LA..DEE....DAAAA!!!! INDIA!!!

Day 4 and all is well!

Jet Lag - Stable Recovery

Sleep Patterns - all 3 of us - 100%  participation in the 4 am 'wide awake, ready to go' stage!
Accommodation -  Well - adjusted to our 200 year old beautifully maintained
Portguese mansion!  Our hosts: Christine and Alfred are amazing and welcoming.  Plus Alfred makes very (very) good 2nd run cashew liquor!  (kind of a Goan moonshine at 52% alcohol content, does not take much to 'taste it' and it will likely be the innoculation to Travellers Diarrha (sorry re: spelling). He offers it up to us as an evening ritual on the outdoor deck.

(My) First Impressions of India:

*  Wow! I am sooo happy!

*  Thrilled with the whole idea of being here, surrounded by everything Indian.

*  Real appreciation for the way our Indian immigrants kept their language, culture, dress, and food.  Way to Go Canada for not having a cultural 'melting pot' where everyone has to be the same.  Way Not to Go Canada for some of us having prejudges towards a kind and gracious people.

* Dismayed at my fussy food issues.... spicy garbanzos and potatoes, chipati's, and dahl for breakfast nearly brings me to pitiful tears.... curry and spices at each and every snack and meal... well I'm due for a little attitude-adjusting.

* The Light! Is magic. Photos are golden hued, bringing joy to photography.  The soil and rock is red and/or yellow-gold, showing off everything and everyone in the very best, most exotic glow possible.

*  Early morning coal smoke pollution is literally sickening, can last for hours but is often gone by 9 am.  General air pollution is abit frightening (cough) but makes for beautiful sunsets!


* Goa is not touristy.  And not terribly overcrowded.  So far, ok after only 4 days, India feels pretty darn safe, interesting and fun.  So what my bad, negative brain says: oh, oh I'm being set up and somewhere down the line I'm gonna get a shock... yikes how bad will it be.  Oh Dear! Until then my shiny, happy side is just plain smug and enjoying each Indian day. 

* How DO the Indian men bob their heads (similar to those silly dashboard head-bobbing dolls) in response to requests or in general conversation?  It takes alot to figure out if it means:  'I agree' or 'I don't agree but will do it anyways', or 'boy are YOU weird', or 'I have no idea what this stranger wants but can always just bob my head until they go away'!

* Happy to have two wonderful travel  buddies, Ellen with awesome Indian knowledge, organizational and collaboration skills, and Belle with her fun attitude towards everything, including food!

A COUPLE OF SIGHTSEEING SNIPPETS


WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (aka 'zoo')

Thumbs Up:
Mild mannered, very pretty cream/light brown 3' tall monkeys, ID unknown roaming around outside the 'sanctuary'
Sloth Bears - hyper, pigeon-toed, Brown, Round and Cuddly
Deer - variety of Indian deer, awesome selection - one small agile breed jumps about 4 feet straight up when startled, and standing still! 
Snakes - yep lets keep as many boa's possible in cages!

Thumbs WAY Down

Tiger and Panther - not a spirit lifting experience to watch these powerful, beautiful and proud cats behind wire fencing.  Would give up seeing sloth bears and monkeys to NOT see these animals relentlessly pacing the fence perimeter.



PORTUGUESE COLONIAL-ERA MANSIONS

400+ Year-old full of overwhelming (some in amazing condition, others pretty tattered) treasures.  Braganza House, owned by 2 brothers with the decendents still residing in separate wings.  Check it out online if you are really interested. I could but won't go on and on about it! One short story:  the West Wing family Chapel has a very carefully hidden fingernail of Francis Xavier!! Yep I have a photo!

ANJUNA

Exhausting trip to The Flea Market.  I have NEVER seen a market even 20% as large as this! Yes, Brenda and Donna - not even the New Mexico Dream Market.  I was so overwhelmed I did not buy a single thing. I know I can't believe it either!  Ellen however did quite well and took the challenge in hand.  We recovered with fresh grilled fish and cold beer, watching the sunset.

