Balinese culture

I've been spending my days walking non-stop to look at the dance, batik art, ornate wooden sculptures, paintings, jewelry, clothes, culinary, natural spas/infrared saunas, etc... I love all that Ubud has to offer in terms of spirituality as well! Tomorrow is a huge celebration to the Hindu deities, and there will be a huge festival. I don't know what to expect, but the locals have been weaving baskets filled with flowers and incense in preparation to set in front of temples, sacred statues, and spiritual locations.
Yesterday my friend Karen and I took a day trip outside of Ubud and biked 35+ km through the mountains of small villages and rice fields to Batur Volcano and Lake. It was a spectacular site! I had breakfast of fresh fruit and a chocolate pancake(with this view in the background: Gorgeous!) to give me energy for the challenging bike ride, which I followed up with an infrared sauna to release the tension.
Every morning and evening I do yoga and meditation, my days are filled with walking, site seeing, healthy food, hanging out with Karen, and the random surprises that find me. I like Ubud even though it can be a little pricey in comparison to what I've been accustomed to in S.E. Asia thus far, but after after the festival I'm ready to travel to the big volcano and hike it! I have to leave at 2 a.m. to begin the hike to make it to the top for sunrise, but I love the sound of the adventure. The most spectacular temple in Bali is located near this volcano. Then I can travel to Amed to do some wreck diving through some old bomber planes. Then I will travel south to take a ferry to the islands to dive with the rare mola mola fish. Google it, it's amazing!

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

I arrived in Bali late last night, and my Balinese driver was waiting for me with a giant sign amongst an intimidating crown of people shouting, holding signs, and handing out fliers, the sign said: 'Trecy'. His name is Ketut, and he's from east Bali. He and I drove 45 mins. into the dark laughing and talking in a clunker van where I had to tie the seatbelt. He told me that although the majority of Indonesia is Muslim, that Bali is Hindu. He told me there had been no terrorist attacks since the 2002 bomb on Kuta beach, which is now a famous surf spot. I was so impressed by the art that I could actually see in the darkness, and I was vibrating with happiness to be in Indonesia! My best friend Emily use to live on Java, and she always told me how gorgeous Indo was, but to beware of carnivorous banana spiders in the jungle.
When Ketut and I arrived at the hotel: Narasoma. I was led by 2 large temples with intricate stone and wood carvings, up a steep staircase with a magnificent shallow relief porcelain sculpture of Vishnu, through the second level adorned by gorgeous Hindu sculptures of deities, up to the 3rd floor. The enormous intricately carved wooden door took my breath away, as did the equally impressively carved wooded shudders. When I walked into my room a carved wooded dragon boxed canopy bed greeted me. Inside was cloth netting pulled back romantically by a decorative fixture. I peeked into the bathroom and saw a bathtub, vaulted ceilings, and a huge window, which I found out in the morning overlooks the mountains and thick jungle. Beautiful! I had a balcony as well with an even better view. This is the kind of place you honeymoon! It is also by far the most luxurious place I've stayed thus far. A bathtub, Oh my god! Lucky me! :D I haven't taken a bath in almost 7 months! Yay! The room is also the most expensive: $13 a day, but it's worth it. I'm here in Ubud for a week or so to do intensive yoga and personal healing, so I will enjoy my luxurious place without any guilt. :)
I took a long hot bath, and meditated to the sound of chirping insects in the jungle on my balcony under the moon.
The night was cold, about 65 degrees.
When I awoke in my comfortable romantic bed I hopped out of bed, opened my french doors, and stepped onto my balcony to see an abundance of pristine nature. I was feeling really great! I walked onto my front porch, sat at my private table, and enjoyed the view. Wooden wind chimes and religious art blew in the wind from the trees. I looked at my table, and there was a thermos of hot water with a cup and 2 tea bags. Awesome! I started drinking my tea, and humming with pleasure when all of a sudden the owner started waving at me from below. I waved back, and he motioned a food signal. I smiled and nodded.
'Make' came up the stairs with a platter of fresh fruit and a thin pancake. It was delicious.
I spent the afternoon walking all over Ubud. I walked past Monkey Forest, through the market, and down all the streets. Ubud is the art capital of Bali, so you can imagine the fashion, jewelry, paintings, sculpture, dance, food, etc... This place is amazing! It is also dangerous for a woman on a budget. I bought an enormous piece of art at the market. Wow! I also have a pair of leather metallic heels on order, and I passed everything else up telling myself: "You're just going to look. Save your money. Think about what's important here, and it's not unnecessary consumerism."
After my evening yoga and meditation session, I met my neighbors. They are a sweet Californian couple who invited me to bike through monkey temple with them tomorrow after my morning yoga session and breakfast.
In a nutshell, I'm completely stimulated by this culture and country so far. I don't like how much I'm being hit on by the locals, and I find myself saying "No, Thank you" all the time, but I'm so happy to be here. I hear it's high season, and the majority of foreign travelers are French, Spanish, and Portuguese, but they all keep to themselves. It's mostly families and honeymooners in love.
I'll keep you all updated. I'm only on day 1. :)

