Blogs from Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, Asia - page 47

We arrived in Bali with a little trepidation. After weeks of the modern-world safety net of New Zealand and Australia, we were beginning to hear questions being posed to us: "You're going to Indonesia?" "Oh, you're just going to Bali. But is that safe now?" "You know, they have bombings." "Someone just got sentenced to 20 years for smuggling drugs, and the drugs may have been planted by the airport security." Fair enough. No place is completely safe. Travel is frought with horror stories. It is much easier to stay at home. Do we change plans? The Bali we were intent on visiting existed in the book "Eat, Pray, Love," where peaceful balance is found in the lush tropics, calm surf and beautiful, spiritual people of Bali. Which one would greet us? Fortunately, we were greeted ... read more

So it is 8:20 in the evening and we are about to go get dinner. We have just had the wonderful experience known as Traditional Balinese Massage. Yes, twice in one week! This was the real deal erasing any memory of the heinous crime against humanity that took place earlier this week. Ubud is a great place. It's a Little Europe in Indonesia as Steph refered to it today. Europe on $50 a day that is. After spending our day researching which volcano we should climb we have settled on Gunung Batur. They say the hassle getting there is horrible but the views at sunrise make it all worth it. We may not be in contact for a few days as I am not quite sure what internet access is like on the top of volcanos ... read more

I spent my last night in Bali in the hill town of Ubud-about 2 hours north of Kuta. It was a nice change since being around so many tourists and endless tourist shops got to be overwhelming-like spending too many nights in Vegas. Just before Ubud there was a monkey sanctuary in the forest and I bought some bananas at the entrance to feed them as I walked. Or that was my plan anyway. A big monkey smelled my bananas instantly and came over so I gave him one which he quickly devoured and came back for more. I hurriedly threw him another and kept walking. Then another adult came over and started climbing my skirt to get at the bananas so I gave him one and the park guide told me I'd better give him ... read more

so we're in ubud now. catching up - sanur was lovely but boring. we didnt have the best time, we felt starved of culture and friends:( everything was rich european prices and i got sick from the food. on our second day, we went to Tanah Lot. it was pretty crowded even in the morning, its a huge rock sea temple and its very beautiful. the surroundings were just as scenic - it reminded me of the great ocean road as it has rocks like the 12 apostels. ive got some photos but theres really little i can say! the next day we went to kuta and were equally horrified at the sight - just feral australians drinking in the streets, wearing no clothes, swearing at the locals and jeering at us. they have no resepct ... read more

I've been here now for over three weeks so I feel like I can give you a pretty accurate description of what I have been doing here at Bumi Sehat. I wanted to wait to write about my clinic life until I had immersed myself into their daily routine and really blended in. Before I go any further I wanted to thank all of you who have supported me though out this journey. Without your love and generous donations I would not have been able to do or experience any of this! This is such a life changing trip and I am eternally grateful to everyone of you! I wanted to share a little bit about what my experience has been volunteering here at the clinic and what I have been doing more on a daily ... read more