Photo of the Day
Ellen and Belle, walking on a pristine white sand beach with blue/green ocean backdrop, and between me and my camera -and subjects - a very content, fat and sleek Indian cow lounging in a meditation like pose....  no nagging for the photo. Will try to get it loaded.... soon 

WANDERIN' UPDATE

On the travel road tomorrow heading to Hampi and many historical monuments and temples. Dandeli for 'exotic wildlife including elephants, Sloth Bears!  And who knows what else.  Returning here again in one week and flying to Calcutta on February 4.













 

WAWA WEWE FROM VANCOUVER!

OOPS I KNEW I forgot something!!  The Blog!!!  Well here is a quickie. 

HOMECOMING

What a welcome. My heart still smiles and I get a little misty eyed.  First of all, I had the sweetest Tiwanese seat mates on both flights coming back. Of course I am invited to come visit them the very next time through Taipie! Then I arrive at YVR 6 pm with a personalized Jim Airport Pickup service. 

Arrive at #5 Greenland home.  There in my living room window is a huge sign WELCOME HOME MOM MOM, surrounded by Christmas lights.  Inside the apartment the whole kitchen and living room is decorated with draping garlands, strings of lights, hanging decorations, and a table full of fresh fruit. It was ingenious and creative.  Allan, Braden and Isaiah had paid a visit a few days before I came home!  I will never ever forget this homecoming!  I was actually speechless which is really saying something.  Wow.  The only word that comes close to describing it.

Out to dinner in Vancouver, lots of chating and catch up time.  Then came the real fun.  Jet Lag. No sleep.  12 hours in bed for 6 hours broken snooze time.  Followed by the flu for NYE - which of course goes really well with a hot date at Hotel Georgia. sob.  then a cold for the Whistler trip.  Now I am healthy and rested, and leaving in 4 days!  But it's been great to see everyone that I did get to .... see.  And Home For Christmas.  the ever important thing. 

LAST FEW WEEKS IN BALI, SOME WAWA WEWE

On the Amed Coast:  desolate, well ok with the exception of Yoshi, my very fun new friend from New York City!  We managed to bond very nicely over beer, satay, around the pool, on the motor scooter, and snorkelling. 

Bobo:  a very desponent, gentle and intelligent soul employed at my 'hotel', who risked life and limb, well ok maybe just increased stress levels and some minor bruising by 'teaching' me to drive a motor scooter. On the wrong side of the road.  But hey, I had lots of fun AND came out (relatively) unscathed.  We had a heart to heart chat by Day 3 about 'attitutude, connecting with people, and the glass half full vs half empty'.  I left feeling like a real jerk for challenging his attitudes.  But the pay off came on the next day with a Bobo with a changed attitude, doing a professional job serving and caretaking.  The second day he thanked me and I felt a huge sense of relief.

Bettina:  yep we had a very good time thank you!   In spite of mixing a rabid non-smoker with an frequent ferocious smoker, we managed to really enjoy each others company with a journy to Lombongan Island.   Snorkeling, walking, scooter renting, getting very very lost and repeatedly going in circles for 2 hours. It was not funny until after dinner and retiring for the night.  Then we became quite hysterical when we realized between the two of us we have over 100 years combined life experience, and 50+ countries, yet we get hopelessly lost on a 10 km X 30 km Island!!!    I will not go into great detail about 'the body that washed up on the beach in front of our beautiful hotel.  Three days after the Lombok - Timor ferry sank with 250 people on board and 30 survivors.   

TRAVEL UPDATE ALERT

Off I go and what an adventure, even for an experienced wanderin soul this is a little extreme.  How do I describe in one word:  heart pounding excitment, eagerness, wonderment, wanderment, flabbergasted, spiritually tickled, personally awed, and overall totally blessed???? 

