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!

 

Sunday: Bittersweet goodbyes to Amed

Leaving this place is pulling at my heart strings. As much as I try to not compare, I can't help think of the time I left Pai for a week in the Thai islands, only to return two days later. Amed, like Pai, is a must return spot.

I started my morning waking at 5 am. This is definitely not typical for me! That massage did me good! The power flickered a bit which spurred me to check the weather...no rain! I threw on a dress and ran out the door without brushing my hair or my teeth! 

I scooted around several bends before finding the perfect sunrise spot. It happened to be right at the Japanese shipwreck sight. Sunday's are quiet days since there is no school and it is considered a holy day. I was alone on the beach with only the crabs and these little blue-black tadpole like things. 

Some of you may remember I take my dad (who passed 9 years ago this last November) with me on my travels. This morning a bit of him joined the Amed Sea! I couldn't think of a better spot.  

No matter how often I do this, it is always a special moment.

 I savored my time then headed back up to my beloved scooter.

I found myself at another beach, enjoying the morning solitude. The roosters were just now starting to crow.

I encountered a dog gang on the beach, reminding me of the gangs of Thailand. The dogs here are more the "lone wolf" type than pack like, so this was rare.

Back to my little home sweet home to pack up and have a big breaky. Not sure when I'll have another real meal today. While I was having breaky the local yoga teacher I had asked about 2 days ago showed up to talk yoga. Bali time! This wasn't happening after a big beaky and an hour left before departure. He was a sweet soul, dying to share his love of yoga in this community.

Another sight while having breaky. This happens so much, women carrying huge loads on their heads. (I see men too, but more women)

The ants were packing up and moving out also.

Side note:

This happened this morning, thank goodness I looked as he was hiding between the plys!!

Oh jungle life! Thankfully it wasn't raining, so there was only one obstacle in the loo.

Bidding farewell

The owner of the hotel drove me to Sanur where the best harbor is. I wish I was tired so I could have fallen asleep as his driving was wretched. Incessant accelerating with quick stops and slow downs as he attempted to dodge through traffic on narrow jungle roads. I finally grew tired once we reached straight roads with flowing traffic, which was only about 20 minutes from my destination. 

There was a roadside grove filled with monkeys! They all had the grumpy grandpa face with Mohawks. See the baby?!

Forget the minivan, Southeast Asia does scooters. This baby could not have been more than 2 months old. Some parents will wear helmets, but leave their children's heads bare. This makes me so nervous with the way they drive.

Feeling like a kindergartner again waiting for my boat. In case I forget, I'm going to the Dafish Accommodation and I have one pack.

My boat is on the left, with Nusa Lebongan in the background. You take your shoes off before getting in the boat and put them in the green crate, which is then brought to shore for you when time to get off. You have to wade into the water to hop on, which came just under my knees.

Storms were brewing back on Bali, complete with lightening.

First glimpse of Nusa Lebongan!Oh these clouds make me swoon!

I took the more expensive of the boat options for its safety ratings and long standing reputation. Also for the fact it takes you to your accommodation on the island. When booking my hotel I did not know I was actually booking on the smaller, neighboring island, Nusa Ceningan. (They labeled It as Lebongan on the site, I'm not a complete airhead. Just a smidge.) The driver told me he could not drive there, so he would leave me at the bridge. This left me a little perplexed.

I am the blue dot. You can see the size difference between the islands and Bali (and I'm on the teensiest one). Amed was on the east coast, just above the direction arrow in the search bar.

These roads are worse than some of the trails I have run! And just about as wide! I sat in the front and saw so much more as well as talked to the driver a bit. Spotted my first Komodo dragon...in a trash pile!

And now I know why he could not drive me there, this bridge is narrower than the roads! The scooters crossing had to stop while we walked past. My head was racing with ideas of what this place would be like on the other side!

View from the bridge. Ceningan to the left and Lebongan to the right.

Once on the other side thankfully there were men on scooters offering "transport". Little did I know my home for the next two days would be so far back! I got quite the ab workout attempting to hold myself upright and ON the scooter with my huge bag pulling on my back as most of it was uphill on these torn up roads. Finally he stopped and put my bag where his feet rest. Thank goodness! I kept having visions of falling backwards into the road, then rolling downhill. 

I arrived at Dafish and was handed a welcome drink, which tasted like Tang (flashbacks!). I was then informed the Internet was not working and there was no food today. I got a bit nervous as there doesn't seem to be much here. The young man assured me there would be food tomorrow when his staff returned from the main land. He also pointed to a couple restaurants, one within sight. Phew! (And the Internet is working, even though it is a good break while on vacay)

My bungalow, complete with towel art!

Open air bathroom. The bathroom water and pool are all salt water. 

View from my terrace, ocean in the distance and the Palms restaurant roof.

The road...er sidewalk...er treacherous trail to palms. People ride scooters up and down this. No thanks!

I set out to get a lay of the land. The man at the hotel said there was a beach at secret point called "secret beach", so I headed that direction! I only walked about 5 minutes until the sound of the waves grew louder. Straying from the road, I followed a little dirt path to the source...

Blue Lagoon. I was completely jaw dropped, speechless. This ain't Pinterest either!

I can't get over this and have been revisiting my photos since leaving this spot. Surreal is an understatement.

After taking who knows how many photos I crossed the street to Secret Point.

One of the many diving platforms, waves, Lembongan, clouds and surfers. I  am not missing Amed!

I really am afraid of heights. Another platform

I sat on a wall of this dive point where they sell cold beverages and optimal views. Crabs were all over this cliff (if I remember right here was one to the right in this photo)

The waves would crash into the cliff providing a much needed cool down.

I headed to Secret Point Huts and Restaurant which you could see from the previous point.

Enjoyed me a banana Rama (banana, Kahlua, Bailey's)

Then to the pool for a late afternoon cocktail and reading sesh. You can hear the waves crash here, such heaven!

Dinner time came around and the young man offered to take me to a local warung on the back of his scooter. It is owned by his aunt and uncle who prepared a delicious seafood soup (veggies, fish, prawns and calamari in fish stock). They have an absolutely darling 9 month old boy who reached his arms to me upon seeing me. Oh Bali baby loves!! He was too stinking cute! 

The view from dinner was pretty awesome as well. I'm thinking anywhere you go in this island will be magically beautiful. You can see the lights of Bali on the horizon while candles flicker, Balinese instrumental music plays and waves crash. And then instantly there is the random firework that could not have been more than 20' away. Back to reality from that beautiful daydream! Know if I die of a heart attack, I will die in paradise. 😉

A different family member brought me back to Dafish as the roads are windy and narrow with zero street lights.

Having been up at 5am without my regularly scheduled nap has me zleeeeeepy!  I shall fall asleep listening to the waves.... 

This spoke to me after writing about attachment to Pai and Amed: