Bali

I feel like we have been on another planet for the last week.....well I guess we were in  another country ....time slowed a little ...stopped even....

We have spent a wonderful week in Bali...   We met up with family....
The kids didn't know until we "bumped" into each other poolside.......the greatest moment seeing the surprise on their faces.....

We stayed at a different location to last year.....suited our needs perfectly.....just far enough out of town to walk and take in the sights almost daily....

We spent a good amount of time relaxing and some time exploring by foot the sights, smells and sounds of the locals....

The weather was very mild....not as humid most days as we remembered...rain that came and went.....but when you are already wet for most of the time...a little rain didn't bother us....

We quickly got the tips from those who had been there longer than us...where to eat...where to drink...where to shop....

We wanted the kids to take something away...not just some local souvenirs but knowledge....memories....things they will remember when they are older....

It is a colorful, friendly and interesting place to live in for a little.....

For a huge percentage of the week I forgot we even had responsibilities at home.....the signs of a great holiday?

By enlarge the locals love Australians.....so it was a privilege to be apart of their efforts to celebrate our national day......they were so accommodating...not that we were expecting it....give me nasi goreng any day....

The people are so eager to please.....very endearing to both the big people and the kids too....always smiling , always wanting to learn more about you.....our country, our families....

So celebrations included their take on the Aussie fare.....not a bad job too......

We were only too happy to oblige in the entertainment...with the reward of their favorite beverages...

Being on holidays with family added an instant crowd.....

Pressure off us to entertain.....wonderful keen eyes to watch over their fun....

Dinners on the beach....dinners in the market...dinners by the pool.....

Experiencing the art of shopping.....not something I did well but luckily others in our party were able to accommodate the ones who were keen....

Having to be back in my supermarket shopping for the basics felt surreal....driving home in the peak hour just plain annoying.....we have spent a week of no rushing, nothing being to much effort ......a beep of the horn as polite as ever...

I will not lie...I did enjoy the lack of demands on me.....too cook...to clean.....to come up with the plan......

Daily mocktails to try and try again......

As the sun set on another holiday we have resolved to start the saving for the next....meet back with new friends that are working hard to make it in their world...aspire to see more than just their land....while we remember to be grateful for what we have.....appreciate the wealth of our life and treasure another bank of memories we have to store.