Catching up

Friday came and went and left no marks.  Some days do that but shouldn't.  Each day is precious, and should be lived to  its fullest.  These last few days have made that impact on me.  Just a few days ago a friend of a friend ...Katy, friend of Kelly, died after a long bout with cancer.  Young woman ful of hope and love, every day was precious cause she had so few.  Then yesterday, my s ls grandad, 101 years old, died of whatever relieves a 101 yo man , of life.  Each day was precious for him as well, although he had many days, they are numbered.  Both were well loved, and are far better off than any of us.  I think that it kinda why I let Friday come and go.  I was in a funk and didn't want to spend that day.  thanksgiving took a bit of a tool on me, then the day after Thanksgiving was the 5th anniversary of Daddy's death, so I think I kinda just wanted to get those days over with.  Well now they are over and I'm movin on.  Friday it rained until about 4pm and by then I was into bed and a movie.  Had already had a nap and lunch so just did nothing.  

Sat starts a new trip.  Left for Ubud which is inland and very ice.  Yes the markets are here but very few people bother you and when you say no they understand and leave you alone.  People are friendly but not pestering.  When I left the hotel I took a taksi to the bus station.  It's about a 1 hour drive I to the heart of Bali.  Hotel told me it would be about 30 min walk or $3 taksi.  With my bags I took the taksi.  After the meter hit $6 the driver asked me if I knew where the station was.  I did not so he made a couple of phone calls.  He could tell I was furious and I told him I was. Not paying for him to make phone calls and drive around lost.  Then he got out 2more times to ask for directions.  Finally when we arrived I got out He did. Not even get out of the car.  I went to his window and told him I was giving him $5 and 2 tips.  Don't leave a location. Until he knows where he is going and Never ask a woman alone. Where her husband is.  They have a tendency here to ask.  Are you alone and where is your husband.  In the first place it is one of their business, and I usually tell them that. And in most cases if your husband is not with you, you don't want to discuss it with a stranger.  Their main questions are, where you from Mom.  Where are you staying, how long are you staying, 1st time in Bali.  Who are you traveling with.  Where are they.  I consider most too personal to tell a stranger, but I hate being rude so I usually lie?  

On the bus to Ubud I met a Texan.  From Austin.  24 year old teacher of English that has been away for 18 months.  She is going home Dec 18th.  She has been in France and Thailand and now traveling a bit before going home.  We had a great time talking about, home, family, traveling, lessons learned, it was great for both of us.  Time flew and we were here before we were though getting acquainted.  We shared contact info and will keep in touch, I'm sure.  Such an amazing, sweet, sharing spirit, I wish her the best.  Gonna connect her to GlendaP for some non profit info.  

Took a taksi to my hotel.  It is down a long walkway as most hotels are here. Those shops get all the street  frontage, so homes, hotels, etc get signage and a long walkway.  Anyway it is lovely back here.  I'm on the third floor and fill like I am in a treehouse.  There are trees about 5-6 stories tall and very jungle like.  I'm just a block or 2 from the monkey Forrest, and you can certainly hear them from here.

There are so many roosters here that I put my earplugs in at 4:30 this morning.  Nice and cool up here, but I still had the windows closed, but it didn't help.  The earplugs did.  But I can't go back to sleep this morning.  I'm too excited.  I have booked a river rafting adventure for today.  They pick me up and we travel to the river, raft and have lunch and return.  I have never done anything like this before and really excited.  I have walked ist of the town and no room in my suitcase for shopping, so this sounded good.  

Tomorrow I leave Bali.  Hoping to go through Singapore for a day and night then on to Manilla and the Philippines.  I thought that would be the best way to finish off an amazing adventure.  I ave tried volunteering with the baptist global response group on line but I guess they are too busy responding TP accept volunteers, Marsha is checking to see if any of her connections could use a hand.  In most cases you have to be certified to volunteer.  No wonder it takes so long to get help to these victims.  I have prayed about it for several weeks, right Wei?  Wei is a friend from the seminary in Panang that we have ben praying for each other to hear God.  She is the first person i shared with that i was interested in going there to try to help.  And my SS class has been praying for me, and many of you have been praying for me, and  I believe I have heard from God and am going. I will be staying in Manilla till I find out what my options are.  I'm sure there is something I can do to help others, cause its time to pay back a little for all I've received.  I would love to get  there and find all their needs are et, but the news seems to think the recovery will take years.  Pray with me that God will lead me where he wants me to be and I will follow.

Downtown Ubud 

Today's planned adventure

Confession!

Ok so I'm ready to admit it.  3 months would have been perfect.  I'm bored.  I never though I would get my fill of beaches.  Maybe it's the rain, but I'm ready to move on.  Problem is, where do you go.  I'm afraid Asia is gonna be pretty much the same and what's to see doesn't interest me much.    Now I wish I would have spent a little more time in Nepal, Greece, turkey.  I really love the historic stuff.  Everything I look at has a pop of millions and doesn't sound that good.  I guess I'm just done.  But of course I'll keep lookin!

Now this was interesting.  These are seaweed farmers.  The farm is underwater at high tide and they work it at low tide

Wasn't so bad!

Really had a fun day when I finally quit feeling sorry for myself and got my cry over and hit the beaches.   One of the sunniest days I've seen in weeks.  Was ready for rain but mis afternoon, so I could get out of the sun, but it didn't come, so I headed back to the beach for a great sunset.  One of the fun things about a sunset. Here is that everyone loves it and comes to the beach camera in hand.  There are performers posing for pics.  It's really fun to watch people capture  the sunset.  Thousands are on the beach capturing the moment.  I have not gotten good at selfies yet.  I never know where to look and fell so self conscious.  That is wired cause I was just thinking this morning how Devine it has been to just take care of myself with. No impact on others while I've been gone.  I just do what comes next without having to worry about impact on who I'm with, cause I don't really know them.  If my feet are covered with an inch of sand from the beach when I go into KFC, no one cares how I look.  If my sarong doesn't match my swimsuit, no one that matters, cares.  It really is liberating not worrying about what others think.  When I look around at locals I envy their lack of style and lack of concern.

When nature is so beautiful, you really can't compete.

Back to yesterday.  I rented an umbrella and chair at the beach, and really enjoyed the experience.  I wanted to just watch the world go by, but it was more challenging that I executed to get peace and quite.  First they wanted to give me an umbrella that already had 4 men sitting under it, just getting out of the sun.  Then I finally got my point across that I did not want to share, I wanted to be alone.  It was very hot and I think they were just other vendors getting in out of the sun.  Finally got my own umbrella and got situated sat down and then every vendor who saw that I had rented a  shade thought I would buy what they were selling too.  After swatting away several, I tried something new.  I did not want to talk about it so when they said something, I went finger over mouth and shhhhh.  The first one asked, what's wrong?  I said shhhh.  He asked do you have a baby?   Shhhh,  he walked away.  I ad me a little Katut man sitting beside me.  He and I just laughed.  I did that several times and it worked.  I'll try that on the streets.  Universal word. Shhhhh.

