Blogs from Bali, Indonesia, Asia

Good morning from Congo! What a better time between two meetings to write about the past 18 months experience of being back to Asia! Yes, time flies...imagine, we moved to Bali already in September 2022! I always believe that you should spend a certain time in any place to feel home, and that you reach the best of the experience between the 18th month and 36th month. By that time you've made yourself really home. There is perhaps less new discoveries, but it's the nice feeling that you start to belong to the place. Here we are, 18 months and some more in Bali! My lovely wife is working a lot. Yes, island life doesn't mean holiday life everyday (sadly). But her normal week is a 5 days affair, so we have ample time to ourselves ... read more

I woke naturally this morning, and at a reasonable time, 8:50! It was actually ten minutes before the alarm went off. Today is moving day, which is always a bit messy! I did my bag sorting last night, so there’s not much to be done this morning. Funny thing happened before I left my room though. I thought I’d really done it this time! Ha ha! Last night, for other reason than curiosity… I noticed the locks on the door! I usually lock the door when I get, no change there… then I noticed the chain lock, which I hadn’t seen before. I thought to myself, really, is there a need for that much security? So, obviously, I started fiddling with it, then put the chain lock on. Ah nice….. until I tried getting out this ... read more

Today, so far, didn’t go quite go as I had planned! My plan was… to get up, get showered and sorted, then go off the beautiful roof top to enjoy my first breakfast at the new hotel. Well… that didn’t happen! I woke up at about 1am this morning, and I was struggling to get back to sleep, but eventually I did. I finally woke up very comfortable, totally relaxed in my huge, and very empty feeling, bed! Due to the sheer size of it! Then I slowly turned over, got up. The first thing I did was to unplug my phone, as it’s been on charge overnight. OMG!!! Shock! It’s 11am! I have slept through the whole of the morning plan! WOW! I dropped back the non- prepared plan b!! I notched up my speed! ... read more

It was an earlier start for me today, as I have booked a private tour. I felt it was the best option to see more of Ubud as I only have 3 days here. It would be a shame to miss out! I set the alarm for 6:45. It wasn’t difficult to get up early, as I purposely went to bed early in preparation! I’m seriously not a morning person these days! I had scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast. Then was ready for the driver to arrive at 8am. I walked up the street to the ATM to get extra cash for the day, and also water, I’m making a concerted effort to drink lots! I will need cash to buy tickets for the entrance costs. I’m not sure if they all take card payments! ... read more

So the second week we are more or less in the centre of Ubud. Staying at the SenS Spa which was a great spot and a nice hotel. Whilst in Candidasa one of my back teeth crumbled at dinner one night but hard to find appointments up there so made an appointment in Ubud few days in advance! Lots of nerve pain but kept up the Panadol until we could get there. Anyway ended being a pretty bad infection, so three root canals cleaned out. Packed with antibiotics, filled and temp crown, loads and loads of anaesthesia and also oral antis to take til next visit, over two hours in the chair that first visit. Also fell over on way to dentist as some paths terribly broken and uneven then when we were heading out for ... read more