RENanDREW's Guestbook

Bali traditions
Issy went to Bali with a group of artists and stayed in a small village. There was a funeral while they were there, and the villagers were very insistent that the whole group get involved in the ceremony. Sounds like it's the same with weddings. We got dragged into a ridiculously unethical dolphin viewing in Mauritius - lots of mostly Asian people, many of whom looked like they were trying to jump onto the backs of the dolphins from boats. We were horrified. Respect for the globe's precious animals seems far from universal!

Wow!
That's a lovely picture. Well caught. /Ake

Sulphur and stains
When we visited Dominica we had the chance of entering a natural spa pool. After we had spent a few minutes in the water the guide looked at me with a bit of panic in his eyes and told me that the sulphur content in the water was high and that the sulphur had reacted with the silver in my necklace. The necklace was pitch black! There was no harm done though. The silver sulphide rubbed off by itself and after a week or so the necklace was all silvery again. /Ake

Redgum came to my mind
When I read your blog entry an old song popped up in my mind - I've Been To Bali Too by Redgum. I checked the lyrics and the song seem to be more about partying in Kuta than driving around rural mountain roads and seeing volcanoes. /Ake

Reminds me of Lombok
Your photos reminds me of a lovely place I visited on Lombok. I and a friend stayed there for two nights I think and we made walkes in the surrounding areas and through the villages. I loved it there those days. Thanks for bringing back nice memories. /Ake

"Lamentable Traits"
Sounds like an interesting topic?? Do we know why the farmers don't like Lucy, or was Newman just making that up?

Hiking with a group
We don't enjoy hiking with a group as sometimes we want to go faster but usually want to go a bit slower. As we age we need to watch the path more carefully. I'm sorry your legs gave out. I understand Andrew not wanting to hike without you. The journey is the goal not the destination. It sounds like you had a lovely quiet moment to contemplate.

More Over Tourism
Yet more evidence if any was needed of the risk of the tourists ruining a wonderful culture. And what is it with these Instagrammers???

Dolphins
We were in Lovina in 2007 and did go out to see the dolphins. Back then I didn't give much thought to responsible tourism, I had not evolved, but I will say they stayed a respectful distance away from the wildlife. At that time there were No Tour Groups. Through word of mouth at your hotel they found a local guy who came on a moped to pick us up. He had an outrigger boat that held two people with a tiny engine on it that puttered in the water. The dolphins moved much faster than we did. There were about 10 of these boats out in the bay each morning. This was not big business. It was a joy to see the dolphins swim in the early morning sunlight. Being one of these people who went I can tell you they kept a distance from the animals that felt appropriate.