An Alphabetical Stroll Through Bali and Australia-A is for: A BIG, FAT FINALE!! Link to new Africa TR (4/5)

[pkondz]

You can imagine we were both pretty hungry by now; we’d seen and done so much! At 2:30

Late! Breakfast was at 7am, so betting you were more than ready for a bite.

then shared an order of fish satay with sambal,

Sounds good. Was it?

Es Campur- Condensed milk with fruits, tapioca pearls, jellies and shaved ice.

yum... Yes please!

The beach we stopped at. Apparently it was famous for its bats!

Huh!
But I guess you'd have to be there at sundown?

The yellow contraption... is that an electric fan??

That looks good.

Presume you only eat the meat part? The rest is skewer?

(Nice setting for lunch!)

Remember the booze I bought at the museum? Yeah, totally a no-go for my carry-on which was all I had this trip.

Oh! I either forgot you were only carry-on or didn't know.

divided that Arak right on into 3 smaller bottles and voila! Suddenly my booze bomb was no longer dangerous. <risks eyes getting stuck in back of head as they roll>

Shows just how ridiculous that rule really is.

And that, my friends, is the end of a glorious Balinese vacation.

What a trip! I'm blown away at everything you did and saw (and ate!)

What a lovely hotel. I was shocked to see that it was live music! I automatically assumed it was piped in.

Our next destination is Kangaroo Island, so stick around for all of our Aussie adventures!!

Can't wait!!

 

[pkondz]

The complete flip-flop in schedule is so tough to deal with.

I bet!

I really enjoyed all of my breakfasts. Maybe the setting helped to elevate it.

Sure couldn't hurt.

For reals!! Bali should come with a helmet-by-the-pool warning.

I think you'd better know your inlaws before you commit!!

Can you imagine if you didn't... and you found out that you really didn't like them???

The country really lends itself to excellent photography material. Loads of contrasts, colors textures....

And you've shown us that through your pictures. Thank you so much!

I could sit in the basket with this kind!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Along the way, I stopped by an old woman selling some local fruits and chose to buy a snakeskin fruit, a mangosteen, and some rambutan.

All three of those fruits look like a challenge to eat. I've never seen them before.

The snakeskin fruit tasted somewhat like a grape, was kind of crunchy like an apple, and something I’d highly recommend!

It looks good.

The entrance to the actual cave temple

Were temples in caves common? The exterior is very interesting.

The road in ended up having a lengthy detour and the re-route was full of nasty switchbacks and potholes. I could tell the driver wasn’t all too thrilled about this item on the agenda at all. If I’d known about the difficulty he’d have getting there, I’d have scrapped it, but in the end, I’d glad we persevered. He agreed that it was a good place to learn about Balinese culture for tourists.

This road would have made me nauseous. The driver was probably hoping his car would survive.

The remainder of the tour was a walk through the display of Balinese cultural items used “throughout the lifespan”. It was explained that each person in Bali goes through a very predictable and “timed” series of life events precisely celebrated on certain days or seasons. So, from before birth to after death, each milestone was explained with the various artifacts that are used.

This looks fascinating. You can tell that they have wonderful festivals and traditions.

After he showed me how the salt was processed, he let me walk on the beach for 10 or so minutes alone before we met back up at the car.

I figured that evaporation was involved but didn't know how much of it is still done by hand.

At 2:30, the driver pulled us into a seaside food court of sorts. He’d wanted me to try a local fish delicacy, and this was the only one within miles they were making that today. Today’s fare was, again, quite delicious.

I bet he was starved, too.

And that, my friends, is the end of a glorious Balinese vacation. Would I go back? Yes, in a heartbeat. It was so lovely, so peaceful.

I loved reading about Bali. You saw and did so much more than most tourists. It would be nice to go back for a little more relaxation - and food.

 

[Steppesister]

You've definitely had a wonderful time there!

I really did! Let's see if Australia can outperform.

Cool!
But... my goodness that's early.

Totally worth it.

By day, that whole area turns into a Chinese crap-fest with junk galore. No thanks.

But nevertheless, I looked at each photo with great interest.
So much that's different from markets that I'm more accustomed to.

Yes, tons of really exotic stuff, by our standards. I wish more was imported and the prices were lower. A dragonfruit in our grocery is like $6. They're practically free there.

Goose!

Oh. Wait.

Do you know what is being... tossed/sifted/whatever? Rice?

I wish I knew! My guess was millet as it was too yellow for rice and that comes in huge sacks anyway? Notta clue.

If you ate everything for sale there, I'm sure you would!

