Elephant love shared on Love Infinitely

Before my travels to Thailand I stumbled upon http://loveinfinitely.org when researching Elephant Nature Park. I wrote to the main heart behind Love Infinitely, Brenda, with a jillion questions about volunteering at ENP. She was beyond helpful and then some, which finalized one of my best decisions to visit Elephant Nature Park in July 2013.

Upon my return I thanked Brenda and she in turn asked me to write about my time spent with my great loves, the elephants. I am over the moon excited to announce my first ever writing debut outside of my own little blog ramblings! Please give it a read at: http://loveinfinitely.org/heaven-is-a-place-called-elephant-nature-park/

Saturday: Avoiding Reality

I awoke with a jump at the sound of my alarm at 5:30. It's been a while since I've heard her songs and massage induced slumber is a deep one.

I threw on my running clothes and headed out the door. A little pup was frolicking by my bungalow so I gifted him with a few rice cakes. Although he was leery of me, he lightly grasped them and ran just far enough from me to enjoy. 

My goal was to run to the bridge and catch the sunrise. Despite hating getting out of bed, wanting more sleep, I knew I needed to experience the stillness of one more early Bali morning. Upon running through the streets I was greeted by the usual dogs, chickens and early morning routines of the sleepy eyed locals. One temple was playing music from megaphone like speakers high above, at 6 am! It was a beautiful soundtrack to the moment.
 

Eastern view from the bridge

Children in all different uniforms were dressed in military fashion headed to their  last day of instruction for the week. They all carry the large water bottles as this girl is above. Many of the girls had their little brooms used to clean the school yard as well. This must be early life training as clean up is done all around in the waking hours. When watching the girls sweep, they slightly bend at the hips and sweep with their dominate hand, resting the other in bent position on their lower back. This is exactly how all Balinese women sweep.

The temple playing the music

Morning offerings in the middle of the street. All woman dress traditionally in sarongs with sashes when doing the offerings, sometimes they wear the t shirt or uniform shirt from their workplace instead of the blouse if they are on the clock.

Temple details

The local Banyan tree that seems to be a meeting place as well. You can see a woman placing offerings at the altar underneath.

These steps to a temple fascinate me every time I pass them, but I was never with the appropriate clothing; sarong and something to cover my shoulders.

As I came closer to returning to Dream Beach Kubu, I passed a local man for the second time. When I set out he was walking and offered me a giant toothy grin and a thumbs up for running. In my return he passed me on a scooter and offered some sort if encouragement in Balinese. These people! They have captured my heart.

I managed to step in some dog droppings so I changed into my flip flips and headed towards Dream Beach. Knowing school was starting was a huge motivation to get me to the beach as well. Thank goodness it's ok to slowly pass a school and take pictures here unlike in the states. I swear I'm not a creeper! I'm just in love with these kids!

Today there were two different uniforms present, unlike yesterday's standard brown. These boys were performing the morning offering at the school sign, waving incense and leaving the banana leaf flower box. Some kids were sweeping and some had sticks they were skewering leaves onto. So clever and resourceful! When I passed by on my return a group was playing soccer. There was a pile of shoes off to the side and many of the boys were playing with only one shoe on. I found this quite comical.

Dream Beach with Ceningan's Secret Point in view.

The beach is accessible through Dream Beach Huts, another hotel utilizing old boats. This is swoon worthy.

This could easily be me if I didn't have to ever return. 

Last ocean post run rinse off

She's trying to show her face, that sun!

I couldn't pass up one last stop to Devil's Tear.

I love seeing the crabs scurry everywhere on these rocks. Occasionally you see a bright red one peeking from a crevice. 

Early morning snuggles and far off geysers. How I would love to be these cows.

I returned "home" for one last time.

And an offering! I was just chatting with someone about why we don't get offerings at our bungalows and boom!

They're so gorgeous! The way the incense carries through this country makes for pleasant smells rather than the garbage hiding around the corner.

Not even 5 minutes later and the birds have had their way with it!

I headed to breaky for my last true Indonesian meal along with my other mango! I had Nasi Goreng which is like fried rice mixed with veggies and spices with an over medium egg, accompanied by shrimp chips (made of rice). I always have a traditional "American breakfast" of eggs, but knew I needed one last taste of Bali.

Heading back to my room. Fresh flowers in the little nooks. Ahhhhh....

I showered one last time outside and somberly packed up my things. I headed to reception in hopes of getting a facial, but I didn't not have enough time so I opted to get my toes painted again!

As I was enjoying the moment the boat transport showed up, 25 minutes early! So much for island time! Thank goodness I was ready with bags out front. I hurried to pay my bill, which wasn't easy since the credit card machine wasn't working. I had to scrounge the remainder of my cash to pay, just short a few dollars. I hopped in the back of the benched pick up and headed down another jungle road.

The big hill that bridges the mountain top to the main part of town. I fondly remember my first ride on this just 6 nights ago and thinking this place was so removed.

Goodbye Lebongan...

I love nothing more than a mellow boat ride to lull me. I nearly fell asleep in the 30 minutes to Sanur.

View of Lebongan, Ceningan and Penida (left to right), complete with Devil's Tear geysers (or geezer as the Aussie's pronounce it). I saw what appeared to be a fish with wings fly out of the water. I have no idea what it was, but it proves the magic of this place.

My taxi driver took the toll road which is a massive freeway over the ocean that stunned me on my flight in. It was a 15 minute ride rather than the hour ride through the main part of town. 

As seen flying into Bali

I checked in with sand still on my feet from departing the boat. Oh the life!

I perused the airport a bit after paying my exit fee of about $12. I'm not sure if I mentioned, but it was $35 to come into the country. So strange! I managed to scrape together enough rupiah to purchase my last magnum ice cream bar (a Southeast Asia tradition for me). 

Every bathroom has an attendant here. On of the attendants has her daughter with her who couldn't have been more than 2 years old. I love how this is something that is allowed in their culture, the importance of family.

Still have sand on the plane along with a wet bum from the boat ride. Hopefully it dries sooner rather than later.

Bali has been magnificent. It took me a while to get into the feel of it, but once I did the islands captured me with their magic. I even had the desire to visit a temple yesterday! Apparently I needed to get into my groove and out of the cities! 

I am so thankful to have had this opportunity, the many experiences and a lifetime of beautiful memories. My 700+ pictures can take me back once I return to reality late Saturday night and when life gets ahead of me. 

I am excited at the thought of lots of running at home, seeing all my loves and especially snuggling my lil man so tight he'll whine I'm sure of it! 

Thank YOU for sharing in this adventure with me. For the countless blessings, wishes and encouragement along the way. Hearing your enjoyment from reading my experiences makes me so excited to write. And travel more!! Where to next?! 

Love each and every one of you!

 

Friday: Nusa Lebongan Life

Up at 7 am with a bit of a sprinkle. This called for a walk to Dream Beach which takes all of 5 minutes. Just before the beach is the local school as I mentioned yesterday. The kids are SO cute! Not only do they wear uniforms, but the girls all must have two braids tied with red bows. The children spend the morning cleaning the school grounds before their day begins. The girls have little brooms that look to be made out of something natural to the island that they sweep while the boys sit around or a select few pick up trash and such. When walking back from the beach and past the school again, the children were standing facing the school temple and singing their prayer. It's was such a beautiful moment to witness. And quite cute to see the wiggle worms in the crowd as well. 

Although hungry for breaky, we headed to the market. I adore local markets as you really experience the culture.

The boats come early from Bali and the market envelops the harbor wall

Those are bottles of petrol in the middle of the bananas. You can buy the necessities for cheap here.

I wish I had kitchen access here to cook!

Cutting into a jackfruit 

In my element

Grilled fish on a stick from a cardboard box anyone?

I bought two mangos from this lady for less than $1. They charge tourists more for everything. Gas is twice the price than what the locals pay. Even still it's cheap and my inner bargain hunter is happy as a clam!

Striping the leaves from the palms fronds.

Back on the scooter towards breaky!

 Detoured down a different road in search of adventure.

Getting lost is the best adventure! This sculpture was massive! Made of styrofoam and covered in fiberglass. So amazing thinking of how primitive things are here that this can be done. I recently attempted cutting styrofoam for my sculpting class, which was no easy task.  The details were incredible as well.

Never gets old!

Morning seaweed views of Ceningan.

Tide was high and didn't allow for the seaweed farm views I had sought out to capture.

When I returned to the hotel for breaky I gifted Kadex some of the market treats and he cut my mango for me in return. SO good! I continued to chow down on another giant breaky before heading back to town to negotiate a boat back to Sanur for Saturday morning. (Trying not to think too much about this detail)

I also intended to set up surf lessons, but was unable to as the one ATM on the island was bone dry. Soooo....back to the hotel! En route I met a traveller from Columbia named Gio who offered lessons that evening. Hmmm...

 

 

 

I found myself in the midst of a slight traffic jam of locals heading to temple. I slightly remember from last week (it's all blurring together at this point) that Friday seems to maybe be a holy day. The women are clothed in sarongs with beautiful lace blouses and some kind of sandals while sitting side saddle on scooters with baskets in hand. The baskets are filled with food and sometimes carried on their heads. The men sport a white button up with embroidery and a colorful sarong as well. All sarongs are neatly tied with a sash. Even in driving, it is a gorgeous sight to see.

Just as I returned the rain began and my tum tum started to act up again, a bit more than last night. I had another air soda and layed down for a bit. (Turns out air means water in Balinese!)

I had just wished for some rain this morning! Perfect lounging weather.

I needed to put some food in my angry belly so I headed to this view!

Veggie curry and rice!

Since surfing was now out due to my mild case of Bali belly (I'm assuming), I decided a massage was in order!

This is better than a tile floor massage! The bowl contains coconut oil with some kind of fragnance that leaves your skin feeling absolutely amazing. 

My massage finished just in time for sunset. I headed back to the cliffs from last night. I noted a sign calling the area "Devil's Tear". I won't go near that edge with that name!

A massive wave filling one of the many cliff side pools.

Such a powerful place. My heart is overwhelmed and loving this spot. I had another Dad moment and spread the reminder of his ashes I had with me.

Then sat and soaked it in, literally.

Looking back towards the cliffs from my scooter. So fun riding through here!

I headed towards town to grab a few things before I was without wheels any longer. 

Welcomed to the harbor with this beauty of a sky. Thankful. 

Bali belly and Friday night called for laziness. I lounged on the balcony and then in bed, catching up on some much needed writing. I'm feeling a tinge if sadness at the thought of leaving this little piece of heaven tomorrow. Soaking up every little detail.