpose. LOL. So off we set. We walked for a little way on a narrow little path before coming to a section of the path that was paved with lovely stonework and on the left of this path that had suddenly become a beautiful road was an exquisite door that Eddie opened and disappeared into. He didn't invite me inside but left the doors open so I could see inside to the courtyard and the several buildings that were behind the door/gate. A moment later another man (who turned out to be Eddie's brother which explains why they looked so much alike) came out the door, introduced himself, asked how I'd met Eddie, and then said he was off on his walk at the same time as his daughter poked her head out of the door too. Within seconds of the brother leaving Eddie returned with two helmets in hand and a minute after that he and I were perched atop his bike and headed back into Ubud to the location we'd planned to meet Lynda and her driver. We zipped over the lane and back onto the track and past the cock fighting place and through the graveyard and back onto the road. All the while I was hanging on for dear life because none of those roads I just described are paved or smooth! Keep in mind too that I am not a seasoned motorbike rider; in fact this is the third time I've ever been on the back of a bike! But Eddie was a good driver and he was having fun with me on the back of his bike. Maybe he was having so much fun because I'm bigger than the average Balinese and so fitting my butt (and boobs) on the back of that bike meant that Eddie and I were in pretty close quarters! On top of that, ever time we went up or down a hill or over a serious bump I would hang on with my legs as tightly as I did with my hands! Now that I think of it...no wonder Eddie was having such a fun day! LOL. Before we got back to where we were supposed to meet Lynda the rain started and within a couple of minutes that rain had turned into a torrent. Luckily we were just a few doors from our destination and so Eddie pulled over where there was shelter, got his rain poncho out of the bike and gave it to me to wear so I could walk the rest of the way. He'd meet me there when the rain subsided a little.
Lynda and I were meeting at the Goddess on the Go store as I was looking for another pair of leggings and as luck would have it Lynda managed to find a gorgeous new top there too. Eventually the rain let up but before it did we had time to shop and then to spend a little time at the Turkish restaurant next door to Goddess on the Go. We enjoyed a cup of mint tea and a few little tastes from their menu while our drivers opted for a glass of fresh pineapple juice as thanks for waiting for us in the rain.
Eventually we were off again and this time we were headed up into the rice fields. We wanted to tour some of the roads north of town from the back of a bike as it is such a different perspective than you can get from inside a car. Once we'd toured long enough for some of my parts to actually be on the verge of going numb we arrived at the restaurant we'd chosen for lunch. Kampung Cafe is set in the jungle and surrounded by lush tropical gardens and waterways. It truly is a magical setting and as we'd already had some appetizers at the Turkish place we decided coffee and dessert would be the fare for this stop. It was delicious and once we'd had our fill of sweets and the views we were back on the back of our bikes and headed back into Ubud where we had an appointment at Bali Buddha with our agent. But before I go too far with the story about meeting Komang I should tell you that the rain had started up again on our way back from the restaurant (about 1/2 hour away) and so it was back on with the rain poncho. The only problem was that Eddie just had one poncho and so...you guessed it....I had to get under that poncho with him! Man do we know one another well now! He put on the poncho and then I actually climbed under the back of it. I lay my head on his back and rode blind for the next 15 or so minutes until the rain subsided enough for me to be able to take my head back out. OMG! What an adventure! Lynda (smart Brownie that she is) had come prepared with her own raincoat and so she didn't have to try to fit into her driver's poncho with him!
Komang is the agent we're working with to get our visa extensions and today was the day that we had to give her our passports. Tomorrow morning she will give them to the immigration office and get an appointment for us to go into Denpasar to have our fingerprints taken. (The fingerprints is just for the first extension - subsequent times it will be a simpler process.). Komang has agreed to "sponsor" us and so everything should go according to plan. As soon as the immigration office has our passports in hand tomorrow our visas will be in process for the next 30 days and so we're covered until the middle of February. The appointment for our fingerprints may or may not take place prior to this current visa's expiration date of January 14th. Komang knows that we're planning to be on Gili Jan 13-18 and so she will make the appointment in Denpasar for a date that doesn't conflict with our Gili trip.
Once we were finished with Komang we were back on the bikes and off again. This time we were just touring an area at the top of Hanoman and Monkey Forest. We wanted to stop on the bridge where we could look out over an amazing temple that has a great view point there. All of this was accomplished and for those of you who are on FB you will have seen the video I posted of a small section of that back of the bike ride. I'm still not sure how I managed to stay on the bike while I got my ipad out of my bag and then set it up to video and then to actually run the video! I didn't do a very good job of showing Eddie as I introduced him but I sure got lucky when I aimed backwards over my head and managed to get a clear shot of Lynda on her bike right behind me! I wasn't even sure how far back she might be...but....lucky again! LOL
From the temple view point we were off to the Fish Spa and honestly it was hilarious because I had to give both our drivers directions to find the place. Even with the map they were having a hard time figuring it out. I guess we really do "live" here now!
