Barb's Bali Travels

Farewell Bali! Greetings Thailand!

2010-03-04T23:29:00.002+10:00

Please Note: Blogs are written from the most recent entry to the oldest. If you want to read my Blog from start to finish, please go to the bottom of the page and click "older posts", going back until the beginning.
Tony arrived happily on the 22^nd Feb and we moved to Iluh’s bungalow on the beach for our last 6 days in Bali.

Although I loved the setting of my original bungalow, it was time to make a change and be closer to the sea. Every morning we went snorkeling, exploring further afield, including one day when we swam from Jemeluk Beach out to the headland and along the coastline to Bunutan (about a kilometer). After lunch and an afternoon siesta, we often went snorkeling again in the late afternoon.

We felt more engaged with the local villagers. Children swam and played in the water after school. Men fished off shore. Others went out fishing in their boats. Women sat and talked. Babies cried. On Sunday a group of men sat on the beach and drank Arak and became quite jovial. It was life as it is in a normal fishing village in Bali.

Tony went fishing one afternoon with Komang in his father’s boat; they didn’t catch any fish but were entertained by a dozen or so dolphins!

My retreat in Bali has now come to an end, but I have learned to embrace change and not feel sad or disappointed when something good ends. It’s all part of life. Nothing lasts forever and the more we try to hold on to things that we are attached to, the easier they seem to slip away. So, my lesson is: let go and embrace each new moment. I have discovered that living moment to moment is the key to inner peace. For this very moment is all there is and it is life. As I practice this thing called “living in the now,” I value what is taking place and experience the joy of simple things like eating a scrumptious mango or watching people engaged in activity, or writing this blog entry.
If you want to follow my journey to Thailand, please go to my profile on the right and look for the Thailand Blog! See you there!!!

Farewell Bali!

Final days in Bali

2010-03-04T20:03:00.000+10:00

Final days in Amed.....my last motorscooter ride along the winding beachside road.

Another visit to Tulumben snorkeling at the Liberty Shipwreck.

Saying goodbye to my Bali friends. Iluh on the right, gave me several manicures and pedicures and I bought lots of clothes from her beach side business. On my left is Wayan, one of the massage ladies and behind is another Komang, who brought me mango juice everyday on the beach.

The wonderful staff at Prema Liong Bungalows!

Final night in Bali, sitting on the beach, waiting for dinner, full moon rising, watching the fishermen head out to sea. Life couldn't get much better than this!

Poise and Balance, Balinese Style!

2010-03-04T19:30:00.003+10:00

"If you can do it, so can I!" I say as I nearly fall over from the weight!

Iluh thinks I look hilarious.

Iluh shows me how it's done!

Komang arriving at my bungalow with dinner!

The girls carrying offerings up to the temple. They make it look so easy!

Learning from a young age helps!

Beautiful Mount Agung

2010-03-03T20:33:00.002+10:00

On a clear day, the great Mount Agung rises majestically beyond Jemeluk Beach to an altitude of 3,148 meters (10,308 feet).The highest and holiest of all Balinese mountains, Agung is believed to be home to many Gods.

The Mother Temple of Bali, Besakih Temple is perched some 1000 metres on Agung's slopes and Balinese people from all castes make pilgrimages to their beloved and revered mountain.

All I know is, it is beautiful!

Offerings, Prayers and Meditations

2010-02-23T17:28:00.005+10:00

An offering graciously given to me by Ketut, my massage lady, after a local ceremony.

