Hi Everyone,
So, we've been in Bali about 10 days give or take. If you've read the blog, you'll get more details about our travels. But, overall, Bali is a beautiful island that is full of kind, gentle, inquisitive folks. The people seem endlessly interested in US culture and customs - especially those that involve "pop" culture stuff. There are approximately 3 bazillion motorbikes on the island and there are no traffic rules. The only rule is that there is no rules. So, driving is for only the strong hearted. And you must be on high alert as you walk narrow streets on the even narrower sidewalks. The cars drive on the opposite side than we're used to in the States, so, that took a while to get accustomed to. The beaches are beautiful and the scenery is all that you have seen in photographs - green rice fields, majestic temples, gorgeous, colorful sunsets. If it weren't so far and there wasn't so much hustle and bustle in Kuta (and it's spreading!!), I think we may return one day. There are many ex-pats that live here (about 300 +) and enjoy the easy island life.
A few days ago, we traveled inland to a spot called Ubud. The town is surrounded by rice fields as far as you can see. The center of town boasts a large, quite bustling market. All of the stalls are selling the same thing - clothes, handbags, flipflops, t-shirts, etc...The town of Ubud is where the royal family's temple and home is located. Additionally, it supports a vibrant arts community. The arts seem to center on Indonesian life and scenery. Most of the art galleries are a bit intimidating for us, but, it was cool to look from the windows. We ate lunch on tatami mats at a low table at a place called the Lotus Cafe. The cafe wrapped around a lotus pond with a simple temple at the head. It was quite a scene. I am continually struck by how most of the buildings - from temples all the way down to a simple home - have quite delicate architectural points. The roof or the siding usually has some interesting details. Not something that we are used to in the Pacific Northwest or in most places for that matter. When we were walking down a narrow lane in Ubud (that was lacking in motorbike traffic, thankfully!) there was a cadre of men sitting on scaffolding around a tower in front of a temple. They were sketching in pencil on solid stone the curly q's and swirls that they would eventually chisel out with their hands. Quite an amazing sight and a serious undertaking for the artists, don't you agree?!
So, we've been in Bali about 10 days give or take. If you've read the blog, you'll get more details about our travels. But, overall, Bali is a beautiful island that is full of kind, gentle, inquisitive folks. The people seem endlessly interested in US culture and customs - especially those that involve "pop" culture stuff. There are approximately 3 bazillion motorbikes on the island and there are no traffic rules. The only rule is that there is no rules. So, driving is for only the strong hearted. And you must be on high alert as you walk narrow streets on the even narrower sidewalks. The cars drive on the opposite side than we're used to in the States, so, that took a while to get accustomed to. The beaches are beautiful and the scenery is all that you have seen in photographs - green rice fields, majestic temples, gorgeous, colorful sunsets. If it weren't so far and there wasn't so much hustle and bustle in Kuta (and it's spreading!!), I think we may return one day. There are many ex-pats that live here (about 300 +) and enjoy the easy island life.
A few days ago, we traveled inland to a spot called Ubud. The town is surrounded by rice fields as far as you can see. The center of town boasts a large, quite bustling market. All of the stalls are selling the same thing - clothes, handbags, flipflops, t-shirts, etc...The town of Ubud is where the royal family's temple and home is located. Additionally, it supports a vibrant arts community. The arts seem to center on Indonesian life and scenery. Most of the art galleries are a bit intimidating for us, but, it was cool to look from the windows. We ate lunch on tatami mats at a low table at a place called the Lotus Cafe. The cafe wrapped around a lotus pond with a simple temple at the head. It was quite a scene. I am continually struck by how most of the buildings - from temples all the way down to a simple home - have quite delicate architectural points. The roof or the siding usually has some interesting details. Not something that we are used to in the Pacific Northwest or in most places for that matter. When we were walking down a narrow lane in Ubud (that was lacking in motorbike traffic, thankfully!) there was a cadre of men sitting on scaffolding around a tower in front of a temple. They were sketching in pencil on solid stone the curly q's and swirls that they would eventually chisel out with their hands. Quite an amazing sight and a serious undertaking for the artists, don't you agree?!
