Some Tid Bits...from Ubud

Scooter Rental Anyone?
We are determined to explore enticing sideroads around Ubud....  mindful of dismaying stats:  over the last 3 months 578 fatalities in traffic accidents, an average of 7 deaths/day.  Legal driving age is 17 years but lots are much younger, and don't understand the rules of the road (I THINK there are rules...).   We will wear helmets, stick to the far left side, and find nice (slightly) quieter roads.  Our idea of 'Easy Rider'.

SACRED TREE:   BANYON

Frequently (usually) dressed in gold, or black and white checkered cloth around the base, to acknowledge the infinite wisdom of the sacredness of the Banyon.

A symbol of humanity's potential for perfection.  We are like trees:  we are upright with our feet grounded on the earth, we rise towards the sky towards heaven and enlightenment.  Like a tree we must be bully rooted with the energy of earth if we are to stand in the divine light.   Like a tree, we are mediators between heaven and earth. It's branches remind us that we are one, yet many...

Sigh.  Isn't this lovely?

IN PRAISE OF SARASWATI

Our infatuation of the Goddess of Knowledge continues and here is a little bitty update on our Diva:
Her 4 hands bear the following gifts: 
* Wisdom sympolized by a (palm) book
* Devotion - a flower turned to the sun
* Creativity - a mala or rosary
* Meditation - mala or rosary
She stands on a lotus, representing her natural openess for true creativity and learning  and her spiritual vehicle is a large white swan expressing devine purity and freedom.

Our evening with Wayan and family, and 4 other travellers residing at the Swallow House was wonderful!  Two motorbikes transported Sandra and I to/from Gusti's and we zipped through the Bali countryside under the stars, listening to crickets,  millions of frogs and geckos, and through palm trees, rice paddies, and little country homes.  Wow another snippet from Eat, Pray, Love me thinks!  Sandra saw the movie and she offers the little updates:  'OH this is right out of ....and Julia Roberts was here...!' 

We had an amazing meal expertly prepared and served by Putri.  I met Putri and Wayan 6 - 7 years ago and this Balinese woman only gets more beautiful, she truly shines with her very own special light.  I wish I could get to know her better beyond the superficial greetings and waiwai weawea.  Suzan gets to hang with her on a much more intimate level.  We want her to join us for dinner, but her and Wayan both are uncomfortable with the idea and decline. A woman's place.....

The family compound is a busy place with Wayan, Putri and 3 children; his mom and dad; a widowed childless auntie, 2 brothers, wives and their children, a couple of dogs, cats, roosters, and....?  We see the family temple with books (representing knowledge) and offerings to Saraswati. Wayan explains some of the family compound structure, Putrie dresses Sandra and I in traditional dress complete with sarong, and (forgot the Balanise name) lovely lace top.   Wayan takes us to the community temple ceromony where we feel awkward and intrusive (this is not tourist oriented) but we are met with traditional kindness, welcoming smiles, and refreshments.  It was a lovely experience and we feel quite grateful to Wayan and family/community.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BALI BABE

Yesterday
* Up at 7 am, struggle out the door with sunscreen, hat, shorts, water bottle
* An hour or so rice paddy hike - views of...rice paddies, roosters, motor scooters on the little trail, little houses, prayer flags, sunshine, streams of water, palm trees, terreced hillsides.

*  8:30 breakfast by the pool:  coffee, fresh tropical fruit dish, pineaple pancake/crepe
* Swim in pool, lounge like lizard, swim in pool
* Shopping Earrings (sherry) Other Important Stuff (sandra)
* lunch at health food cafe:  roasted veggie and feta roll (sandra) and curried chicken saladd (sherry) with iced ginger tea
* Window Shopping, hot and sweaty, emergency stop for Coconut Sherbet  (sherry)and Mango Sherbet (sandra)
* Research Pedicure. Decided against the R 45000 (about $5) and eagerly embraced the $11 CND offer at Body Works.  There is a reason why.   We are served fresh fruit kabobs, ginger tea... yawn.. foot and leg massage...  heaven
* With the greatest of caution we gingerly (pardon the pun) make our way to the NEXT healthy cafe.  Now we have:  Bintang Beer.   Roasted Veggie Salad with Feta, Beet Root and Walnut Salad, Grilled Chicken.
* Stuggle of the day:  had to decide between amazing thrift store OR pedicure.
* 8 pm 'home' to Gusti's.  They delivered a thermos of hot water for our night tea time
* much needed shower
* card game, sherry thumped by sandra
* 11 pm tucked into bed, to the chirps and croaks of Mr. Gecko and Ms. Frog

TOMORROW

9 am Raft Trip
Stay tuned!

