Hey all,
We are having a great time. We have met up with a couple of guys that all we have to do is call and they come running. They take us on tours or move us from town to town. So far we have seen quite a few temples and a bunch of the local sites. We went to a Barong: it is a combination of several dances with quite ornate costumes all the while telling the story of good and evil. The Balinese people are so friendly.
Of course I can't keep my eyes off the flowers...they are exquisite! The plumeria--they call them Fangippani--come in quite a few colors...pink, yellow, peach, as well as white with yellow. We just went to a couple local flower stores and I bought a flower bouquet. I would sell it for about $50, I paid $5! Our driver and guide will never look at the country side the same way again (after having had me with him). I keep telling how much each flower or leaf would sell for in my store...he can't believe it.
The country is rich with it's Culture and Religious Traditions. Everywhere that you look you see the Hindu statues. Some are centuries old, yet some are quite new. I haven't yet found anyone to give me complete answers to what go on in the temples other than "they pray and make offerings to the Gods". Maybe that is all that they do. I think it is very interresting to learn of other people's beliefs.
Yesterday we completed an all day Advanced Diving Course at a Shipwreck. It was a great day! The final dive was a night dive. We happened by this decision almost by mistake. As we were asking prices...the gal mentioned the class and the fact that some countries require the class to dive (for example Austrailia-we happen to be going there next week). The price for three dives wasn't much different than taking the class. So we decided to do it.
Anyway, I know that I have left out tons. But that lets you in on most of it.
Give our love and hugs to the little ones.
All our love
Twila and Gary