  Now back to my Kutut.  That was the wise man on Eat, Pray, Love.  Well my little man was not wise, but something about him was non offensive.  He was small and had only about 8 teeth.  He was quite and sat beside and behind me, not in my face.  When I was running others off, he seemed to be on MY side and wanted them to just leave us alone.  His job was renting Booggy Boards, and he was a bit lazy and not good at renting things.  He asked me if I wanted to rent a Booggy Board, and I laughed hysterically at the thought.  He had no business but then he just sat there under my umbrella and offered Booggy Boards to 66 year old women.  He taught me a new word.  Instead of shhh.  You can say Theda.  That means no thanks.  I had a hard time with it and ot really strange looks from people when they tried to sell me stuff and I proudly announced Ta Da.  Yes I amuse myself sometimes.  I am really fun to Be.  

BUT...before I left Kutuk and my umbrella, I was hot and decided a Booggy Board was a god idea.  I rented his board and had a great time in the surf.  It was so much more fun than it was 50 years ago when I last worked the waves with a BB.  

Had my KFC and rice for lunch around the pool here at the hotel.  All in all a good day, but not what Thanksgiving day is all about.  It is about family and friends, the true things of value.

Everybody getting pics of the sunset of the week

Dinner but not my dinner.  On display in front of a restaurant.

My dining room for KFC

My Kutut and his Booggy Boards under my umbrella

How can I be so thankful but so sad?

I knew it would be tough and I guess I'm just yielding to it for awhile then I'll be up up and away.  Some time I guess we all wallow in whatever.  I got sad news from home all week and thinking of great friends going through tough times, and missing family and friends as I think of all the excitement of the upcoming Holydays.  Thinking of KB about to loose a great friend from this life.  Of JG having her first Holydays without her wonderful Husband. HC and family stArting a battle with the big C, and my dear family in Lubbock heading into the Holydays without sweet JC.  makes me feel guilty to be so Happy, when I know of such sadness.  But then there is ANH so excited about her 1st home, P&D starting their new life together after their marriage and AC planning her Jan wedding.  My new friends in Nepal working to have their new church ready for worship for Christmas.  Yes, life s good.  God just keeps his blessing coming.  Thank you Lord.

Here I sit watching Justice League : the New Frontier on Cinamax, planning my Thanksgiving lunch at KFC.  Sounds good to me.  I really do want Turkey and dressing cranberry sauce and green beans and rolls for Christmas dinner with my loved ones.  That includes you.  I'll be at Christy & Bryan's.    come on over.

Hope everyone is well and safe for a wonderful time with family and friends for Thanksgiving.  Now I'm out of here and it's a Blessed day in Bali for me.

The Muslim girls at the beach

Bali Boys getting ready for the race

Now that's a bowl of soup and a glass of tea

Me and Kutak heading for the boat

Where have I been.

I couldn't believe it when I started to blog tonight and am several days behind.  I guess I was just in heaven, no worries and fb'd instead of blogging.  Lets run ack to yesterday..  It was sad to leave Paradise.  I face timed Michelle and Major in the morning.  Just had to share with someone.  Unfortunately I can never ear them so they just listen and smile.  Write notes and smile, give and signals and smile.  I showed then around Paradise and they smiled.  I ad to repack and be ready to leave at 12:30.  I had a brief walk on the beach after breakfast, and then got my SS on and packed.  I knew there was a little place where I catch the boat that I saw people snorkling when I arrived so if I ad free time I would spend it the.  They came to. Get me and my bags, and this time, no truck.  Just a motorbike.we got my luggage squeezed in then I got on and away we went.  I yelled goodbye to everyone we passed.  I felt like I was leaving friends.  They were a gentle kind people.

We road to the ridge then across the bridge on the bike. By now I ave learned not to look at the road, just hold onto that skinny little dude driving and enjoy the ride.  I ad time to walk around awhile till the next. Bike came.  Yes all the way, about 45 min total with my luggage and me and a driver on a motor bike.  You know what.  Now I want one of my own.  But I gotta keep this walking up, it's great.  But I could go to church on one.  It's too far to walk.  I think.    AnywAy, at the bridge while I was waiting, I saw women in Bali working.  It was frustrating but I was proud of them and embarrassed for them at the same time.  There are sad little boats that travel somewhere in Bali a suspect to load up with supplies.  When they come ack to Lonbengon Island, the women wade out into the water, with Rags wrapped around their heads, and the boatmen, load 2 huge bags of rice at a time onto their heads.  They walk them out into a truck and go back for more.  I was almost embarrassed to watch, but at the same time proud that they were allowed to work and that they were willing to work.  I don't know too any women that would humiliate themselves as beasts of burden, but I hope we all would if the necessity arose.  Back at the. Beach where the boat would pick me up, was a beautiful stretch of beach, but lst of boats.and people.  I dug out my snorkel and ask and headed I .  The man who drove me over, watched my stuff as I made this snorkel thing happen.  Talked, as it were, to a couple of Rusians who speak no Englsh, but with smiles and hand signs they were very excited about what they had seen.  The waves were to high at Secrete Point to snorkel, so this was to be my first snorkeling since GBR, so I can't express how disappointed I was at seeing a few fish swimming around in seaweed.  But it made the Russians happy.  I still may take an organized tour here before I leave.  Sounds like there are some good places.   Terrible showers on the Orion and its still 30 min till my boat so I went for a snack.  Ordered banana smoothie, garlic bread and spring rolls.  Started dri king my smoothies when a young man came and asked if I was on CB fast oat.  Yes I was, well seems e was not coming so I was to go with another boat and it was ready to go.  I looed up and it was loaded and someone was walking aboard carrying all my stuff.  So I gulped down my smoothie, they packed up my lunch , I paid and away we ran.  I ate my spring rolls and garlic toast at sea.  After lunch I looked around the sat boat and again found 17 men and me.  Where are all the woen.  Ok maybe this is it.  Taking the Huts as an example of what I ave observed a lot of.  One person picked e up, one person carried my ags, one person cleaned my room, another took my for orders, another brought it to my table, people elsewhere prepared it, someone else brought my bill ( only after I requested it, all around the world, they don't mention it till you ask.  I've often wondered what they do if you don't bring it up.)but you get my point.  There are probably 30-40 men running this hotel with 8 rooms, a ar/ restaurant and pool.  I think they maybe get creative to have enough work for the men, and there just anything not getting done, so women stay home.  If that is the case the in ok with it.  I guess if you are a woman without a man, you carry rice on your head.