the buzz

I've been in Bangkok for over a week, and I love this city! Anything you want is available here. The malls are so entertaining: 7 stories high, 1 block long, equipped with a VIP movie theatre(plush reclining seats, drink service, blankets, etc...), a bowling alley, state of the art games, and everything else under the sun. I could go on for days. Did I mention I LOVE Asia! I could live out here and be happy for the rest of my life if the people I love the most weren't so far away.
However, I did make a friend out here. He's one of the most amazing people I've ever met. His name is Paulo and he's a 65 year old Italian jewelery artist who has spent his life collecting and studying stones from all over the world. Also, he's a yogi who lived in India for 20 yrs. I love him, and he has offered me so much valuable guidance. I am thankful for his friendship. Did I mention he has a long white beard and looks like one of the members of ZZ Top, and everywhere we go he has people running up to him to compliment him on his beard. :) His energy is pure and wise. Paulo told me that the secret to life is peace, health, and divinity, and with that formula, consistency is key.
He told me that I am beautiful and to flow with life. Don't fight it. Be the still point in the turning world. -t.s. elliot

I jumped into a cab this afternoon and my cab driver and I became friends after the fare was negotiated to make us both happy. You have to be able to meet in the middle with people. Give and Take. His name is Jo. I asked him to take me to the city center, because I wanted to see a movie for the first time in almost 7 months! I wanted to see Batman! :) By the time we got to MBK Jo asked if I would like a friend to join me. I said yes. He and I went to the 7th floor, and he took me out for some traditional Thai food. Tom Yum Khun! Yummy! Spicy Thai soup with seafood. He treated even though I protested. Then I treated to the VIP movie. We drank our pink lemonade with huge grins plastered against our faces as we snuggled into our fuzzy red seats with our fuzzy red blankets. The movie kicked ass! I can't believe how amazing Heath Ledger was, may he rest in peace. Jo took me back to my guest house on the infamous Koh San Rd.
I need to pack, because I fly into Singapore tomorrow morning, and arrive in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia tomorrow night. I'll spend a month there. I'm so excited. This is where my best friend Emily lived with her lovely family for 5 years. I've heard so many unbelievable stories.
:D

hello Dhamma friends!