The smell of incence waifed through the night air as Iluh arrived at my bungalow with a dinner tray filled with offerings."Barb, would you like to join me at the Temple to pray?" Feeling honoured to be asked, I jump up from my book and say, "Yes, I'd love to." Wrapping a sarong around my waist, we walk up the stairs to the highest point on the property and I watch as Iluh places offerings and sticks of burning incense in front of the 3 statues and splashes some holy water over them. The offerings are small woven coconut leaf baskets (called canang), filled with rice, flower petals and occasionally, cookies or other gifts to the gods. Iluh tells me to sit on the ground and she places an offering in front of me and then pokes some incense in the dirt. She does the same for herself.
With stars peeking through the trees, waves crashing on the beach below, geckos croaking and motor scooters zooming past, Iluh begins to sing. Time ceases for a moment as the sacred touches my soul.
This is everyday life in Bali, where the holy intersects with the mundane.
Wherever you go, you see women making offerings, at the sea, in front of shops and houses or at temples.
Ceremonies are held to celebrate weddings, births, deaths, as well as for full moons, new moons, even a day to thank the gods for metal (when you will see motorbikes all over Bali decorated with offering baskets, much like we used to decorate our bikes for the sports day parade when we were kids!)
The day after I sat with Iluh at the temple, I was invited by Komang to attend a cleansing ceremony at a famous Holy Temple: Pura Lempuyang. Following Komang's lead, I allowed the priest to splash me with holy water (taken from a special spring next to the temple). He then splashed water into our hands 3 times and we drank it, then 3 more times and we splashed it over our heads. Using some of the flower petals from the offerings, we waved them through the incense and held them between our fingers as we lifted our arms in prayer. We did this 5 times and each time, placed the petals behind our ears. Finally, we each took some grains of rice and rubbed them onto our forehead in 3 places (third eye and 2 temples).
Two days later, I noticed women carrying extra large offering baskets filled with fruit, cakes and flowers, so I asked the staff, "Is today a special ceremony day?" I was told it was a day to bring balance to the bad energies. "For example, if someone is making bad magic to us, we must ask the Gods to help."
Black and white; Ying and Yang; Good and bad; Light and darkness. The Balinese honour all of these and bring balance through their offerings.
Later that evening, Komang and Kedeck go past my bungalow and ask me if I want to join them at the temple. I sit between these 2 young boys and meditate while they pray. Sweat began dripping down my back, which seemed unusual, as the night air wasn't particularly hot or humid.We leave the temple 40 minutes later and they ask me how my meditation went. "Great, except I'm really sweating!" They laugh. "We sweating also! Very strong energy at Temple tonight."
That night I slept soundly and deeply, except I had the strangest experience, like I was fighting battles all night long.

Trek to Wayan's House

2010-02-23T16:43:00.002+10:00

Last Saturday I was invited to Wayan's house for morning tea. Little did I know it was an hour's walk along an arduous mountain track!

Stopping to catch my breath! At one stage I thought I would have to call off the visit as I became faint. I thought I was fit, but this was quite a climb!

Eventually, we made it to Wayan's home and had coffee, rice, corn and fish as we sat and tried to talk a little Balinese. Fortunately, Wayan had a dictionary so we could look up words and laugh our way through morning tea! This shows Wayan's mother outside her house. Their home was basic to say the least; no running water, no electricity. Wayan reads and studies by a small kero lamp in the evenings.

Wayan's house

Isle of the Gods and Temples

2010-02-23T16:35:00.005+10:00

The Temple in the grounds of the property where I am staying

Pura Lempuyang is a beautiful place, however, you must be prepared for the 1700 stairs to get you to the top!

Komang celebrates our arrival at the highest temple!

The views were lovely

Cleansed and feeling "pure"

Acting like a priest: A local monkey after consuming all the offerings!

The Blue Star Cafe and Bungalow(s)

2010-02-17T10:39:00.001+10:00

Ninga, Gede and Iluh on their front porch. Ninga is skilled at woodcarving and is making the beds for the new bungalows.

The Blue Star Cafe, named after the many huge turquoise blue starfish in the bay just outside its doors.

Bungalow number 1, opened 2 years ago. In the left, you can see the new, double story bungalow, due to be opened in a few weeks.

Take 10 steps from Ninga and Iluh's front porch and this is where you end up!

