One reflection on my stay in Bali

The deep mysticism and profound spirituality, combined with the spectacular colors work together to form the very core of exotic Bali ....



A month ago, the instant my China Airlines 747's tires touched Balinese soil ... I thought to myself... "What am I doing here?" The question haunted me as the plane continued to roll along the Balinese runway...



Apprehension seemed to fill my mind as the plane came to a stop at the terminal! What would I do for a month in Bali? What if I got bored! Oh...I had some ideas about the volunteer teaching I wanted to do in Bali, but the plan was not as solid as I would have liked it to have been....



I wanted to visit SOS Village .... but what would happen? Could I even find SOS Village? I had an address, phone number and emal from the Internet.... but...? Would it be possible for me to teach at the Village if I indeed did find it? Questions, questions, questions....



Soon.... the soft, gentle, ever present spirituality of the island crept into my soul, and I began to relax.



It took me days, many, many days to slow down enough so I could stop and see beauty in the little things of life.



Then.... Bali found me ....



After one month .... I wish I could stay longer .... on this "Island of the gods!" It is easy to fall in love with Bali and never leave.


FOOTNOTE on Bali Reflection....



At the end of my very first trip to Thailand, in March of 2004, I tried to find an orphanage where I might teach English....



Now 2009 my dream to teach at an orphange came true .... in Bali!

Exotic Bali! through my camera's eye...

Sleepily, the early morning sun rises slowly over a house in Tabanan SOS Village.



The sparkle of the morning sun through the night's dew...



The upside down world, as seen through in a tiny early morning drop of dew.



The flaming hot sun finishes its day's work and sets over the Village.

Early Morning Bali Routine

Wake Up! Time to jump out of bed and greet the day!



All those surfers must still be asleep as I leave my hotel for the beach!



Observe the morning offerings being made along my way to the ocean.



Take time to stop and smell the water lily...













Stop every once in a while, and chat with the local spirits, to find out what happened throughout the night ....



Early morning .... the beach is quiet, as the chairs await their occupants.




Take off my sandals and touch the cool wet sand .... as I walk along the beach.



With the early morning sun rising over my shoulder .... the first signs of day show over the Indian Ocean.



The sun rises to meet the cresting waves..



Take time out for a relaxing cup of Balinese coffee on the way back to my hotel....



Breakfast! Tea ... had enough caffeine already! Fruit salad and a grilled banana sandwich.




Gotta get going! Class starts in Denpansar soon! And the teens are always so, so punctual!



Time to have some fun teaching the SOS teens in Denpasar some English! Whether it be math, reading the newspaper, buying fruit, or any other subject that involves them speaking with me in English .... we have a fun few hours together!

The delights of Balinese Coffee!

Each of the restaurants that serve this island delight, add different spices ... so the coffee tastes different at each location! Special, secret recipes!



Balinese coffee is an early morning treat everyone should experience at some point in their life!



The first cup .... so smooth, so flavorful, so rich .... so good! Well... actually the top half of the cup is! The bottom half, a different story...



The last half of the first cup and then the second cup? So thick and heavy, almost chewy ... I literally can eat it with a spoon! Still great! Just a different experience!




Caffeine content? I'd rather just enjoy it AND not know!

Bali Hindu Temples & Rituals

The "Split Gate" which is famous throughout Bali .... for the main entrance into the temple.



Right next to the above black family temple, is another large family temple as seen in the photo below.






A young woman waves her hand in a circular motion, through the smoke of the incense stick, in front of a small temple.



Hindu priests make their daily offerings and prayers within the black family temple.




A group of women visit their family temple to make their offerings and then to pray.



Larger than life statues of the mystical creatures that roam the island... located within a small family temple.