Saturday, October 29, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Ubud city of Balinese culture
Hey everyone! Still working on how to upload photos, might have to wait till were in hong kong (sorry aunt Kim). Padang bai was a great time of lounging on the beach and hanging out with locals and international divers at the sunshine bar. We made two friends, africano (an ever smiling jolly local guy our age) and victor (a traveler from the Netherlands). While there we discovered that nasi campur is the best indonesian food ever. It is what the locals eat for most days. They take a banana leaf wrapped in paper and fill it with rice, cooked veggies, chicken, fish, tempeh, a spicy potato cake and chili sauce all for the grand total of fifty cents USD. The stands they come from look a little suspect, but the food is cooked thoroughly and is scrumptious.
A few days ago though, Hannah and I felt like we needed something more going on in our lives than just beach, and our friends were spending a lot of time with us so we just picked up and left. When in life can you just decide to go and go! It felt very freeing. Now we are in Ubud. Definitely more touristy, but the center of cultural activities such as dance and painting. We are staying in a beautiful home stay in the heart of town, but you'd never know because we are tucked away in our own paradise. For 12$ USD we share a room with a nice clean bathroom, a breakfast of tea/coffee, fresh fruit including papayas, pineapple, and bananas, and a fried egg sandwich, and an adorable porch overlooking a mango tree, giant Ganesh statue and a coy fish pond. Heavenly! So far we have been to an art museum of the famous painter/character, Antonio blanco and have walked through the rice patties. Today we are thinking of attempting the monkey forest but won't be able to bring anything with us or the monkeys will try to steal it. Last night we also ended up at a pub quiz with some eccentric mildly aged expats who proved to be very entertaining. Sadly we lost, but did come in second.
Were hoping to see a few live dances, more museums, and go to a yoga class while here. Fortunately we have a little under two weeks till we go to the farm to work so we can spread things out. Will write more again soon!
A few days ago though, Hannah and I felt like we needed something more going on in our lives than just beach, and our friends were spending a lot of time with us so we just picked up and left. When in life can you just decide to go and go! It felt very freeing. Now we are in Ubud. Definitely more touristy, but the center of cultural activities such as dance and painting. We are staying in a beautiful home stay in the heart of town, but you'd never know because we are tucked away in our own paradise. For 12$ USD we share a room with a nice clean bathroom, a breakfast of tea/coffee, fresh fruit including papayas, pineapple, and bananas, and a fried egg sandwich, and an adorable porch overlooking a mango tree, giant Ganesh statue and a coy fish pond. Heavenly! So far we have been to an art museum of the famous painter/character, Antonio blanco and have walked through the rice patties. Today we are thinking of attempting the monkey forest but won't be able to bring anything with us or the monkeys will try to steal it. Last night we also ended up at a pub quiz with some eccentric mildly aged expats who proved to be very entertaining. Sadly we lost, but did come in second.
Were hoping to see a few live dances, more museums, and go to a yoga class while here. Fortunately we have a little under two weeks till we go to the farm to work so we can spread things out. Will write more again soon!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Oooo, one more thing
There has been a Hindu ceremony going on for the past three days. Lots of loud chanting, singing, gamelan, and bell music. They brought many flowers and dressed in traditional clothing. I think it might be over now but not sure. The best was when the live music was trying to compete with the ceremony. Very interesting combo: the rolling stones and Indonesian chant.
There are also roosters everywhere and for some reason that I have yet to discover they keep them in enclosed wicker baskets. Hannah and I are thinking cock fighting but still need to get to the bottom of it:)
There are also roosters everywhere and for some reason that I have yet to discover they keep them in enclosed wicker baskets. Hannah and I are thinking cock fighting but still need to get to the bottom of it:)
So much to write, such a small keyboard
Hey everyone!
First and foremost Hannah and I are perfectly fine, the earthquake did not effect us. It's pretty crazy that that was my second quake in theast 6 months and am hoping mother nature isn't trying to tell me something.
The rest of our time in seminyak was good. We saw a balinese beatles cover band with one guy who looked nineteen and another around sixty. Hilarious but actually surprisingly good. Sunsets were definitely the highlight of that area and now we will have together up for sunrises over the water since we are on the east coast.
Other than that we left the uber touristy area of seminyak for the much chiller port town of Padang bai. I love it here! Everything moves slower and is quieter except for the people some of which I feel I will be friends with for life. I have never met a happier more welcoming group of people in my life.
Hannah and I are staying at the Marco inn in the heart of the town. For 11 dollars a night we have an adorable clean room with an ocean and garden courtyard view. We also have breakfast included and there is a hammock in the shade available as well. If we walk 10 min to the right we end up on a tucked away white sand tropical paradise beach. If we walk 15 min to the right we are on a volcanic black sand beach. Finally if we walk to the left 15 min we are at a blue lagoon beach perfect for snorkeling. We are truly living the beach bum life.
In the tone there are these little bars and restaurants made up of the most relaxed trusting people. Hannah and I could have dined and dashed very easily ( which we would never do) but they just sit and play cards and don't hurry themselves. I love that attitude! They also love to laugh, crack jokes, and play jokes on you.