So I got to my hotel.  I'll be here for 4 days.  Great deal, really nice, 1 block from the beach.  2 pools, very tropical, good bath and shower, big TV.  I thought I better be nice to me cause Thanksgiving could be pretty tough. ( Can't find Turkey in Bali, so I'm trying to figure do I try for Chicken.  There s a KFC close by.  Or I could just have a nice Ap Balinese Dinner, or I could o all out and eat Pizza.  This time tomorrow I'll know what I did.  Today, I wished Happy Thanksgiving to lots of folks on the street.  Most were aware of what it is and happily wished it to me as well.  I found a nice large Balinese Department store today close by.  I looked around and would almost pay the higher prices not to have to say No to so many people when you walk down the street.  With rain most of the day, they were desparate for business and I found myself almost running to get away from the stalls on my way to the beach.  ). Back to yesterday.  Hotel is great, and looked like we may see a sunset so I walked to the beach by a long block of shops, and found lots go people looking for a sunset photo.  It was better than nothing but not much.  Great waves.  Beginners surfing.  Close enough to hotel to feel ok coming home After dark.  But not ver dark.  After gobbling down my lunch, I hated to skip dinner, but not hungry so I passed a mini mart and picked up some great soup.  It's like thoses Ramen. Oodles but with about 5 packets of add ons.  I think it cost 35 cents and was great.  Have a coffe pot so just boiled water and wallah.  Just what I needed

Now today at the beach.  That was funny today.  Rain for 12 hours so I thought it would be deserted.  The sun never came out, the rain just stopped.  I got down there and there were more people than on any other day.  Way crazy.  Ocean very calm but people on the surfboard waiting in. Case it came out like me wearing my SS in case I had time to snorkel yesterday.  Anyway, there were about a hundred Moslem, I guess, women standing at the waters edge with their head wraps on.  Thet is how the schoolgirls were I other countries, so young women I assume.  They were squealing at the water as in moved toward them,  native young en having, funny foot races in the sand.  They were earth hunks and the race started with them laying on their Timmy's face down in the sand.  When the signal sounded, they get up turn around and run like heck to the finish line.  Very sandy, it was hilarious.  Just ls of fun being had by all at the wet, cloudy beach.  Back home, went swimming then shower and look at my next pan.  

In the past 2 days I have received 2 warnings from the state dept about uprisings in Thailand.  I am so content with the world at this point, that I think anything s going to be a letdown.  I'm considering, Bangkok, Singapore, manilla, or none of the above and stay here, around Indonesia.  Gonna spend some time researching tonight.

The alters and shops on my walk to the beachI

Yes that is a Hugh snake around his neck.  When I backed up to take his pic, he thought I wanted to wear it.  nO WAY

Sunset last night with suffers

The many others on the beach last night

     

Such peace and tranquility

I really liked the other cottages and the sweet ladies who ran it, and it did have some advantages over this one.  First of the Hammock. Oh God knew I would be worthless with 4 days of that, but I know there will be hammocks in Heaven.  I bet Mike is in one now.  I have one at home and it goes up as soon as I get home.  Also the view was a broader view of the ocean so was very good.  cons outweighs. The pros. No AC no hot water, no free breakfast, and no wifi.

Here, the bathroom is attached, but you come up stairs to the room, the out a back door to another flight of stairs back down to the bath.  There is hot water, but it was an afterthought.  One faucet on the wall for water, then a hand held spray nozzle for hot water, then a 3rd faucet that just comes out like a tub faucet.  It just seems strange that these places that are surrounded by water, have such a hard time using it.  You don't get a glass of water at any restaurants.  It is all bottled and you have to ask for it and the price is same as coke.  One day they had local beer and it was the same as water.  But this place is by far the most perfect location to relax, that I have ever seen, or even imagined.  I. Have a new happy place to go to in my mind when I want to relax.  Some one said this is where the Balinese go to get away from it all.  Very polite staff, on top of their game.  Only 8 huts, so not many people around, but everyone seems to realize what a special treat it is to have found this place.  I eat my meals under a YumYum tree overlooking a beautiful beach with 2-14surfers, far enough away that you hear nothing.  It's a relaxing as watching a lava lamp.  Today I left this property for the first time since arriving.  I had met a Californian next door to Jenny's Place who has the Palms hotel and restaurant, and he has Mexican food.  I told him I would come back and see what Califs knew about Mexican food?  It was a great lunch, incredible view from a Huge round chaise by his infinity pool overlooking the sea.  All just too amazing to hardly comprehend.  Then when all is perfection, I thought, I look up and see a herd of about, 50-80 beautiful shiny, black dolphins playing in front of me.  I really have no idea how many but I bet no less than 50.  They stayed for over 2 hours, then I had to leave , this sun is really unfriendly.  But whilst, there, a nice couple from Canada dropped by for drinks.  They too a swim.  That's how you do it here.  You wear your swim my all the time and where there is water you hop in and cool off.  We visited for awhile, watched the Dolphins, talked about my travels, and some of my observations and my new cause.  god created us all, and we all have brains and need to use them for the good of humankind.  Male brains are no more important than female brains and if we want to, we should be allowed too.  No one should be able to take away what God gave us.   Well when it was time to for them to run along, he asked if he could take a pic of his wife and I together.  I saw no point, she was adorable and petite and I am me.  Afterward, she came over to me and said he told her that he hoped as she grew older, she would be just like me.  I don't think I have ever been so flattered, and also , so encouraged that my message was worth sharing.  God is so good to send people into our lives to confirm and reassure.

This is the rainy season here and if its not raining its cloudy.  Only a few hours of really nice sunshine a day.  Have not seen any sunsets in Bali, though I keep waiting.  Last night it rained in the night and into the morning, the pretty nice all day, but mostly cloudy.  Now it is raining again since about 8pm till 11. This time with thunder.  This truly a grass hit, you can see the sun come in in places.  I have all windows and doors open.  But so far nothing wet.  My balcony here is right I front at eye level so blocks the view, and the balcony is pretty small and chairs not that comfy, like at Jenny's Place, so I just spend all my time at the pool, about 20 feet from my steps.  The steps are more like climbing a ladder Ryan stairs.  Both sets.  I hod on with both hands, but still those midnight and 4am potty runs are the pits.  There is a light outside at the top and bottom of the stairs, but, I'm not always dressed when I go from the bedroom to the bath...the top of the bath is non existent, so for about 2 steps on the ladder, I am sometimes showing my you know what.   But I do love my hut and my outdoor shower.  I want an outdoor shower at the farm.  It would be great on my R & B days.  

R

The hut next door.  The window they could see me through

The Blue Lagoon right behind our village

Just next door to that lagoon is this lagoon with jumping from the point on the right of photo.    We are on a point, and the are on it too.g 

My bath from my back door.  Toilet is under the stairs.  You see the railing.  The squares are tiles, but the light colored rocks, are light colored rocks.  Drains right through the rocks.  All open overhead.