The Fish Spa deserves to have a pretty significant chunk of this post as it was a definite highlight. Well....actually....the whole day was full of great moments but that fish spa was a memory neither of us will soon forget! We booked ourselves in for the 1/2 hour treatment that consists of a foot wash with lime and sea salt and aromatherapy to ensure all traces of lotions or sunscreen or bug spray are washed from your skin. (They're looking out for the health of their fish!). Once your feet and legs up to your knees are squeaky clean it's into the fish tank. Yes...INTO the fish tank! We'd chosen the medium sized fish and I was the first one into the tank. I stepped into the water and carefully made my way across the bottom of the tank trying not to step on any of the 300+ fish that were in there! I had to get to the other side so Lynda would have room to come in too. As soon as I stopped moving and sat down those little buggers latched on and I almost hit the ceiling! It was like a million tiny little electric nibbles zapping and zapping and zapping you. It didn't hurt at all but it really really tickled! I could not stop laughing! The worker said it was usual for it to tickle and that it would subside in a few minutes. OMG! I was going to be in there for 20 minutes?! How would I last?! Next it was Lynda's turn to join me. She'd been video'ing my entrance to the tank (for FB) and I couldn't tape her from where I was so you'll just have to believe me when I tell you that she almost went crazy. At one point I thought she might crawl out of her skin to get out of the tank! Neither of us could stop laughing and the man who'd had his feet in the large fish tank when we arrived was having so much fun watching us kill ourselves with laughter that he actually video taped us for himself to share with his friends! The workers gave us a sheet describing the value of the fish spa and Lynda read that page like she was an old LP record playing on a 45 speed. (That reference is for those of you who actually remember vinyl - for the rest of you....she sounded like she was in high speed and her voice was kind of squeaky and she kept yelping and all the while she was squirming. In fact she was so wound up that she worked up quite a sweat!). In the end...those little fish had their way with our feet and lower legs for the full 20 minutes and by the time we were down to the final few minutes it was really kind of enjoyable. Those little guys just nibbled and nibbled and tickled and tickled. Too funny! Once we were out of the tank we were than set up with some kind of electromagnetic zapper that we put our feet on. It too is supposed to be good for circulation and overall health. Man...we are going to be soooo healthy! In addition to all the fish and electromagnetic zapping we also enjoyed a shot of kambucha while there as well as a kambucha and chia pudding and a glass of ice water. Honestly....the overall experience was one that everyone should have a chance at. In fact, we're here long enough....I'm sure I'll do it again. Not so sure about Lynda though! LOL
From the fish spa we were about done for the day and so it was back home where we trundled down our little alley to put our feet up for a few minutes.
Once we were rested it was time to head out for dinner (as though we hadn't already eaten enough for the day!). There are just so many great restaurants here that we didn't want to miss out an opportunity for a meal. :-). We ended up at a spot a little ways up Monkey Forest road and dinner was excellent once again but it was on the way home that was really the icing on the cake! We were passing by a little place called the Art Cafe and in it was two guys playing guitar and singing. They sounded sooooo good we just had to stop and that is where we stayed until 10 pm tonight. They could play anything you asked them to and it was absolute evidence of the rumours we've heard about the quality of the music scene here in Ubud. On top of the great duo that they were there was also another guy in the audience who was almost as amazing. He got up and joined in with the duo for several songs and there was no karaoke going on in that place....this was pure talent and we were the recipients of a great performance/jam session.
What a fun night! What a great day! And then to see two frogs locked in the throws of passion on the way home....how could it get any better?! LOL
Definitely ready for bed tonight...Lynda is already long gone to sleep I think. So till next time,
L & L
Monday, January 2, 2017
January 2, 2016
Happy 2017 and my apologies for having been so long off-line! Hard to believe the last time I wrote was from Lovina.