Ok here's what's happen'

Departure YVR with Belle and Ellen 3 pm January 20 for MUMBI INDIA!!!!  We connect onward to Goa for a few days, then hire  car for another few days of personalized sightseeing.  Travel to Calcutta by Feb 5. Then a train on my own to Varanase for a few days to check out the funeral pyres on the Ganges.  After some days of exploring, I will meet Suzan 'somewhere' then continue by train to Dehli in time to board my flight to NEPAL! 

I leave Nepal for Bangkok on March 22 where I'll meet Jim to explore SE Asia.  Due home end of May then HELLO VANCOUVER and my favourite Pacific Northwest for summer time hiking, biking, camping, barbques (Deb!) and music festivals.  Let me know if you have something else 'to do'.  And when you are available for what :)

BLOGGING  probably irratic. especially in India.  But I intend on continuing and hope you do too! 

ONWARD SEMI-FEARLESS WANDERERS!

(More) Stories from the Bali Road

Dharma:   'do I have a death wish?',  Once again he's transporting me - this time from
Ubud to Tejakula.  He showed up with a frangapangi flower tucked behind his ear, smilin'
 and smellin' (just like a flower) and was a reformed man.  Dharma drove as slowly as a Richmond resident on a Saturday afternoon on #3 Road (Richmond Centre). He apologized to me for the 'crazy driving' on Saturday when Sandra and I hired him for the trip back to Ubud.  Then proceeded to ask me an awful lot of personal questions:   Did I miss Sandra? Was I married? Did I have children? (I stressed my daughter and 2 GRANDSONS), How old was I?  (REALLY old) Did I have a boyfriend? Where was he?......  I asked back: so what is your WIFE's name?  how long have you been married....! It was a long drive over the mountain!

GIAI OASIS YOGA RESORT

No I am NOT becoming a yoga/spa resort groupie. NO, NO, NOOOO!  
Maybe I have just a little backpacker shame.  Have I lost my edge? Become a softie?
India will tell the true story!

Snokelling off the Beach Resort:  I'm the only one in warm green waters.  Yawn. 
same old, same old.  yellow and black striped fish, the purple with yellow eyeliner and green-
touched fin guys, oh! there is my fav, the boring grey fish perfectly outlined in florescent
blue/green; then some colorful coral. I think this is a pretty nice way to wake up to the day.
Suddenly, barely in my perithial vision a large movement to my left. my heartrate increases
rapidly.  'Flight or fight' adrenaline and my nasty (hidden)  companion 
'Fear and Insecurity' hits my brain. What AM I doing wayyyy out here all by myself???? My
relaxed, comfortable state of mind and body is suddenly a distant memory.   Then 'IT' rapidly
comes into view, swimming just below me:  a gorgeous very large turtle!!! Deep red back,
greenish sides and fins!  He acts as if I am not even there, gently swimming beside me, then
rising up to the surface for a breath of air.  I am thrilled.  All common sense flees and as he
picks up speed  I follow him, heading to open waters, into dangerous pounding surf and crashing
reefs fraught with wild hungry sharks, terrible dolphins.....  (yeh, sure!).   My first Bali Turtle sighting. 

Note to self:  Not all yoga instructors are equal.  Giai is a fraction of the costly dwellings Sandra and I
had for 3 days, and yoga classes were extremely good,  but with a fee.   Heard of 'you get
what you pay for'? Well, yoga is free here at Giai. So.  Our guy is very skilled at yoga poses.  He can tie himself in a knot; stand on one leg with the opposite foot tucked into his testicles for 10 minutes while arms are straight up to the ceiling and head back to shoulder blades; followed by the next
impossible pose and breathing exercise:

Inhale at MAX EE MIMM (maximum) for 30 seconds; SUSSS-PEEND for 45 seconds, release slowwwly (yeah right) while also moving from sitting to push up position, then to 'cobra' and to back flip in co-ordination with the breathing (sure thing, toots). 