December Schedule

* Sandra flies home December 3
* I am renting a shared UBUD VILLA as of December 1, and it is much less expensive than renting a homestay day by day!  A very beautiful place complete with resident kitty cat, a maid, small swimming pool in a lovely area.
* Made the decision to fly home December 23 for a family and friend Christmas and New Year.  Sheryl has been very ill for several weeks and it's hard being halfway across the world. A check in is in order!  I will be the one with layers and layers of clothing, eyes and nose peeking out. Can't wait to catch up on everything happening at home and seeing everyone!

Last Thoughts....

Wawa Wewe
Translation:  'chit-chat', meaningless chatter'

Nice to know we've had 50% success with posting comments. Now we have no idea why your comments are all 'anonymous' and google accounts aren't working!  Ah, technology, my favorite thing to deal with.  Thanks for the comments by the way it's really nice to hear something back. 

Hope this finds everyone warm and well!

Wawa Wewe .....

Thursday November 17

Packing our bags, and (almost) ready to go. Amed area, on Bali's East Coast and more specifically the villlage of Lipah.

Hello to Home:   As I sit here listening to gentle waves slurp (new twist on slurppie!) onto the beach at dusk....  this is (almost) the best part of the day, the sky is a muted blue/grey/pink blending nicely into the ocean.  The horizen is hard to define with the two coming together for twilight, stars and the night.

Ok we've been here since Sunday night, again extending our stay day after day!   We shuffle 10 steps from our veranda to the water with snorkle in hand. Us:  Living in swimsuits, with salt water dread locks, and multi-layered sunscreen gradually tanning our sleek, muscular legs and torsos (giggles).

We hired a car and driver for Friday - 8 am to 6 pm for R 400,000 approximately $45 CND to take us meandering around the ridge of a little mountain by the East Coast via Sideman ('verdant' road with every variety of green landscape), think we'll do an art musuem, a panaromic walk...,15th century balinese  royal palace (something we thing gardens, park or?) in Semaraprura eventually ending up back at Gusti's in Ubud for 4 -  5 days.

TEST QUIZ:  

We have an vague itinerary from now to December 3 (when Sandra flies awaaaayyyy) including  Paypal reservations made for November 29, 30 and December 1!!! CAN YOU GUESS WHAT WE ARE DOING ON THESE LAST 3 DAYS??? hint:   super duper special just for Bali Queens....

Wawa Wewe Wed night event:
 
NEWSFLASH, WOMEN:    Is your fantasy to be surrounded by exotic, buff, half-clad, greased-and-groomed Indonesian men? Clamouring for your attention??  Well... Guess what? Here's the reality:

We start the evening by ordering exotic Arak cocktails and quickly realize we (each other) are the best company of the evening. Too bad we didn't appreciate our alone time (10 minutes) before ...
Robin (our Snorkle Guide):  31 years old, depressed and lonely on palm wine joins us... tells a sad tale of his 'boring, hard, broke, and single' existence.  Now, it's gonna get worse (sorry) when Elvis joins us.  ADHD Elvis with his 6" greased Pompadour. He gazes on Fair Sandra with a brief light in his eye.... says:  'do ya wannadance?".  Dance-girl Sandra accepts.  Pompadour flops down into the chair and confidently smiles, says 'how 'bout the next one'? (puff. puff on that cigarrette!).  As the (excellent) rock n roll Balanise band plays we end up on the dance floor.  8 - 9 men join us with constant cigarrettes in hand and puffing madly, so surrounded by 'smokin hot' men.  Turns out Elvis has the attention span of a knat, and drifts away seconds after taking a dance partner onto the floor.  We can't help our selves from madly laughing... and the show gets progressively worse.  The guys start to understand enticing endearments are 'working' :   e.g.  where have you been?  how come I haven't seen you....?' and wanna go to the beach with me to see phosphorescences (pretty shiny living things in the ocean, at night) now?  (duh, yeh I wanna go to a dark, isolated beach with you NOW)....  Pompadour nearly cries when I brightly say:  gee, thanks for telling us... we'll make sure and look for them tonight when we go back to our room. Just Sandra and I.  The room is right in front of the water :).  Again, limited attention span saves us all as he drifts away.   The music quits promptly at 11 and at 11:01 Sandra and I make a mad dash to take the escape route out the door and down to our little refuge. Bewildered smokin' youngin's are left in behind, and we are eternally grateful as we arrive alone.

Stay tuned, photos will be posted next time 'round.

Abit of a sad tale for me:  yesterday Friday Nov 18, on our tour through Sedaman (drop dead, absolutely incredibly beautiful) MY CAMERA quit working. Sob.  We are relying on Sandra's camera now, thank goodness we have that. 






.

BLOG COMMENTING ISSUE RESOLVED - wanna try? :)

Update: On Bali Time!

Ten Days on the Road and here we are again!

