:: favorite things ::

 

after a week in paradise here are a few of my favorite things.....

orange, ginger, lime and tumeric juice...yum

fresh coconut juice, preferably chilled and preferably taken by the pool

 Kopi Luwak
yep, cat's bum coffee.

potato head beach club

preferably at sunset

and beyond,

that moment when you step from the thick humid heat of the outdoors into your chilly airconditioned room

the sparkle of lanterns in the trees of outdoor restaurants

preferably when they are chandeliers,

the chaos and adventure of the fish market at Jimbaran Bay 

delicious mangosteen (did you know that the number of "petals" on it's little bottom corrosponds to the number of segments inside the purple skin, clever little mangosteen)

the joyous little Balanese children who have so little but give so much

the beautiful balanese fishing boats

warung ares restaurant and chef dean fishers bali cooking school

la lucciola restuarant

particularly for the view which is second only to the food,

the soaring kites

particularly when they soar above the gorgeous gardens or beaches

the temples

the offerings and the prayerful, reverence of the Balinese Hindus

their devotion is always evident 

the doors that lead to quirky villas

or elegant hotel courtyards

some with their own pool

some with lovely gardens

some are bright and jewel like

some are just ornate

the louvers with their patchy flaking paint

the path that leads to morning yoga class

in the peaceful open pavilion

with peaceful fishy friends

exotic flowers

with intoxicating perfume

the happy chatter of the work gangs as they climb aboard their lift to work

sometimes managing to get three workers or a family of four onto a motor cycle

there don't seem to be any complaints about overcrowded transport. no air conditioned trains and myki systems for workers to complain about here

while inside the sanctuary of the hotel the choices are, do we take up a spot on the shaded pergoda beds?

where the view of the pool from behind the curtains is inviting

or choose is the supersized lounges in the shade of the umbrellas.
Bali is an island of contrast, intense beauty across the road from extreme poverty.
i feel so lucky to have shared the week with my first born and to be as privilaged as we are 

 

 

Comments

[Kirsty@Bonjour]

Ah, I feel relaxed just looking at your photos. What a beautiful trip. So, what does the civet coffee taste like? I am a pretty hard core coffee fan but I'm not sure how I'd go with that one!

[Natural Deer Antler Spray]

Inspiring quest there. What occurred after? Good luck!