Soraya, David, Dodik(my Balinese friend), and I rented motorcycles and rode out to the hot springs and Gitgit waterfall. Dodik strapped me into the helmet and took me to Kalibikbuk to meet Soraya and David. Soraya and I rented motorbikes, and David rode on the back of Dodik's motorbike out of town towards the hotsprings. It was a blast! The 3 springs were sulfuric and healing. They are varied in temperature with giant stone dragon faces which poured water out of their mouths. The water streams from their mouths massaged my muscles and turned them into putty. :) In the giant pool I swam around like a frog, just because I could, but in the small pools my eyes fluttered shut and all my tention escaped my mind and body as I slipped into a meditation.
We ate chicken satay with peanut sauce, and drank tea. We all get along so well, and had a great time laughing it up in the springs.
On the way back through town we picked up Willie. She jumped on the back of my bike, and we were off again. This time towards Gitgit waterfall. We climbed our bikes up the roads through the jungle mountains and beat the storm. Once we arrived, we hiked down a series of steps for 15 mins. and approached a massive waterfall that filled the valley with mist. It was gorgeous! We took many goofy pictures, and then hiked back up, singing songs and laughing, and left. On the journey home we took back-roads, trying to avoid potholes, and wizzed through the jungle towards Anturan at sunset.
Tomorrow I leave and head west to dive for the last time, before I head south to surf.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
living in Lovina loca
I took the Perama bus through the mountains of central Bali through cold fog, past monkeys walking on the side of the road, thick foliage, rice fields, women walking with giant baskets full of things on top their head, children running and playing, stinky motorcycles, and the workings of daily Balinese life with colorful batik sarongs blowing in the wind and incense filling my nostrils. The bus was stuffed full of people smiling and gazing out the windows experiencing the visual and kinesthetic beauty.
When I departed the bus, a young man approached me and said 50,000 for Gede's homestay. I looked at his card, and it said everything I was looking for. I said: 45,000 rupees($5), and it's a deal. He said ok. The homestay was clean, comfortable, and linked with a reggae bar. All the sons of Gede are in a raggae band, and the children are very musically inclined! :) They said: Tracy? Oh, like Tracy Chapman!" Everyone says that. :) Every morning they wake me up for breakfast by playing the guitar and singing Tracy Chapman songs, and I happily awake with a smile, do yoga, and make my way to the restaraunt for my fruit salad and warm Bali tea.
:) I love it.
I made a good friend: Willie. She's from the Netherlands, and we negotiated a fare yesterday by motorbike with our young homestay guides: Gecko and Doodi, to visit the cold, blessed, healing springs in the mountains outside Lovina. It was a blast! I made two friends there: Soraya(New Zealand) and David(England). We all went out last night and listened to cover band music by the talented locals. The night ended with a sing along on the beach and watching the sunrise.
Today I'll read me new cherished book: Papillon(the story of Henri Charriere's life and his prison breaks from Guiana). Today is a good day. Everyday is, because no day is the same, and it never will be again.
When I departed the bus, a young man approached me and said 50,000 for Gede's homestay. I looked at his card, and it said everything I was looking for. I said: 45,000 rupees($5), and it's a deal. He said ok. The homestay was clean, comfortable, and linked with a reggae bar. All the sons of Gede are in a raggae band, and the children are very musically inclined! :) They said: Tracy? Oh, like Tracy Chapman!" Everyone says that. :) Every morning they wake me up for breakfast by playing the guitar and singing Tracy Chapman songs, and I happily awake with a smile, do yoga, and make my way to the restaraunt for my fruit salad and warm Bali tea.
:) I love it.
I made a good friend: Willie. She's from the Netherlands, and we negotiated a fare yesterday by motorbike with our young homestay guides: Gecko and Doodi, to visit the cold, blessed, healing springs in the mountains outside Lovina. It was a blast! I made two friends there: Soraya(New Zealand) and David(England). We all went out last night and listened to cover band music by the talented locals. The night ended with a sing along on the beach and watching the sunrise.
Today I'll read me new cherished book: Papillon(the story of Henri Charriere's life and his prison breaks from Guiana). Today is a good day. Everyday is, because no day is the same, and it never will be again.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
The hunt for Mola Mola
I awoke this morning early for my exotic fruit salad and pineapple pancake overlooking the sea, yoga, and packing before my dive. After getting my gear sorted at WaterWorx dive shop we headed out by boat to Nusa Penida on a hunt for sightings of the rare Mola Mola fish. This fish is unique to this region of the world, it is part of the plankton family or sunfish family, and has no tail fin, but a 12 ft. top to bottom fin span. It also weighs 1 ton. On the first dive in my thick full wet suit, I went down to 35m/105ft(roughly), and saw immediately a giant gray reef shark in the blue abyss, and a massive white tip shark, a 3 ft. puffer fish, and an amazing reef! Once I got of to the boat after 40 mins. I saw the Mola Mola's top fin sticking out of the surface of the water. Oh, how it teased us!
On the second dive the drift was too strong. We fought it from ripping us out into oblivion and gulped up our air rapidly, but I saw a 3 1/2 ft. puffer fish, and array of unique schools of fish I've never seen, a gold trumpet fish, and beautiful coral.
Once I returned the scuba staff and I went out for lunch, and then I found a cheap room, since I lost my old one due to premature checkout. I bought a bus ticket, and I leave for Lovina tomorrow, which is where I'll find more diving in the north island, trekking, hot and cold springs, and waterfalls, besides some r & r.