Iluh's story

2010-02-17T10:34:00.005+10:00

Iluh is the manager of the place I am staying and it's her job to visit each guest every night and have a chat and ensure their needs are being met. Right from the start, Iluh shared from her heart, exposing her deepest secrets, desires and dreams. Her and I have become good friends. The more I learn about Iluh, the more I respect and admire her strength and courage as a woman living in a very male dominated society. She is determined to raise the standard of living for herself, her family and her community. How has she done this? Slowly and steadily. Fortunately for Iluh, she completed year 12 at school, something quite rare in this part of Bali (most kids, and especially girls, leave school after year 6 or 7 and stay home to help with the family's farm.) She had a dream of becoming a school teacher and as she says "The Gods heard my dream and made it come true." She attended university part time in Denpaser while working at her job from 4 to 11 pm and looking after her son, Gede, who is now 12.
At the same time her husband, Ninga had his own dream. A poor fisherman, Ninga dreamed of building a cafe on the beachfront land he and his extended family owns. Many tourists over the years have offered to buy part of Ninga's land but he is philosophical about it: "I sell my land and have lots of money, then what? My ancestor's not happy with me, I not happy, I watch rich tourist get richer on my land." I tell Ninga his land is special and no amount of money can buy that. Ninga smiles with his beaming white teeth. He knows I get it.
The God's were good to Ninga and 3 years ago the Blue Star Cafe was opened.
Then Ninga and Iluh had an offer from a building supplier to give them credit to buy the materials to build a bungalow next to the cafe. "This was a sign from my Gods to go ahead and build a bungalow," Iluh shines as she talks about it.
Another double story bungalow is almost complete and I have already booked the upper room for my next Bali holiday in August.
Iluh and Ninga have been blessed and they pass on their good fortune to others in their community. Iluh supports several young girls to attend school, provides breakfast for 20 or 30 people each morning, allows the families without water supplies to come and retrieve water from her well and to take a shower each day in her home, and she hires local teenagers to help her in the cafe and with the bungalow. Her and Ninga are the most generous people in heart and practical matters.
What does Ninga and Iluh dream of now? "Having another child would be great," says Iluh. "Building my boat," says Ninga. It doesn't get much simpler than that!

Trekking to Sacred Springs, Amed

2010-02-13T19:57:00.004+10:00

Crossing the mountain stream.

Passing the rice fields

Almost there!

Komang and Ketut, trying the Holy water!

This one tastes like metal!

Amed's version of Lourdes!

2010-02-13T19:57:00.003+10:00

Hidden way up in the hills behind Amed are the Sacred Springs. After renting a motorbike, I followed Komang and Ketut (K&K) on their bike and we made our way along a narrow road that followed a gushing river and meandered up into the mountain area, passing villages and rice fields, . The scenery was magical. Thirty minutes later, Komang stopped his bike and said, "We go here," pointing at a narrow path off the side of the road. A local villager, barefoot and wearing a torn and worn t-shirt was our guide. K & K had been before but weren't confident on finding all 5 springs. We trekked through rice fields and up the side of the mountain past banana, pineapple and potato plantations, crossing a rushing stream, where I almost lost my sun glasses (but for the quick reflexes of our guide who caught them mid stream!) Whether it was the fresh mountain air or the endorphins buzzing around my body after the 2 km trek, coming upon the first spring in the bush did feel sacred. It was like discovering some magical secret place that holds all the answers to life. Our guide tells us that the water has healing properties and that many people trek here to drink it and bathe in it. K&K and myself splashed the water over our faces and heads. The greatest surprise came when I took a handful of water and drank it. It tasted like lemon. "Why does it taste like lemon?" I asked the guide. He just smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "A little sour," he says. I have another drink. It tastes just like someone squeezed a lemon into it. I know, because at home I drink it all the time. The guide tells us 300 metres up the mountain is another spring, "this one a little sweeter." So, off we trek. It is true: the second spring almost tastes like coconut water with just a tiny amount of sweetness in it. The third spring had the lemon flavour again and the 4th and 5th springs were completely different; they had a metalic taste. The guide said there is gold, copper and crystals under the earth in this area and that is what gives it the metalic taste. Okay, I get that, but what about the lemon and coconut tasting ones???
Back in my bungalow a few hours later, I contemplate the healing properties of the spring water. While it's true I had no physical ailment to test the validity of it, I do feel unusually invigorated and alive.

Living in the moment, Balinese style!