Finally he moves us into our final position for the 7 am  Yoga for No-One  Class.   Lay-on-your-back pose, a mind control/concentration exercise.   I don't want to brag, but I excel at this position.   He instructs us to close our eyes,  visualize our selves outside our bodies (this actually happened to me as soon as he started the class),  I am now desperate for a cup of coffee.  I am visualizing my body dashing upstairs for a cup  as I lay there.  And lay there. There is only me and one other participant.
We continue to ....lay there. Nothing is happening.  I crack open one eye just a fraction of an eyelash.  Can't see him.  I wait another few minutes, try the other eye.  I see a white clad Yogi in a very still prone position.    Minutes tick by.  It's now wayyyyy  too long to have mine, or anyone's body separated from itself.  The other woman starts to twitch as well.  Finally our eyes met and in silent agreement we sit up.  There in front of us is our fearless leader.   Exhausted after his great yoga work out, sound asleep!!!  We got up, rolled our mats and limped away, leaving  him in dreamland!
Didn't do yoga this morning!

I am surrounded by women.  German and Swiss Women. I've heard a  few very interesting Stories That Women Tell.  Most of them regarding Balinese Men and more specifically Taxi Divers.   However, in spite of some juicy confidential tid bits,  I feel a bit of an 'English only' odd ball - combined with being an obvious 'budget  backpacker' who is not eagerly booking  massages, facials, and other forms of pampering.  Nevertheless,  I find my basic posh needs are met very nicely thank you.  A lovely room with ocean and jungle views; queen sized bed  with a really good mattress (not the sweaty foamy at Gusti's) and linens (the sheet is fitted! and no knobby round things), REAL pillows I can actually lay my head on and snuggle in; mozzie net with no holes, a fan that does not squeek or wobble, an amazing outdoor  Bali Bathroom, my very own fridge,  tea kettle, outside lounge and table, two nice chairs. Free tea, coffee, bottled water,  tropical fruit and afternoon 3 pm goodies: cake and tea'. The place comes with all the sound effects you could possibly want:  24 hour roosters, chickens, twilight frogs,  crickets, geckos.... and other various forms of noisy life!  Oh and I must add
a very interesting frog porn show beside the pond, in the valley, and the streams:  apparently a monthly (full moon) event!!!
   
There is a free shuttle to the village and the beach.  My current expenses average CND $35/day - room and dinner.  Being the (cheap) smart cookie I am, I brought food for breakfast and lunch for 4 days :)  OK you can bet I am the first one showing up for complimentary cake at 3 pm... !!!  Oh I forgot to mention the salt water swimming pool! Sandra:  please note, it is complete with little Bali
swallows that skim the water constantly! So I think your experience at Gusti's was not likely bats? However that being said it's  a bit disconcerting to have these guys constantly skimming the water all around me. They are hyper little feathered missiles  - the kind that test my nerves.  They LOOK like they have decent flying abilities, but how close can they really swoop by without getting tangled in my hair? 
Shaman Session with Jero Dar
1)  Massage, Chakra check-up, health scan,
2) Meditation
3) Temple Blessing
4) Consultation with Shaman and translator. 
Selective Information (additional details MAY be provided upon request, in person only :)!)
Tejakula Village
  
Balinese speaking only, interpreter present in person prior to and following the session, and present outside a curtained area during treatment session. 

Environment:  family compound and temple
Initial Consultation: seated at a small wooden table with Shaman and Interpreter.  Served sweetened tea, sipped while chickens and chicks clucked around my feet, dogs roamed through,  and children playing in the yard.  

I asked for some history:
I learned that,  from a very early age, as long as he can remember, he could see non-physical presence as well as physical bodies.   Jero Dar was unaware he was able to see what others could not, and that he had a gift,  Then, as a young man, he became very ill and consulted with a healer.  At the same time he was seeking help, he met another young man  having a  similar experience. They were both advised to return to the temple in Tejakula for prayer, meditation and guidence. Eventually he was advised by a healer of two choices:  become a priest or a healer.  He wanted to work with people directly and  choose to become a healer . 