Doesn't take much anymore.

I've never heard of any of those!
I Googled so I could tell which was which.

Know ya know!!! I adore tropical fruits!

I love how instead of "Too bad. See the sign?" you get service with a smile.

Always. Bali knows how to elevate customer service perfectly.

I was going to ask about this... I don't see any crunchy on that list, but the bread was toasted, so presume that was the difference between enjoyment and disgust?

The bread was enough to disguise the banana slime.

Interesting. What about the other two?

My kids used to appropriately all rambutan... Eyeball fruits. They taste really nice, very sweet, but are soft like maybe a kiwi? peeled grape? Mangosteen is kinda like a melon? Best I can do on those.

What are wrap-around pants?

And I like the simplicity of this shot.

I like how to lent itself to B&W so nicely.

I like fancy chicken. Deep-fried. BBQ'd. Roasted...

har har.

Looks to be about... 18" or so?

Yes, I'd say that was about right. I wish I could have gotten closer, but it scurried off under that little rocky overhang and out of sight.

So maybe you got to see sights that very few have seen.

I think so.... I doubt many tourists ventured up on the back roads that we were on.

I suspect I'd have some trouble in these latitudes. So many things with coconut.

Yes, but I found the flavor to be a lot more mild and subtle as it blended in with the rest of the flavors.

So how does the taste of palm sugar compare to cane?

Maybe more caramel-y and less sweet. And softer too.

Um... no, actually, I'm not seeing them?

Did the bottle make it all the way home? Or did it get consumed along the way?

Still have every drop. Might make a cocktail sometime. Still have my Grapa from Greece too.

That looks like a nutcracker of some sort?

Welllll....


funny you should ask about that....


"
The Balinese tooth cutting ceremony, also known as potong gigi in Indonesian, mesangih or mepandes in Balinese, is a rite of passage for teenagers that symbolizes the transition from animal to human and the control of negative emotions. The ceremony involves filing down the upper canine teeth or the tips of the top front six teeth:

• Potong gigi
  The priest files down the canine teeth while the person lies on a mat with a figure of Dewa Kama on it. The priest uses holy water and chants mantras, and puts a piece of sugarcane in the person's mouth to keep their jaw open. The ceremony ends with a family prayer in the temple, but the person being celebrated must stay home for three days and eat special foods with six different tastes.
• 
  
• Metatah
  The ceremony is held in the family home and can be as lavish as the family can afford. The house is decorated with colorful textiles, and the participants dress up. The ceremony often takes place alongside other large family events, such as weddings or cremations, and may be performed in groups to share costs. During the ceremony, the priest files the teeth crosswise to make them even, while offering prayers and making other offerings. The ceremony begins with the child asking for blessings for their parents."
  
  I specifically asked about this and was told it was symbolic only nowadays and scaled back. I am not entirely sure I believe that as it still pops up at a real thing according to MANY sources on Google.... YMMV
  

Okay...

I laughed out loud at this. You're obviously trying to keep the beat (and I doubt I'd do any better), but... girl...
And the lady beside you is all smiles and encouraging, but the one in the middle is like "This girl ain't got no rhythm and she's harshing my vibe!"

I think I was just simply trying too hard. LOL! Clearly, I sucked.

Looks like it's all evaporative processing. Cool!

Yep, 100% and all done by hand. All the way down to the bagging of it.

Like this shot. Interesting. Wonder what happened to cause the wreck?

I honestly have no idea! I didn't ask (I doubt my driver would have known) because there was no one at all on the beach besides me.

 

[Steppesister]

Late! Breakfast was at 7am, so betting you were more than ready for a bite.

I was, although the little snack at the Museum staved off starvation.

Sounds good. Was it?

It really was. I enjoyed it very much especially with the sambal.

yum... Yes please!

It was soooooo good!

Huh!
But I guess you'd have to be there at sundown?

Yes, although my bat hunt carried on over to Australia and I was rewarded.

The yellow contraption... is that an electric fan??

Yes! Smart way to keep that fire hot and ready for making satay.

That looks good.

I'm sure there's a recipe for Bakso for every cook in Bali.

Presume you only eat the meat part? The rest is skewer?

Correct. But the portion was ample for both of us.

Oh! I either forgot you were only carry-on or didn't know.

I have mastered the carry-on vacation. Honestly, it was so freeing to not have to lug around and keep track of (or worse, worry about lost) luggage!

Shows just how ridiculous that rule really is.

What a trip! I'm blown away at everything you did and saw (and ate!)