2010-02-11T12:52:00.001+10:00

The Balinese people are teaching me how to live life in the moment, how to find joy in each experience, however small. Yesterday Carol and I were invited to Komang's house for coffee in the late afternoon. His mother, father, brother and wife are there. An old woman is also present....Dadong (Grandmother in Balinese). Komang tells me she has no family and lives in a shack up in the hills. The community cares for her, giving her food and companionship. Komang's father gives her a fish when he catches extra. Komang gives her a bit of money when the God's are kind to him (like when I buy a couple of baskets). "We know she can't repay us, but the God's repay us." She sits away from the rest of us, like an outsider. Her humility and old age attract me to her. I realise she is the old woman I passed on the road the first day I walked to Jemeluk Bay.
Carol and I watch as Yomang starts a fire with dried up palm leaves. They burn quickly and soon the blackened kettle is boiling for our sweet, strong, smooth cup of Bali coffee. It tastes delicious! Dadong drinks her cup, including the grounds in the bottom of the cup. Maybe it's the first thing she's had all day. I don't know. I notice a single burner gas stove and ask Komang if they use it for cooking. "It's broken. I need to buy a new one, but...." and he laughs. Say no more. First things first. The baby is due in May and He or She will have many needs. Then there's the engine for the water pump he told me about the other day when I asked if they had running water. Yomang, his mother, walks down the hill to the community well twice a day to collect water and carries it back on the top of her head. It gives new meaning to that cup of coffee she tenderly hands me.
When I arrive she greets me with an outstretched hand and then a hug. She laughs and giggles and touches my shoulder as we communicate with our eyes.This family have so little material wealth but they have an unseen substance that has no price.How can we even try to compare our life with theirs? So we have all the gagets and material things in the physical plane, but as a great prophet once said, " What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?" These people are in close touch with their souls. They live their lives with a constant flow of God presence. It is humbling, to say the least. And it teaches me something so simple and profound: when we live in the now, there are no problems, no broken propane stoves, no lack of water pumps or clothing for a new child. For right now, we are laughing, connecting, filling up with joy unspeakable. And as Carol and I walk back to our bungalow, we are lost for words: "Wow!" is all we can utter of the afternoon at Komang's. The radiance on our faces tells it all.

Basket Weaving in Amed

2010-02-11T11:52:00.001+10:00

Ketut, sitting on her front porch (Jemeluk Bay in the background), concentrating on making a basket. The materials cost her 12,000 rupiah and she sells one basket for 40,000 rupiah. It takes her 2 1/2 days to make one!

Afternoon Tea at Comang's

2010-02-11T11:50:00.002+10:00

Comang's family! We took his Father, Yomang, a bottle of beer and he smacked his lips together after each sip. Then his wife, also Yomang, poured herself a small amount in her glass and we all laughed as we sat and drank Balinese coffee, beer and coke and ate biscuits. Ketut, Comang's wife(the one that looks like a little girl) makes beautiful baskets, so she was teaching Carol and I the craft.

An Angel in Disguise

2010-02-11T11:46:00.001+10:00

Dadong ( Grandmother)

Boiling the Kettle!

2010-02-11T11:36:00.004+10:00

Yomang, preparing Balinese coffee for Carol and I.

Million Dollar View!

2010-02-11T11:36:00.003+10:00

Admiring the view from behind Comang's house.

School of Lalong (Jackfish) at the Liberty wreck!

2010-02-11T11:34:00.002+10:00

Snorkeling at USAT Liberty Shipwreck

2010-02-11T11:24:00.002+10:00

It was quite a day at the Liberty shipwreck, in particular this school of about 75 white-tipped (see fins) fish that swam in a circle next to us! A bit freaky at first, then as the fear subsided, I felt awestruck.

Visit to Side-By-Side Farm

2010-02-09T11:03:00.000+10:00

My sister, Carol and I spent a day at the organic farm that I wrote about in an earlier post. The warm and friendly families who run the farm had a feast prepared for our arrival. So much good, healthy food eaten in a serene and luscious environment, felt like heaven on earth for us! We ate enough to last us til breakfast the next morning.
After lunch, I helped plant 3 fruit trees: 2 mangosteen and one cinnamon.
The pigs I donated will be delivered in the next week and hopefully I will post their photos then!

2010-02-09T10:57:00.007+10:00

Enough food for 10 people! Carol and I try our best to eat some of every dish!

The farm is green and lush and provides a peaceful escape from life

2010-02-09T10:57:00.005+10:00

Helping to plant a Mangosteen tree

One of the beautiful children at the farm. The "bales" were built by volunteers and provide accommodation as well as a simple restaurant.

Underwater at Jemeluk Bay, Bali

2010-02-09T10:51:00.000+10:00

Everyday Carol and I walk the 1 km road to Jemeluk Bay and enjoy the beauty and serenity of its underwater coral garden. Each day presents a new freshness as the conditions change; one day the sun flickers and creates patterns in the water; other days dark clouds hover above the water, but below is bright and colourful; some days the sea is flat calm; other days our snorkels catch the salt water from a wave. One thing is certain though, everyday is filled with beauty and wonder!

