April 3--Last Day of Bali Tour

There is a sun within every person.  --Rumi

    This is a good reminder for me. Some shine more brightly than others. 

    Today was a very relaxed last day of our Bali tour. After chanting, meditation and breakfast, I spent several hours relaxing in or by the pool. 

    Cricket found during the pandemic an excellent massage therapist, and he had him come to our room at the resort and give us the most excellent massages. I've been dealing with nasty sciatica, and he was most helpful to me. This man makes a good living by massage, even though he charges only about $15/hour. That's how inexpensive things are here. Returning home will be a shock to the purse, for sure. 

    We had our farewell dinner this evening with the whole gang: Komang (our driver), wife Julie, children Theo (5yr) and Tasha (8mo); Edi, Cricket, Lanie, Eric (joined us a week ago) and me. The weather was reasonable and there was no rain. It was great to relax together over an excellent meal. 

    SO ready to head home tomorrow! I'm not sure when my next post will be... stay tuned.

        Leta

Flowers, flowers everywhere!

April 2--Nearing the End of Our 6-Week Journey

It is the soul's duty to be loyal to its own desires. It must abandon itself to its master passion.  --Rebecca West

    Less than 48 hours till we head home, yippee!

    Today we left Ubud and went to a sound-healing pyramid. We reclined inside on comfy mats with pillows under our heads and knees. There were assorted gongs played for an hour. It was heavenly relaxing!

Inside the pyramid;
note how they decorate with 
colorful flower petals

    We had a fabulous healthy lunch afterwards, and this cutie came up for some loving:

    Then we visited a wood carving establishment, which had some amazing, intricate carvings, from little sea turtles to full-size dining tables with glass tops over the carving. There were even life-size statues of Jesus and Mary. Several men sit out on the porch of the place and carve all day. 

    Our next stop was a silversmith shop, where we saw the jewelry being hand-made. Though it was beautiful handiwork, I didn't find anything I couldn't live without. 

    We have returned to our first hotel (same room even!) that is in Sanur, near the airport where we leave on Friday. Lanie and I had pizza and drinks for supper and are ready to turn in early. 

    Eternally grateful for air conditioning!

        Leta

April 1--No Foolin'--I'm Homesick

Love is many things, none of them logical.  --William Goldman

    April's quote theme is PASSION. My passion right now is to get home. The calendar turning to April means that time is getting much closer. Hallelujah!

    Today after chanting, meditation and breakfast, we drove to a coffee growing/harvesting/roasting operation and had a brief tour. Then we got to sample the varieties along with delicious fried bananas. I paid a ridiculous amount to bring home a special variety which I shall describe in future detail in another post. They also had trees in the area for many different spices such as vanilla beans, pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg. 

    Then we drove to a hot tourist spot--rice terraces. These are on a steep hillside and we watched farmers preparing the area to plant rice. It is also an adventure spot with ziplines, giant swings and bike on a wire. 

Our view at lunch

Bike on the wire

    After lunch we drove back to our hotel in Ubud, and I spent a couple hours in and by the pool. 

    Now I shall content myself for the evening with a Cubs game and an NBA game. 

    Your party animal, 

        Leta

This is a decoration in the lobby 
of our hotel. The large golden design
in the center is made of 
corrugated cardboard,
I kid you not!