Our trip from Lovina to Ubud was relatively uneventful but you might like to hear about our lunch/shopping escapade at some little village atop the mountain. As we've been known to do we decided on lunch at a roadside market where the locals would eat. Lady luck was on our side and one of the vendors was a friend of Jati's aunt and so she took good care of us. We ordered our rice and "stuff" in a brown paper cone. Lynda opened hers and exclaimed, "It's looking at me!" when she saw the little tiny fish that was part of the "stuff" atop the rice. I chose not to look at mine and mostly concentrated on eating the rice part. All I could think of was a time in Mexico near Patsquaro where we stopped in a village that had food stalls all of whom were selling fries. Except that upon closer inspection....all those fries had eyes! Honestly, they looked like perfect fries all standing tall in a paper cup (much like McDonalds would present them)....but they all had eyes! They were all skinny little fried fish from the polluted lake the village sat beside. Thank gawd we didn't eat those fries! These little fish at least were very very tiny. Maybe these little fish had been imported from Africa where we saw millions of them drying on tarps in Zanzibar. Small world! For dessert we decided on something that was in the midst of being fried. It was some kind of batter that was used to surround a wide array of "stuff". This "stuff" did not include fish though (thankfully). This "stuff" ranged from tofu to bananas and mixed veggies to some kind of rice ball. All were pretty good and when you figure that we got a big bag full (enough for about a dozen people) for under a dollar...the price was right! To wash it all down we decided on roadside 3 in 1 and so Jati's aunt's friend fixed us up with little glass glasses that held about 3/4 cup of quite strong 3 in 1 (which is just instant coffee, cream, and sugar in a pkg). Those little glass glasses were HOT so drinking the stuff was easier said than done. To keep the many flies out she had topped all of our glasses with little pink plastic lids. Got the picture? Yep....it was a market and there were lots of flies. There were also a lot of dogs and Lynda tried to make friends with some of them by feeding them my leftover "stuff" (remember I focused on the rice). All she succeeded in doing was creating a dog fight. Jeez...there were dogs coming from everywhere and guess what...they only ate the rice and left the "stuff" so I guess they didn't like the bits that looked back at them either. Since we were stopped anyway we decided to check out the local shops for local sarongs and let me tell you there is a funny story there! I will cut to the chase and just tell you that within seconds of our entrance to the shop Lynda was stripped to her underwear and dressed in something that was made for someone quite a bit smaller! She modelled her attire as the ladies who dressed her said she looked great. I disagreed strongly but no words were needed as the look on my face said it all. It was kind of like the time that she showed up in Vancouver with phone book yellow coloured hair that some hairdresser in Mexico told her looked good. Mexico or Bali....Lynda is an easy mark! In the end....she got out of those 'too small' clothes and poor Jati will never be the same as he was there for the unveiling! Privacy is not always available. In the end, purchases were made by both of us and we now are the proud owners of lovely Kintimani style sarongs (that fit us!)
Another stop we made was when Lynda used her spidey sense (I am sure she must have something more than eyes cuz she sees stuff I miss all the time) to spot a bunch of people lined up along a wall looking over the edge at something below. It turned out to be the military putting a few hundred new recruits through some basic training exercises. It was an obstacle course of sorts and so we watched the antics for a while before heading out on our way again. In hindsight...how crazy were we to stop where there are people lined up along a wall and military all carrying guns?! Yikes! Sounds like a dangerous spot to stop. But honestly all kidding aside....we have both commented so many times that it feels very safe here. Both in Lovina and in Ubud either of us are comfortable walking alone day or night. Not that we do a lot of street walking at night so don't start worrying about us please! LOL.