2010-02-09T10:48:00.002+10:00

2010-02-09T10:48:00.001+10:00

2010-02-09T10:48:00.000+10:00

The streets of Ubud

2010-02-03T10:32:00.000+10:00

Ubud is a fast-paced town with a main road and many interesting side roads that you could explore for days. The energy is high. Ubud, itself, means "medicine" or "healing" and the place is buzzing with spa treatments, massages, yoga, and meditation retreats. All the restaurants and warungs serve healthy juices (my favourite is papaya), herbal teas, fresh organic vegetables and fruit. Meat is secondary on most menus, so, for me, as a vegetarian, it is a treat to go out for lunch and dinner and have such choice in meals! Carol and I are feeling the healthiest we have for many, many years!!

Need petrol for your motor scooter? Just pull up at one of these "private" petrol shops anywhere along the roads in Bali!

Having lunch in one of the many "Warungs," run by local families and usually the best home cooked Balinese food and very cheap.

If you look closely, you can see the offering sitting on this Ganesha's left hand. I love the time and effort the Balinese put into details like placing hibiscus flowers in the elephant's ears!

Women at Work

2010-02-03T10:15:00.000+10:00

These women were transporting buckets full of stones (on their heads) up a vertical stairway to a construction site. All they had on their feet were thongs! They were busy working from the time we passed at 10am until we returned to our cottage at 3:30! I bet they flop into bed at night and sleep soundly!!!

2010-02-03T09:57:00.001+10:00

Monkey Forest Road, Ubud

Schools out!

School kids crowding around the street vendor to buy spring rolls with peanut sauce!

Chopped up spring rolls in brown paper. They are given a skewer to eat them with!

Ubud Markets

2010-02-03T09:42:00.000+10:00

The Panastenan Stairs heading into town from our accommodation at Melati Cottages

A private entrance to a fascinating house.

Having an iced cappuccino at Casa Luna's. If you ever go to Ubud, this place is a must and the iced cappuccino is the best I have ever tasted!

Carol checking out the goods in the Ubud markets.
We didn't stay long as both of us find the crowded, claustrophobic environment quite suffocating. There are good bargains, though, for those who want sarongs ($4), sun dresses ($8), silver bracelets ($10), sandals ($3 - $4), scarves ($4), cushion covers ($6) or any number of other things!

Monkey Forest, Ubud

2010-02-03T09:21:00.001+10:00

Monkey Forest is full of cute little Balinese monkeys and Carol and I spent the morning wandering the paths in their home, several acres of ancient trees, a river and a sacred spring. We had just been shopping for some sandals for Carol and one of the cheeky monkeys made off with the shopping bag that the sandals were in! I heard Carol yelling, "Hey, give that back!!" She was chasing the monkey and having no luck retrieving her shopping bag! It is quite a common occurrence in this park where the monkeys are very familiar with tourists, for them to "steal" sunglasses (right off your head), handbags, shopping bags and anything else they might think would be edible or fun to play with! We had read about it, and promptly forgot as we were caught up in the whole experience. Just as we thought the bag was gone, never to be seen again, a calm older Balinese man wandered into the forest and somehow reclaimed Carol's property. I guess we will not forget that experience and Carol and I will have one of those stories to reminisce about for years to come.

The Culprit after the fact

Sibling Rivalry

2010-02-02T11:55:00.000+10:00

4 month old babies having a tossle!

Elephant Love!!!

2010-02-02T11:48:00.000+10:00

Elephant Safari Park

2010-02-02T11:45:00.001+10:00

I have been in Ubud for almost a week now. There are a lot of power outages here, so I am having difficulty using the internet. Downloading pictures takes a long time, so I guess I won't be as diligent at updating this blog as I would have hoped! My sister, Carol arrived from Canada a few days ago and we have had a great reunion! Yesterday we went to the Elephant Safari Park, a beautiful botanical gardens for elephants, many of which have been saved and transported from Sumantra 14 years ago. Carol and I are not into circus type elephant shows, and so we were a bit dubious about going, but I had seen a documentary about Nigel, the Australian guy who started the park, and I knew it had a good philisophy and treated its animals with love and respect.
Carol and I loved the whole experience!