It truly was a vacation to remember!

What a lovely hotel. I was shocked to see that it was live music! I automatically assumed it was piped in.

I was stunned! It was so beautiful with the acoustics perfectly amplifying it around the pool area! My only regret is that I didn't have any money on me (I put my drink on the cc tab) to give him a tip.

Can you imagine if you didn't... and you found out that you really didn't like them???

Yikes! Horrible! It's not like, even if you DIDN'T have that sort of living arrangement, you can avoid your in-laws. It's kinda part of the deal.

And you've shown us that through your pictures. Thank you so much!

You're very welcome! I still 4 whole "sections" of this vacation still coming up! Remember, this was like 6 vacations in one!!! Craziness!

 

[Steppesister]

All three of those fruits look like a challenge to eat. I've never seen them before.

The rambutan are easy to peel and eat; my kids loved them from the trees in our yard in Thailand. Mangosteen is a bit tougher and needs a knife. I think he used his nails to get the snakeskin peel off.

Were temples in caves common? The exterior is very interesting.

I think there are several in Bali, but this is the most visited. I LITERALLY JUST FOUND OUT.... there is another one where we ate lunch!!! LOL!! At Goa Lawah that we could have gone to. AH well, was a long enough day as it was.

This road would have made me nauseous. The driver was probably hoping his car would survive.

Luckily, I was sitting up front and don't get too sick too easily. He was going pretty slow so I'll bet you're right!

This looks fascinating. You can tell that they have wonderful festivals and traditions.

They really do! Lots of feasting and music and dance involved!

I figured that evaporation was involved but didn't know how much of it is still done by hand.

Looks like a fair bit to me. I'm sure there are factories too, but I don't know anything about those.

I bet he was starved, too.

He made short work of his soup and most of the fish.

I loved reading about Bali. You saw and did so much more than most tourists. It would be nice to go back for a little more relaxation - and food.

Perhaps someday!

But first, I have so many other places to see: Spain and Portugal, the Canadian Maritimes, Ireland and Scotland, and East African safari...

 

[zanzibar138]

So I somehow managed to unsubscribe from updates, so I've fallen a bit behind! What a wonderful last couple of days you had, and so much packed in to your last day!

Glad to hear you managed not to get too sick! I actually know someone else who recently came back from Bali with infected mozzie bites, so maybe it's a thing to be careful of?

I generally hate cooking, but you actually made the cooking class sound like fun lol! Actually, I did do a cooking class in Vietnam once (at my ex-husband's insistence) and it wasn't too bad - not as involved as yours though. I'd be interested to hear if you've attempted to make any of the items since?

Very action-packed final day, as we've come to expect from you The museum sounded nice but it's a shame it's so difficult to get to - I don't think I would bother. The waterfall sounded amazing - stairs I can handle!

It's been so interesting to hear a different perspective on Bali and that it's still possible to have an authentic and relaxing visit. Very much looking forward to reading about your experiences in Australia (and I note you were warned about the Alice... I was wondering lol!).

 

[Steppesister]

So I somehow managed to unsubscribe from updates, so I've fallen a bit behind! What a wonderful last couple of days you had, and so much packed in to your last day!

It's all good!! It feels great to move beyond Bali now and get on with starting to write about The Land Down Under.

Glad to hear you managed not to get too sick! I actually know someone else who recently came back from Bali with infected mozzie bites, so maybe it's a thing to be careful of?

I honestly think it is for sure. I had a patient in clinic the other day that we had to prescribe an antibiotic to. The area was HUGE and red and hot. I know that dengue is making the rounds again as well as Chikungunya around here. Yikes!!! I don't know if bug spray would have made a difference or not, but I'd still recommend it.

I generally hate cooking, but you actually made the cooking class sound like fun lol! Actually, I did do a cooking class in Vietnam once (at my ex-husband's insistence) and it wasn't too bad - not as involved as yours though. I'd be interested to hear if you've attempted to make any of the items since?

Sadly, I have not. School has just been so busy and taxing I just haven't had enough energy to come home from my days at the clinic(s), eat a hasty dinner, take a bath to relax, and go straight to bed. On weekends, I'm either working my 12 hour days at the Acute Rehab Hospital or studying for the Boards coming up. I get a couple of weeks off between rotations next week so that will be nice. After that.... 8 more weeks to go until graduation.

Very action-packed final day, as we've come to expect from you The museum sounded nice but it's a shame it's so difficult to get to - I don't think I would bother. The waterfall sounded amazing - stairs I can handle!