Speaking of stops along the way from Lovina, another stop we made was at a roadside fruit stand. Some of you may have seen the video on facebook but it's worthy of note here in the blog as well (for posterity if nothing else). Durian, also known as the king of fruits, is a large spiny ugly looking that that is said to smell like hell but taste like heaven. Both Lynda and I were durian virgins and so we decided the time had come to change that reality. Jati likes durian and so we had him give us a lesson in how to tell if it's ripe and how to open it and how to eat it...etc. Lynda went first....she smelled it and discovered it wasn't that bad so if it didn't smell too bad and was supposed to taste better than it smells she was good to go. It was barely touching her tongue when she screwed up her face and said "no, this isn't good at all!" Actually....she said "no bagus" which means No good in Balinese and the guy who works at the fruit stand was practically peeing his pants watching her. She gave it another tiny try but again...it was no better. Then it was my turn. Having seen her reaction I was even more nervous but heh....gotta give it a go. I smelled it. It was okay...kind of citrus and cheese mixed. Then I tasted it. It was okay...kind of citrus and cheese mixed. I actually had another bite because I couldn't believe it wasn't too bad and it was still kind of okay. I'm not sure I can say I 'like' it but...I might try it again so that sort of means I liked it a little. Lynda tried to get me to have some more but I was already starting to sweat so decided I'd stop rather than risk a heart attack as durian is supposed to speed up your heart if you have too much of it. We cleansed our palette with mango that were yummy so all was good in the end. When the time came for us to leave Lynda said she was sorry to have lost her durian virginity on the side of the road in Bali! I'm not sure the fruit stand guy or Jati got that one but I sure did! LOL
We've settled back into Ubud and all is good in our little Balinese world. The skies opened up last night (during the night) and that was the first rain that we'd had in two days so I'm sure the plants were thirsty for it. It is cooler today as a result of the rain too which is a nice little reprieve. Today after a leisurely morning of stretching, meditation, breakfast (omelet and fresh fruit), and a game of rummy I headed out with a whole list of things to do! I guess that means we "live" here...LOL! First I needed to drop off some laundry (at $2/kilo it's pretty affordable!), next I wanted to see if I could locate the shop where I'd left a deposit on a little purse I'd asked them to custom make a longer strap for (still haven't found it!), from there I wanted to hit this little restaurant where they have a great iced latte that also turned into a bowl of pumpkin ginger soup for lunch. I am typing this from that little restaurant and just finished the most delicious bowl of soup! I had no intention to have anything other than the iced latte until I saw someone else with a bowl of the most beautiful looking soup. It was a beautiful butternut squash colour and there was a drizzle of white decorating the top....It was then that my taste buds went crazy and I decided I was a little hungry maybe.... well....I wasn't really hungry but after the first taste of that creamy golden deliciousness I was glad I'd decided to go for it! I'm saving the iced coffee for dessert and taking this opportunity to type a little 'catch up' missive for you all.
As I sit here in Maha Restaurant I am loving everything! The temperature is perfect, there is a beautiful breeze, my belly is full of healthy delicious soup, there are three cute little rabbits hopping around the courtyard I'm sitting in, the wind in the leaves of the tree overhead are keeping time to the music that is wafting out of the restaurant, there is the distant buzz of life on Monkey Forest Road out the front of the restaurant....yes.....all is good.
At this very moment Lynda will be just climbing aboard the back of a motorbike with Ketut as her driver. She has made arrangements for him to drop her off and pick her up from her new yoga studio where she is booked for her first class this afternoon. It will be fun to hear all about her adventure there. The location she's discovered is breathtaking in its views and she'll get a workout before her yoga as she climbs 100 stairs to get to the place.
Heh...a flower just fell on me....now that is the kind of thing you want to have falling from the skies....beautifully fragrant flowers!
Back to being on the back of motor bikes....Lynda more than I but both of us have grown quite familiar with that as our mode of transport here in Ubud. Coming home from the grocery store the other day (where I had a bucket that was filled with other stuff and Lynda was carrying a yoga mat) we hopped on the back of a couple of bikes and before we knew it were zipping up Monkey Forest dodging cars like we'd done it for years. I thought about carrying the bucket on my head but heh....you gotta draw the line somewhere and I didn't want to show the locals up. LOL. In truth, the driver hung the bucket on his handle bars for me so I didn't have to try to balance it and myself as we zipped in and out of cars on our way home.
Two days ago Lynda had a VERY LONG back of a bike ride! I was out getting a pedicure and foot massage and was surprised that she never showed up at the spa (which is just steps from our place) as her plan was to drop in for some new polish in prep for New Years Eve. When I eventually got home I found a note saying just that she had gone out with Pasek (our host). When she finally returned I got the rest of the story. Pasek had taken her out in search of a dentist as a crown had popped off one of her teeth. The search was long as every dentist said they didn't have the right kind of glue but in truth they saw the job and knew it was beyond their experience. It was a complex root canal that in my opinion looked like it came out of the back of a computer. There were metal pins and they had to fit into little bitty grooves and well....I can understand why those first 4 dentists shied away! Finally, dentist number 5 said she would be able to help and that Lynda should return for an appointment the next morning which she did. In the end, it was a great experience, Lynda's tooth is back where it belongs, and ......she is only 350,000 IDR poorer for the experience. (Yes, that is just $35 CAD for a 1 1/2 hour appointment and there is a 3 month warranty on the work. Makes me wonder why we bother getting travel insurance!).