 

After the storm

That was an amazing adventure.  It was cloudy all day and around sunset I could see showers around, and even after dark could see rain over on Bali, as I watched airplanes land since our electricity was out.  The airport was helpful in realizing just where I am.  But anyway the wind kept picking up so I finally went inside.  I closed the sliding doors, cause the wind was so loud I just felt a little less vulnerable.  Anyone could come up and never be heard, so I secured myself for the night.  The wind got so strong that it was blowing my curtains all over the room, then came the rain so I had to close them.  Still no electricity, I'm the nearest hut to the ocean, but the wind is coming from the sea, I'm really not afraid, but thoughts of cyclones, typhoon and sunamis, and all the other things I know nothing about, kept creating themselves, in the darkness of my mind.  Prayer and playing spider kept me sane until I finally got to hot and opened the windows.  Only then did I realize that the horrible sounds of torrents of pounding rain, was really just the surging waves pounding on the rocky shoreline outside my window.  The wind was blowing pretty hard, and the noise was real, but not at all threatening.  I rember when Jimmy and Michael were early teens, the used to quote part of a commercial that was about the United Negro College Fund and it was always on TV.  The commercial ended with "the mind is a terrible thing to waste".  They shortened it ti "the mind is a terrible thing!  That was my reality...my mind was a terrible thing last night.

I love love love my hut.  I took the speed boat ferry over to lo began island which is beautiful and the way most of us see Bali.  Then hopped in the back of a small pick up truck to ride across that island.  Several nice eating establishments, you could hardly call them restaurants.  Small accommodation establishments.  Some hawkers hawking their wares, but not in a bad way like in Katu.  All much more balinesian.    Took me to a footbridge to the Cencingan island and tried to tell me to take my now3 bags across the bridge.  I did not budge as I tried to tell him the agreement was my old door to my new door and he was taking me.  He was the first heartless Balinesian I had met, but not customer suave.  He went across and sure enough my hotel ad sent someone to fetch me across the bridge and bring me own in a pickup truck.  So he got my 2 big bags and I got my little bag and away we go.  Now ya gotta go back to the conditions of roads in Nepal to understand these. Roads.  Or better yet, think of the road to the Brazos 50 years ago, or the road to Calvin's fishing/ hunting lodge 20 years ago, then throug in some hills and lots of volcanic rock crumbles, and a few small patches of asphalt and you got this road.  At least he had me sit inside on the padded seat.  I think I actually yelled wheeeee a few times, like the grand kids do when honey takes a dip a little too fast.  Anyway we made it and I was seriously concerned about the quality of accommodations I would find at the end of this road.  Oh, I forgot to mention, the hotel/huts I had selected online sent Dannie, their person to pick me up also to tell me they overbooked and I would be staying at Jenny's.  from the rear, it was atrocious, if that is really a word, but you enter the side door of a Hugh marble room that fully opens onto the water.  The cottages make a semi circle to the sea, with a. Infinity pool and great chairs and a couple of tables at varying heights, all overlooking the sea.  Very small, very balinesian, just perfect.  I was taken to my hut by 2 delightful ladies, Wanam and il nua.  2nd and 3rd born.  They only have 4 names in Bali for children, and you are encouraged to have no more than 4. But if you do, you just use the same names over.  The name depicts 1'2'3' or 4th born.  Her is the set up for the hut.  Downstairs open air is an area bigger than a double car garage.  Along the front is the best hammock I've ever sat in.  Breeze really rocks you as you watch the waves roll in.  Amazing time in the hammock in the shade  of the hut and. Beautiful tree.  Then a wonder white wicker round coffee table with sectional seating for 8-12 people.  Then along the back wall a long counter with sink and small fridge for entertaining.  Behind that and detached from it is the bathroom.  Beautiful slate walls, sike I'd love to have at home and ok shower with world temp salt water and pail of fresh cold water to rinse off.  It's ok.  I've had cold showers before in ugly places.  At least there is a rel potty and a beautiful room.  The roof just sits above you and there is space between the room and the roof so it really is like taking a shower outdoors.  Super cool.

Now going upstairs to a view that takes your breath away from a nice large balcony.  When tide is in the water hits the rocks 10 feet from hut.  Tide out, about 100 yards of seaweed farming in front of you.  Must be a big farming area for seaweed.  I see about 20 people working this little area, maybe 5 acres, now.   Some are on dry land, some hip deep in sea, some arresting what was planted, some planting fresh for future harvest.  In the pic,notice the brown basically then the strips of green occasionally.  Then they attach it so way to ropes and hang to dry.  They work it while the tide is out and God works it while the tide is in.  Very interesting and right at my feet. They, clear the land, put up fences, plant, care for, harvest and the cycle continues

Going inside my room is a king sized bedmate 2 windows that open to the sea and one stationary, no screens.  The a sliding door and 2 more windows onto the balcony.  Locks merely keep doors shut but would not prevent someone from entering.  

So I will only be here one night, then s

Go tomy original hotel for 3 nights.  I can see it. From here, and the Internet described it just like this one.  This one has very week Internet, so hopefully the other one will be better.  Last night while the wind was really blowing, I actually picked up their signal a couple of times, but didn't have the password for it.  O really wanted to watch Cooper on a Stream this am, but still no signal.  I did reopen my windows and curtains in the night so enjoyed 6am today.  Surfers and seaweed ears were already busy.  The surf from 6 to 6 here.  And they catch some pretty good waves.

Just call e Julia

Ok now, I'm ok.  This is it.  Whatever it is, this is it.  I haven't even gotten on my boat yet but I'm Happy.  No hustle, no bustle, everybody happy. Having a bit to eat, cause don't know what the island will be like., but I love it here.  I am at a beach in Bali on the SE side.  Having spring rolls and coca cola.  Had more coke in Bali than I've had all trip.  They gave me a 2 liter with my pizza and another bottle yesterday.  So I guess it's still not a ton, but I had almost quit.  Has been a beautiful morning but clouding up in the direction I am going.  Bought me a new cap.  I don't even know how many I've lost at this point, but at least 4 if we count the one I through away cause it stunk.  I may have to do that with my sketchers.  They are rubber an webbing , and I put them in the wading machine in Australia with tide and the already smell bade  A&W again.  The shoes stink so they make my feet stink.  I know it is usually the other way around, but these shoes have been places.  They are very comfy and I don't know if another would be so I'm hanging on to them. Keeping them in a separate bag so they don't stink up everything. I know that TMI but a girl has to talk to someone.  I'm not staying at hostels in Bali and really miss talking to someone.  I am talking a lot when I get a chance.  Mainly taxi drivers.

Everyone you smile  at asks where are you from? Where are you staying.  Are you alone, where is your family. So I decided right away that I carry the hotel next door and give that to the driver are whoever ,I'm staying there and traveling with my family and they are out Scuba diving today.  I know now that they are just making conversation and those are the only words they know.  Or maybe they are looking for people traveling alone, staying in nice hotels.  Too much info is not good, but I hated saying, why do you as and it's none of your business.  They didn't understand that anyway.  So now I have a reasonable story and its working fine.  Last , just before dark, within 1000 yds of my hotel, I really nice American asked me if I wanted a ride on his motorcycle.  He was from ft hood, but of course I said no. But that is my first such approach.  I hope he just heard me talking somewhere and wanted to be nice.

I am tired but still on my toes.   But I have had TV a cable this week and am going to quit watching it.  I found a cyclone and a volcano near here.  I can make it fine not knowing that.  If you hear anything I need to know, Facebook or email me.  Theses next few days are planned for me time, to organizer what I've learned.  I am looking forward to reliving my last 3 months  

Oh my!

So I've read a bit abouthinduism while I wait for my shuttle, and it is really sad. Seems they are all trying to become Gods f some sort.  The crackers, or any food, symbolizes their ignorance and gives the gods a method to impart knowledge to them. So I guess the person eats it later after the gods give it power.  Can you imagine trying to acknowledge a different god for each aspect of your life.  One for health, wealth, relationships, wisdom, power, emotions.  And the list goes on.  Still nothing about peanut butter but I guess you could cause seems like any food works.

Another questionable day.

Today I leave the main island and travel by boat to Lombok then Cencingan island.  I wanted to go to a remote place cause this is just too westernized.  I could not figure out how to get there but met a really nice little man at the mall, kinda like security guard, while I was waiting for my hotel to pick me up.  He was trying to help me out as I was waiting in the rain for a shuttle that never came.  Anyway he finally took off work and drove me to my hotel. On the way, we talked about me wanting to go to Cencingan and his uncle actually runs the ferry over there.  I gave him $20 to reserve my ticket and they are supposed to pick me up here at noon ,take me to the boat, then to the island, then return on Tuesday.  So I'll be ready at noon and praying it is all legit.  I do have his card so will call in a bit.  

Still all cloudy and frequent rain.  I am staying around here for another week, then off to who knows where.  I'll figure it out on the island.  My hotel on the island is called secret point huts.  Can't wait.  It is on the beach and pics look like it really is.  I have now really seen a lot of Bali and very surprised.  Even if you fly in and go straight to a beachfront luxury villa, your gonna be plagued bu venders and "dollar lady " sells people.   If you don't go by the stalls, they put it on their heads and bring it to you.  If you are carrying a previous purchase in a bag you are seen as ez and they are relentless.  Walked down the street and one lady says " com in mom, everything is only $5. Very next stall, " come in mom everything$4 ". Your right next stall" come in mom everything $3". .ANNOYING !  You can't even slow down to look at a store or they are in your face offering you everything they sell and then cutting their own price before you even say a word.  Very frustrating shopping experience.  They don't usually speak much English, so they say everything they know how to say to everyone.  It often does not fit in.

Just saw the weather and they are expecting the 4th in november history cyclone in north Australia.  Well now if you look at the map it's easy to see what is just north of OZ.  must be part of our lousy weather.  Another test in making lemonade.    By the way, I do like Bali, just not what I expected.  But hey, we are used to eautiful white sand beaches in the Carib and Hawaii and even LA, (lower Alabama) and Florida .  These beaches are just not white.  To many volcanoes around.  There are some nice waves though that make Galveston look brown, but the beaches are as dark or darker than Galveston.  Talked to some rich Brits who were longing for another trip to Turks and Caicos.  We are spoiled to beautiful beaches and this does not compete.  There are plenty of pockets of stink around here.  At the fancy mall on the beach, there were a coupe of stinky places by the restaurants by the beach.  I'm not taking about stinky spices, or garbage from restaurants, I'm talking sewage kinda stinky.  I think they have plumbing issues cause the P trap in my bathroom smells like brocoli when I come in and housekeeping has closed the bathroom door.  I keep it open and the f fan running all the time.  I love my farm and the good ole USA.

Woke up with a real runny nose today.  Guess my weed s out.  Maybe the island want have my weed.heard my first Muslim blaring yesterday.  Had not even missed it in OZ or here ubtil I heard it off in the distance.  Mostly Hindu and Buddhist here.  The temples are black.  I guess they are made of volcanic rock.  In Maylasia they were Red.    Another interesting practice is about death.  Most or all are cremated, and I think the ashes are buried.  But for a year or two they keep taking care of them by having parties for the,

M. They make big dinners and prepare their favorite foods and expect them to eat it.  All very strange to me.  But the food in those little trays are kinda like feeding the dead.  With the dead, the living do eat it if the dead does not?  First pic is my hotel as I came home last night.  Really a nice place, 50 rooms, but terrible management, not much English.

This is oe of the things I said looked like a little fat Indonesian lady.  They all have this skirt on.  The face part is where you put your ofering, sacrifice, whatever

My dinner last night.  During the day, they disappear.  As the sun goes down, the wa rungs, hawkers, whatever the country name, they come out in Bali.  In other countries they are out all day, not here until dinner.  Theses are grilling, chicken or beef on little skewers.  About a bite per stick and with lots of spices and sauces.  Man on right is dipping on sauces about to put on the grill on the right.  It is about 3 feet long and 3 inches wide.  Just enough to lay the skewer across the turn once.  Bit really good.  I got about 12 for about a dollar.  Man on left is potting them on a paper, then wrapping that paper in newspaper and putting in a bag for takeaway.  In Turkey the were kabobs, in Maylasia they were a different Ames and here it is something like Rocket.  They are a staple and sold on every street corner .

This is a normal street.  I don't know what they are doing but they are doing it everywhere.  You see about every 20 feet there is a big cut out in the sidewalk.  Then there is all kind of cement slabs lapwing around and a metal plate over most wholes.  But plenty like the one nearest me which is wide open, raised out of the sidewalk, so accidents are waiting for you all over town. It keeps you on your toes or your knees depending...

Vey typical lady on her bike carrying whatever.  They an get as much on their bikes as we get in our cars.  Many more bikes than cars and most vehicles are Takis, ( taxis) or hotel shuttles.  Very few private vehicles.

, 

Laughed all day

Ok I've tried to stay away from bathroom humor but I gotta share this.  I just ave laughed all day.  Went to a pretty upscale mall in Katu today.  Felt very American. Zara, Polo, a few others that I knew were expensive, plus, Burger King and Dominoes and Tony , all I can think is Romo, but it's hose great ribs everyone like.  Anyway it was really nice and fancy.  I went to the toilet and of course it had real potties, but over the toilet was 2 signs,  you know how one has the / through it saying don't do this, the other one is not xd out and that is what you are suppised to do,  the right one showed a figure sitting on a toilet ,  the don't do ths one shows a figure climbed up on the toilet and squatting on the seat.  Now think about it.  Is it a big enough problem that they had to make toilet signs.  I guess If you get sued enough because people slip and fall into or off of your toilet, you make a sign.  Theses were professionally made signs.  I am still laughing?  So sorry I did not have my camera