I hope I can live up to my reputation when I get going in Australia.

I agree, I wish this museum would be one that more people could get to so they can get a good, full(er) picture of traditional Balinese life. Then again, it was closer to Denpasar or Ubud, it wouldn't be quite the rural experience it is up in the hills.

It's been so interesting to hear a different perspective on Bali and that it's still possible to have an authentic and relaxing visit. Very much looking forward to reading about your experiences in Australia (and I note you were warned about the Alice... I was wondering lol!).

See? That's what's so fun about travel; you get a different perspective from every single traveler. I guess your own culture, history, tastes, etc...can change what each experiences. Bali seems to have something for everyone! As for Alice... not so sure about that.

 

[pkondz]

I really did! Let's see if Australia can outperform.

By day, that whole area turns into a Chinese crap-fest with junk galore. No thanks.

Ugh. Yuck. Really? That's a shame.

Yes, tons of really exotic stuff, by our standards. I wish more was imported and the prices were lower. A dragonfruit in our grocery is like $6. They're practically free there.

I've seen dragonfruit here, but have never bought one that I can remember. Don't know what the price is, either.

Goose!

Oh. Wait.

My kids used to appropriately all rambutan... Eyeball fruits

They taste really nice, very sweet, but are soft like maybe a kiwi? peeled grape? Mangosteen is kinda like a melon? Best I can do on those.

Thanks!

I still didn't get it...
"So... pants with a belt?"

So I googled and watched an interesting video on the different ways to tie "Basic" wrap pants and Thai wrap pants.

Now I know.

Yes, but I found the flavor to be a lot more mild and subtle as it blended in with the rest of the flavors.

Your "mild and subtle" is my "OMG!!! SPIT IT OUT!!!"

Maybe more caramel-y and less sweet. And softer too.

Interesting. I'd like to try that some day.

Ohhhhh...
I was looking for some loose toothpicks. Maybe in that container in the background.

Still have every drop. Might make a cocktail sometime. Still have my Grapa from Greece too.

Time to

Welllll....


funny you should ask about that....


"
The Balinese tooth cutting ceremony, also known as potong gigi in Indonesian, mesangih or mepandes in Balinese, is a rite of passage for teenagers that symbolizes the transition from animal to human and the control of negative emotions. The ceremony involves filing down the upper canine teeth or the tips of the top front six teeth:

• Potong gigi
  The priest files down the canine teeth while the person lies on a mat with a figure of Dewa Kama on it. The priest uses holy water and chants mantras, and puts a piece of sugarcane in the person's mouth to keep their jaw open. The ceremony ends with a family prayer in the temple, but the person being celebrated must stay home for three days and eat special foods with six different tastes.
• 
  
• Metatah
  The ceremony is held in the family home and can be as lavish as the family can afford. The house is decorated with colorful textiles, and the participants dress up. The ceremony often takes place alongside other large family events, such as weddings or cremations, and may be performed in groups to share costs. During the ceremony, the priest files the teeth crosswise to make them even, while offering prayers and making other offerings. The ceremony begins with the child asking for blessings for their parents."
  
  I specifically asked about this and was told it was symbolic only nowadays and scaled back. I am not entirely sure I believe that as it still pops up at a real thing according to MANY sources on Google.... YMMV

I'd be a tad concerned about having my teeth cut... and even more so about having them cut without anesthetic!!

I think I was just simply trying too hard. LOL! Clearly, I sucked.

Yes, although my bat hunt carried on over to Australia and I was rewarded.

Yes! Smart way to keep that fire hot and ready for making satay.

True. Just seems so out of place!

I have mastered the carry-on vacation. Honestly, it was so freeing to not have to lug around and keep track of (or worse, worry about lost) luggage!

I usually travel with a checked bag, but when I can travel with just a carry-on, it's great.

 

[missjackiemcg]

This is such a cute picture of you and this incredible place!

Suddenly my booze bomb was no longer dangerous.

Voila! You're a genius

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

What a fantastic time you’ve had in Bali. I have loved reading about your adventures and feel I’ve learnt some cool stuff along the way. Your photography is outstanding as always.
Very much looking forward to your Australian adventures.
Now I’m off to read about the various ceremonies and celebrations of life and death. Thanks for the link

 

[Steppesister]

A is for: Aiming for Adelaide (Australia)!​

‘V’ was too hard. So, I’m skipping on over to A, so we can have a fresh start. Besides, how could I not use ‘A’ for Adelaide? And Australia. If you can think of a ‘V’ that would’ve worked let me know.

