One of my favorite spots in Bali

There is an amazing small island off the coast of Bali, called Lembongan Island.  You can catch a sailboat ride from the harbor with Island Explorer Cruises.  The sail is about 2 or so hours and just so beautiful.  The place to stay is the Coconuts Beach Resort.  It is a very romantic and peaceful hideaway and offers the most magnificent view of the Badung Strait and Mt. Agung, Bali's highest volcano.

The scenery is breathtaking, the crystal clear blue ocean and white sand beaches.  There are 18 free standing villas with alang alang thatched roofsand you can hear the sound of the sea from every villa.

The charming villas look like round huts, with open panaramic views overlooking two infinity pools.  Each villa is surrounded by a raised pavilion with a landscaped setting, and gardens.

There is a wonderful 3 level ocean view restaurant with delicious Asian Cuisine.

There is also a great wave to surf, snorkeling, and diving.  The economy of the island is seaweed farming and you can watch every day as the locals on the island farm their seaweed to send to Japan and other countries. 

It is one of those places that I have visited in my life that is etched in my mind forever.  I look forward to traveling back to this magical place.  This resort cost only $35.00 per night with breakfast included!!

The healing aspect of Bali

There is a man in Bali that I was introduced to who is a born healer (shaman) he was introduced to me by a friend.  The moment you see him you realize that he has a special gift.  I was given the opportunity to sit next to him during one of his healing ceremonies.  The feeling of sitting next to him was like being next to a very strong electric voltage that is the only way I can describe it.  Once a month during a certain time he does his healing work.  He has a very long braid that goes all the way down his back and my Balinese friend told me that his energy is contained in the long braid.  During the healing time he sees many people they come from his village and other villages in the area.  He consumes almost no food and drinks almost no water during this time.  His healing work can last for days. 

I witnessed his psychic abilities as well which I am sure is all connected.  I brought with me four friends from America, each of us with certain issues.  He speaks no English and when each one sat in front of him through an interpreter he hit each issue without a moments hesitation.  We all laughed when he mentioned that one of my friends has, what he called monkey mind, mind chatter that never stopped.  He lives in Singaraja in Bali up in the mountains in an amazing place with three lakes that intersect.  He does most of his healing work closer to town in Ubud where he has a smaller home.  His name is Wayan, and I look forward to my next visit with him. 

At home in bali

Being at home in Bali is being in love with nature.  In Bali one does not go home and shut out the world.  Home is not a cocoon but a microcosm.  The front door is always open in a Balinese house, and the spirit of the house is always combined with the spirits of the universe.  Foreigners like myself fall in love with the island, the culture, and the people, and want to build a homage to that love.  The Balinese way of living with its vibrant customs and religious practices and just the simple colorful patterns of day to day life.

The arrival of the hippies, surfers, new agers and zen yuppies all add to the layers of interesting lifestyles that fill bali with so much diversity.  There is such a sense of romance and mystery that goes with being at home in Bali.  The constant smell of incense burning, gamelan music heard softly in the distance, the spooky shadows of statues as dusk begins to settle in for the day all add to the magic of the island.

There are endless subjects for this small island in the Indian Ocean and I would love to share my experiences.

Trip to Bali

I am so excited about our upcoming trip to Bali.  It is Bens first time and it will be very exciting to see this amazing place through new eyes although everytime i find so many new experiences.  I am looking forward to seeing my good friend Nyoman, and his Shaman uncle Wayan.  It will be an amazing time because this time i will not be working.  I am excited to visit some of my most favorite places along with new places as well.  As many times as i have been there it is always a new trip.

Americans in Bali

Salamat Pagi, (Good Morning in Indo) There are very few American travelers in Bali.  I have to say I ended up in Bali in a very strange way, by sailboat.  Flying is a much easier way to go.  Although the flight is about 30 hours give or take an hour.  I think of it as a great opportunity to read, listen to audio books and meditate.  I would love to be of assistance and information to let Americans experience this amazing culture.  It is a very safe place to travel even if you are a woman traveling alone.  Of course common sense is important in all situations, and I have been there many times alone and felt very comfortable.

I would be happy to help any one with information about flights, airlines that I feel are especially good, hotels, where to stay and any sort of itinerary that would let more people from the states experience this culture.  I would say that you really have to stay at least two weeks so take about 16 days of vacation time to truly experience this place.  However, if you can stay longer go for it, there is so much to see and do.

The Mother Temple is a definite place to experience, it is approx. 3,000 years old and they are still holding ceremonies there in the same way they did many years ago. 

Enjoy!!