The last night in Ubud the rains tried to keep us in but what's a soaker or two?? On the street, schoolgirls stopped us for a homework assignment --- interview the visitor to practice their English. Odd thing is we've been singled out on the streets of several other countries for the same thing; do we have a "T" on our foreheads, for "Teacher"? The other odd thing is when locals try to guess our country, #1 guess is Germany, followed by Australia, France, and even Holland. Pat says it's the blue eyes and sturdy walking shoes instead of flip-flops. Canadians are rare around here.
We have moved on to the shore town of Sanur. It has the busy-ness of the dreaded chaotic attituded Kuta, but is swarming with -- ahem--- older people. Less open drinking, the live music is reggae and jazz, and fewer motorbikes racing around. Our $20 room (Gustav Bali Homestay) may be the best combination of location, attentive staff, and a/c comfort. (We haven't seen English-language TV for many weeks and no TV at all for the last many places. Who won the SuperBowl??!)
Big feature here is the very pleasant 4 km. walkway along the beach/shore. A lot of it is shaded and every direction is scenic. As usual, there was a procession going on, with crowds chanting and then loading a golden shrine on to an outrigger that glided to sea. Picturesque and mysterious, as always in Bali. Also on the walk is the original chain hotel --- the Hyatt Bali from 1974, now closed for upgrading to compete with the mega-hotels nearby. A hundred acres of lush mature greenery and hundreds of metres of waterfront; make your booking now!! Many lavish gated mansions, expensive spa and yoga clubs, and colourful outriggers that used to catch fish but now snag Japanese or Europeans on 2-week holidaze.
I have noticed a long-standing Italian presence here. There are hundreds of classic Vespa scooters, dozens of old Simca minicars, pasta palaces, and wildly gesturing stereotypical Italians on the streets. Young and old. Any theories out there?
Two unusual sightings yesterday. Our first sighting of a MAN making the ritual offering and prayer: it has been 100% women doing this sacred duty. And secondly, the ATM saying we can't have any more rupiah! We are drenched in sweat daily from the heat and humidity, but nothing makes you sweat like being broke in Bali. Maybe it's a hint we should go home??
We have moved on to the shore town of Sanur. It has the busy-ness of the dreaded chaotic attituded Kuta, but is swarming with -- ahem--- older people. Less open drinking, the live music is reggae and jazz, and fewer motorbikes racing around. Our $20 room (Gustav Bali Homestay) may be the best combination of location, attentive staff, and a/c comfort. (We haven't seen English-language TV for many weeks and no TV at all for the last many places. Who won the SuperBowl??!)
Big feature here is the very pleasant 4 km. walkway along the beach/shore. A lot of it is shaded and every direction is scenic. As usual, there was a procession going on, with crowds chanting and then loading a golden shrine on to an outrigger that glided to sea. Picturesque and mysterious, as always in Bali. Also on the walk is the original chain hotel --- the Hyatt Bali from 1974, now closed for upgrading to compete with the mega-hotels nearby. A hundred acres of lush mature greenery and hundreds of metres of waterfront; make your booking now!! Many lavish gated mansions, expensive spa and yoga clubs, and colourful outriggers that used to catch fish but now snag Japanese or Europeans on 2-week holidaze.
I have noticed a long-standing Italian presence here. There are hundreds of classic Vespa scooters, dozens of old Simca minicars, pasta palaces, and wildly gesturing stereotypical Italians on the streets. Young and old. Any theories out there?
Two unusual sightings yesterday. Our first sighting of a MAN making the ritual offering and prayer: it has been 100% women doing this sacred duty. And secondly, the ATM saying we can't have any more rupiah! We are drenched in sweat daily from the heat and humidity, but nothing makes you sweat like being broke in Bali. Maybe it's a hint we should go home??
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