I guess I wasn’t completely over jetlag, or maybe it was because I excited to be heading to new places again, because I was up very early… far earlier than I needed to be for my 9:30 flight. 5:30, still dark and all was quiet on the streets of Denpasar. I got my luggage down to the lobby and dawdled until I stove up the courage to ask if there was any chance of getting even a little breakfast. While my room was only about $40 for the night, it didn’t come with breakfast. I saw that they were setting up the buffet and thought I could buy a pastry or something. It was nice of them to let me choose from the few items that were already out and I ended up with this. It was…. adequate. Today would not end up being the most stellar of food days.

​

By 7:00, I was breakfasted and on the provided hotel shuttle, even though I could have walked… why when the ride is free? At 7:30, I was making my way through security. I love having LOTS of extra time at my gate; missing a flight, especially an international one, sounds absolutely horrifying!

​

The time flew by as I made acquaintances with a lovely couple from Adelaide who’d spent their entire lives traveling to 140 countries and counting, including Antarctica. They’re well into their 80s and still going strong. Ahh…. To have that much energy and money #lifegoals

I was, as I mentioned, very early to the gate and about an hour before boarding, the oddest thing happened. A security team showed up and cleared the gate area and set up a new screening checkpoint to get back into the gate. The nice couple had warned me this would happen, and they were just as annoyed as I was. They searched our bags again this time looking for water or other drinks. I guess the secure area just… wasn’t. This put me in a bit of a foul mood as I was VERY thirsty and really needed some water as I hadn’t had even a sip since my coffee at breakfast. I didn’t dare drink the tap water from the bathroom so had to just deal with it channeling my inner Death Valley until I got a water on the flight. In all my years of travel I’d never seen a secondary check and especially for water… if it was a problem maybe just remove the water filling stations in the sterile zone since you can’t leave your gate to use them and don’t tell you until it’s too late? #grumblebitchcomplainandgetoffmylawn

I also took the opportunity to snap a few of the international colors.

​

Imagine my amusement when a few days after I took this and had heard of Batik Airlines for the very first time, they made international headlines for all the wrong reasons. I was surprised when I read this:

“Indonesia's Batik Air faces probe after pilots fall asleep mid-flight” YIKES!


https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68488416

At some point before I took off, I used WhatsApp to call Anara to firm up our meeting plan and to check that she’d gotten checked-in for her own flight from Manila. This was not her first solo traveling adventure. If you read my Greece/Italy TR, she flew all by herself from Portland, Oregon with several plane changes and actually made it, not just to Venice, but used the local water taxi system to find her way to our meeting point. I gotta say it, I’m very, very proud of how’s she’s grown into herself over the last few years and has done so much overcoming in so many personal issues. All that to say, she was all checked in and waiting at her gate too. Remember the Manila Runway that led from the Newport Neighborhood in Manila to Terminal 3 where international flights depart… I had coached her through that, and she did it all by herself with no problem at all! Here’s a selfie she took for me on her way across that long overpass:

​

She also sent me this random photo she’d taken along her way because she thought it was a fun find in that she works at a restaurant called the Marco Polo. The things that make our young ones giggle! I told her I’d meet her in the Adelaide airport soon, HUZZAH!!!

​

The flight itself was 4 hours and 45 minutes of non-eventful time. I looked at my photos from my time in Bali and listened to the couple sitting next to me with their two active boys talking about the recent stories of kangaroos who were drowning dogs in lakes and rivers. Like… say what?! What in the actual Australian animal nonsense? I enjoyed reading my book for a little bit while sipping on my free water (the only thing that was offered on this budget flight); no other drinks or snacks were offered, even at a price. Luckily, I’d bought some sweet potato chips and nibbled on those. All in all, not too bad and we landed on time.

​

However, deplaning took a little extra time. Apparently, Bali was in the midst of a huge Hand, Foot, and Mouth outbreak so we had to sit for a few extra minutes while being briefed on a health protocol that all the passengers had to go through. Once off, everyone was being screened and had to walk through a shallow trough of disinfectant. This meant a bit of extra time for getting to the baggage area to meet Anara. Customs and Immigration were really easy, but…. Ok, COME ON, Australia! NO PASSPORT STAMP?!?! Those are a bit of a badge of honor for folks like me who love to travel, and I was told that, “We just don’t do that anymore.”. BOOOOO!!!

Also…. I was mistaken, this was the one and only flight I had to check a bag. (I think I'd written before that I hooped the system and got away with NO bag checks.) It wasn’t overweight, but they said it was just too big. I don’t think that was true as I’d been fitting my bags no problem under every seat ever for years. Whatever. I claimed it, then texted Anara with WhatsApp. She said she was in the baggage claim area but try as I did, I just couldn’t find her anywhere!! I started to think, OMG, am I in the wrong baggage claim? Did one of us fly to the wrong place?!

A bit more describing to each other what we were seeing, etc… and finally! Success! She was around a corner from where I’d come out, crisis averted. We gave big hugs, probably more from relief than anything else, and spent the next little bit getting an Uber into Adelaide’s CBD. Easy-peasy! In 20 minutes or so, we arrived at our historic, albeit humble, digs for the night. With a (very) few exceptions, this part of my trip is back to more basic accommodations. While Bali was not a splurge at all, staying in the same level of cush in Australia would cost me 10 times more. I do not have 10 times more. My daughter has even less. So, we roughed it most of the time affording us a few TR-worthy stories to pass along to you. Buckle up.

The Hotel Metropolitan is in the heart of Adelaide and unbeknownst to us, right across the street from the Asian District as well. The “hotel” itself was… basic. A basic bed, in a basic room, with a very basic, but adequate bathroom. Actually, it was more than basic, because it actually did have a bathtub. However, I was NOT willing to dunk my fungus-free body in a potentially fungus-laden public tub. Nope, notta gonna do it. I digress….

(The balcony was pretty though!)

​

We got checked in and dumped our stuff; since it was close to dinner time already, we thought it was a no-brainer to just walk across the street even though I had a long list of dinner potentials ready to go. It’s hard to beat Asian. And this district had it all- Japanese, Chinese, Thai… but mostly Chinese. There were approximately 150,204 ramen and dumpling dives and we ended up diving into the Dumpling King. It was slammed but we didn’t have to wait long for a table. In keeping with the theme of “basic” the Dumpling King towed the line.



I let Anara choose the meal and, while I can’t say I didn’t like it, I didn’t love it. Generally, stir fry is stir fry. Good, not great. Speaking of fungus, though, we had a fungus-fairy visit us at dinner!! A reclining, robed Grandpa Fairy, all kicked back and ready for a saucy swim. All said, the belly was full and sometimes that’s about all you can ask for in travel dining adventures.

(Can you see the Fungus Fairy?)


​

The walk back was a casual stroll through a crisp early Spring evening. The change of weather from what I’d grown used to did not go unnoticed. It was nice to not be soaking wet while out and about. Before we headed back to the Metropolitan, we also found the best route to take to the bus stop that we’d need to be at by 6:20AM the next morning. Luckily, it was not far or complicated to get there.

​

8:30 was the witching hour and with a final touch up of the trip notes, a quick re-pack, and making sure our phones were charged, it was lights out with a 5:15 alarm.

 

[Steppesister]

On a personal note...

Hi Guys! Just finished the 2nd of my 3 rotations and I'm REALLY looking forward to a couple weeks off from clinical time. I'm tired. Very, very tired. The plan is to use the time to work on some review material as I start to really prep for my Board Exams. Hopefully, I can get a couple more chapters posted as well. I do realize that I have some replies to get to but I work tomorrow and then... then a chance to get to those.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

On a personal note...

Hi Guys! Just finished the 2nd of my 3 rotations and I'm REALLY looking forward to a couple weeks off from clinical time. I'm tired. Very, very tired. The plan is to use the time to work on some review material as I start to really prep for my Board Exams. Hopefully, I can get a couple more chapters posted as well. I do realize that I have some replies to get to but I work tomorrow and then... then a chance to get to those.

Good luck with the exam prep ( and the actual exams too obviously ). Take care of yourself and sure we will all be here when you’ve had a chance to rest up a wee bit.
Btw I think I found the fungus fairy if you mean that lazy looking mushroom type thing on your plate and eh no I don’t think I’d be taking a bath in that tub either

 

[pkondz]

If you can think of a ‘V’ that would’ve worked let me know.

Of course I can... and it's quite simple.
V is for Vadelaide!

See? Easy.

I was up very early… far earlier than I needed to be for my 9:30 flight. 5:30

Betting it was the excitement of going to a new place combined with the fear of oversleeping and missing your flight.

still dark and all was quiet on the streets of Denpasar.

Except at the market...

It was nice of them to let me choose from the few items that were already out and I ended up with this. It was…. adequate.

It looks... semi-adequate. Was it free?

I love having LOTS of extra time at my gate

missing a flight, especially an international one, sounds absolutely horrifying!

