2016
Life in Ubud, Both Animal and Human
10 October 2016
Jasmin was delighted to find that Friday was Odd Socks Friday in Australia (to raise awareness of mental health issues) when I showed her the post on Facebook. She felt vindicated in being more eccentric than ever in her choice of odd socks for school that day.
Jessica, the American girl I met last week, has moved up to the house with us for her last few days in Ubud. She is delightful to have around for all of us. Jazz is thriving on new young female company. Jessica is making the most of several months free time between finishing her contract in the school in Frankfurt and rejoining her boyfriend in England, by travelling and volunteering in various places over Southeast Asia. This last stop in Bali is for relaxation - off to the Gilis on Wednesday. I took her on the temple / rice terraces outing the other day. My usual driver was busy so provided us with the gorgeous 21-year old Kadek/ Jonny who was as photogenic as the views!
Lidwien, after a few days away snorkelling in East Bali, came back on Saturday and joined us for an afternoon and evening of chat over beers on the verandah - she and Jessica had lots to share, having both been volunteering in schools on their travels. Josh was amazed we women could sit around and talk for five hours straight! Interrupted only by the antics (and noise) of the dogs. Lidwien took this great pic of Coco checking out some action in the rice field. By the way, Coco has a collar and belongs to someone else, but has taken up residence with us, adding to what feels like an overwhelming menagerie.
We threw together some pasta and salad and continued the talking over dinner on the side verandah outdoor "dining room". Lovely evening. Jazz sang her song for the company.
Sunday morning all of us headed off to swim at our usual pool only to find it a lurid green, hence unswimmable. They are going to lose hotel guests, not just our drop-in business, if they do not take better care of it. As often as not, it is closed for maintenance. However there was a pool next door in a more modern hotel, only 15 metres in length but still OK for laps (though one rapidly loses count). Jessica played diving for coins with Jazz while Josh and I got in some serious laps. But I tell you this tale only because we met some delightful Danish girls at the pool, one of them, Nina, is an adopted Sri Lankan Tamil like my niece Amara. Nina had overheard Jessica and I talking about Jessica's visit to Copenhagen a few months back, and introduced herself saying she was from Denmark. We chatted for some time by the pool and when we were about to leave she suggested we all meet for dinner. She brought along her two friends, Vanessa and Amelia. We chose to meet them at Kamasan to dine looking over the magical gardens there. Wonderful evening hearing about their lives and travels. Both Jessica and I will keep in touch with Nina on FB. At 20 she is running her own business where she puts together events with motivational speakers for young people about to start enterprises of their own. Impressively enterprising herself! Has not yet been to Sri Lanka or attempted to contact her birth mother, as Amara has. It was very special meeting her - it is great the way being in a foreign place brings people together who would otherwise never stop and chat.
Sunday morning all of us headed off to swim at our usual pool only to find it a lurid green, hence unswimmable. They are going to lose hotel guests, not just our drop-in business, if they do not take better care of it. As often as not, it is closed for maintenance. However there was a pool next door in a more modern hotel, only 15 metres in length but still OK for laps (though one rapidly loses count). Jessica played diving for coins with Jazz while Josh and I got in some serious laps. But I tell you this tale only because we met some delightful Danish girls at the pool, one of them, Nina, is an adopted Sri Lankan Tamil like my niece Amara. Nina had overheard Jessica and I talking about Jessica's visit to Copenhagen a few months back, and introduced herself saying she was from Denmark. We chatted for some time by the pool and when we were about to leave she suggested we all meet for dinner. She brought along her two friends, Vanessa and Amelia. We chose to meet them at Kamasan to dine looking over the magical gardens there. Wonderful evening hearing about their lives and travels. Both Jessica and I will keep in touch with Nina on FB. At 20 she is running her own business where she puts together events with motivational speakers for young people about to start enterprises of their own. Impressively enterprising herself! Has not yet been to Sri Lanka or attempted to contact her birth mother, as Amara has. It was very special meeting her - it is great the way being in a foreign place brings people together who would otherwise never stop and chat.
Also caught up with Yoga for dinner last week - again at Kamasan! He is here to finalise the sale of their recycled timber business now the family has returned to live in Sydney. It is all taking some time and Yoga is missing Alex and his boys.
So, something of a social whirl!
So, something of a social whirl!