Riding Elephants!

2010-02-02T11:42:00.000+10:00

2010-02-01T11:01:00.000+10:00

Komang buying petrol for my motor scooter.

2010-02-01T10:52:00.000+10:00

Salak growing in bunches on the prickly base of the tree.

Visiting a Salak farm in Bali

2010-02-01T10:00:00.001+10:00

Wed, Jan 27, 2010
Yesterday, I talked about a wedding I went to.....I forgot to mention that I never actually saw a wedding ceremony and I couldn't quite work out whether there was a ceremony before we arrived or if it was going to happen later in the day. What I experienced was more like a reception, but the bride and groom were sitting separately the whole time. I will ask about this when I see Komang next.
Ketut's mother and grandmother live in the hills behind Amed. Komang wanted to show me this place because I had commented about loving the taste of Salak's. They are a fruit, a bit like apple, crunchy and sweet. Ketut's family grow salak. They also make baskets from a very strong fibre that they import from Java (Komang didn't know the English word for it.). Ketut showed me how to make the baskets and allowed me to help with one of them, which I later bought.

I was welcomed warmly at the family farm. Surrounded by Salak trees, cows, and chickens, we sat on the front veranda and drank coffee and ate the biscuits I brought, as I watched the mother and grandmother working quickly with the little baskets hey were sewing. They took me on a tour within the forest of Salak trees.

2010-02-01T09:33:00.000+10:00

Wedding in Bali!

2010-01-29T23:28:00.003+10:00

Tues, Jan 26, 2010
Today I was invited to a wedding! Like so many things in Bali, this was an impromptu invitation. Komang is a wonderful young Balinese boy (all of 19 years old) who works at the bungalows as a security person. I can't imagine how he could possibly protect property or person with his tiny frame and boyish grin, but he walks up and down the stairs past the 4 bungalows all through the night, keeping us tourists safe and secure. He also serves me breakfast each morning before he goes home for a sleep. So this morning he offered to take me to his friend's wedding. Keep in mind today is Tuesday....who gets married on a Tuesday? And the wedding starts at 10, I'm told. "I'd love to go, but will it be okay?" I ask. Komang laughs, "Of course okay! He will be happy you go to his wedding."
So the plan is secured: I dress as appropriately as I know how: sarong, sash and blouse. I organise to rent a motor scooter from Kadek; I go to Komang's house and have coffee while he and his wife get ready (yes, he is married and his wife is 4 1/2 months pregnant); Ketut, his wife, takes me inside and re-dresses me (I thought I looked good but they obviously thought otherwise); photos are taken, and then off we go!

I have only once before ridden a motor scooter and that was over 30 years ago in Barbado's. I took more risks then and had no fear of the what if's. You know, what if I fall off? What if a car hits me? What if I have to be taken to a hospital? Is there even a hospital close by? Will the insurance cover the costs? These are the things one contemplates after growing older and wiser. Yet for some reason I feel so free and fearless here in Bali! Yes, free and fearless, that's me. So, I throw caution to the wind, pull up my sarong to my crotch, hop on my scooter and fly off down the road, following close behind Komang and Ketut (K & K).

We arrive at the wedding 20 minutes later and the festivities have already begun. It has been raining so tarps are covering the compound and guests are sitting on bamboo bures, the men in one section singing and drinking Arak (the very potent local alcohol, tasting a bit like metho), the women in another section, laughing and chatting. Another group of women are making offerings and in a far corner I can see the food being prepared on open fires. I sit and smile and try to look like I'm having a good time. It's a bit awkward. I've never been to a wedding that I wasn't actually invited to.
They all seem happy that I am there. Some of the men take photos of me.I am a novelty to them. I ask Komang if it would be okay for me to take some photos. "Of course!" He assures me.So I walk arund, trying to be discreet, taking photos. When I get to the men's section, many of them, in their Arak induced merry state, summon me to point my camera in their direction, smiling and giving the V sign.
Lunch was a banquet of spicy dishes: pork, satay chicken on sticks, hibiscus flowers and other vegetables, and lovely looking pig intestines! We served ourselves on bamboo plates with brown paper and ate on our lap. It was like good Aussie BBQ! There was a lot of laughter and high energy and I enjoyed it very much.
In my next blog I'll continue the story because after the wedding, we headed off on a 1 1/2 hour scooter ride up into the hills to visit Ketut's Mother and Grandmother.