Prior to my session, a family member brought him several bright green leaves just a bit larger than his hand, which he held in both hands, then brought to his forehead in prayer.
I gave verbal permission for the shaman to physically touch me.  I was advised I needed to take my clothes off.  I thought this meant outer clothes. This was an incorrect assumption.  The 'room' was similar to a 3 -walled patio with curtains pulled on the open end.  A thin mattress was flat on the floor, and the shaman sat in lotus position beside it.  Massage oil base was coconut oil with unidentified flowers and herbs.   He gestured for me to lay down, belly up at first.  Next position was belly down/butt up followed by seated with back to him. Final position was seated, facing him.  At no time did I feel uncomfortable, I intuitively trusted him and he was kind, gentle and as professional as you could expect a non English speaking Balanese Shaman to be!  

First:   A full body massage with strong focus on each specific chakra area. (as described above)
Second:   Meditation (seated, facing each other). 
Third:  Temple Blessing

Dressed in a sarong, my 'payment' was an offering to the temple of R 150,000.  Prior to
entering the temple I sipped water out of his cupped palms 3 times.  The water had various
flower petals, twigs/herbs in it.  The rest of it was splashed over my head and face.

Note:  I need you to work with me here.  Just to be clear:  Did you  notice I've been thoroughly soaked and rubbed - hair included - with a liter of coconut oil.  With herbs. Then I slurp holy water -with twigs, flowers, etc -  not once but THREE times from closed palms, THEN about 2 litres of water - with twigs, flowerc, etc is dumped over.... oily hair.  This is not a lovely vision!!! I guess I shoudl add:  to top it all off, I drank a whole entire glass of water to help me swallow 'something' on my tongue - herbal 'remedy'.   

 Now, I am able to enter the temple for a blessing and on completion, a woven black, red, and white string bracelette is tied on my right wrist.  I am not to deliberately remove it for 6 months.
 The colors represent the Gods of Protection: Shiva, Brahma, Vishnu (as mentioned several blogs ago
  - remember?). 

Last: Consultation with Shaman and Interpreter
First:  a brief overview regarding both my physical and spiritual health, and then I am
invited to ask my questions.... and so I did!  

How about you - any questions???? Smiles to you too!

36 Hours Post-Drinking Holy Water
all morning in the bathroom (no futher details necessary!), all afternoon with ginger tea and water, evening, veggie soup and dry toast!  Hey the next day good as new!

Abandoned in Bali!

Oh - Oh after 10> days where to start?! Please... read on with NO expectations of orderly thoughts and certainly not chronological  order! 

Sandra:  although she is no angel (oops, 'nough said!) she sprouted wings and flew into yesterday.. leaving me here in the tropics alone.  I'm only missing her when it's morning 'do you want to swim after breakfast and before we head out for the day? Or miss the pool and come back by 2 pm?'  and when it's time to share happy hour 2:1 Arak Mojitos at Mingles, or splitting Nasi Goreng and Black Rice Pudding with Coconut milk (oh, and one scoop vanilla ice cream pls). Well I could go on and on... it was so sad to see her leave after a fantastic month together in Bali.  I do recommend her as a travel companion but you need to understand a few quirks (I of course have none) about Little Hawk:

- She is prone to unintentionally insulting smokers. Example in an Ubud restaurant/bar sharing a table with smokers (and being surrounded by... smokers. and changing tables to avoid/minimize... smoke). A 'new' couple sits down to share our table.  Sandra identified them as non smokers by the fact they were not (currently) smoking.  She leans over and in a friendly manner states 'it's so nice to finally have people who don't smoke... sit with us.  Then a little additional side note which we both blanked out on, but the gist of it being 'it's great to enjoy our drinks without .... (you fill it in).  They turn a shade paler, appear somewhat less than comfortable, and yes admit in fact they DO smoke.  Sandra then says 'oh, but that's FINE, REALLY just go ahead it won't bother us at ALLLL)  Use your imagination here.  We did not engage in any idle chit chat with this nice couple! Nor did they light up!
- Sandra has been known to scream out loud in the middle of the night SHERRRRYYYYYY!  Or AHHHDGGDGG!!! Normally this occurs in the darkest hours, when we are both in our REM cycle.   It can be just a little troubling.....   :) but also entertaining!
- She's an awesome mozzie attraction, but tends to look a little ..well the only word is 'lumpy' at 67 red swollen bites
- Is a relentless sarong shopper....
- Does not share her (beautiful, new) TWO dresses purchased in Ubud
- Has Nicole Kidman hair when she let's it go in ocean breezes (personally my biggest resentment)

