Flowers

I planted some seeds here today, literally. Inshallah the flowers will be pretty.

Desa Seni: Canngu Bali

We had lunch here when we first arrived in Bali the food was so good and the place was so cute, that I figured I had to stay a night or two. Namaste

From morning Yoga at Desi Seni

“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.” Joseph Addison

or maybe Mother Theresa said it best

"Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love."


Not speaking Bahasa in Indonesia requires a lot of smiling, and the Balinese have such beautiful rich smiles. So did the Philippinos and these kids from Palestine last summer.

a quote from a quote from the book I am reading: Hakawati (Storyteller) by Rabih Alameddine

...stories do not belong only to those who were present or to those who invent them, once a story has been told, its anyone's, it becomes common currency, it gets twisted and distorted, no story is told the same way twice or in quite the same words, not even if the same person tells the story twice, not even if there is only ever one storyteller... Javier Marias, Tomorrow in the Battle Think on Me

Michael Franti in Ubud

Hey why not, let the hippies dance. He had a touching tribute to a dear woman named Betty....who came to Bali to watch the sunset for the last time as she is battling 4th degree lung cancer. She never smoked. The setting was beautiful at a private home in Ubud built totally from Bamboo, woohoo. I felt like I was somewhere in Berkeley...Bali Style. Stay Human People.

A coupla nights in Bingin Beach Bali

Movie Night. I think I lasted somewhere between 2-3 minutes before falling asleep. Movies in asia run you about a dollar and you can have movie night anywhere....We stayed at Dede's place and hung out with the French National Surf team as they celebrated a comrades birthday. Not a bad night.

Happy Hindu Cows

The cows here are so happy and free, it almost makes me want to stop eating them....almost.

Echo Beach Sunset in Canngu

My Best Pillow Yet: Canngu Bali

The photo on the wall was discovered by Elaina behind some large antique dresser somewhere in Java. Apparently the artist is local to Bali, I love it.

A Sense of Smell

I had no idea how intense my sense of smell was until I came to Asia. I do remember getting mad at people for their bad cologne, but I thought everyone could smell it too. Like this man sitting 2 tables away, I could smell him the minute he walked into this open air cafe. I know I should get over it, but I get a headache and then a little cranky ya know. So Asia has really introduced me to some scents I wish I didn't know about. Topping the list.....

Durian Fruit. Somewhere between rotten compost days after a thunderstorm and pungent toe jam. Ah no thank you. But don't get me wrong, I love it here.

Run if you see this, but you will likely smell it first.

Singapore: Old and New and Really Old and Really New

A night in Singapore

Color me Bali

I love Bali so far thanks to the lovely hosts Nathan and Elaina, the house is relaxing, the pool is refreshing, Sunday the puppy is keeping me on my toes. We spent the night in Singapore on the way to Bali so I will post some photos of that soon.

Road Tripping on the Tricycle

Keeping it authentic: Best Western Manila

Another stop in manila. We one of the crew had to depart back to reality this morning so we are man down and missing her. But we had a wonderful spanish dinner last night with some of the kindest locals....a friend of a friend of a friend ya know.

Gecko Poop

The Romblon accomodations were simple and perfect for the atmosphere but I was jumpy with all the new bugs. The bottom of my shoe saw a lot of dead cockroaches. Note the gecko poop at the bottom of my bed, just by my feet in the morning.

Don't Want cha: Diwata

The Diwata hotel we planned to stay at in Romblon was not what was promised. The 'stilts on the ocean' were actually in a swamp where insects go to flourish. We moved on to the San Pedro resort which was exactly what we had in mind, quiet beaches, nice people, 6 hour breakfast conversations and some serious down time. Modes of transport to the island included, propeller planes, ferry boats, jeepneys, tricycles, and our own 2 feet. All of it worth the sunset on a deserted beach over a bottle of wine. We loved the Philippines. We are now back in Manila still in our beach clothes.

Island Life

I don't know if its living on an island or the Philippines specifically, but the people here are amazing. So kind. Tomorrow we leave for the much less known island Romblon by boat. This is all we know...
Romblon
4 of us spent about 8 billable hours online yesterday in paradise to set up an impromptu travel agency.

Great Minds Think Alike

We bought the same shoes in two different countries only to find out here in Borocay. This is us riding a sidecar on a motorbike to dinner.

Artista Hotel: Borocay Island, Philippines

I just can't spell Philippines right, every time I write it I find a new way to spell it. We landed in Paradise. Another pillow, I like this one and another room-mate, Miss Elaina

In Manila at the lovely

Manila Airport inn. Wow, I think B said it best, "we have been to worse" I mean it was a layover in Manila so we could catch a flight to Borocay Island in the morning to meet the rest of the ladies. A tip to the wise, skip the free breakfast.

Resting my head: Miami (again)

On the pull out couch, post We-Media conference with the parents.

You don't have to travel far...

without a cell phone to feel disconnected. Even the Ohare international terminal feels like foreign territory without my hand attachment. Email it is, I think I will miss familiar voices. On my way to Manila via Tokyo.