Quite the send off!

a lovely couple from Adelaide who’d spent their entire lives traveling to 140 countries and counting, including Antarctica.

Whoa!! Impressive! And... just... wow!

A security team showed up and cleared the gate area and set up a new screening checkpoint to get back into the gate.

What??

They searched our bags again this time looking for water or other drinks.

What?!?!?!?
That's... I mean...

There better not have been any vending machines there, then!

#grumblebitchcomplainandgetoffmylawn

Colourful tail!

“Indonesia's Batik Air faces probe after pilots fall asleep mid-flight” YIKES!

Ah yes. Not good... but not the first time that's happened either...

A quick Google will find a few other instances. I knew of at least two already, and found a few more.

If you read my Greece/Italy TR, she flew all by herself from Portland, Oregon with several plane changes and actually made it, not just to Venice, but used the local water taxi system to find her way to our meeting point.

I gotta say it, I’m very, very proud of how’s she’s grown into herself over the last few years and has done so much overcoming in so many personal issues.

She also sent me this random photo she’d taken along her way because she thought it was a fun find in that she works at a restaurant called the Marco Polo.

Still kinda cool to find that.

I told her I’d meet her in the Adelaide airport soon, HUZZAH!!!

stories of kangaroos who were drowning dogs in lakes and rivers. Like… say what?!

Oh, sure. It's Australia. Everything there is trying to kill you.


It may not be able to kill you... but it's still trying.

What in the actual Australian animal nonsense?

Kinda wonder if it's a response to Dingo attacks on roos?
No idea, but... seems plausible?

Apparently, Bali was in the midst of a huge Hand, Foot, and Mouth outbreak

Now you find out!

Once off, everyone was being screened and had to walk through a shallow trough of disinfectant.

I've done something similar at a cave tour. Something about protecting the bats.

Ok, COME ON, Australia! NO PASSPORT STAMP?!?!

Not too happy about that, huh?

It wasn’t overweight, but they said it was just too big. I don’t think that was true as I’d been fitting my bags no problem under every seat ever for years.

Being able to fit a bag under a seat isn't the issue... It has to fit in that contraption many airports have either at the check in desk or at the gate.

I started to think, OMG, am I in the wrong baggage claim? Did one of us fly to the wrong place?!

Nothing better than full blown panic to wake you up in the morning!

A bit more describing to each other what we were seeing, etc… and finally! Success! She was around a corner from where I’d come out, crisis averted.

Phew!

While Bali was not a splurge at all, staying in the same level of cush in Australia would cost me 10 times more.

Just one more reason to return to Bali.

So, we roughed it most of the time affording us a few TR-worthy stories to pass along to you. Buckle up.

However, I was NOT willing to dunk my fungus-free body in a potentially fungus-laden public tub.

I was kinda confused by that statement.
Who doesn't take a bath in their hotel room (of those who enjoy baths... not everyone does, I suppose.)

Then I saw the tub.

You weren't kidding when you said "Basic"!

(The balcony was pretty though!)

Umm... that looks like a separate room for all guests? Yes?

There were approximately 150,204 ramen and dumpling dives

Such an oddly specific number for an approximation.

we ended up diving into the Dumpling King. It was slammed

Usually a good sign.
Surprised the food wasn't better.

I note Anara is wearing a long-sleeved top.
My first thought was "Mustn't be that warm"...

(Can you see the Fungus Fairy?)

Did he grant you a wish? Or was he just reclining and on a break?

The walk back was a casual stroll through a crisp early Spring evening. The change of weather from what I’d grown used to did not go unnoticed. It was nice to not be soaking wet while out and about.

Would you happen to have noted the temperature?
I'm curious if it was actually warm... but felt cool after all the heat you'd experienced.

Ah yes. This is what I think of when I think of Australia.

Just finished the 2nd of my 3 rotations and I'm REALLY looking forward to a couple weeks off from clinical time.

Good for you! You're really progressing along. One more rotation to go!

I'm tired. Very, very tired.

I bet. Hopefully you'll get a good rest over the next two weeks, despite the studying.

 

[disneyAndi14]

You could have had V is for Victoria, Australia, umm yup not going there, lol or did you?
I was in Australia many years ago but we started in Melbourne and traveled through Sydney, the Gold Coast, to Cairns loved it so much. If I was a beach bum this is where I would live!
I love all your pictures and information on your travels, you are a wealth of knowledge on everything! Love it!

 

[Wood Nymph]

You had some very strange airport experiences this time. At least you didn't have any travel delays. And you found Anara. And the weather was a huge improvement.

