Friday, 3 February 2012
a Few Snippets... from the India Road
I'm gonna try something - work with me OK? By the way thanks for reading Wanderin' Womyn's Wawa Wewe!
The whole idea ... and goal is to offer you some of my memories, impressions, and real happenings from the last 7 - 10 days... probably NOT in chronological order or in any meaningful sequence. I...am so not wanting to forget. Here goes....
* important note: Our Bed and Breakfast in Goa: we just got back here 3 hours ago and Alfred just served up his special 'feni' a Goa speciality moonshine liquor made from coconuts! Be... Warned drinking and writing :)
* major issue (not so fun) with my right hip... my Massage Therapist buddy Belle worked on me for 2 hours in Hampi and managed to stabilize it. Could not walk for more than 30 minutes or so depending on the surface. She thinks it's a pinched nerve (spine)... so far so good I'm doing great now! Love that woman!
*Wild and crazy, fun and frightening trip across 2 states with final destination of Hampi - a National Heritage Site.. and rightfully so PLEASE do a quick google... you just gotta look at the photos if nothing else. then you will understand my temporary insanity about this place. Hint: I am in love with rocks, clear blue skies, mixed with miles of monuments, hiking and gawking, photo taking, bird hunting...
* Our Hampi room - hysterical and very expensive but right beside the temples and boulders... beds like plywood, bright blue walls, curtains that don't quite close.... hey it was great with the 3 of us in there. good thing we are all pretty easy going (don't choke laughing please) then the monkey's all over the place they will steal everything. They would be right out on our walkway but we kept the clothes!
* pilgrims - colorfully dressed, bare footed, wandering on a spiritual pilgrimage for 1 - 3 months. We met about 50 of them bathing in the beautiful river running through Hampi, among the huge grey boulders, colorful sarongs spread out to dry and everyone freely bathing in the river. They have something to teach us about being in the present. I'm LISTENING!!! Hey, over here! I can learn too!
* took a basket boat ride down the river in Hampi! Jeez talk about fun...
* up for an early morning hike through the boulders and thrilling to the sun rising in the sky, my heart sings.
* watched Lukihi (something like this spelling...) the 20 year old Temple Elephant have her morning bath in (the same as mentioned above) river. First she lays on one side, then, as directed by her handler she rolls to the other. Her handler and his assistant seriously scrubs her with a stiff bristled brush and she lays there gently spraying water over her face or just up in the air (for the hell of it!) Her morning toilet ritual takes about 45 - 60 minutes, then she is paraded back to the temple where she is decorated (painted) for the day!
* Gypsy's outside of Hampi, wagons and all! Had built straw houses (no kidding) looks like a big round pile of straw, only can see lights on inside!
* Pan stores: sell betel nut and betel nut ground and mixed with tobacco
* 'Highways' are really really interesting... zooming down various width roadways mixed with tons wildly decorated semis, all of us going no more than 80 kms/hour (thank God), then frequent populations of cows (from 4 - 10) goats (10 - 150) covering the entire road surface... oops then there are the tractors... decorated even more wildly than the trucks... with the addition of Indi Music booming from said vehicle and the Indian driver, and crew (in a wagon bumping along behind him) happily bumping along at 20 kms maximum. Then of course there are the bikes, motorbikes, walking women with wood piled on their head... men...just walking!
* Monkey's - grabbing at Ellen's purse with hands grasping the zipper. She grabs and moves away. Monster Monkey stretches out to grab MY backpack... ughhh.
* Internet was down for nearly 24 hours because monkeys chewed up the power/phone lines
*have successfully achieved some status over breakfast of outma, sira and masala doce, and heavily sweetened chi tea. apparently I am adjusting.. little do my travel companions know what I would give for a bowl of fresh fruit, yogurt and decaf americano!
* fields of Sunflowers (you know, the guys that are neverending cheerful and without fail turn their heads to follow the sun - isn't that some kind of a miracle?), cotton (yep they grow COTTON), millet, mangos, bananas, chilies ( I see.. chilies spread out on tarps over a 1/2 acre, with men and women tending to them dressed in all colors of sarongs...)
* saw a MONGOOSE run across the road today :)
* sightings of: Wild Peacocks!!!
* Yesterday morning, bouncing down the 'highway' - a bus load of soldiers on the edge of the road spaced between 8 - 12 feet ... looking out across the field ignoring the rest of the 59 men... peeing in unison! you can just imagine the laughing and our comments, 'oh they must be trained to pee at exactly 9 am!!!'
* Woke up this morning in Hubli - a tourist-boring city with the best hotel in town being 'Executive /Business Accommodation' our room was $10 CND/each - I must add, nice new sheets, clean air-con, room service (beer and peanuts please) - to sirens alerting the devote to muslim prayers.
That's it for now! We are off tomorrow to fly to Calcutta! Stay tuned...