Unbelievably self indulgent

Woke up about7:30 but stayed in bed till9 then down to breakfast of rices chicken greens melon and sauces.  Really good.  Then before the breakfast ended, the hostess asked that same question that I hear so often and the funny part is that I never learn.  Question, would you like some tea or coffee before we take it away, yes please tea.  I was still surprised when she brought a cup of hot tea.  I was expecting iced tea as I always am.  However, at this hotel they do ave really good iced tea already sweetened and lemoned, but. Drank the hot tea.  When in Bali.  Sat in the sun by the pool in a soft padded chase for awhile, the up to change for the mall with a loo at the beach by the. Mall.  Shuttle takes me free but I didn't know that yesterday when I almost killed myself.  Walked through the mall thinking of a larger mp ice of wheeled carry on cause things are cheap here too and I still have Malaysia  again and maybe Thailand .  Anyway will make that decision before leaving Bali but in shopping I have that option.  It is a wonderful mall, but it is just one huge area and you really never know when you leave one store and go to another.  There are no big walkway between stores like we ave,  you o in the mall and it looks like one big store.  I don't know how they keep track of what said for and what is not.  Anyway, pan to go back.  At the back of the mall is about 3 layers of food. Al across the back is like fast food court, then beyond that is nice sit own restaurants, the beyond that is a row of very nice food and bar and probably lively night spots in the night and beyond that...the Indian Ocean.  Wild and crazy... Loved it.  You can sit and eat at any of them and sea th Ocean but at the middle and definitely the last, you can see and hear the waves, depending in tide.  Unfortunately it was going out but I loved it.  Strolled the boardwalk for awhile and was again attacked by the mobs for mani and. Pedi and massage, and jewelry, and whatever you may need or want for sale.  I needed a pdi so settled on mani and pedi, I did not bring clippers from Panang.  Then they suggested pluck my chin hair and since I left my tweezers in Panang too, I agreed to that.  There on the beach was me in a very comfy chair with my feet on the legs of a nice manicurist, who was siting on the ground.  (I did ask if I was hurting her and she smiled and said she was fine.  ). And her friend pulling my chin hairs.  Other friends still trying for massage and jewelry sales.  They are on the property of a luxury hotel on the beach and have permits to be there, but still. Like my massage with clothes removed and just can't see that appending on the beach.  While I had them all circled round me, I told them about women around the world and how some are not allowed to work or dress as they choose.  I shared what I ave seen around the world. I shared that God created the world and he created us, and does not make mistakes.  We are not second rate, we are good.  I pleaded with them not to let any man take away what God gave us, our mind and ability to think.  Then I told them about women in Nepal being blamed if their husbands deaths because they must not ave aken care of him if he dies.  They can't own property and all the husbands belongings are taken by his family.  A couple of them were really effected by that and asked if it was religious or government or family.  I told them religious as I understand, but government enforced. I told them to be proud of their ability and opportunity to work and protect it and support each other and know many women  around the world don't have that privilege.  I find that s my new passion, to help women see their value in Gods world.

I left there feeling I had made some new friends and all warm and fuzzy.  It may have been the sun?  Now about 3:30 and still tide was out so I found another luxury hotel with restaurant on the beach so enjoyed a Indonesian lunch of Chen curry with a chicken appetizer, soup and chicken curry.  All witha beautiful   view for $8:50.   After a long lunch with wifi, it was another walk on the boardwalk, then anothernshotbat the mall,then I saw A&W and had myself a root beer float.  Oh my what and indulgence.  I hope I don't go back, but insure want to.  So now I can stay here at this nice hotel and take the shuttle from 10:30 to 7 to a beautiful beach and mall and do anything I want to around there.  Yeah I like Bali!!!

Speaking of women's rights how do you feel about this.?

 Typical balinese Temple.

Here after so many tributes to our veterans is a memorial to theirs.  Such a young looking soldier

A word about last my arrival and first day in Bali

Had heard nothing but bad about flying Jet star, and finally found out first and.  No problem with check in and everyone said they are really stricken about carry ons, so that's ok.  Had a great window seat as suggested by attendant, all good.  Once the in flight entertainment began, mine didn't work so it was give up window seat for bulkhead isle seat or forget entertainment.  Now this girl has been without TV for 3 months.  It's cloudy anyway so I go.  After about 30 min the volume goes out there too.  I'm furios.  Moved carry ons, and me and gave up window seat and still no entertainment.  go to a different attendant to request address to send complaint to about this crap airline.  He quickly provides me with an iPad equipped with many TV and movies.  Usually rent for $8 per flight.  Get to seat...no sound.  I go back and we realize it was my ears et ot my tv or iPad.  Got to watch 3 episodes of the Big Bang theory and laughed my self silly.  So on the 6 hour flight I got well entertained for 2 hours.  

Arrived in Bali, booked a hotel with shuttle so at 9pm I would be taken care of.  No show... New airport has no public phone and people just not good English enough to borrow a phone.  No wifi yet either, bit can walk  10 minutes to old airport, now domestic and get phone and Internet, I've heard that 10 min thing before, remember Bethlehem!  So I take a taxi .  Arrived at hotel down narrow dark road, not impressed until we arrive and very nice.  Enter explain and seems they haven't checked the Internet today.  I expect refund of taxi and get it.  Lime is great, service very good.  Only one electrical plug in the room.  I unplug it to charge iPad, now no TV.  Ok. Once iPad is charged enough to report in, I tried to turn on TV and cable off.  I couldn't fx it and didn't want to glory with it now so went to sleep.  On wake up I called about TV.  Some here instantly, could only get local channels all Indonesian or some other language.  He gets a friend and they fix it.  Then last night when I cane in, i could not get my key to work.  i just called over the rail and she brought me one.  im too tired to go down that beautiful spiral staircase again.   When I get the door open there was no electricity in my room. I called the desk.  They come up and seems you have to. HAve your key in this little slot to get power on.  I feeling pretty stupid by now.  So this morning when I couldn't get the coffee pot connected I decided to figure it out.  With only 1 plug they do ave a surge protector under the desk for other things.  The coffee pot cord is only about 4 inches long.  So I had to get down on the floor under the desk to make hot water.  While the water is finally heating I realized the cord s wrapped neatly up in the bas and was actually long enough to reach to the top of the desk.  So glad I did not complain about that.  Now that I have figured all this out, I hate to leave.  I just found out that the shuttle service also takes me to the mall and a each.  All it lacks s that view.  I'll keep looking, but this is acceptable.

After a little break...

Been a little overwhelmed with trying to make the most of Bali.  I think my expectations were really high, and its not bad.  Called Island of the Gods, it is obviously a confused land.  Lots of Religious getting ill pic later.  A Huge statue by the airport of a God in a Chariot with horses.  Very poor everywhere I've seen.  Going to the Galleria in a little bit so maybe I'll change my mind. I really wanted to find a remote place with the beach out front and rice paddies out back, but havent found it yet.  I am in a beautiful little boutique hotel with god AC, TV,coffee, fridge, just not the view I wanted.  It is so hot here that AC is pretty important but all I require s view and wifi.  About 95% of accommodations are in about 19% of the land.  Beaches are not white, and soe volcanic and black.  Bus does not come near my hotel, so have to do taxi.  Yesterday I walked aLOT and just hope I don't do that again.  Breakfast here is amazing. Today, rice, chicken, greens, melon, and fried dumplings.  Actually dough that is fried.  Good but can't be good for you.  I should be loosing weight from all the walking and sweating but then fried dough for breakfast and you hope to break even.  My cloths are really showing wear.  No, I've thrown away most of what I brought from. Home, I'm wearing out what I've bought along the way.  I've cut off legs of pants and they are ok, but shirts don't last so well.i left some in KL that I can wear home.  