Yesterday, Lynda and I went in search of something she'd seen on one of her motorbike treks. It was a Fish Spa and after googling it we decided we were up for the adventure. We'd seen other fish spas on the road but honestly most of them looked pretty disgusting and this Fish Spa was highly rated for it's attention to hygiene and care of the fish so off we set. It didn't look that far on the map and it isn't far when you're on the back of a bike but when you're walking and it is HOT HOT HOT out....it was a bit of a trip. But....we are in Bali and time is irrelevant so we just made a day of it stopping along the way for a drink or a snack, to do a little shopping, or to check out a spa, and eventually to have some dinner. In the end, we found the spa but...it was closed! We're hoping the closure was just for renovations because now that we know where it is and have read the reviews we're anxious to go so fingers crossed that next time we'll be lucky.
Speaking of stopping along the way for snacks and dinner....both Lynda and I have come to the conclusion that as good as the warungs are we are also going to start to frequent some of the other restaurants too. They're a little more expensive (at least twice as much) but still inexpensive relatively speaking. And since we really only have to buy one meal a day (breakfast is included with our room) we can afford it. We may not go to restaurants every day but we cannot afford not to as the food scene here in Ubud is unbelievable! Every meal we have we think is the best thing we've ever had and then we go to the next place and it seems to be even better than the last. It is obvious that they all use super fresh ingredients and the presentation is 5 star every time and the flavours are like a party in your mouth and well....I guess we've become addicted to the food scene here as much as the next guy. The other night the table next to us ordered a dessert called Death by Chocolate and we've decided we're probably going to have that for dinner one night! Yesterday at one of our stops we saw oatmeal on the menu so we've decided that we're going to skip breakfast one morning and go for oatmeal instead. You may be thinking....really?! But when I tell you that the oatmeal is packed full of peanuts and cashews and almonds and bananas and coconut milk .... see why we might want to go give it a try? LOL. Yes....it is easy to enjoy eating very good quality food when in Ubud!
New Years Eve was an international affair for us this year! Here we were in Bali and headed out with a group that included: 1 Korean, 1 from England (who is now an expat living in Bali for the past 8 years), 3 Balinese, and us 2 Canadians. We started out the evening with drinks at the expats house and then moved from there on to dinner at another fantastic restaurant (this place is FULL of fantastic restaurants!), and then we were off to a club where there was a well known reggae band playing for the night. We rocked to their rhythms till the clock struck 12 when we moved outside to the edge of the soccer field (in the middle of town) as they were setting off fireworks to mark the new year. As luck would have it we were perfectly placed as we could see all of the fireworks in the soccer field as well as the ones in the palace just a block away from the soccer field as well as the ones about a block to the right of the palace. We had three shows going on simultaneously and it was fantastic! On top of that, what's not to love about a place that lets you bring your beer out of the bar and then back into it after the fireworks are finished! The bar was packed with people from all over the world all celebrating the start of 2017 together....we were having our own little UN event!
It is easy to meet people here in Ubud. So many are travellers and accustomed to the practice of making new friends. For example, on New Years Eve as we were walking home we met a couple from Newcastle England. We continued our NYE celebrations on the street for another hour or so and had some wonderful conversation to boot. Or, just prior to my coming in to this restaurant I met a woman across the street. She was shopping for a sarong and asked my opinion between the two she was deciding between. In no time at all we'd become great friends. Jessika is from Germany where she just quit her job as a physician and is travelling around the world until she lands in Canada where she has a one year work visa. She is planning to arrive in Canada in April (same time as we're heading home) and since she is probably going to make BC her home base for that year our paths may cross again. Jessika won't be able to practice as a physician in Canada due to licensing issues but she has been studying alternate therapies that complement her traditional practice. She is thinking that she may be able to do that kind of work in Canada and I suspect it will work out for her just as she hopes.
What else can I tell you about the past week??? Well, last night two little house lizards got into a huge battle on the wall in our room. That was pretty exciting! They hissed and spit like dragons and in truth...they're a little scary when they get like that. They're only a few inches long and they're good little guys as they eat all the mosquitos but when they're mad....they're mean! The other thing thats been happening the past couple of days is that the papayas have been falling off the tree right beside our patio. The guys have not been picking them because the birds or bats or bugs have been at them and so they're not good anymore. Rather than go to the work of picking them they just let the birds etc have their way with them until they fall to the ground and are easy to pick up. On another topic but something you might find interesting....they do have sugar in little packets or in a sugar bowl here but most often when you order coffee (or iced latte) they serve a little pitcher of simple syrup (sugar water) for you to use if you want sweetener.
