The beach at our hotel, the Conrad in Bali
Two goddesses - Ha! Ha!
The glorious colors and architecture of Bali
Tori and I prepare to snorkel
Ladies walking along the beach with their loads!
Day 108: Sunday, November 15th
Who comes to Bali without flip-flops? For the longest time on this trip, I have existed with two pairs of shoes, but they are both lace-up, tennis-shoe-like walking shoes. The heat and humidity of this island hit me like a tidal wave, and there was no way that I was going to be wearing socks and walking shoes during my stay here. So the first order of business was to buy some flip-flops. I had been asleep when we arrived, so I did not know the lay of the land. I decided to go to the resort’s stores to check out the merchandise. Fortunately, I was able to find a pair of cute flip-flops. Unfortunately, they cost about $18.00 USD. At that point though, I was desperate; I would have paid anything. I met the family for lunch and showed off my new footware. Dannie loved them, but she told me that you could buy flip-flops on the beach for way less! What? Oh, yes, there are plenty of little shacks right on the borders of the resort that sell all kinds of things.
I wanted to go armed and ready with cash before I approached the huts. I decided to go find an ATM, since there wasn’t one at the hotel. I left the resort and started down the street. There were no sidewalks lining the narrow-laned street at all! I was literally having to zigzag my way down the street to make any progress. Heaven help me if there had been a car coming and going at the same time. Within minutes I was POURING with sweat. The heat and humidity were merciless. I finally found an ATM, but it would not accept my card! Aghhh! The frustration! I headed back to the resort feeling quite dejected, until I saw the sign! Literally. The sign of all signs! Massages: 60 minutes for 60,000 rupees. WHAT? That translates to about $6.00 USD. That’s right! $6.00 for a 60 minute massage. I knew that Bali would be the best place ever!
Fortunately, back at the resort, Dannie forwarded me some money to check out the flip-flops. After a little bargaining with the lady, I was able to get a pair of shell-decorated flip flops and a pair of clustered freshwater pearl earrings for $10.00 total. Not too shabby! I was thrilled!
By then, it was time to leave for Mass. The singing in this church (St. Francis Xavier) was amazing! Everybody sang, and everybody sang extremely loudly! Before communion they sang an Aborigine Our Father. It was the most beautiful version of the Our Father that I have ever heard. The church was beautiful and the people couldn’t have been nicer or happier. At the sign of peace, people from several pews away came over to shake my hand and bow to me. It seems like that is the way with everyone here. They are positively steeped in happiness, and it warms my heart to witness it.
Dinner brought us to the beach for some fresh seafood, and when I say fresh, I mean FRESH! You had to go up to the aquariums and handpick every shrimp, fish, or squid that you wanted to eat as they were swimming around in front of you! The concept is pretty cool, but I was actually quite disgusted, so I asked Dan to have the honors of selecting the individual specimens for me! The food was fantastic, but even better was the traveling entertainment. A group of local Balinese men carried their rudimentary instruments from table to table to sing for tips. The best part about it was the fact that they only sang American songs! They sang the Beatles and Elvis, the Rolling Stones and Cat Stevens. It was hilarious! They sang with their adorable little island accents and made up the words when they didn’t know them! Too precious. But the most endearing moment came when John turned to me and told me that he was going to ask them to play “Sway” for me. He had remembered how much I loved that song when he and I had danced to it back on the cruise at the end of our eight hour school day. And he did ask. John, who is normally too shy to do such things, just went straight up to them and asked. Sadly, they did not know the song, but the fact that John thought of me, remembered the song and requested it, sent my heart soaring. Somewhere in the future and somewhere out there, there is going to be a very lucky lady, but for now, I have the honor of knowing and dancing with young Master John.
Its look so happy …!
nice photo