Massage here is everywhere.  They are in shops along the way then on the beach and around the pools.  I haven't indulged yet but pan too.  My left shoulder s screaming for it.  That back pack is ok but the tote bag on left shoulder s the culprit.  I looked at. Myself in. A mirror recently and there s a significant difference along my shoulder line.  Left looks ok, and it is the worn one.  The right looks hummed up.  I guess the weight is really. Throwing both sides ff.  same with the left knee.  It struggles a bit too, from the extra weight on that side.  Yeah I could change shoulders but try it.  After 66 years of carrying with the eft and sing the right it becomes habit and hard to change.  Uh oh, I'm complaining.  It is certainly not worthy of complaining, just a minor issue.  That makes the massage make sense, and gives it urgency!

Today marks 1 month until I head home.  Gotta admit I miss my family and friends,

.  Facebook has been a big help and support and comfort, but I want a hug that has history.  Oh yeah I hug strangers and people I just met,but I want your hug.  Everything reminds me of someone or something I miss. 

 I did plan for BAli to be the regrouping point for me.  I want to think about all I've seen and done and prioritize my lessons.  I am thinking a lot of things, but I know one thing so far.  Of course I'm thinking of Mike, and yes I still miss him desperately, but I think what I've learned is something everyone needs to know.  I loved him so much.  It was a good, strong, healthy. Love that was forgiving, and renewable, and never ending, but it still wasn't enough.  As I watch people I see, love one another,  I wish I could have loved him more.  Longer of course but more.  I don't know how to love someone more, but if you still have a chance, find a way to do it.  Seems like no matter how much it was, he deserved more and I loved him more, but how do you show them the depth of your love.  Find a way and show them

  Now off to learn more lessons

The chariot to the Gods

One f any beaches,  love the colorful little fishing boats,  women under this shade tree doing massages,  don't know how long but start at $5

This s what I did not eat, kinda purple in color, I know I ate some but theses jst kept rising to the top so took them out.  Was delicious fried seafood rice outside on the beach.

These colorful umbrellas are everywhere.  Theses are on states of what looks like short fat ladies but could e men

This beach has a lot of these Huge beautiful trees.  The idea of a big shade tree on a hot beach appeals to me.

 

OZ not my land. Just as my whole trip RTW has been better than I could have planned, my

Just as my trip RTW has been almost perfect, my trip to OZ has not. After yesterday's suggestions it was determined that I go to Sydney and see the opera house, walk the bridge and take the ferry to Manley.  So I tried to book on line, and the prices had doubled and then were at 5am or got there around midnight.  So I checked bus and train and decided on that.  I love the bus rides.  You see so much more than plane or train.  Trains spend a lot of time in tunnels.  There were only 2 times listed.  First was all day arriving at midnight. Other was overnighter.  Leaving at 2pm arriving at 7 am. Sounds good but could not get the online system to book it.  So got up, had breaking , that's what they call it down here, and a shower, repacked and chef messages etc, and tok off to the train station to book in person.  Early but wanted it done.  Walked about 5-7 blocks to the station.  Beautiful morning and a great part of the city.  Actually called Fortitude Valley.  Gotta love it.  Had a crappy room but a great neighborhood.  Got to the station, they don't do country connects there but go to the. Next station, they may.  Nope, they don't either but the. Next station does.  Got directions and off again.  Yes they do but the situation is you take a bus to Casino, really the name of a quaint little village, no gaming. Then you get the train there to .Sydney. but it is full.  To to worry there are always cancellations.  I have 21/4 hours to kill, not worrying, also not booking a room in case I don't get on, but if I do, I need a room to check my bags into when I get there.  But not worrying.  Out looking for things ot to buy cause my bags are full again.  But if I could fine an optometrist, my glasses are all bent to heck and back.  Had a great time people watching.  It's free, and you don't have anything to oak when you get home.  Had spent the night in that area a few days ago so had seen most everything.  Then back to the central station for a goo lunch with wifi included.  Then time to get the verdict.  Not any cancellations yet but hang around several folks have not checked in. Yet...the driver came in and said give her a ticket and off we went.  Was about a 4 hour drive but daylight saving tie made it 3 hours on the clock.  Some do some don't in OZ. but, about 3 hours into the trip, the driver pulls off the road and says "I don't like that, the power sterling and AC had both gone out.  We spent about an hour on the side of the road at Byron Bay, a place I wanted to see anyway, then a replacement bus arrived and we made it to the train station just on time.  All the local trains have Internet so I thought this would to.  NO.  So when we get there ill find wifi and get a room and be bright eyed and ready to see Sydney.  Took a melatonin already.have my blow up pillow, had my leftovers and I'm ready.  If that crying baby would go to sleep, I would too.  But alas, I do have my earplugs.  The bus ride ended about sunset and yielded a beautiful trip threw some beautiful country that reminded. Me first of east to, with lots of hills and pine trees, then of my area with farming a. Big oak like trees and cows and horses.  I asked out loud, why are those  horses wearing blankets, one man said it gets cold here, another man said to prevent sunburn.  I still don't know.  But I have found that to be pretty common down here.  No one really knows the answers but everyone has a guess.  I guess it is Asian influence cause Asians can't say, I don't know, so they say things like tomorrow, next door or not today, but never No.  Here are some pics from today.   Ok so after about 20 more minutes of that baby crying, I got up and went to visit.  mom looks about 12 has Been with the kids to Brisbane for a week.  First time she has ever been away from home.  Has 2 little kids. 2 and 5 months.  Couldn't tell anyone was with her.  She told me where she was from,  didn't recognize it, but that she is full blood aborigines .  Don't really know what all that entails but but I know they are out backers, and primitive, and tribal.  Anyway, I took the bay and tried all my motherly skills and though it ook awhile, I got her to sleep.  Prayer for her and God did the rest.  She asked about me and wasn't I afraid I explained Psalm 24 and she seemed to understand.  She thanked me several times and I was happy to tll her that God had the plan and it was for me to help her with the baby.  When I asked her if I could hold her baby at first, she almost cried as she said please.  Very suite but worn out little Momma.  The little brother ave me the blanket and the baby seemed to respond to the blanket.  I thought I was going to throw up.  T stunk like a rel dirty dog.  Maybe a dingo.  Real furry blanket in black and white.  After I got the baby down, I went to the bathroom and washed myself, but still smell like wet, dirty, dog.  But glad God gave me an opportunity to help someone.  I. Missed an opp today in Brisbane.  A girl was sitting on a ark bench ranting about something and feeling real sorry for herself.  Even I could tell she was crazy or stoned at 10am.  I thought about it for a second as I passed her by and felt I heard The Lord acknowledge my decernment was acceptable.  I have a lot to learn.  I think I learned a bit from the Aboridgime tonight.   I gotta lot of warm smiles as I walked back to my seat.  Hopefully when she wakes up shell feel better.