Your dinner must have been a huge downgrade from the delicious food you had in Bali.

 

[zanzibar138]

By 7:00, I was breakfasted and on the provided hotel shuttle, even though I could have walked… why when the ride is free?

Ooh, I will ALWAYS choose to walk if I can! I have an aversion to buses...

At 7:30, I was making my way through security. I love having LOTS of extra time at my gate; missing a flight, especially an international one, sounds absolutely horrifying!

I once nearly missed a flight from LA to San Francisco and that was bad enough! We only managed to sneak through because the flight was delayed

The time flew by as I made acquaintances with a lovely couple from Adelaide who’d spent their entire lives traveling to 140 countries and counting, including Antarctica. They’re well into their 80s and still going strong. Ahh…. To have that much energy and money #lifegoals

Definitely life goals I also plan to still be dancing and hiking

Imagine my amusement when a few days after I took this and had heard of Batik Airlines for the very first time, they made international headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Yeah... Batik Airlines do NOT have a very good rep. No way I would fly with them!

This was not her first solo traveling adventure. If you read my Greece/Italy TR, she flew all by herself from Portland, Oregon with several plane changes and actually made it, not just to Venice, but used the local water taxi system to find her way to our meeting point.

I enjoyed reading my book for a little bit while sipping on my free water (the only thing that was offered on this budget flight); no other drinks or snacks were offered, even at a price.

Very unlike Jetstar to not offer overpriced snacks and beverages!

Ok, COME ON, Australia! NO PASSPORT STAMP?!?!

I also miss the days of the passport stamp! HK and Singapore no longer offer this either. Definitely NOT going to fill up my passport pages at this rate!

Also…. I was mistaken, this was the one and only flight I had to check a bag. (I think I'd written before that I hooped the system and got away with NO bag checks.) It wasn’t overweight, but they said it was just too big. I don’t think that was true as I’d been fitting my bags no problem under every seat ever for years.

Jetstar are well known for being the luggage police lol!

(The balcony was pretty though!)

I wouldn't have had a problem with that. Sounds like the room had everything you needed, was in a great location close to food and transport, and that balcony is beautiful! At least when you come to Australia you get a currency exchange benefit... when we go to the US we're paying about 40% more for everything, which makes it REALLY expensive!

Just finished the 2nd of my 3 rotations and I'm REALLY looking forward to a couple weeks off from clinical time. I'm tired. Very, very tired. The plan is to use the time to work on some review material as I start to really prep for my Board Exams. Hopefully, I can get a couple more chapters posted as well. I do realize that I have some replies to get to but I work tomorrow and then... then a chance to get to those.

Good luck! Always annoying when that pesky adulting stuff gets in the way of a good TR!

 

[Steppesister]

Ugh. Yuck. Really? That's a shame.

I know! I just don't understand (and everyone gets their boat floated in different ways, but I just don't get it!) folks who want a cheap piece of junk made as an imitation. I guess a fridge magnet can serve as a reminder of sorts, but so can an authentic carving by a local, or truly locally-woven piece of cloth or other nice piece of art.

I've seen dragonfruit here, but have never bought one that I can remember. Don't know what the price is, either.

The ones I've had here don't have as much flavor as the ones we ate in Thailand, but maybe they are picked too green? I do like them and they add a nice different option in fruit salads.

I still didn't get it...
"So... pants with a belt?"

So I googled and watched an interesting video on the different ways to tie "Basic" wrap pants and Thai wrap pants.

Now I know.

There ya go!

Your "mild and subtle" is my "OMG!!! SPIT IT OUT!!!"

Interesting. I'd like to try that some day.

I'm willing to bet that if you have a nice Asian import store they'd have it there.

Ohhhhh...
I was looking for some loose toothpicks. Maybe in that container in the background.

AH!! I think it's so ingenious to do it this way!

I'd be a tad concerned about having my teeth cut... and even more so about having them cut without anesthetic!!

I was thinking the same thing! YIKES!! But, like foot binding, neck stretching, and female mutilation, those unhealthy traditions are fading out. I'm all for keeping with long-held tradition, but have a hard time when it comes to interfering with actual health.

True. Just seems so out of place!

True, but rather time (and arm) saving.

I usually travel with a checked bag, but when I can travel with just a carry-on, it's great.

Yep! The ultimate grab-n-go!

 

[Steppesister]

This is such a cute picture of you and this incredible place!

Thanks!! My guides have seen all the fun poses and suggested perfectly.

Voila! You're a genius

Using travel hacks, one country at a time!