Return to the paradise that is BALI

the view off the temple at Uluwatu (southern most tip of Bali)

Uluwatu

Arriving back in Bali (after a grueling 36 hour trip from India- Note to ALL: stay away from the worst airport in the WORLD:  Bengalaru (Bangalore).  Really. The World is not Flat......not the first time Thomas Friedman has been WRONG (remember him banging the drums for war in Iraq ????)
But as usual I digress (i can also transgress; but at least i apologize for this).  AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Bali. I relaxed with the biggest smile EVER as Jantuk greeted me.  Yes, the 90% humidity felt just like home,as did the offerings scattered all around.  What didn't feel so great was THe Extreme Traffic.

 

Oh well...... onto Uluwatu...... where the view  is Magnificent and the temple juts out from the high bluff.  I had to hide my sunglasses and earrings as the monkeys are really cheeky little buggers! Then we drove to Pedang-Pedang Beach to swim in the Hot water......ah my kind of entry: temple then swimming.  Julia Roberts' film (Eat PrayLove) was filmed at this Tiny tiny beach.

Hey ! a guy's gotta eat!

Diandra at her homestay on Jalan Goutama

 And then back to the airport to pick up Doodle who was flying in from Australia.  She was visiting her Uncle John, Aunt Sal, cousin Tom and newest member of the family, Elenna.  She has a very special relationship with Tom and had a terrific visit (not to mention , Jewish girl having Christmas).
Unfortunately, she wasn't feeling great.... a bug picked up in Australia......but we still had a good reunion.
(she'll write guest blogging.......)
The Trickle Down Theory...... is alive and well thanks to yours truly.

Jantuk arrived in a spacious new SUV..... he had a compact last year.  it had "essence of newness" a phrase my dad used to tell me as a child......that wonderful perfume (it took me years to actually figure this out).
Ina Inn- Jantuk casually informed me that there was now a "SPA" at Ina Inn.  Well, what greeted me was "the open-aired new pavilion " announcing yoga and spa treatments, complete with two new Buddhas (hey they kind of resembled me..... belly and all) and new koi ponds.
Glad I could be of SERVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tidak apa-apa!  It's Good to be Back!
So many reunions................
On New Year's Eve , Dee volunteered for the Michael Franti Benefit concert for Bumi Sehat.  Really Big Deal.  She manned the "beer" + alcohol tent (good call) as opposed to the medic tent.  I purchased a ticket and proceeded to again reunite with friends..... especially Ibu Robin (CNN Hero of the Year) and Dr. Bobby (my famed acupuncture  Dr.....where I "lit" people up).  It's all to raise the money for the new clinic.
Unfortunately, Dee still wasn't feeling well...... and I met a healer and we rubbed things on her..... but she still felt like she wanted to barf.......so I took her home to my place at 10:30 where i nursed her and she said the firecrackers sounded like the soundtrack of WAR.  it was pretty intense.
We are Grateful!  then..... it all calmed down and I went to sleep with the frogs singing their Bisma symphony, the geckos burping out their Kecak percussion ....... only to wake up to the persistent Honks of Quack -Quack........ Ahh it's good to be HOME!








travelin' woman