Souvenir Shopping

July 17

Souvenirs and then a long flight home.  Two weeks is a long time to be away from our own little slice of heaven.  There were very many wonderful things about Bali.  We saw traditional dancing, rice fields, beautiful island sunsets, and so many other great things.    If going to Bali be prepared for several inconveniences as well.  Bali traffic is frightening to say the least.  For the most part, everyone drives if not safely at least slowly.  (Making for long drives for only short distances).  Although Bali does not have a lot of graffiti there is some.  It is difficult to avoid drinking tap water but we were warned by everyone to avoid drinking tapwater, even the Balinese drivers warned us.  The people selling souvenirs and food in stands can be very, very aggressive.  Of course we were taken by our drivers to many of the biggest tourist spots so avoiding aggressive souvenir sellers was really no surprise.  The hardest thing to see is the trash around the island.  One driver told us that the standard of cleanliness isn't what we are used to.  We saw trash everywhere, in temples, in natural areas, in the jungle and even in the ocean.  Hindus in general are only slightly tolerant of gay people.  When we asked about gay people from one of our drivers, he said basically all the gays are in Semniyak, but added that they mostly come out at night to share in their decadent lifestyle…hmmm, could’ve done without the homophobic comment Wayan.  But the beautiful parts of Bali far out weigh those things that as a westerner I may find distasteful.  The people are exceptionally warm and friendly.  They have a very strong sense of familial obligation and most often live together in family compounds.  I’m sure there are many dishonest Balinese but for the life of me there was no evidence of this anywhere we went. The Balinese people we met were exceptionally helpful as well.  It’s a long way to go for rest and relaxation but definitely an awesome way to spend two weeks.  

A few random photos I wanted to share:

Chicken cages in Indonesia...otherwise chickens run free in yards and on the street.  

Rice fields in the middle of Ubud.  

Again, in the middle of Ubud.  

Market madness.  

Does the Caged Bird Sing?  Apparently so!  

Another chicken! 

Low tide near our Villa, a photo of traditional Balinese boats.  

Many towns in Bali have huuuugggge statues as roundabouts.  It's hard to tell how large this is, but the smaller statues are actually life sized.   

A close up. 

In Hinduism, the swastika is a sacred symbol.  The Hindu Swastika is actually the opposite direction of the Nazi Swastika.  

Cows...in many fields.  

Lots of women still carry large baskets on their heads.  

Beautiful sunset from our Villa.  Bali will be missed.