The whole idea ... and goal is to offer you some of my memories, impressions, and real happenings from the last 7 - 10 days... probably NOT in chronological order or in any meaningful sequence. I...am so not wanting to forget. Here goes....
* important note: Our Bed and Breakfast in Goa: we just got back here 3 hours ago and Alfred just served up his special 'feni' a Goa speciality moonshine liquor made from coconuts! Be... Warned drinking and writing :)
* major issue (not so fun) with my right hip... my Massage Therapist buddy Belle worked on me for 2 hours in Hampi and managed to stabilize it. Could not walk for more than 30 minutes or so depending on the surface. She thinks it's a pinched nerve (spine)... so far so good I'm doing great now! Love that woman!
*Wild and crazy, fun and frightening trip across 2 states with final destination of Hampi - a National Heritage Site.. and rightfully so PLEASE do a quick google... you just gotta look at the photos if nothing else. then you will understand my temporary insanity about this place. Hint: I am in love with rocks, clear blue skies, mixed with miles of monuments, hiking and gawking, photo taking, bird hunting...
* Our Hampi room - hysterical and very expensive but right beside the temples and boulders... beds like plywood, bright blue walls, curtains that don't quite close.... hey it was great with the 3 of us in there. good thing we are all pretty easy going (don't choke laughing please) then the monkey's all over the place they will steal everything. They would be right out on our walkway but we kept the clothes!
* pilgrims - colorfully dressed, bare footed, wandering on a spiritual pilgrimage for 1 - 3 months. We met about 50 of them bathing in the beautiful river running through Hampi, among the huge grey boulders, colorful sarongs spread out to dry and everyone freely bathing in the river. They have something to teach us about being in the present. I'm LISTENING!!! Hey, over here! I can learn too!
* took a basket boat ride down the river in Hampi! Jeez talk about fun...
* up for an early morning hike through the boulders and thrilling to the sun rising in the sky, my heart sings.
* watched Lukihi (something like this spelling...) the 20 year old Temple Elephant have her morning bath in (the same as mentioned above) river. First she lays on one side, then, as directed by her handler she rolls to the other. Her handler and his assistant seriously scrubs her with a stiff bristled brush and she lays there gently spraying water over her face or just up in the air (for the hell of it!) Her morning toilet ritual takes about 45 - 60 minutes, then she is paraded back to the temple where she is decorated (painted) for the day!
* Gypsy's outside of Hampi, wagons and all! Had built straw houses (no kidding) looks like a big round pile of straw, only can see lights on inside!
* Pan stores: sell betel nut and betel nut ground and mixed with tobacco
* 'Highways' are really really interesting... zooming down various width roadways mixed with tons wildly decorated semis, all of us going no more than 80 kms/hour (thank God), then frequent populations of cows (from 4 - 10) goats (10 - 150) covering the entire road surface... oops then there are the tractors... decorated even more wildly than the trucks... with the addition of Indi Music booming from said vehicle and the Indian driver, and crew (in a wagon bumping along behind him) happily bumping along at 20 kms maximum. Then of course there are the bikes, motorbikes, walking women with wood piled on their head... men...just walking!
* Monkey's - grabbing at Ellen's purse with hands grasping the zipper. She grabs and moves away. Monster Monkey stretches out to grab MY backpack... ughhh.
* Internet was down for nearly 24 hours because monkeys chewed up the power/phone lines
*have successfully achieved some status over breakfast of outma, sira and masala doce, and heavily sweetened chi tea. apparently I am adjusting.. little do my travel companions know what I would give for a bowl of fresh fruit, yogurt and decaf americano!
* fields of Sunflowers (you know, the guys that are neverending cheerful and without fail turn their heads to follow the sun - isn't that some kind of a miracle?), cotton (yep they grow COTTON), millet, mangos, bananas, chilies ( I see.. chilies spread out on tarps over a 1/2 acre, with men and women tending to them dressed in all colors of sarongs...)
* saw a MONGOOSE run across the road today :)
* sightings of: Wild Peacocks!!!
* Yesterday morning, bouncing down the 'highway' - a bus load of soldiers on the edge of the road spaced between 8 - 12 feet ... looking out across the field ignoring the rest of the 59 men... peeing in unison! you can just imagine the laughing and our comments, 'oh they must be trained to pee at exactly 9 am!!!'
* Woke up this morning in Hubli - a tourist-boring city with the best hotel in town being 'Executive /Business Accommodation' our room was $10 CND/each - I must add, nice new sheets, clean air-con, room service (beer and peanuts please) - to sirens alerting the devote to muslim prayers.
That's it for now! We are off tomorrow to fly to Calcutta! Stay tuned...
Thursday, 26 January 2012
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.
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.
Monday, 16 January 2012
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!
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!
Monday, 12 December 2011
(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!
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!
Monday, 5 December 2011
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.
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.
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