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.