Is been quite some time since I visited blogger and realized that the layout has changed a fair bit. Just returned from my 1 week Bali trip and it is indeed a land of paradise. It was such a sunny island and the artifacts and architecture of the landmarks are so ancient and magnificent. People who have watched the movie Eat Pray Love starring Julia Roberts will have agreed on the traditional feel and beautiful scenery around Bali, especially the sea and beaches! 

It was great companionship with all my friends and I felt myself rejuvenated amongst the nature. Seeing, feeling, smelling and even hearing nature! While most of my friends are mainly shopping types, I am more of an adventurous and sightseeing type. I can spend hours snapping photos, admiring the fine stone sculptures and getting my hands dirty. Although the Balinese are not the most friendly people, I have to agree that they are seriously good in arts and food. While I sat on the car buzzing along the streets, I witnessed stretches of Hindu and Buddhist deities stone and lave sculptures in shades of white, grey and black. I learn some interesting facts of the culture, demographics and basic etiquette of Bali from our local driver/guide. For example, most people in Bali are Hinduism, there are no buses or trains in Bali so locals usually travel by motorbikes, scooters, cars or bicycles, do not enter temple if you are menstruating or have bleeding wounds, and do not step on the canang sari (morning offerings that include palm leaf, flowers, herbs and incense stick to the gods) as it offensive to the locals.

The most exhilarating or perhaps near-death experience was the water sports activity in Nusa Dua Beach, near Kuta Bali. I had my monthly you-know-what (heavy flow) and was not in my best shape that day. Yet, the beautiful beach was beckoning me to stop hesitating and join in the fun for all activities, including para-sailing, jet ski, donut, banana boat and fly fish. First, it was the jet-ski. Initially, I was little apprehensive about the speed of the motor jet and my driver was a mad fellow who made sharp turns. But I grew to love the excitement and told him to drive at full speed and make more turns and bends. Turns out that he fell from the jet and I was the wettest among my friends. Next, was the banana boat. The driver, perhaps assuming I am a thrill-seeker, made the biggest/craziest blow to our boat by jumping and flipping it over. We sank really deep into the sea. I almost drowned as my life vest was little faulty and the waves were huge, but the driver managed to pull me up the boat. It is no joke and I have to thank Amitabha for hearing my prayers and saving me since all of my friends also had quite a mouthful of salty sea water. My Bali tour agency friend told me that the best beach with clearest/turquoise water to visit, be romantic and scuba-dive is the Padang Padang beach. Bali has one of the biggest and nicest waves suitable for surfing.

While trekking up Mount Bedugul to visit Gitgit waterfall, located at 300 meters above sea level, everyone had rough encounters with chest tightness (probably due to high altitude) and mozzies bite. Being a little adventurous, I attempted to climb over the slippery rocks and soaked my tired feet into the rapids. Unbeknownst to me, the sole of my slippers had already wore out and I slipped twice. The scariest thing was the leeches lingering in the still water that wanted to feed on my blood.

When I returned back home, it was a cruel shock of reality. Faced with the transition stage of seeking a stable career and supporting my family, I had few arguments with my dad over money issues. It was a scene of intimate strangers. Kind of a contradictory term but we were not talking to each other for few days despite living under the same roof. It was also the first time in which I was greatly disappointed with them. But reflecting on it and after talking to my godsis, it is just my insecurity and stress over this transition stage of unknown outcome.