Sanur:  3 days
Ubud:  3 days
North Coast Pematuran: 2 nights
East Coast:  now our second full day
Temples:  5
Water Palace:  1
Bintang Beer:  1 large shared/day
Arak:  prn (as needed)
Snorkeling: prn
Stress Levels: 0 to  -10
Bali Belly: Sherry 2 episodes moderate and mild-moderate with average duration .5 day; Sandra: zero-light 20 minutes.
General Health and Medical Concerns:   Sandra - 1 heat rash episode resolving nicely; sunburned buns: one for each of us, small but intense discomfort.  Reminder: shower with sunscreen before snorkelling.

Every location move is a struggle. We LOVE every place we've stayed and feel very sad when we move on! 

SANUR: Kamasuri 'Hotel' - air con, king bed, half a block to the beach and seaside 3 kms walkway, across from temple... breakfast included.  Warangs have awesome food and we had the very best seafood Nasi Goreng ever at a little ocean front warang.

UBUD:  Gusti's Garden and our little unit overlooking a terraced garden, perfect blue pool snuggled at the bottom, ... 'interesting' outdoor shower, resident gecko of the larger, louder variety (loud GECK-gooooo - imagine a low throaty purr at the end and you'll have it just right). Fan (no air-con -- fine in Ubud), two beds, private patio, breakfast and friendly smiles, morning offerings of incense and prayers - all for $12.50 each/night.

Two for One Happy Hour cocktails the best ever discovered in Ubud is ARAK MOJITO!!!!

Much wetter , with heavy rain especially at night and some freaky loud thunder and lightning.  I check in with Wayan:   rain is much heavier this year than my last 2 visits in Novemer?  the answer is 'yes' - global warming and not a good outcome for the rice crops.  Also Ubud is crazy busy?  Yep, with the release of Eat, Pray, Love 2 years ago tourism has increased greatly... ugh. but good for them.  Also The Bucket List with Jack Nicolson (?) highlights Bali - note to self(s) get both movies on return to Canada.

PEMUTERAN:   Taman Sari Bali Resort - WOW! Describes this place!  Happy, Happy Babes here!  Beautiful gardens and lawn, 2 beds with mozzie nets, air con; outdoor balinese bathrooms, right on the beach with fantastic snorkelling, perfect pool, wonderful service.... we are prima donnas here and feel great remorse leaving our natural habitant. 

Right off the beach:  a once destroyed reef (because of dynamite and cyanide fishing followed by global warming) rebounding at 5X the normal rate due to large metal cages being placed on the reef, then hooking up to low voltage electricity from generators on the beach!  The result is successful stimulation of limestone formation on the cages, which THEN forms new coral.  Happy Story. A  recovered reef and an improvished area now attracts tourists that employs the locals.

Day trip to Palau Menjangan (Deer Island)
Literally a private tour and wonderful local guide! Nono is a young Balanise man and ex lawyer (couldn't handle the stress and negativity around his chosen profession) who is passionate about environmental issues and Deer Island.   Soft Coral, Hard Coral, lots of fish including Parrot Fish, Clown Fish, and "Nemo" - funny orange and white fish who love to hide in creamy, soft sponges - the Pitt Bulls of the fish world. With a tenative hand reaching towards the sponge, they dart out in attack posture then quickly retreat.  Our second, more secluded snorkel was simply amazing with stunning coral gardens, including one patch of brillant green about 40' in diameter. Wow.

We hired Wayan and a driver for 3 days at approximately $40/day plus fuel (.45/litre) from Ubud north to Pemuteran then back to the East Coast.  A luxury drive with air conditioning. We realize after 2 lunch experiences: we need to take control over the situation! Wayan, of course, does not go out for lunch so he stops at the tour bus stops = poor food, high  prices, and a time waster.  No problem!  We get a 'to go' lunch from the hotel before we hit the road next time around.

Travel Companion:  Sandra is a pain in the ___! Just between you and I, she is so happy, agreeable, and in love with Bali, Beer, and Snorkelling it's very difficult to be around her.  But, I must persevere.

Bali Spirituality:  In a nutshell, our perfect little tropical Island IS a true giant generated by incredible people and their proud, stong spirit and culture.  Bali is the ONLY remaining Hindu Island in the largest Muslum country (Indonesia).  There is no where else in the whole world like Bali. 

Hindu with Buddist influence offers a very unique and facinating learning experience...The Gods are as follows:

- Wisnu
   Color is Black
   Is the Protector God and God of Water
   Represents the North
   Wife:  is the Goddess of Rice (nourishment)

- Brahma,
  Color is Red
  Creator God and God of Fire
  Wife: is Saraswati, Goddess of Knowledge ( my personal fav)

-Sewa
 All  Colors
 Represents Earth and is in the middle
 Is the Destroyer of Bad Spirits
 Wife is Durga, Goddess of Black Magic

- Iswira
  Color is White
  Priests worships this god, represents all the elements
  Represents East
 
- Mahadewa
  color is yellow
  Protector God of the Spirit, Leadership and is the 'King of Gods'
  Color is White
  Represents West
  Wife - not clear 'bout this -stay tuned if you are interested/facinated/curious!