There's not a lot more to tell at the moment and I'm due for a massage so....maybe I'll sign off for now and leave something for next time....till then,
L & L
Our trip from Lovina to Ubud was relatively uneventful but you might like to hear about our lunch/shopping escapade at some little village atop the mountain. As we've been known to do we decided on lunch at a roadside market where the locals would eat. Lady luck was on our side and one of the vendors was a friend of Jati's aunt and so she took good care of us. We ordered our rice and "stuff" in a brown paper cone. Lynda opened hers and exclaimed, "It's looking at me!" when she saw the little tiny fish that was part of the "stuff" atop the rice. I chose not to look at mine and mostly concentrated on eating the rice part. All I could think of was a time in Mexico near Patsquaro where we stopped in a village that had food stalls all of whom were selling fries. Except that upon closer inspection....all those fries had eyes! Honestly, they looked like perfect fries all standing tall in a paper cup (much like McDonalds would present them)....but they all had eyes! They were all skinny little fried fish from the polluted lake the village sat beside. Thank gawd we didn't eat those fries! These little fish at least were very very tiny. Maybe these little fish had been imported from Africa where we saw millions of them drying on tarps in Zanzibar. Small world! For dessert we decided on something that was in the midst of being fried. It was some kind of batter that was used to surround a wide array of "stuff". This "stuff" did not include fish though (thankfully). This "stuff" ranged from tofu to bananas and mixed veggies to some kind of rice ball. All were pretty good and when you figure that we got a big bag full (enough for about a dozen people) for under a dollar...the price was right! To wash it all down we decided on roadside 3 in 1 and so Jati's aunt's friend fixed us up with little glass glasses that held about 3/4 cup of quite strong 3 in 1 (which is just instant coffee, cream, and sugar in a pkg). Those little glass glasses were HOT so drinking the stuff was easier said than done. To keep the many flies out she had topped all of our glasses with little pink plastic lids. Got the picture? Yep....it was a market and there were lots of flies. There were also a lot of dogs and Lynda tried to make friends with some of them by feeding them my leftover "stuff" (remember I focused on the rice). All she succeeded in doing was creating a dog fight. Jeez...there were dogs coming from everywhere and guess what...they only ate the rice and left the "stuff" so I guess they didn't like the bits that looked back at them either. Since we were stopped anyway we decided to check out the local shops for local sarongs and let me tell you there is a funny story there! I will cut to the chase and just tell you that within seconds of our entrance to the shop Lynda was stripped to her underwear and dressed in something that was made for someone quite a bit smaller! She modelled her attire as the ladies who dressed her said she looked great. I disagreed strongly but no words were needed as the look on my face said it all. It was kind of like the time that she showed up in Vancouver with phone book yellow coloured hair that some hairdresser in Mexico told her looked good. Mexico or Bali....Lynda is an easy mark! In the end....she got out of those 'too small' clothes and poor Jati will never be the same as he was there for the unveiling! Privacy is not always available. In the end, purchases were made by both of us and we now are the proud owners of lovely Kintimani style sarongs (that fit us!)
Another stop we made was when Lynda used her spidey sense (I am sure she must have something more than eyes cuz she sees stuff I miss all the time) to spot a bunch of people lined up along a wall looking over the edge at something below. It turned out to be the military putting a few hundred new recruits through some basic training exercises. It was an obstacle course of sorts and so we watched the antics for a while before heading out on our way again. In hindsight...how crazy were we to stop where there are people lined up along a wall and military all carrying guns?! Yikes! Sounds like a dangerous spot to stop. But honestly all kidding aside....we have both commented so many times that it feels very safe here. Both in Lovina and in Ubud either of us are comfortable walking alone day or night. Not that we do a lot of street walking at night so don't start worrying about us please! LOL.