This is the Byron bay lighthouse on the hill, ocean in the distance

The scenery around the bus break down

Another. Gloomy, rainy day in OZ

Here I sit 100 yds from the beach in the chilly rain.  But remember a bad day at the beach is better than a good day other places.  The only sunshine I have seen in OZ was the sunset I saw the first day, a week ago.  It is so much like the US, with a British accent, I don't even feel like I left home.  Just a few years back and more expensive.  I shopped at KMart yesterday.  

My memory may have even gotten better with traveling.  Yesterday when I was going down to the beach, I found my swimsuit missing.  I knew it had not been stolen as no one in the world that I ave seen would appreciate that big Ole thing, so I started thinking back and in no time I remember exactly which bathroom door I left it hanging on.  So off to Kmart.  I knew shopping for a swimsuit in Bali would be even more painful than shopping for it here, and I did find a nice 1 piece in all the right colors, and I can still wer the hot pink skirt I bought for the lost one.  Only $30, so not too hard to swallow.  I sure hope to use it a lot in Bali.

Saw all the col stuff in Sydney yesterday early before the lines formed, and spent the rest of the day, hangin.  Had a super terrific fresh seafood plater on the beach at a lovely hotel with Internet.  Ya gotta think of everything.  Also good cold water free.  Made for a great afternoon experience.  Came home and washed and dried laundry.  I forgot to include a dirty stinky pair of socks so threw them away.

Did I mention I left my new hat on the train.  Yeah I hate that.  It was bright orange and matched the oversized bag I bought to go with it.  Oh well, I still have my raincoat and it would feel great about now.

Now I've gone back to the nice restaurant for breakie.  Yummy.  Had a training activity for my enjoyment.  Great Internet, great view, great service, great coffee, and water.  You get what you pay for

Flight time break

This always a good time to blog.  Over water or over clouds both offer very little in the way of entertaining.  Flying to Brisbane from Hamilton Island GBR in the WhitSunday islands.  So named by Capt James Cook on discovery of the Islands during White Sunday which was the celebration of Pentacost.  Guess who on our outing was able to tell the passengers what Pentecost was.  Basically the story teller only let me include that it was the day that the Holy Spirit came to the Christian people and he cut me off shortening it to be a Religious Holiday, but good that he included it at all.    Anyway it was a good trip out to the GBR. I am satisfied that the coral is magnificent, but we got their beaches beat all over and our Island Vibe is better all over the place.  especially the Caribbean Vibe.  Australian Vibe is so absent that you Really notice a little music here or there, or a hammock or Beach umbrella. Don't get me wrong. Arley Beach was outstanding, but ya gotta understand I love the beach scene and can love anything with water, palms, seagulls, and sand, and this was all good, but the name Great Barrier Reef says a lot.  They are Barrier islands and protect each other and the mainland from rough seas, thus the amazing coral and other sea life, but not hardly any waves.  Only the wake from other vessels.  People of all ages are dressed in island gear or lack of clothing in general.  So that feels like the beach, the stores have t shirts and some souvenirs but not like us coastal towns, but lots of seafood shops.  Last night I was not hungry so went out just to find a little snack.  Was so tired I wasn't sure I could chew but afraid withou something I'd wake up at 2am starving. Anyway, I went across the street to a little take out ordered a seafood stick, a fish cake and a corn wrap

 It was a nice size delicious fish patty, delicious hot crab meat lightly batter on a stick and everal veggies  somehow stuck together in a Cory dog fashion and deep fried.  All surprisingly, good and fresh.  All that for about $4 but water is still $4 a bottle.  I did get one of my bottles refilled with fresh water from town while on the sail boat yesterday, and it was ghastly.  Guess that's why it cost so much.  Ya gotta have it.

So back to that sail boat.  When I goth here Tuesday night from Hamilton Island, my luggage was not on the Ferry.  After a thorough search it was determined that it was at the Island locked up for the night , or at the wrong harbor which they would find out and let me know before 8 pm that night.  The earliest it could reach me from HI was 7:30 tomorrow morn and most tours left at 8am. Might work, if not, I'd snorkel in my cloths and miss 2 BPPills.  Not happy bout it but life goes on an God provides.  They got me a cab to my Hostel and said they would call by 8 pm with yes or no, is it here or on the island.  As I'm checking I see the tour desk lady closing down.  I approached her and told her why I was late and asked if she could recommend something before she left.  She said everything was full , but let her check one more.  Yes they had something. She called them gave me the phone and left.  I took it, but wondered why it was the last one available, but knew God ad a plan and it would be perfect.  Of course it was.  I was thrilled, and was telling the young lady at the desk how happy I was and knew it would be a great day cause I wasn't having my best evening and starting telling her about my luggage and missing the tour lady.  She got all excited, asked my name, and as it turned out, whie I was checking in, the ferry was calling to tell me my luggage was found and she would personally bring it by 8:30.  To the hostel.  I wasn't in the system yet cause I was standing at the counter.  We all had a good laugh and sigh of relief,  one catastrophe avoided.  So I knew the Tall Sip was my trip of choice.  I got the senior discount and I think that was why it was available, cause it was a bit on the expensive side but with pick up and drop down as they call it, and a great lunch and morning coffee and afternoon tea, both with snakes, 2 amazing snorkel tours, with wetsuits and gear, I had a great day.  Wet suits are as important as snorkel and mask cause of a coup,e of venomous critters.  They are a poisonous red jelly fish about the size of your thumb nail, and another clear critter that will sting you and pain last for about 10 days.  The wet suit protects from both as well as from the sun.  I met some incredible people from, Germany, France, Australia and the good ole US of A.  Found out what it was on and in the water that made those funky, marsy, looking places in the water that puzzled e from the plane.  It reminded me on the water of the yellow powder we find on Texas in the spring from all the pollen.  Well this is off the trees and floats on and sifts into the water.  Doesn't  make the water cloudy but does impair your view.  Can't see things till your pretty close but then you can see them well.  It gets so thick at times that you can feel it as you float through it and it does ave a bit of a foul odor.  All natural pollution.  It is everywhere but worse in some places and just looks like a brown screen on the water.  Contains algae as well  so not hurting anything.  After com pairing stories with others, I think I had a great ship, and great trip.  But as far as things above water, we got it wrapped up.  That's why I am in a quandary about seeing other things in OZ.  is the outback just like west Texas   ON MY WALK OVER TO THE ferry this morning I met a couple of folks my age from OZ.  asked them what they would recommend for a foreigner.  They highly recommended Sydney Harbor and a ferry over to Manley island or Bay, then back to the harbor.  They are from Canberra, the nations Capital.  Who knew that.  Any way, after a visit as we parted ways after they gave a spill about their city and Koala,, kangaroos and platypus, she gave me her card and said call if I decide to come.  I said are you a tour guide? She said no but they would love to show me around the Bsh country and the capital.  He said he coul show me koals, kangaroos and everyone didn't see platapus, but he knew where to find them too.  I was once again overwhelmed at the beautiful people in Gods world

Across from my hotel

Flight back to Brisbane

Hoisting the sail.  I'm not in this one.  I was the self appointed photographer