Very Interesting:   Brahma (South), Wisnu (North) and Sewa (middle) form the Trinity
So:  Brahma = ANG; Wisnu = UNG and Sewa = MING, the sounds taken all togethere = OM

Worship is a constant in Bali.  Every God is honored, every day with prayers, offerings of flowers, food, incense and music.  'Ceromonies' are special spritual celebrations and are too numerous and frequent to count.  We just count ourselves very lucky to to part of every day life and live like the Balanise 'in the moment, in the day, and with appreciation'. 

This Saturday Wayan has invited us to attend aCeremony in his village, in honor of  Saraswati - yep my very own Goddess of Knowledge.   Putri is going to help us with traditional dress  and you bet you'll be seeing photos!!!!

For some reason I don't think you are able to post comments. I have no idea why but will try my best to trouble shoot (SANDRAaaaa  HELPPPP)

Salamat Jalen!
(Good Bye to you - leaving 'the blog'!)
To be Continued......

Warm Bali Welcome For Babes!!!

FRIDAY (THURSDAY TO YOU N.A.'s)
Bali Babes arrived in Denpaser slightly tattered and confused following 2 days encased in large fast moving tin tube. Nevertheless luggage, mind and body are intact.

Reported experiences:
13.5 hours Vancouver to Taipei China Airlines hospitality rating.5 Star ***** we questioned 'is this actually FIRST CLASS?  But alas, the seats WERE for commoners.  Our every request, percieved need, or twitch of an eyelash was treated as #1 Priority. Sigh.  Impressive.

Taipei Airport

Sign:  For Aviation Safety Concern it is Prohibited to Breed Pigeons, or Release Other Flying Objects Around The Airport. (we immediately separated Jack and Jill)

Not to be missed:  Butterfly Garden and Prayer Rooms
An oasis of peace and calm - puffy, comfy lounge chairs present a perfect opportunity for nap time. Oh, and lush follage, soft lighting, 3 massage chairs (free with a token). The 3 Prayer Rooms:  Islamic, Buddist, and Christian decorated in minature to welcome each specific need in a separate 12' X 12' room. The most pleasant experiece EVER for a 3.5 hour layover. A very cosy, positive impression of Taiwen. 

Ah, Sherry is Back in Bali's Arms. And Sandra reportedly has a case of Love at First Sight! 

Once again transported by the spirit of Bali. Sook-Su-Ma (Thank YOU) FYI  -  not correct
spelling, but you now can say Thanks to someone today in Balanise.  You must say this with a gentle voice and lovely smile.

Our temporary first home is in a Sanur Air Con room.  This is greatly appreciated, and goes a long way to our recovery from the 15 hour time change, 24 hours travelling, and resulting jet lag.  So does last nights dinner:  Cold Beer, Nasi Goreng, Gada Gada, Red Snapper and the bill:  $10 each

Love a T-shirt we saw and named:  CBT (Cognitive Behavoural) T:

  "Don't Believe Everything You Think"   What a wonderful reminder wonder if I can tatoo it on my forehead? 

Both of us woke up this morning feelin' Good, Like We Knew We Would' to twittering, cooing, and chirping originating from the local feathered population.  An awesome 7 am walk along the beach taking in all the sights in the 'cooler' part of the day that has us totally soaked with dew-like sweat by the time within minutes.  Some sights along the way:

Fishermen with hook and line, standing in waist high water half way to the reef.
A circle of 15  cross-legged Balanese men meditating on the beach
Locals preparing to open up small shops, sweeping away fallen leaves and yesterday's wilting flowers with palm straw broom. 'Sue' drops her chores to offer Sandra 'best morning price' on a cute little cotton dress....
Portable barbeques already sizzling with mouth watering chicken and beef satay
Blue, green, red, orange, yellow (ok, colorful) small wooden catamarens
Ferns, vines, flowers (don't you just love the 4" white and yellow 4-petal ones that smell so lovely?)

Back to our room by 8:15 just in time for thick, black, hot coffee, toast, papaya, and pineapple delivered to our little tiled veranda.    But our breakie is interrupted with the start of a 4 day opening celebration for a new temple just accross from our little hotel. Now we are subjected to trance-like music surrounding our senses thereby paralizing all efforts to rush about... doing something.  Gosh What WERE we thinking of doing again???    Heartrate drops, muscles slacken, and mind goes numb(er). 

Wish you were here?  We do too!!! 

So nice to see Sylvia, Sophia and Isabel  thanks for coming on board - here's me smiling right back! Love Ya!