What did you last spend $7.50 on?

I spent the Indonesian rupiah equivalent of $7.50 a night to stay in this adorable bungalow on the island of Gili Trawangan, off the coast of Lombok. Beachfront, outside bathroom, netting, fan, balcony...and just simply lovely. Gili T was an interesting experience, full of tourists, Indonesian bogans, and a spring break-like vibe Cancun could be proud of--but at the very end of the busy strip of overpriced restaurants and hotels was this little gem run by a man named Gecko. Beachfront Bungalows, you were fantastic. 

Thus continues my romantic holiday with Marianne...

our "double shower"...once from the shower head, once if it rains

thatched roof, sunshine on the balcony

about 50 meters to the water...gotta love it.

The Nusa Dua Experience, part 3

After the ceremony, everyone walked down the street to visit the other temple nearby (they are every other building by the way) and just kind of hung out and cooled off...and got ice cream of course.

father and son

yum, ice cream!

celebration decor

scooter brigade

entrance to Sahadja

the yoga center

my view for 4 days

so all in all it was a great trip to Nusa Dua and anyone who is in the area should definitely stop by Sahadja yoga for some tea and a chat with Mark--it just might change your life!

The Nusa Dua Experience, part 2

More from the day...

Mark and the brothers

sacrificial rice

blessing the rice

Mer and the ladies

sisters making the rice offerings

entrance to the palace from the temple

Made demonstrating how to make the banana leaf pouches for rice

cool kid on the block

receiving the blessing

all dressed up and nowhere to go

even more to come...

The Nusa Dua Experience, part 1

After the yoga teacher training ended, Marianne and I headed over to Nusa Dua to spend a few days with one of our teachers, Mark, at his yoga center. Sahadja yoga is on the property connected to one of the royal palaces of Bali, so Mark lives there for free and is kind of the groundskeeper of the place. He's also part of a group of "brothers" who all practice yoga together--included in this group is the king next door. Mer and I were invited to one of the ceremonies at the temple connected to the palace and were graciously escorted around by our new friend Made. 

This has to be one of my favorite days in Bali, being included in such a fun and spiritual event. Enjoy the pictures!

great posture

doorway from Mark's humble abode to the palace

Mer and Made chatting

Kadet and friends

Mark and his protege Kadet

hustle and bustle

sarongs

the band

what's that white girl doing here?

clearly a fun event

portrait of me and Mer

to be continued...

Yoga Graduation--a little bit late

Finally back to civilization after 2 weeks between Nusa Dua, Bali and the Gili Islands, Lombok (pictures to follow)! The month-long teacher training ended on June 16th and here are the highlights from the beautiful graduation ceremony and the celebration dinner afterwards in Seminyak.

Me and Marianne

Era preparing for the water ceremony

Anna and I about to place the offering into the ocean

Komayo and Alexa being blessed and purified (notice our bff Lanang holding the water)

the girls

certified.

Afterwards, our celebration dinner at, where else, Cafe Bali in Seminyak.

Anna, looking like she just walked out of a magazine from the 1940's

Bex, Stella, and Jordi

Kayo, Komayo, Mer, me and Jess

love that chandelier

goodbye Canggu, you were fabulous

What to do with 3 weeks in the South Pacific?

With the yoga teacher training coming to an end in 3 days, the villa's been abuzz with plans for traveling afterwards...making a decision has never been harder! So here's my preliminary plan as of now, though of course, there's always room for more.

1. Nusa Dua, Bali

The day after the course ends, my friend Marianne and I are (hopefully) heading down to Nusa Dua to study more intensively with one of our yoga instructors, Mark, for a few days...or maybe a week...

to give a little perspective, I have been in Canggu, just North of Seminyak-Legian on the westcoast and Nusa Dua is further South on the eastcoast.

2. Gili Islands, Lombok, Indonesia

After our time in Nusa Dua, Marianne and I are meeting up with one of our other friends and flatmates, Sally, and taking the ferry over to the Gili Islands off the coast of Lombok (to the east). The Gilis are three islands that are supposed to have the most gorgeous white sands and crystal blue waters human eyes have ever seen. We'll probably spend at least 5 days there snorkeling, drinking things out of coconuts, and generally living the good life.

#3(?)After that totally exhausting holiday, I have about a week left in Indo to do who-knows-what. Sally and I have been contemplating a Thelma and Louise type road trip around Bali, except in our version we'll be on a scooter and will hopefully survive to tell the tale.

I'm also on the hunt around Bali for these...

Eucalyptus Deglupta, or Rainbow Eucalyptus, is indigenous to the Philippines and Indonesia and I have been on the lookout--I know I am my father's child when it would totally make my trip to be able to find one of these little beauties.

4. Sydney, Australia

One of my other friends here, Gali, lives in Sydney with her fiance and has graciously invited me to come stay with them for a few days before I head back to San Francisco. I will leave Bali on Friday, July 2, red-eye it to arrive in Sydney on the morning of the 3rd, and stay until the 7th. Earlier in the month I had kind of given up on the idea of getting to see Sydney on this trip, but luckily everything worked out for the better!

it'll be a nice transition I think, spending a few vacation days in a city again after so much island living. I can't wait!

Mt Batur, part 2

Small temple on the way down the volcano

larger temple that we were allowed to explore around in

almost all temples point towards Mt Agung, the highest point in Bali (beachfront temples point towards the ocean)

taking a break from rituals

decor

irrigation and meditation go very well together

hot springs pool

view from the hot springs...

I heart yoga camp

delicious fruit stand