Since leaving the meditation retreat center, Liby(Israel) and I spent the afternoon trying to get a bus to take us to Surratthani to meet up with our Dhamma friends at a hotel for dinner, night market exploration, and a beer! A beer! Yum! It had been so long. :) We all went out once Liby and I arrived, and had 20 mins to get ready before the meet time. It was fun. My meditation friends and I even ate some grasshoppers at the night bizarre. I've officially experienced Asia! It was crunchy and delicious actually. We found some yummy Thai street food, and got some tall Chang beers from the 7 11 across the street to drink as we chatted and wandered the streets of Surratthani(a long time coming: talking). We stayed up until midnight talking outside the hotel, which after 10 days of being in bed by 9:30 p.m. to be awoken by a loud bell at 4 a.m., was a real treat!
I made some really wonderful friends through the detox and meditation retreat experiences. :)
The next day I left for Koh Tao, but found out that it was a Thai holiday for the Queen and that I could only go as far as Koh Phangan. Ok. No problem. I joined Anna(Spain), Gurvan(France), and Nikolaus(Germany) to the island. Gurvan and Nikolaus joined me at Silvery Moon Bungalows where we spent our days doing yoga on the beach in the mornings, meditating, having long inspiring conversations about life and our dreams, and enjoyed Koi's Thai yummy food. We spent two days together and had an incredible unforgettable bond. Gurvan and Nikolaus told me they think I'm inspirational and strong, and Gurvan informed me that he believes in me so much that he will do whatever it takes to assist me in opening up my business. He owns the largest consulting firm in Marseilles, France to find investors for businesses, and has many governmental connections. Earlier in my travels I met a man who told me he'll write my business plan for free. His name is Mark, and he's based in London. Well, this journey is certainly allowing me to connect with some helpful and friendly people.
Nichole unfortunately had her baby while I was at the meditation retreat center, but after stopping in Koh Tao for a few hours to see Kelly for her 30th birthday, I made it to Hua Hin to spend a long weekend with Nichole, Ben, and baby Jake. He's a week old and adorable. A healthy baby boy! :D
Getting to Nichole was an adventure in itself. I took at overnight boat, and slept on a pad on the floor of a rocking boat amongst the locals, and awoken by the boat arrival at 5 a.m. We were dropped off in Chumphon, and taken by a short ride in a stuffed mini van to a restaurant to await our bus departure. I had coffee and breakfast with a fascinating man named Philippe(France), and then the owner approached me and said: You can take a bus with everyone else, or you can take a private mini van with me to Hua Hin, because I need to pick up my daughter from the Princess's boarding school, and we can drop you off at the Springfield gold course(2 mins from where Nichole and Ben live). I chose to ride with the sweet older Thai man. He and I watched American comedies, and listened to Enya on the ride through the jungle with our own private driver in the luxurious posh van. We stopped whenever we wanted for food or toilet, and had good conversation on the way. They literally dropped me off at the most convenient location for Ben to pick me up. :)
Ben is taking me to BKK with him Monday morning so we can get our visa physicals. His is for the USA, and mine is for Australia, because I leave for Darwin in 2 weeks. Did i forget to mention that? Oh Yes, I am going to Australia! I have made many Australian friends over my travels that have offered their assistance, so entering a new country and opening a new chapter in my travels is not so intimidating. I've learned a lot over the last 6 months in S.E. Asia. It's going to be ok. :D

Saun Mokkh

My 10 day vow of silence, teaching yoga, learning Buddhism, sleeping on a concrete slab and wooden pillow, eating farm fresh organic vegetarian food, meditating by walking/sitting/standing, learning about the dhamma, and being brightened by a loving smile by the monks;volunteers;fellow students, really changed my life. I feel so transformed! :) The experience was deeply personal, and I would love to share it with you if you ask me intimately.
I absorbed everything like a sponge drinking up the spirituality, nature, and peace. I needed this and it was the most important experience in my life thus far. On day 9 I had an emotional breakdown, and it was difficult not being able to talk about it or write it out, since that's my form of therapy. I was forced to confront these issues, even things that arose that I had deeply suppressed. I healed a lot of old wounds, and although there are still a couple cuts in my heart that are sore I reminded myself of something anytime I felt upset about the future: que, sera, sera. Whatever will be, will be. The future's not ours to see. que, sera, sera. What will be, will be.
When the past hit me hard I realized it no longer exists anymore, and that I have to let things go through loving kindness.
The only reality is now.