Where do I begin!!! This is what Wikipedia says. If you want more information go to the web site. www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyepi Observed from 6 a.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning, Nyepi is a day reserved for self-reflection and as such, anything that might interfere with that purpose is restricted. The main restrictions are: no lighting fires (and lights must be kept low); no working; no entertainment or pleasure; no traveling; and for some, no talking or eating at all. The effect of these prohibitions is that Bali’s usually bustling streets and roads are empty, there is little or no noise from TVs and radios, and few signs of activity are seen even inside homes. The only people to be seen outdoors are the Pecalang, traditional security men who patrol the streets to ensure the prohibitions are ... read more

Last year my birthday was in Darjeeling, India and this year Bali. Next year - who knows? Firstly a BIG thank you to all my wonderful friends and family who messaged me on my birthday. I don’t believe that birthdays are that important, I have always thought that it’s the person who gave birth that should be celebrated, but when I am away they somehow mean more. Cementing the bonds of friendship across distances I guess. And if you are one of those people who forgot, so what! I wonder how many times I have forgotten yours! The first thing I did was to set the birthday cards out that I received when we had Jackie and my birthday lunch before I left. (Photos in an earlier blog) I declined the fried fish and vegetables ... read more

I was just playing on the net and decided to see if there was an ashram in Bali and lo and behold, I found one. The Gendong Gandhi Ashram sounded just the place for me. Away from it all, peaceful and right on the beach. Simple food, vegetarian with sea food - perfect, shared together as per usual ashram life with a few yoga lessons thrown in. So that is where I have been these last four days. The people and the place is wonderful, simple (like me) and good for the soul. They have a really extensive library with all sorts of yoga, philosophy, Hindu and scripture books and I managed to read three. I purposely didn’t take my laptop so that I would truly be away from it all. They also house a few ... read more

I LOVE PONDI! Yes, I probably could live here for quite a while. The French quarter has the most beautiful coloured buildings with wide tree lined streets and many choices of food too. It gets really hot at times though, which could be a problem. But I shan't ramble on here, just know that I love it and will be back there in the not too distant future, especially as I feel that I have made some lovely friends. Thank you for everything Hari, Petra and Marion. See you all in 2010. ... read more

Ajunta Caves, Khuldabad, Daultabad fort and Ellora caves. Trains, trains and more trains. When I travel alone I always play it safe and travel what we would call first class, but Pete and Debu like to go native! Interesting for me. The hawkers that come on at each stop are amazing. You can buy all sorts of food and drinks, books and magazines, newspapers, cigarettes, chains and locks for your suitcase, children’s toys, handkerchiefs, shoes, key rings and more. Then there are the maimed beggars who crawl on and beg and little boys who scurry around the floor sweeping a patch of floor with their shirts for a few coins. It was a real eye opener and something I didn’t see in first class. I guess they are not allowed into those carriages. I shall give ... read more