Friday, December 31, 2010

Intrepid Travelers All

SUN -- Can hardly walk.  The white water rafting was exhilarating.  First time in my life I have done it. It was only at the end when we had to go back back up that the going got tough.  I needed help and was the last one to make it to the top panting and totally out of breath.
 
NOTE:  The intrepid editor has not coordinated pictures with commentary.


MON --Today we rode bikes.  The guide asked me if I wanted to go in the van, thought I couldn't bicycle.  In the end that was my strongest suit.  He is a guy from Java, Sutar, who one member fondly calls Java Man.  He was surprised that I did so well and kept saying I was strong woman.  I am the oldest person in the group by about 15 years.  They are mainly Australian except myself and one German and an English couple living and teaching in Shanghai.  That leaves six Australians.

We saw fields of rice being harvested and drying on plastic sheets on the side of the road.  Before today I only saw rice paddies submerged under water.  Here I saw the mature rice paddies which resembled short stalks of wheat.  They then shake the rice from the plant, polish it and dry it.
 
Again our hotel resembles paradise.  No wifi but hot water.




TUES -- Today we started with a walk in a local rice field and to a Temple where the people from the town go to celebrate the harvest.   They have three days of celebration two times a year.  The Balinese are very spiritual.  They make offerings and pray every day.  We must wear sarongs to enter the temples.  Also went to a monkey sanctuary where they jumped on you.  One monkey shit on one of our group.  Was not enamored of having a monkey on my shoulder.



No comments: