Sunday: Bali birthday

Yes, I am totally milking the fact my birthday can be two days due to different time zones.

Birthday blessing one was a solid night's sleep. Slept like a rock! These late night dance fests in the jungle humidity leave me famished by morning. I headed to enjoy my last breaky at Soulshine. I have been incredibly blessed to stay in a place I thought would be reserved for only a once in a lifetime special occasion. Nothing beats morning greetings for breakfast by Michael himself.
 

I enjoyed breaky with some laughs and kitten loves 

This babe was back so I gave her some of Bulby's (Bulby York, another dj) toast. She ate nearly a half a slice. I lingered and savored the moment until I could no more. Time to pack up and start my next leg! This feels like two trips within one. 

My cab picked me up and we went towards central Ubud. I have been told it is similar to Pai, Thailand-but I haven't yet  experienced that. I am being patient and holding no expectations. There is a lot of traffic and my driver informed me that students have two weeks off for the new year so it is a bit more crowded in the streets, which still isn't too much. 

I checked into my hotel, but my room was not yet ready so I headed out to explore.

A scooter loaded with toy horns.

Goldfish? This really struck me as the man had built a rack on his scooter, so the fish go wherever he goes. I couldn't help but wonder what if the water gets too hot?!

Entrance to a home, yet feels like it should be a tomb or some kind of relic.

I stopped for an ice cream bar as it's hot and it's my day, so I can do what I want. This was on the shelves of the little market:

The name terrified me, but I tried it anyway. Tastes like a muted Gatorade and I'm sure I will be drinking a few more this trip with the amount I'm sweating. 

I found the infamous "Yoga Barn" and walked the grounds a bit to inquire about classes. Just being in this space felt amazing. They offer classes nearly every hour and I can't hardly wait to get my stretch on! I would have right then and there had I been dressed accordingly. So instead I indulged in this...

Birthday lunch and cocktail! 

I officially feel in my travel element, taking in all of the sights and smells.

These sidewalks terrify me, but Balinese drivers scare me more so I carefully walk them. The walkways cover a ditch of sorts-you don't even wanna see what hides in there-it's nastiness! I once fell into a giant storm drain on a sidewalk as a child, so I have a bit of a fear walking over these precariously placed removable sections of sidewalk.

I am determined to find out the significance of birds here! This was a little shop not far from my hotel.

Maybe I'll sneak in with wire cutters later  and set then free. Shhhh....

I wish I could furnish my home with goods from around the world. Basket shop along the main road.

Every intersection has a gorgeous statue. This is closest to my hotel.

Back to the hotel for a quick dip and siesta!

Entrance. Pretty sure it was meant to be  with the Ganesh (elephant god) front and center. 

Our neighbor is the police station, so I feel incredibly safe. (Not that I haven't this whole trip thus far)

Within the compound. So my hotel is called Gunung Merta Bungalows. It's is a traditional Balinese homestay which is like a compound for extended family with rooms for guests. It is gorgeous!! I feel removed from the city, yet so close as all is just a short walk away.

The infamous backpack/small child en route to my room.

The pool, steps from my room. I enjoyed a quick cool off before a much needed nap.

From my front door.

My own private balcony (left view) from the back door.

Right view. These "backpacker" digs ain't so bad!

Side note: remember I said I had fallen on my run? Well I have this beauty to remind me on my upper thigh (not my booty!). 

Side note número dos: apparently fireworks happen nightly. And here I had thought it was a welcome for me. Boo. It's sounds a bit scary when you first here it, before realizing there is no war outside these home stay gates.

Ok, enough rambling. After my nap I headed out to walk around a bit since the sun had set and it was much cooler. I did a little shopping and found Bali Buddha which is an awesome natural food store. Bought myself a birthday treat of a raw chocolate truffles and coconut kefir. Attempting to indulge on the healthy side. I then stumbled into a bakery that had a ton of gluten free goods. So I bought a cookie to enjoy with my truffle. Fat kids status! 

The absolute best part of today? Shortly into my walk I turned down an alley and spotted Nahko. I fan girled it up and asked for a pic. He carries such an amazing energy and love. He grabbed me and started dancing while waiting for the picture. 

Birthday dance with Nahko in Bali? Apparently this is real life, but I'm not sure I believe it. (Jen-the personality makes it even better! 😉)

I will now go to bed with a giant smile. Goodnight, loves! 

Saturday: My last day of 30 (in Bali)

This morning was rough. I can't help waking up early despite how much sleep I have had. Getting to bed after 2 am and waking at 7:30 does me no good! Again, if you know me I need minimum 7 hours to be functional and nice. Buuuut apparently my body wanted  no more sleep. Fine, be that way. To breaky I headed!

Most things come quite large, but this lil bambino was too cute. 

Spotted a gargantuan spider in the gardens, same I had seen in Thailand. 

I finished breaky and rushed to ready to head to yoga at the festival. I was walking down the beautifully messaged path to the car alongside Marco (dj from yesterday's post). We were chatting away about life when suddenly we heard a loud crashing noise from the palms overhead. About 4-5 palm fronds fell atop us. I screamed like a girl of course. They landed upon Marco's shoulder and my left arm. Holy cow did it hurt, still bruised and scraped today. I guess I should count my blessings it wasn't coconuts!

Let me give you a little back story to this cursed incident. Marco was wearing a shirt he had purchased Christmas Day. He had been searching for a traditional  Ballinese shirt and walked into a store where a local lady greeted him. She said "I have a gift for you!" And gave him the shirt. He had not asked her anything about such a shirt that he happened to be in search of and here she had a gift of one for him. He put it on and raised his arms over head and all around joked he was like god when he did this. Suddenly the ceiling fell in that spot over his head. He had been sharing this story with everyone since the incident. Before we left this morning for the car he had decided the shirt would be too hot and would change once we arrived at the festival. Well, once the palm tree crashed upon us he changed right then and there, mid path amongst the debris. We are convinced something was amiss with the shirt. He gifted it to our taxi driver, which thankful did not affect our ride! Phew!

The shirt. 

Headed to yoga!!

Pre palm fall

This morning certainly made me feel drunk on life when I headed to yoga at the festival where Michael and Jay played Accoustic. I have done this once before (stated in my first Thai adventure post, my inspiration) and it is my favorite. The session was held in the gymnasium where the main stage is set.

A little dance and clapping mid pose

The couple behind me had the absolute cutest dachshund pup who lazed under them all practice. Joy to my heart!

Much needed stretch fest after the last few days of running and dancing.

Michael sang "the Sound of Sunshine" and encouraged all to take our mid yoga dance into the field...

http://instagram.com/p/ifFyr8DxhL/

I ditched yoga a few minutes early to go hear Trevor Hall talk about his work with India and it's influence on his music.

Post presentation jam sesh. He played songs inspired or learned on his trips to India, a few in the native language of his ashram's village.

I couldn't not be a fan. "Let your dreads grow!"

I later see this: http://instagram.com/p/idM3Nph4Fd/

So much inspiration this morning. 

I headed to lunch before leaving for the hotel...

http://instagram.com/p/idIyHKDxgH/

Not the most glamorous pic of me, but I was in heaven! Is this real life?!?

I hopped into a cab (after finally finding one-not easy out here in the jungle!) and met my 19 year old driver, Balon. I love nothing more than chatting with locals. It came up that my birthday is tomorrow. In Indonesian birthday is said Ulongtong (not sure on spelling). Balon then said, "God bless you and good luck. Long life". Such pure sweetness. 

We then carried on our cultural talk, teaching one another about our own ways of life. He taught me that hello is "hah-low" in Indonesian. Here I had thought I was being so negligent in not learning a proper greeting and everyone was greeting me in what I thought was English. Guess I wasn't so negligent after all! 

