A look Back

Where I work and live

Dear Lulu,

So life in Australia is coming to an end.  It has been fun... many memories made, good and bad, lots of friends I must sadly say goodbye to.  But the bank account has a bit more jingle to it and the excitment of a new journey is taking hold.  I am now only four weeks away to India!  I know I have already been to India twice already, but I just keep finding myself pulled back there.  Mom and Dad definitely don't understand the allure I see in India... I am pretty sure that their first visit will be their last visit.  For me however, India is magical.  So much mystery and possiblity hiding under all that dirt waiting to be uncovered. 

Well, I am still in Australia, so let me not dwell too much on the future and live a little in the present.  Something that I have trouble with from time to time.  Since Australia has been somewhat of a pit stop mainly to save up a bit more travel funds, I sadly haven't had too many adventures here.  This is the main reason my posts have been few and far between... lets face it, how interesting is working in a restaurant in a western country?  For that matter, it feels like I could be living in the states right now.  Apart from the funny accents and coffee names(like flat white, and long black(a black coffee) and a short black(an espresso) and a short machiato(kindof like a cortadito) and long machiato and more(they really like coffee here), everything else is so much like life in the states or most western, english speaking countries.  I have had a few memorable moments here and there that I will try and impart. 

One of my first experiences after securing a job and apartment was not exactly a good one.  I am sorry I haven't written about it before.  I guess I was a bit embarrassed.  Well, Sofi and I had gotten one of our first paychecks.  We had money again!  We were running on fumes for a while and were starting to get a bit scared.  We had a day off together and actually had some spending money and a friend of ours had lent us his car.  We were so excited for a day of exploring the city!  We had all these grand plans, well more like simple everyday things that we missed doing, like we were going to go to a cafe in Fremantle for a nice breakfast and then head into the city to do a bit of shopping and exploring, and then get a manicure and pedicure, and finish the day off by cooking dinner and having a nice bottle of wine and maybe a movie and some popcorn after.  Not a bad day if you ask me... actually a pretty great day if you ask me.

So we were in the car listening to our favourite songs and singing and laughing as we drove into Freo.... I know, I am building you up for a bad ending... It's pretty obvious I am sure, but bear with me.  So along we went happy as could be.  We were slowing down as we approached the restaurant we wanted to go to and keeping an eye out for parking when all the sudden we feel and hear a huge smash..... What the F^%# just happened!!! We had no clue.  I looked back in my rearview to see a guy peaking out of his truck to inspeck his now folded open car door.  I mean it was folded completely to the front fender.  I was in disbelief... I mean who opens their car door into oncoming traffic.  Did he not even look before he flung his door open?  He must have opened it just as we passed.  I felt like I was caught in a movie.  I mean things like that don't actually happen in real life right?  I pulled over and the guy then preceded to try and intimdate me and tell me I was to blame.  Hold on there smoky!  I might be a girl but that isn't going to work.  So our amazing day off started with a trip to the police department rather than an amazing breakfast.  But after the police department we drove straight back to the Cafe and did infact have an amazing breakfast/lunch.  Still can't believe I hit someone's car door!?  Anyway, on to the next story.

About a week ago I hopped a plane bound for Bali for a week of relaxing and, well, anything but work.  I think I have ruined myself for the possibility of ever holding a longterm job.  I would rather travel and eat and have fun.... could that be arranged?  Well, Bali wasn't planned at all.  In fact it was a Christmas/Birthday present from Sofi.  I know isn't she the best?  It was so nice to be moving again.  Even if it was for just a week, I felt a little of the excitment of heading off to discover a new place again.  We went straight to Ubud when we arrived and spent two days there.  If you don't know, that is where Elizabeth Gilbert stayed in the book Eat Pray Love.  Lets just say the locals didn't loose any time capitalizing on that.  There were Eat Pray Love shirts and sticker and carved wooden "Eat Pray Love" words everywhere. 

the view of our pool from our balcony

Alex enjoying the pool

one of our first Balinese friends

After two amazing days of sun, yoga, massage and food we headed north to Amed.  Lets see what did we do there... oh yeah we got more massages,did yoga, sun bathed, and ate a lot of good food.  Plus we also rented scooters and went snorkeling.  We got to see lots of pretty fish.  On the way back we got caught in  a crazy rain storm.  It was so bad that at one point we had to get off the scooter and push it through a river of water.  At the next river of water we weren't so lucky.  Even all the Balinese locals weren't daring to cross it.  It was a massive flow of water coming down from the hills carrying tree branchs and other bits along with it.  So we and about fifty locals stood around just watching this river as the rain beat down on us.  There was no where else to go.  Our home was on the other side.  Then all of a sudden the locals started to move.  A group of three guys tried to push a scooter across.  It was a bit shacky but they made it.  Then they took another and another.  Soon everyone was coming together to get everyone across.  It was such a great moment, probably my favorite of the whole trip.  They even took our scooters across for us.  It was such a testament of the good will inherent in people.  It gets hard to see sometimes but it is sitll there.  It felt good to get home to dry clothes and go have a yummy meal.  Ah the simple pleasures.

Reading a book by our pool in Amed

Sofi and I finishing up snorkeling and trying to escape the oncoming storm

Waiting for another yummy meal

An amazing seafood lunch we had

After another couple of days we got a transport to Padang Bai.  We were leaving on a holy day and the driver said he could take us but he needed to stop at a temple on the way to make an offering.  We were fine with this, even a bit excited to have the experience.  He was a very sweet man and told us lots of interesting information about the Balinese way of life and religion.  He even gave us some local foods to try.  Give me food and I will be your friend for life.  On the way to Padang Bai we must have stopped at every single small temple along the road, and there were alot.  We would drive five minutes then stop for five minutes to make an offering.  At first it was really cool and then it slowly got old.  We had no idea how long this would go on.  Sofi peaked in the back of the car and saw a huge pile of offerings.  By the looks of it they could be at this all day and it seemed those where their intentions.  We laughed to ourselves and enjoyed the views of jugle and rice patties.  It probably took two or three times as long but we finally got there.  Padang Bai was again more sun bathing and eating and massages.  Not a bad way to spend a week.  I was sad when it was over. 

Yes, another amazing pool.  This one is in Padang Bai

Padang Bai

one of the many fishing boats

more of Padang Bai

side street in Padang Bai

A tasty concoction

The three of us on one of the many stops along the rode to Padang Bai

Now I am back at home in Australia(my home for the moment) and working away again.  I have a target goal to reach to get me through the next 8 months to a year of travel.  That is the plan as of now but by now you know that my plans change constantly.  I have spent the last months hanging out with amazing poeple doing rather ordinary things but having a blast doing them.  We have partied on a boat, had great days out and amazing dinner parties, and a lot of silly nights, and even a road trip, although a short one.  I will let my pictures tell the rest of the story. 

Hanging out with some friends and a few beers

Dancing and having fun on a boat

The crew on the back of the boat

Mexican Party night

Enjoying the feast and drinks at mexican night

Bruce whipping up some margaritas for mexican night

One of many Dim Sum outings in the city

Sofi's birthday feast of oysters and cheese and ginger beer
(my new favorite drink)

Well, that should catch you up for a bit.  I only have three and a half weeks left!  Then off to India!  I hope all is well in New York and you aren't freezing to death.

Love you,

Kiki