Land of Gods, Celebrations and Offerings

We returned from Bali this week and the kids seem to have a hard time adjusting back to this time zone. The Balinese remain a humble people with people dressed up making offerings to the Gods and taking part in traditional ceremonies all over. Despite the huge western influence they still manage to keep their traditions alive. We had a lovely driver for a number of days from Ubud called Aka. It makes for a much more relaxed holiday knowing you are in safe hands that are not trying to rip you off constantly or to take you on a ride. We began in Ubud with relaxing experiences and true luxury helped with lovely pools and Balinese gardens, and jungle animals on our doorstep (well OK some inside our doorstep too). Then on to Lake Bratan and Lovina where the volcanic pumice lays over the beach and swelters in the heat of the day. Saw dolphins and great snorkelling with Charlotte including a national park in the far North West. Rubbish remains a huge issue for the Indonesian to deal with especially at the national park. We did our bit though collecting a whole basketful from the water. Travelling south we stopped at Munduk high in the mountains to enjoy a refreshing drink in the cool with spectacular views that would only otherwise be seen from an aeroplane. Down to Depassar we visted a local shopping centre and seemed to hit the childrens shoe dept area before visiting an orphanage dedicated to a lady who died in the Bali bombings years ago. The orphanage had numerous western visitors but they appreciated the milk, fruit from the mountains (driver got much better price than when they saw us) and rice (they have enough stock for years really). The orphanage was really well run and all the kids well fed much different to the one we visited in Ho Chi Minh City. We then had a couple of nights in Kuta (the western shopping area in reality) but stayed in the locals area just an alley walk down from the start of the westernised area. Kids had great fun at a local rides centre (so cheap when you base it on their currency). And found a terrific little restaurant highly recommened on trip advisor Guris Guris (lime lime) for our last delicious dinner. Will sorely miss those banana shakes, mixed fruit drinks and the banana or pineapple pancakes for breakfast. Breakfast at Alam Jiwa saw us through until afternoon tea with gorgeous fruits and coffee to boot. Girls telling me home has the 'boring breakfast'... have to agree with that. Grandpa had a ball and mentioned to him that most people his age if still going would be sitting up in a nursing home talking of their ailments rather than chasing dolphins.....haven't downloaded the pics yet.