Today was a great day! :D I'm grateful.
On the second dive the drift was too strong. We fought it from ripping us out into oblivion and gulped up our air rapidly, but I saw a 3 1/2 ft. puffer fish, and array of unique schools of fish I've never seen, a gold trumpet fish, and beautiful coral.
Once I returned the scuba staff and I went out for lunch, and then I found a cheap room, since I lost my old one due to premature checkout. I bought a bus ticket, and I leave for Lovina tomorrow, which is where I'll find more diving in the north island, trekking, hot and cold springs, and waterfalls, besides some r & r.
Today was a great day! :D I'm grateful.
Monday, September 1, 2008
leaving Ubud
After the challenging cycling tour through the rice fields, volcano, and jungle, I ended with a tour through Monkey forest. There are over 300 aggressive Macaques that live in this forest. 120 juveniles, 25 males, and the rest are all females. You can clearly see the territories outlines by the Alpha males. When I entered I brought a banana to give a lucky monkey, and I found a big outgoing male to give it to. I threw him the banana and he jumped up on the stone podium of the wall. His prehensile tale curled around the wall to steady himself while he peeled the banana. However, it got ugly when I took a picture of him, because the flash frightened the monkey, and he lunged towards me bearing all his teeth. I think I screamed and jumped back 10 ft. thinking he was going to jump on my face and bite my nose off! I was terrified, but I lived to tell the story! Thank you, God! :) I explored the dense jungle forest flooded with monkeys, and wandered through the jungle temples. The place was beautiful with it's streams, carved stone, draping trees, and Hindu shrines hidden in the foliage.
The next day Karen and I hired a private driver to take us to the temple on Agung volcano(the largest volcano on Bali). This was the day after an important religious holiday, but once we arrived we learned the ceremonies were still in session, and we were able to attend and witness a very unexpected sacred experience at Pura Basaikh temple. The men all dressed in white shirts with a matching hat with sarongs. The women all dressed to impress with flowers in their hair, elegant sarongs with matching belts, and see-through long sleeve shirts over a corset. There was Barung music which paraded up and down the steep steps weaving throughout the outdoor volcanic black-stone temple. The carvings were intricate. I was speechless, because this experience was magical and beautiful! :) I was humbled and felt blessed to be there. The women dressed me in traditional clothing and invited Karen and I in to observe.
After we left the temple our driver took us to Amed.
This morning in Amed I did my first wreck dive around and through an old WW2 ship that was shot down off the coast of Tulampen. The ship is called the USS Liberty. It was an incredible dive! The coral and marine life have taken over the old wreck, and made it into a spectacular site full of life and color from the depths of 3-25 m in the clear sea.
The 2nd dive was reef off shore dive where I saw more diverse coral and color than on any other dive in my life! I also saw my first Pygmy sea horse! I saw a maneray, 2 scorpion fish, a 3 ft. long squid, and so much more! OMG! It was amazing! What I also saw that blew my mind were the local women who carried the scuba tanks to and from the shore on top their heads!
Now I'm in Padang Bai where I will snorkel in the Blue Lagoon tomorrow and explore town, maybe set up a surf lesson, because I've always wanted to try surfing, and set up my dive to the Nusa islands to see the famous Mola Mola fish.
Indonesia is a unique and fascinating place. I can see that you need a lot of time here to learn the language and get to know the people intimately, as well as see all 14,000 island including the famous Komodo dragon island, and I feel fortunate to have 19 more days to spend here. I want to make all of them count!
The next day Karen and I hired a private driver to take us to the temple on Agung volcano(the largest volcano on Bali). This was the day after an important religious holiday, but once we arrived we learned the ceremonies were still in session, and we were able to attend and witness a very unexpected sacred experience at Pura Basaikh temple. The men all dressed in white shirts with a matching hat with sarongs. The women all dressed to impress with flowers in their hair, elegant sarongs with matching belts, and see-through long sleeve shirts over a corset. There was Barung music which paraded up and down the steep steps weaving throughout the outdoor volcanic black-stone temple. The carvings were intricate. I was speechless, because this experience was magical and beautiful! :) I was humbled and felt blessed to be there. The women dressed me in traditional clothing and invited Karen and I in to observe.
After we left the temple our driver took us to Amed.
This morning in Amed I did my first wreck dive around and through an old WW2 ship that was shot down off the coast of Tulampen. The ship is called the USS Liberty. It was an incredible dive! The coral and marine life have taken over the old wreck, and made it into a spectacular site full of life and color from the depths of 3-25 m in the clear sea.
The 2nd dive was reef off shore dive where I saw more diverse coral and color than on any other dive in my life! I also saw my first Pygmy sea horse! I saw a maneray, 2 scorpion fish, a 3 ft. long squid, and so much more! OMG! It was amazing! What I also saw that blew my mind were the local women who carried the scuba tanks to and from the shore on top their heads!
Now I'm in Padang Bai where I will snorkel in the Blue Lagoon tomorrow and explore town, maybe set up a surf lesson, because I've always wanted to try surfing, and set up my dive to the Nusa islands to see the famous Mola Mola fish.
Indonesia is a unique and fascinating place. I can see that you need a lot of time here to learn the language and get to know the people intimately, as well as see all 14,000 island including the famous Komodo dragon island, and I feel fortunate to have 19 more days to spend here. I want to make all of them count!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
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!
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!
Monday, August 25, 2008
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. :)
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. :)
Saturday, August 23, 2008
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
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
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