Last night we went to this tiny bar to hear live music (again all American pop songs). It was called "sunshine light up ur soul..." it is quite possibly one of the greatest bars ever. We all sat around a giant wood table and met people from around the world and locals. Everyone laughing and telling stories of home and trading travel stories/advice. We met one local named afrikano who couldn't stop smiling and like to try to throw peanuts in your mouth from across the table especially when you weren't paying attention. We met lots of people from Switzerland namely two men, Simon and Samuel. They told us all about scuba diving and although it is expensixe imay have to go for it. They say that around here you can see giant sea turtles and huge mantas all thetime. I might be a little scared though seeing as how snorkeling sometimes frightens me. For the first time on this trip I feel like I am in the right place and even reminded me of sitting in the big booth at the needs with all my friends.
This morning we have already had breakfast and are now drinking fresh (pureed) pineapple juice while using the Internet. We tried an Internet cafe to upload photos but it was much to slow so hopefully you'll have pictures soon. Although you would probably just be jealous if you could see where we are.
First and foremost Hannah and I are perfectly fine, the earthquake did not effect us. It's pretty crazy that that was my second quake in theast 6 months and am hoping mother nature isn't trying to tell me something.
The rest of our time in seminyak was good. We saw a balinese beatles cover band with one guy who looked nineteen and another around sixty. Hilarious but actually surprisingly good. Sunsets were definitely the highlight of that area and now we will have together up for sunrises over the water since we are on the east coast.
Other than that we left the uber touristy area of seminyak for the much chiller port town of Padang bai. I love it here! Everything moves slower and is quieter except for the people some of which I feel I will be friends with for life. I have never met a happier more welcoming group of people in my life.
Hannah and I are staying at the Marco inn in the heart of the town. For 11 dollars a night we have an adorable clean room with an ocean and garden courtyard view. We also have breakfast included and there is a hammock in the shade available as well. If we walk 10 min to the right we end up on a tucked away white sand tropical paradise beach. If we walk 15 min to the right we are on a volcanic black sand beach. Finally if we walk to the left 15 min we are at a blue lagoon beach perfect for snorkeling. We are truly living the beach bum life.
In the tone there are these little bars and restaurants made up of the most relaxed trusting people. Hannah and I could have dined and dashed very easily ( which we would never do) but they just sit and play cards and don't hurry themselves. I love that attitude! They also love to laugh, crack jokes, and play jokes on you.
Last night we went to this tiny bar to hear live music (again all American pop songs). It was called "sunshine light up ur soul..." it is quite possibly one of the greatest bars ever. We all sat around a giant wood table and met people from around the world and locals. Everyone laughing and telling stories of home and trading travel stories/advice. We met one local named afrikano who couldn't stop smiling and like to try to throw peanuts in your mouth from across the table especially when you weren't paying attention. We met lots of people from Switzerland namely two men, Simon and Samuel. They told us all about scuba diving and although it is expensixe imay have to go for it. They say that around here you can see giant sea turtles and huge mantas all thetime. I might be a little scared though seeing as how snorkeling sometimes frightens me. For the first time on this trip I feel like I am in the right place and even reminded me of sitting in the big booth at the needs with all my friends.
This morning we have already had breakfast and are now drinking fresh (pureed) pineapple juice while using the Internet. We tried an Internet cafe to upload photos but it was much to slow so hopefully you'll have pictures soon. Although you would probably just be jealous if you could see where we are.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Lessons learned in bali
Lesson1: you can't be afraid of crabs and enjoy the beach in Bali. There a millions of tiny crabs everywhere, but I'm doing ok so far.
Lesson 2:you should wear MORE sunscreen when living close to the equator. I currently resemble a lobster.
Lesson 3: John Mayer is loved by the Balinese and can be heard at clubs, hotels, restaurants, and being played by local musicians.
Lesson 4: you can not control anything about your hair if you aren't an islander and living in a tropical place.
Lesson 5: always go to the beach for sunset and listen to live music and drink a cocktail while also watching all the locals play soccer and paddle ball.
Lesson 6: due to language barriers the Balinese servers will ask you "happiness?" instead of "do you need anything else?" and I find that absolutely perfect.
Other than that life as a beach bum is good. I miss you all soooooooo much and wish you could be here with me. Hopefully I'll be able to put pictures up soon.
Lesson 2:you should wear MORE sunscreen when living close to the equator. I currently resemble a lobster.
Lesson 3: John Mayer is loved by the Balinese and can be heard at clubs, hotels, restaurants, and being played by local musicians.
Lesson 4: you can not control anything about your hair if you aren't an islander and living in a tropical place.
Lesson 5: always go to the beach for sunset and listen to live music and drink a cocktail while also watching all the locals play soccer and paddle ball.
Lesson 6: due to language barriers the Balinese servers will ask you "happiness?" instead of "do you need anything else?" and I find that absolutely perfect.
Other than that life as a beach bum is good. I miss you all soooooooo much and wish you could be here with me. Hopefully I'll be able to put pictures up soon.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Layover in Qatar
So we finished our first leg of the trip and so far so good. Qatar airlines is fabulous and I'm shocked to admit the eleven hour plane ride flew by. We even got a picture of the sunsetting over doha qatar! It was beautiful. Now at the airport for seven hours before heading to Singapore. Still feels very surreal but I'm getting more and more excited the closer we get!
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