2010-01-29T23:28:00.002+10:00

Ketut and Komang, dressed for the wedding.

The Arak is in the jug and was being poured and shared amongst the men.

The Bride with Ketut

Snorkeling and Meditation!

2010-01-28T22:55:00.001+10:00

Two things I wanted to do while in Amed: snorkel and meditate. I just realised today that they are both the same thing. For 5 days in a row, I have awoken to the amazing chorus of birds, the soft lapping of waves, roosters crowing, and the drone of motorbikes. Before leaving my super king-size bed, I do a few yoga stretches and settle into meditation, still surrounded by mosquito netting and a gentle breeze from the overhead fan. Finding that alpha level comes easier here than anywhere I have ever been, perhaps due to the spiritual energy of Bali, perhaps simply because I have no distractions, no plans for the day, no job to get to, no phones that might ring.
Twenty or thirty minutes later I emerge from my bed and greet the world outside my door. "Ah, what a beautiful day!" I say the same thing everyday, because, quite frankly, it is beautiful in every sense of the word. I am surrounded by green shrubs and vines with colourful flowers and scents; in the near distance are palm trees, shimmering and vibrating in the early morning sunshine, and then off in the distance is the Bali Sea, calling to me in her enticing way, to walk the kilometre or so and enter her world.
Under her spell, I devour my breakfast and I head off for my second meditation of the day: snorkeling.
Winding my way along the narrow, hilly road, motorbike riders frequently stop and ask: "Where are you going? You want a ride?" Young children wave from their besser brick homes or small shops: " Hello. You want to buy a necklace? I have beautiful necklaces." "No thanks," I call back. I stop at the headland to catch my breath and to admire Jemuluk Bay from this vantage point. Excitement rises as I approach yet another day of experiencing this incredible underwater aquarium.
The water is almost as warm as the air, and as I slip into its hidden realm, I am instantly transported to a different place. Meditation is the same.In both the mind is emptied of all trivialities as it is given something to focus on; in meditation a mantra, the breath or a specific concept; with snorkeling, each fish, each piece of coral, every movement. There is inner silence in both endeavours. Both have the ability to bring inner peace and a joy that is indescribable. I think it's because they both suspend time and one can experience living in the present.

2010-01-28T22:55:00.000+10:00

The Blue Star Cafe has a laid back charm about it, fantastic, inexpensive meals and juices and the kindest, most genuine Balinese people running it.

They also have a bungalow next to the cafe that they rent. You can get up in the morning and be from bed to bay and exploring the reef in less than 3 minutes. It is very similar to the bungalow I am staying in.

2010-01-28T22:30:00.000+10:00

The road from Bunutan to Jemuluk.

2010-01-28T22:28:00.001+10:00

Along the road to Jemeluk Bay, I pass a small shop. This young boy is there most days and his exhausted mother takes a morning siesta (she's probably been up since 4:30 getting the kids, husband and shop organised for another day). I love the tv. I don't know where the electricity came from but it was working!

2010-01-28T22:21:00.000+10:00

The bungalow is basic but adequate. A huge bed downstairs and another double bed in the upstairs loft, make it suitable for 3 people.

2010-01-28T22:10:00.002+10:00

Beautiful Jemuluk Bay, where I go snorkeling everyday. Only 50 metres offshore is a coral garden, teaming with fish life. The colours, shapes and silence take me into another world.

2010-01-28T22:03:00.001+10:00

I can take a cool shower in the great outdoors and under the moon at night.

2010-01-28T21:58:00.001+10:00

Every morning I have a plate of fresh fruit delivered to my veranda and either eggs on toast or a pancake (with lemon or banana) and a cup of tea. It's such a healthy way to start the day.

2010-01-28T21:52:00.001+10:00

My fellow resident! Actually he has a wife and a child as well! So, the 4 of us happily sit outside in the evenings; they busily catching moths and mosquitoes; me reading or writing. In Bali the gecko represents good luck, so I am happy to share my veranda with them.

2010-01-28T09:48:00.003+10:00

My front veranda for the next 6 weeks. It's a welcoming sight when I've been out for the day.