Speaking of stops along the way from Lovina, another stop we made was at a roadside fruit stand. Some of you may have seen the video on facebook but it's worthy of note here in the blog as well (for posterity if nothing else). Durian, also known as the king of fruits, is a large spiny ugly looking that that is said to smell like hell but taste like heaven. Both Lynda and I were durian virgins and so we decided the time had come to change that reality. Jati likes durian and so we had him give us a lesson in how to tell if it's ripe and how to open it and how to eat it...etc. Lynda went first....she smelled it and discovered it wasn't that bad so if it didn't smell too bad and was supposed to taste better than it smells she was good to go. It was barely touching her tongue when she screwed up her face and said "no, this isn't good at all!" Actually....she said "no bagus" which means No good in Balinese and the guy who works at the fruit stand was practically peeing his pants watching her. She gave it another tiny try but again...it was no better. Then it was my turn. Having seen her reaction I was even more nervous but heh....gotta give it a go. I smelled it. It was okay...kind of citrus and cheese mixed. Then I tasted it. It was okay...kind of citrus and cheese mixed. I actually had another bite because I couldn't believe it wasn't too bad and it was still kind of okay. I'm not sure I can say I 'like' it but...I might try it again so that sort of means I liked it a little. Lynda tried to get me to have some more but I was already starting to sweat so decided I'd stop rather than risk a heart attack as durian is supposed to speed up your heart if you have too much of it. We cleansed our palette with mango that were yummy so all was good in the end. When the time came for us to leave Lynda said she was sorry to have lost her durian virginity on the side of the road in Bali! I'm not sure the fruit stand guy or Jati got that one but I sure did! LOL
We've settled back into Ubud and all is good in our little Balinese world. The skies opened up last night (during the night) and that was the first rain that we'd had in two days so I'm sure the plants were thirsty for it. It is cooler today as a result of the rain too which is a nice little reprieve. Today after a leisurely morning of stretching, meditation, breakfast (omelet and fresh fruit), and a game of rummy I headed out with a whole list of things to do! I guess that means we "live" here...LOL! First I needed to drop off some laundry (at $2/kilo it's pretty affordable!), next I wanted to see if I could locate the shop where I'd left a deposit on a little purse I'd asked them to custom make a longer strap for (still haven't found it!), from there I wanted to hit this little restaurant where they have a great iced latte that also turned into a bowl of pumpkin ginger soup for lunch. I am typing this from that little restaurant and just finished the most delicious bowl of soup! I had no intention to have anything other than the iced latte until I saw someone else with a bowl of the most beautiful looking soup. It was a beautiful butternut squash colour and there was a drizzle of white decorating the top....It was then that my taste buds went crazy and I decided I was a little hungry maybe.... well....I wasn't really hungry but after the first taste of that creamy golden deliciousness I was glad I'd decided to go for it! I'm saving the iced coffee for dessert and taking this opportunity to type a little 'catch up' missive for you all.
As I sit here in Maha Restaurant I am loving everything! The temperature is perfect, there is a beautiful breeze, my belly is full of healthy delicious soup, there are three cute little rabbits hopping around the courtyard I'm sitting in, the wind in the leaves of the tree overhead are keeping time to the music that is wafting out of the restaurant, there is the distant buzz of life on Monkey Forest Road out the front of the restaurant....yes.....all is good.
At this very moment Lynda will be just climbing aboard the back of a motorbike with Ketut as her driver. She has made arrangements for him to drop her off and pick her up from her new yoga studio where she is booked for her first class this afternoon. It will be fun to hear all about her adventure there. The location she's discovered is breathtaking in its views and she'll get a workout before her yoga as she climbs 100 stairs to get to the place.
Heh...a flower just fell on me....now that is the kind of thing you want to have falling from the skies....beautifully fragrant flowers!
Back to being on the back of motor bikes....Lynda more than I but both of us have grown quite familiar with that as our mode of transport here in Ubud. Coming home from the grocery store the other day (where I had a bucket that was filled with other stuff and Lynda was carrying a yoga mat) we hopped on the back of a couple of bikes and before we knew it were zipping up Monkey Forest dodging cars like we'd done it for years. I thought about carrying the bucket on my head but heh....you gotta draw the line somewhere and I didn't want to show the locals up. LOL. In truth, the driver hung the bucket on his handle bars for me so I didn't have to try to balance it and myself as we zipped in and out of cars on our way home.
Two days ago Lynda had a VERY LONG back of a bike ride! I was out getting a pedicure and foot massage and was surprised that she never showed up at the spa (which is just steps from our place) as her plan was to drop in for some new polish in prep for New Years Eve. When I eventually got home I found a note saying just that she had gone out with Pasek (our host). When she finally returned I got the rest of the story. Pasek had taken her out in search of a dentist as a crown had popped off one of her teeth. The search was long as every dentist said they didn't have the right kind of glue but in truth they saw the job and knew it was beyond their experience. It was a complex root canal that in my opinion looked like it came out of the back of a computer. There were metal pins and they had to fit into little bitty grooves and well....I can understand why those first 4 dentists shied away! Finally, dentist number 5 said she would be able to help and that Lynda should return for an appointment the next morning which she did. In the end, it was a great experience, Lynda's tooth is back where it belongs, and ......she is only 350,000 IDR poorer for the experience. (Yes, that is just $35 CAD for a 1 1/2 hour appointment and there is a 3 month warranty on the work. Makes me wonder why we bother getting travel insurance!).
