The end

We have reached the end of our vacation.  Surprisingly, we did not tour any temples, or visit farms, or do a lot of shopping, but we had fun.  Our vacation routine was simple but relaxing.  In the morning Babes would wake us up and we'd watch an hour or so of cartoons, this was followed by breakfast at the hotel and then off to the pool.  After the pool we'd hit the town for lunch, then back to the room for quiet time and then back to the pool.  We'd end the day with dinner then off to bed to repeat the next day.  I thought I'd get bored with this routine, after all we were on vacation for two weeks, but it was relaxing and nice.  I didn't even feel the need to get a massage or a pedicure (even though I really did need a pedicure). 
Some thoughts on Bali....  First of all, the weather was GORGEOUS!  Big blue skies, just the slightest touch of humidity to soften the breezes, and the temperature hovering right on the edge of hot.  I think part of the reason we were reluctant to do anything was that we just wanted to soak up those blue skies.  Coming from the grey days of Chengdu, blue skies are worth just sitting around in. 
Second, the Balinese seem very friendly.  They have that old fashioned customer service with a smile that you don't see very much anymore.  I saw very few people with evil scowls.  I wondered if the smile was the default expression of the Balinese and they were really happy at all.  But i decided that I didn't care.  I can't stop you from thinking bad thoughts about me, at least this way everyone looks pleasant. 
Third, like Taiwan, religion in bali was part of their daily life.  In front of every business, in the entrances to restaurants, every so often on sidewalks there were these little baskets of fruit, flowers, and rice that I assume were offerings to a God (are Hindu Gods Gods or gods?).  There were tons of little mini temples or mini shrines everywhere.  Driving from place to place you could see larger temples with people attending services in the neighborhoods we passed.  Bali reminded me that Islam and Hindu are two religions that I know very little about. 
Despite the touristy nature of Bali I really enjoyed myself.  It is very nice to have the infrastructure there and not have to worry about little things, for instance everyone that we encountered spoke enough English to make transactions.  I had drinks with ice in them (something I generally don't do when I travel) and didn't have tummy troubles. 
Bali October 24, 2011

In Bali

My first impression of Bali was not a favorable one.  I have heard over and over again about the beauty of Bali, but my first thought after getting out of the taxi in Sanur was "tourist trap".  Indeed this is the first place that we've been that has been so built up for tourists.  The place where we stayed was on a long street stuffed full of tourist restaraunts, massage parlors, and souvenir shops.  It was a little weird.  (what is weirder is that I'm not someone who ever wants to get in touch with the native peoples or their whatever, so for me to be saying this is very odd) However after we went to bed and woke up the next morning to a brilliant blue sky and weather that was perfect, not too hot, not too cold I began to see the attraction.  Despite the various tours that we could take to jungles, native villages, farms, or whatever, we spent almost all of our Bali vacation by the pool.  The beautiful sun and the perfect weather did not inspire us to trek anywhere but to the pool.  We did make it to the beach (Sanur beaches are NOT attractive) and then we went right back to the pool.  The same was true for Ubud, although we did make it to the elephant farm which was alot of fun, but as soon as we were done we were right back pool side again.  We have reached the end of our journey in Musadooah and the beaches here are beautiful, I would write more, but we are off to the beach. 
Bali October 20, 2011