Also, we saw many children at school or on their way home from school in the streets. They wear uniforms and drive each other around on the motorbikes - usually they put 2-3 kids on each bike - helmets are optional! Yikes! We even have seen families of 4 on one bike. We learned that public education here is expensive and most children don't go. There are a few universities here and I saw a billboard for a Travel & Tourism School, maybe that will change things in the field of education in Bali. We met a guy here at the surf camp that is from Colorado, but, he teaches technology to primary students in Myanmar(Burma). Because of all of the protests, he's had to leave for 2 weeks. He is here in Bali until that time is up and he gets word if it is safe to return or if he needs to look elsewhere. It has been interesting hearing about his experiences as a teacher on the international circuit.
After Ubud, we went home because it seems that my Bali belly syndrome hadn't really given up it's chokehold. But, after today, I'm feeling much better and I ate my first serious meal since Thursday (it's Saturday here and I'm a bit sick of toast and Sprite!) Today, Peter jolted me up at 6 am because the surf van was leaving for the beach. The alarm didn't go off or we didn't hear it. Either way, I wasn't too psyched about jumping in the deep blue sea on such short notice. However, when we arrived at the beach and the surf looked just my speed, my attitude changed! Most of the folks in our group thought the waves were small, but, I appreciated their snail-like qualities and had a good session. I actually paddled into one of the largest waves I've ever had but by the time I realized I'd caught it, I'd fogot to stand up! So, I ended up with a good sinus cleaning and a long paddle back to the line up! Oh well, it was a good time over all.
Peter, Jen, and Matt went for a second session this afternoon and I opted for a run on the beach. It was good to be active after feeling like such garbage for so long. Strangely, I feel more comfortable here now than I ever have and we're off to Perth in a few days. Before we go, we're going to get a spa treatment at a spot down the road. It is a four hour treatment and it costs 450,000rp or $45.00! You can't beat it!
After Ubud, we went home because it seems that my Bali belly syndrome hadn't really given up it's chokehold. But, after today, I'm feeling much better and I ate my first serious meal since Thursday (it's Saturday here and I'm a bit sick of toast and Sprite!) Today, Peter jolted me up at 6 am because the surf van was leaving for the beach. The alarm didn't go off or we didn't hear it. Either way, I wasn't too psyched about jumping in the deep blue sea on such short notice. However, when we arrived at the beach and the surf looked just my speed, my attitude changed! Most of the folks in our group thought the waves were small, but, I appreciated their snail-like qualities and had a good session. I actually paddled into one of the largest waves I've ever had but by the time I realized I'd caught it, I'd fogot to stand up! So, I ended up with a good sinus cleaning and a long paddle back to the line up! Oh well, it was a good time over all.
Peter, Jen, and Matt went for a second session this afternoon and I opted for a run on the beach. It was good to be active after feeling like such garbage for so long. Strangely, I feel more comfortable here now than I ever have and we're off to Perth in a few days. Before we go, we're going to get a spa treatment at a spot down the road. It is a four hour treatment and it costs 450,000rp or $45.00! You can't beat it!
Above all of this, we went to the Monkey Sanctuary Park in Ubud yesterday! Talk about my dreams coming true! The park was chock full of monkeys! The cute kind like the one in "Friends" - Marcel. Anyway, we weren't three steps into the park and two monkeys came raining down on me! One was sitting on my head! They probably sensed that I had a special fondness for them. Of course, they wanted food which the tour guide provided to distract them off my head! Then, the guide told us to sit down on the steps near this statue and the monkeys came over and sat on our laps. Then, one was getting friendly with Peter and it peed on him! As you can imagine, Mr. Lake wasn't too impressed as this was gross and it was only the beginning of the tour! He took it in stride and was pleased when the guide told him it was good luck (I think that's a stock guide line for such an incident!). Overall, the tour cured me of my desire to have a monkey as a pet because it seems that they can be quite agressive when they don't get a lot of food. I'll just stick to Daisy and Hazel!
Enough rambling from me. I hope this finds you well. I think of you all quite often and I hope that you are having fun! Looks like some snow on Mt. Hood! Ski it up for us this year and we'll surf for you!
No comments:
Post a Comment