I headed back to Soulshine for a Vanilla Sky smoothie (banana, vanilla, cinnamon, clove) and then crashed for a nap! No sleep, heat and yoga wiped me out!

I awoke and hurried to ready to head back to the festival. I went earlier than some of the others as I was not about to miss Nahko. 

My heart is so full. (As were my eyes with happy tears)

I first saw him perform at Wanderlust festival at Squaw Valley just a couple of years ago when he was hardly known. Full circle to Bali and I am counting my blessings! 

Some of you may know I have a secret love of beat boxing-Nahko kills it! 

One last Michael show for a long while. (Singing with Ethan Tucker)

Tonight I was dragging and my bed could not be any more welcoming! Goodnight, 30! 

Friday Franti Festival!

Today is the first day of the festival! I am beyond excited! Aaaaand a bit sore as I took a tumble on my run yesterday. But have no fear, dear mothers-I am fine! Just a little bruised and scabbed. And it didn't stop me from another run today! But today I was far more cautious and stopped to enjoy the views a bit more.

Never gets old!

The "trail", which is actually a back road, so cars and scooters are often present. A few times I have encountered children out on the path and they are darling. Yesterday a little boy started running behind me. Today a group of little boys asked where I was from and after answering "California", one said "I'm from Bali!". They found themselves in collective laughter afterwards. 

These stones, turn to this:

Simply amazing!

There are several of these shops along a certain block. I find it funny that they do not sell different things in the same areas. Often you will see the same things sold along one street, as though it is a collective specialty.

Cranes, cranes, cranes!

I like to think he was cheering me on and not barking at me.

This was a hidden little amazon I ran over.

How now brown cow? I don't see you at all.

They are not friendly like Thai cows, which made my heart sad when I attempted to feed one. 

Post run called for some delicious breaky.  

I forgot to take a picture when the eggs were present. I was starved. These "plates" of banana leaves are awesome!

This never grows old. I'm soaking it in before I head to my backpacker digs in two days.

Soulshine juice, a mix of everything. 

A few of us headed to the festival later than the rest. 

The festival raises money for a birthing clinic as well as a scholarship fund for the green school (google it, my pictures don't do it justice)

The main building. The entire school is built of bamboo. The ultimate treehouse!!!

Vendors selling all kinds of wonderful earth friendly goods that call to my hippie heart.

Stunning mandala of fresh petals.

The coolest, comfiest chairs

More of the school. There are 108 solar panels that power the school.

More of the vendors from floor two of three.

The main stage area from the second floor. Loving this!!

DJ Marco, he owns Bissap Baobab restaurant in San Fran by day. Sweet soul.

Went "home" for a nap and lunch before heading out for the night.

Walked in to Nahko and Trevor performing together during Trevor's show. I can't tell you all how much I enjoy the music these two make, brought tears to my eyes and touched my heart.

Turned around and spotted Nahko in the crowd. These two literally adore one another, it's pretty awesome to witness.

You can see Nahko front and center fanning it up for Trevor's show.

I headed to grab a snack and water in the chill out area (second floor of the main building shown above). I had the most beautiful butterfly that would not leave me alone, landing on my phone repeatedly while I went through my excessive pictures. Mom, I thought of you! 

And then of course my favorite! Local Balinese girls performing traditional dance to "The Sound of Sunshine".

Jay, the guitar player being carried through the crowd on Cappy's (Michael's oldest son) shoulders.

Michael in the crowd telling everyone to get down. Such an awesome performer. I was drenched with sweat by the night's end.

Then the concert was taken into the field. So. Much. Fun! 

I returned home and called to wish my Nana a happy 85th birthday around 2am Bali time. She was in complete shock I called her from Bali, then asked what I was doing besides drinking. I guess she assumed since I was up so late, I must have been under the influence of something.  I've had two glasses of wine since being here. This place and this music are like drugs for me. My soul is shining!