March 22, 08 - Sunar, Bali
This morning's breakfast of ginger ale, two cups of really good coffee with cinnamon sticks and an egg and lettuce sandwich with toasted avocado was yummy. The garnish was truly beautiful, shredded carrot, zucchini and leek..yum. I ate it up. The perfect breakfast.
The guide book said I could walk around the island of Nusa Lembongan, but it would have taken me two days at the rate I was going. I got part way around and faced smaller and smaller trails so I returned the way I had come. It was HOT. On the way I happened upon my own private beach. My footprints were the only ones there - since the last rain, I guess. They cultivate seaweed on this island which is used as a thickener (carrageenan) for ice cream! I could walk on the sea shore all day - which I did. I spent the night at a nice place on the beach and returned this morning on the early boat. It was a real thrill to see a dolphin diving, cruising at high speeds next to the boat!
March 23, 2008 - Ubud, Bali
Just now drying off from a short trek in the Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Loved it! Very fun, very Indiana Jones-like. He ventures like I do, unafraid and willing to go down paths into the slippery jungle with narrow, fast, swift rivers below. There were many roots hanging down, green moss covering all stone surfaces. It was slippery. I enjoyed seeing the habitat of the monkeys who seemed quite content in their exotic world. I had lots of fun despite the rain. Managed to rent an umbrella for about a dollar, and that was perfect. Pictures may not come out as it was very dark and wet. It was one of those rains that took less than a minute to get me completely drenched.
Traveling is a lesson in freedom. I am totally free. I'll be on my way - exploring more along the Monkey Forest Road this afternoon. I love the Ubud Terrace Bungalows at $7 a night with a pool - a bargain! The vegetarian food around here is also amazing!
March 24, 2008 - Ubud, Bali
This morning I was up early at 2:30AM! driving to see the volcano, Mt. Batur. I climbed to the top, walked around the crater and back down. It took almost ten hours. The climb was nice as was seeing the steam coming out of the earth's insides.
I returned to my bungalow around 3PM and slept. It was pouring rain again. Later I ventured out in the rain to do laundry and soon found myself flat on a table enjoying a traditional Balinese massage.. The place was lovely. One wall of the concrete massage room was totally missing - a giant open window/wall overlooking lush, gorgeous green rice paddies and terraces. The sounds - magnified - were of rain, tropical birds and roosters. One hour full-body well spent... Now I'm at Cafe Lotus. Sounds like more rain on the bamboo roof.
Saw a traditional Balinese dance and music show last night. Gamelan sounds too much like a Las Vegas casino floor - ding, ding, dong, dong.
March 25, 2008 - Kuta, Bali
Probably not the place to be writing. Maybe I'll put the journal away. This is SWANK! I read that the Balinese like to get all dressed up when they go to a party, and then they sit around and look at each other. I'm at KuDeTa - the music is LOUD. I will put the journal away. Swank to the max. Everyone is watching everyone else. Hard not to. Some outfits are interesting. Even the men. Loud prints, flowing scarves, wispy hair, a white fringed mini skirt, white fringed boots to match and a small halter top no fringe. There is an extremely tall, big bone lady - compounded by very tall spike heels (like stilts!) leaning against the bar..
Later - I had to undergo security to get in there. Since the terrorist bombings at some big clubs in this area in the past - now the remaining night spots require an entrance equivalent to airport security... Not much to make one feel comfortable on the premises.
March 26, 2008 - Kuta, Bali
Seems I am "Goofy Foot". I learned this during my private surfing! class this morning. It means I prefer my right foot forward rather than the left foot which seems to be the norm. Who knew?! My surfing photos - which I HAD to buy for $20! - show improper surfing technique, and I wasn't exactly in the 'curl'. But at least I was standing! More than once! So much fun. I need to buy a board!
Seems Bali is the best place to learn to surf since the water is shallow, the waves are HUGE and the ground is sandy for a long way out.. The undertow was strong so I could see how that could be a danger. When I signed up for the class I had to sign a lot of papers full of fine print for insurance purposes. Thus if I didn't wear the lovely helmet - the insurance was void. The main problem is getting hit in the head with the board. And, well, maybe I can airbrush the helmet out of the photos. It was WAY fun.
My surfing teacher was Windu. I've never seen anyone body surf like that - without a board. At the end of the class I asked him to teach me. He could ride on his belly (like a washboard) for over 100 feet!
Now leaving Bali on a flight to Singapore. I'll spend the night there (likely head downtown and return tonight to sleep - on the floor somewhere in the airport). Then I'll board a 9AM flight to Nepal tomorrow. The days are going quickly!
Bali photos on my website: http://www.ofglobalinterest.com/pictures.html
Sincerely,
Heather O'Neal
Of Global Interest Adventure Travel
The Eighth Street Trekkers' Lodge B&B
Ann Arbor, Michigan
(734) 369-3107
ofglobal@aol.com
http://www.ofglobalinterest.com
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