Yesterday, Lynda and I went in search of something she'd seen on one of her motorbike treks. It was a Fish Spa and after googling it we decided we were up for the adventure. We'd seen other fish spas on the road but honestly most of them looked pretty disgusting and this Fish Spa was highly rated for it's attention to hygiene and care of the fish so off we set. It didn't look that far on the map and it isn't far when you're on the back of a bike but when you're walking and it is HOT HOT HOT out....it was a bit of a trip. But....we are in Bali and time is irrelevant so we just made a day of it stopping along the way for a drink or a snack, to do a little shopping, or to check out a spa, and eventually to have some dinner. In the end, we found the spa but...it was closed! We're hoping the closure was just for renovations because now that we know where it is and have read the reviews we're anxious to go so fingers crossed that next time we'll be lucky.
Speaking of stopping along the way for snacks and dinner....both Lynda and I have come to the conclusion that as good as the warungs are we are also going to start to frequent some of the other restaurants too. They're a little more expensive (at least twice as much) but still inexpensive relatively speaking. And since we really only have to buy one meal a day (breakfast is included with our room) we can afford it. We may not go to restaurants every day but we cannot afford not to as the food scene here in Ubud is unbelievable! Every meal we have we think is the best thing we've ever had and then we go to the next place and it seems to be even better than the last. It is obvious that they all use super fresh ingredients and the presentation is 5 star every time and the flavours are like a party in your mouth and well....I guess we've become addicted to the food scene here as much as the next guy. The other night the table next to us ordered a dessert called Death by Chocolate and we've decided we're probably going to have that for dinner one night! Yesterday at one of our stops we saw oatmeal on the menu so we've decided that we're going to skip breakfast one morning and go for oatmeal instead. You may be thinking....really?! But when I tell you that the oatmeal is packed full of peanuts and cashews and almonds and bananas and coconut milk .... see why we might want to go give it a try? LOL. Yes....it is easy to enjoy eating very good quality food when in Ubud!
New Years Eve was an international affair for us this year! Here we were in Bali and headed out with a group that included: 1 Korean, 1 from England (who is now an expat living in Bali for the past 8 years), 3 Balinese, and us 2 Canadians. We started out the evening with drinks at the expats house and then moved from there on to dinner at another fantastic restaurant (this place is FULL of fantastic restaurants!), and then we were off to a club where there was a well known reggae band playing for the night. We rocked to their rhythms till the clock struck 12 when we moved outside to the edge of the soccer field (in the middle of town) as they were setting off fireworks to mark the new year. As luck would have it we were perfectly placed as we could see all of the fireworks in the soccer field as well as the ones in the palace just a block away from the soccer field as well as the ones about a block to the right of the palace. We had three shows going on simultaneously and it was fantastic! On top of that, what's not to love about a place that lets you bring your beer out of the bar and then back into it after the fireworks are finished! The bar was packed with people from all over the world all celebrating the start of 2017 together....we were having our own little UN event!
It is easy to meet people here in Ubud. So many are travellers and accustomed to the practice of making new friends. For example, on New Years Eve as we were walking home we met a couple from Newcastle England. We continued our NYE celebrations on the street for another hour or so and had some wonderful conversation to boot. Or, just prior to my coming in to this restaurant I met a woman across the street. She was shopping for a sarong and asked my opinion between the two she was deciding between. In no time at all we'd become great friends. Jessika is from Germany where she just quit her job as a physician and is travelling around the world until she lands in Canada where she has a one year work visa. She is planning to arrive in Canada in April (same time as we're heading home) and since she is probably going to make BC her home base for that year our paths may cross again. Jessika won't be able to practice as a physician in Canada due to licensing issues but she has been studying alternate therapies that complement her traditional practice. She is thinking that she may be able to do that kind of work in Canada and I suspect it will work out for her just as she hopes.
What else can I tell you about the past week??? Well, last night two little house lizards got into a huge battle on the wall in our room. That was pretty exciting! They hissed and spit like dragons and in truth...they're a little scary when they get like that. They're only a few inches long and they're good little guys as they eat all the mosquitos but when they're mad....they're mean! The other thing thats been happening the past couple of days is that the papayas have been falling off the tree right beside our patio. The guys have not been picking them because the birds or bats or bugs have been at them and so they're not good anymore. Rather than go to the work of picking them they just let the birds etc have their way with them until they fall to the ground and are easy to pick up. On another topic but something you might find interesting....they do have sugar in little packets or in a sugar bowl here but most often when you order coffee (or iced latte) they serve a little pitcher of simple syrup (sugar water) for you to use if you want sweetener.
There's not a lot more to tell at the moment and I'm due for a massage so....maybe I'll sign off for now and leave something for next time....till then,
L & L
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