So we made it back from Shangrila Spa and Meditation Resort on the North Island in Bondalem.  Yep that was our big 3 day get away and we relished every single moment.  Loved the yoga classes.  Crazy about the pool and gardens. Our 'Krishna Villa' was simply amazing.  We made the most of our exotic, luxerious surroundings and was a fantastic finish to our trip together.

Dharma - our 'found' Balinese Taxi Driver.  We could write a book on the way this guy drives!    Dharma is a gentle, kind, communitive 50-ish man who turns into an absolute terror behind the wheel.    We've white-knuckled our way on 2 long distance trips and 3 local jaunts.  Why you ask, do we keep doing it?  Because he keeps giving the best deal in town, has a nice air-con car, and makes me feel like a survivor.  I hired him yet again today for a trip to the International Travel Clinic in Ubud (for immunizations, which turns out to NOT be cheaper here, but $250 more than Canada.  Kind of a wasted trip, but there you go!).  Once again he gave me a great price, now saying because Sandra and I are his friends.   Today I watched and learned how to use the 2 turn lanes to advantage by:  scooting over to pass every one in our lane, nudging 2 motor scooters, one bike, and a bus out of the way, then JUST as it's too late to do it - squeeze into a 3 foot space between a heavily loaded truck and a mini bus.... There! back in our lane!

Motor bike rental
Sherry was a cowardly failure, wobbling over cobble stones, nearly wiping out the local rooster, and even more humiliating diving to the wrong side (right) of the road whenever someone came towards me.  Sandra is the local hero (another grudge I have) by taking to it like she was a local, plus she looked great!  Actually I looked pretty good too, I have to say.  The huge helmet covered up sweaty, stringy hair and I appeared happy (in the photo you may get to see.  if I ever get them on here.)

Kokorans
Whatz it?? The most lovely heron ever, that's what! The reside for several months of the year, during baby season, 3 kms out of Ubud in Banjar.  Dressed in soft, fluffy white feathers (body) and even softer gold feathers on head and part of the wing, with bright round beady little eyes, and a long-ish sharp-ish yellow beak, they cover local trees preening, stretching, and fluffing.  And posing for photos. (will post one, honest...)

Sherry's Rented Villa
You just have to believe in serindepity (SANDRA!!! spell check please).  Well you guys are smart and know what I mean!  Four days after giving a deposit Sandra and I ran into one of the (two) room mates at a little blues bar/restaurant.  Now this lady is sitting no more than 4 feet from us, with her back to us.  We notice her.  When the band takes a break, I go over to say 'hi'.  Not only does she not say hello, nor does she turn or acknowledge us in any way other than a 'grunt' noise.  Over the next hour, 'Joyella' walks by us 3 times with... no joy at all for the likes of me!  The other roomy was leaving end of November and I was due to share paradise with a very hostile, or wierd, or ??? woman.  Sandra and I looked open-mouthed at each other throughout the evening - and the next morning I called cancelling the whole arrangement.  I did get my deposit back, which I am grateful for. I'm even more grateful to be exposed to this behaviour BEFORE moving in. 

NOW
Tomorrow I am heading to Tejekula (North again) for a much less expensive (aka cheaper) yoga 'retreat'. 

Thank you for the emails, I really appreciate your prayers, good wishes and thoughts for Sheryl.    She is constantly on my mind, and it will be so good to get home soon.

 
  

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. 






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