Pretty plants

Amalia and Dewa paid their final visit today. We went out to lunch at Little Thai and made a trip to Hardy's. Amalia and I walked back and I photographed these on the way to my villa. The flower arrangement included little red bananas...see the bud on top?

Last days...

Today I took my final bike ride to my final massage in the very south end of Sanur. Half way back, I could not resist this temple:

A bit further along, I got this pic of two red bikes...the one with the steering wheel says 'Toyota'. The other one is probably a Honda.

And beyond them, the newest construction in Sanur...a HUGE fancy hotel. Yikes!

And, almost back home, I saw this banana tree...so many bananas! You can eat the blossom end.

Then I had to return my bike to Titi's. It was wonderful to have transportation for my Bali holiday! 

Joe met me at Titi's and because of this sign, we had lunch here, too.

After a long lunch and chat, Joe drove me to the villa before going to work at the Freemont.

Titi's roof has kites hanging....kites are big here...there is a huge kite festival every year!

These painted boats....beautiful.....

Two more days....

This little god waits for me when I go out at night. I met my German beach buddy at the night market for my farewell dinner, a beer at Little Bird, and a walk on the beach. Sat and listened to some reggae before heading home. The beach is wonderful at night. I saw a star that looked like Betelgeuse, but I know it cannot be! Many sparkling colors. The night is a little cooler now that the rains have arrived. Not saying it is cool, but I am not always hot now! 

Here is one of my new favorite entrances. It is right on the main road here in Sanur, across from A&B Reflexology Massage. Love the composition and the colors!

Bird in my Bedroom

Today a little sunshine made the beach possible in the morning ... at Sweet Magnolia, a German guy named Billy and I can be found most mornings. Today he suggested a going away party at the night market, since I will be leaving on Sunday. He has been in Bali for a few months and he and his wife have become friends. She had to return home. He does not have to work until Christmas, so he remains. So, party tonight!

When I returned home this afternoon, there was a little bird in my bedroom. It was very cute and had a long curved beak. Atik came in with the pool skimmer and captured the bird. Instead of giving it it's freedom, Atik kept it and is now cooing to his bird. He is SO happy!

I am on my way out to my (every other day) one hour foot reflexology massage. I must admit it is not all pleasure, but I feel that it is genuinely good for one's well-being. 

A Very Auspicious Day

Today is the day! In Bali there are special days for important life events. Today is a very auspicious day for getting married. I cycled past some weddings today. Here is a simple reception and a couple ladies ready to go to a wedding.

Temple stuff

Above any street, in town or way out in nowhere, these appear. Some deceased relative resides within. If the person was royalty, there are multiple roofs, sometimes as many as seven or eight.

Many of the small and large temples are decorated with these elaborate shield things, usually with a mirror and small mirror pieces sewn in. The black and white theme has something to do with good and evil. You see huge skirts of black and white checked fabric draped around big trees.

I have been watching the construction of a new Japanese restaurant since I arrived. Today was the grand opening. Note the decorations and the table full of offerings.

Rainy Season

Yep, rainy season has begun. Cycled to the beach at about 8:30am today because I know what will happen later! Had two hours of warm overcast skies. Pleasant...nobody around. In come the clouds, so I decided to ride around until the rain began. An hour later, I arrived at my villa, just as the sky opened...what a rain!

... and all the pretty boats...

One year old!

And while I am away, Anton has turned one...as his mom says, now he has toddler attitude! (I am shifting to USA thoughts...5 more days.)

A beach day...with rain...

When I go to the beach, I usually head for the very southern tip of Sanur. My bike makes the trek easy and fun. Along the road, I see many things like this:

Here is one of the hotels at which Joe now plays. It is pretty fancy.

The Fairmont has sweet beach furniture, too!

 There are vendors at the beach every day. Fried stuff, of course!






On Sundays, many locals come to the beach and there are toys to rent for the little kids.

This guy was my dog for the day. He watched the action from in front of my beach chair. When he was tired, he slept under my chair. He took a couple breaks to rifle through some offerings for snacks.

 This wonderful Dad spent almost an hour making motorboat sounds as he zoomed his child around and around...it was fun to see and hear!