2010-01-28T09:46:00.001+10:00

Sunrise from the loft.

Side-by-Side Farm Visit

2010-01-18T20:57:00.002+10:00

I have always felt drawn to do some sort of aid work. When I was in my early 20's I wanted to go to Africa and help with all those poor little kiddies with swollen stomachs. Realising I needed something to offer, I embarked on a nursing career, but found I hated it! Then I had 2 children of my own and of course got distracted with them for 20 or so years! I realise everything happens as it is meant to happen, so I have no regrets. But when someone says there is a need somewhere that I might be able to help with, I get excited. Such was the case when I met Pamela, on the night before I left Bali on my last trip. Call it destiny or serendipity....Pamela and I became email buddies and her project in Bali is one of the reasons I am returning there. Pamela is quite an amazing woman who has dedicated her life to helping Balinese women who are disenfranchised....women who, through no fault of their own, have found themselves on their own, sometimes with children. The culture in Bali dictates that these women are no longer valued. They were dependent on their husbands and now that their husbands have died or left, they are alone, with no skills to earn a living. So, they and their children suffer immensely. Is this fair? Of course not. But it is the way it is. Pamela found a group of women in this predicament and decided to help. Thus was born the side-by-side farm project.
If you want more details, please check out this link:
http://sites.google.com/site/sidebysidefarmorg/

One of the plans when I go to Bali is to visit the Side-By-Side Farm. I hope to offer something to them, perhaps some of my permaculture skills. Maybe something more concrete: I will be taking 3 little pigs and 3 fruits trees as donations on behalf of my 2 children (Christmas presents) and my sister (who is celebrating her 50th birthday in Bali). Stay tuned for photos of the 3 little pigs as they are delivered to Side-by-Side Farm on Feb 3, 2010. It should be fun!

Where on Earth is Amed?

2010-01-14T15:05:00.002+10:00

Here is a map of the area in East Bali that I will be spending 5 of the 6 weeks. Bunutan is the name of the village where I'm staying. This whole coastline is only 11 kms long and as you drive along, you pass through one small fishing village after another. There are hotels, backpacker places and restaurants and cafes, but it's all very low key. That is what I love about it.

I was just thinking that in one week from right now as I write this I will be in Bali either snorkeling at Jemeluk Bay or sitting on my veranda relaxing after a morning of snorkeling! Whichever way, I will be living out one of my dreams:

Spending time in an exotic place

Far away from the rat race

Living day to day

Moment to moment

Adjusting to a slower pace.

Amed: Here I come!

2010-01-10T08:30:00.000+10:00

This will be the view from my little bungalow in Amed, Bali. Sunrise is a beautiful time of the day to get up and meditate and do a few yoga asanas before having a delicious breakfast delivered to my patio.

Surrounded by frangipani, palm trees, and bougainvillea, the patio encourages a lovely balmy breeze.

My New Blog! First stop: Bali!

2010-01-09T21:30:00.001+10:00

I don't know a lot about Blogging, except it is a common vehicle for transferring lots of information to lots of people. Did you know that something like 150,000 people in Brisbane alone have a blog? Wew! that's a lot of people sitting in front of a computer screen, doing exactly what I am doing right now. Why am I doing this? Well, basically, I love to write, and as I am heading off to Bali in 11 days (not that I'm counting!) and am leaving behind family, friends, husband, children and clients (sorry everyone!) I thought maybe people might like to follow my journey. It will be an inner as well as outer journey as I embark on this new stage in my life. I am hoping to blog at least once a week, perhaps every Wednesday (since I'm leaving on a Wed), as long as I have computer and internet access. Actually, I will try my best to blog every Wed, but may not get internet access for a few weeks so I will publish all the posts at once when I can. Does that sound fair?
I'm going to Bali for 6 weeks. The first week I will be in Amed, a place 2 1/2 hours from the Denpaser Airport and Kuta Beach and all the touristy attractions. I chose this place last August when my husband, my girlfriend and I spent 3 weeks travelling around Bali. We arrived at our accommodation in Amed and I had this overwhelming feeling that I would be back at this place for an extended break/retreat. As our time in Bali progressed, I didn't want to return home. I fell in love with the country and its people.
So, as I prepare to return to this beautiful Island of the Gods, come with me! Experience what I am experiencing and enjoy the journey!