These sculptures stand side by side at Sweet Magnolia.

As the rain began today (It is the beginning of the rainy season.), I moved into the little warung to have hot ginger tea. The beach cleared and all ran for cover. 

 

Three lovely young ladies rented a floaty thing. I have yet to see a Balinese female in a swim suit.

And then these guys got one and appeared to he having a terrific time!

There were a few of these little boats on the water today. Outrigger sailboat?

The sails are so individual...love the plaid one!

On my bike ride home after the rain, I saw these 'ladies' decorated with flowers along the side of the road.

Missing family...

I have one more week here and am missing family. I Skype with Mandy, Gwen, and Guthrie once a week. The last time we did, Gus was across the room. He crawled quickly to the computer and wanted me to pick him up! I wanted to! I think we were both sad that I could not. Gwen explained to me that he did not understand that I was not really in their house and it made him cry...

At the end of my trip, I always feel like I want to be home, but I don't want to leave! I love my family and cannot wait to hug everyone!

Smells & Sounds

Today I realized that I have not written about smells here. It is 8pm now and this is the time to smell everybody burning trash (I am in touristville Sanur, but my neighbor over the wall is something of an intown farm/orchard). The trees...just out of reach...have the biggest mangos I have ever seen! Must be a very precious piece of property. The trash burns everywhere, along the side of the city streets, in fields, and beside houses and warungs.

During the day, when I open my doors upstairs, I am hit with the Frangipani fragrance. It is lovely. I am the first to swim each day, so I clear the leaves and flowers out of the lap pool. If I find a pretty blossom, I swim along holding it in my mouth, and the smell is intoxicating!

And there are so many wonderful sounds! As I have mentioned, the cocks begin before 5am. Then many birds in the canopy (my second floor is in the canopy) begin their songs. There is one that I am imagining to be a mocking bird. Sounds like the one in Catching Fire! I love the bird music.

On the road, it is all little friendly horns! Not angry horns, just 'I am here', 'don't come out until I pass'. 'go ahead', or 'what are your plans'! They must get new horns frequently.

Bali 2011

As I cycle around town, I realize that I am passing many wonderful things that I had photographed in the past. If you do not want to miss some really neat stuff, look up my Blog from 2011. I put a lot more time into that one!

http://judybali2011.blogspot.com/?m=0

I think the extra background will show you more of this fascinating place.

Sanur: About town

After placing offerings on the temple above her, this woman did the same at the base of it. Offerings usually include a little tray of things, some kind of drink, and oil. All of this accompanied by graceful gestures and sprinklings of special water.





Here is my haul from the morning market. I paid 45,000 Rp ($3.70) for all this wonderful fruit! It should cover my breakfasts and snacks for a few days.

Got a kick out of this jacket that Dewa wore today. It is not a North Face!




Here is a little guy dancing around in his doorway:

 This man is one of many recyclers. Soon his cycle will be filled with plastic bottles, thousands of which are trashed every day here in Bali.

 Little laundries are everywhere and your clothing is washed  by the pound or the piece. (Or by the big teddy on this rack!)



All along the streets, when I look up above the commerce, I see these remnants of the Balinese past and future. They are very beautiful.

A typical day

I really have no idea how many powerful and relaxing massages Desak has given me. Sometimes full body, most times just neck, back, and shoulders. Her hands are so strong and wise. Here are the Talia ladies: Iluh (ee-loo), Desak, and Wayan. I cycle here, not every morning, but most of them, before I go to the beach!
Iluh apologized today pointing to their new sign...increased prices! I told her that I didn't care. How could I? One US dollar = 12,500 Rp today. There are folks who complain!

Then on to the beach where I spent a few hours and had lunch. The beach chair is free if you buy something! I had Gado Gado (peanut sauce!).

Here they are again tonight. My camera made the blue dots...huh!

No music for me tonight...just drifted around Sanur and chatted with shop owners. As time passes, my days get slower and slower (pelan, pelan). I am adjusting to Bali time. After a little blogging, I will fall asleep watching the bats in the tree canopy, wondering what I will do if one flies in my open doors!