I woke up to a beautiful rainbow over the rice paddies with elegant and slender white herons flying through the sky. I wake up around 6 am here because the mornings are so cool and nice I don’t want to miss any of it. After my usual breakfast of Bali coffee, fresh fruit (usually papaya, pineapple, and watermelon) and a banana pineapple pancake (more like a crepe) I headed out to Tagalalang to boost the Bali economy. In my special events or shows I sell some very inexpensive things to help balance my more expensive unique jewelry. I found some wonderful new designs in shell, wood, and ceramic and I customized most of them. I usually make them smaller and a little less ornate and blend my own variations from the different elements that are available. The artists will make them for me over the next few weeks. I am also having some peace signs made of stone/ceramic, wood, and shell. I think they will look nice and I am excited to see them.
After I placed orders in several shops I rode to the famous rice paddies of Tagalalang and then on to Kintamani Crator it is up high in the mountains and is a long ride from where I stay in Ubud. It winds through fruit and spice plantations where the air is fragrant. There are views of three different volcanos on the way up. I can actually see two of the volcanos in the far distance from my bungalow’s deck in Ubud. It is a pretty ride lined with art shops and work shops. I always try to get to Mt. Kintamani a few times each trip and sit and take in the incredible views it is so peaceful and beautiful. The active volcano of mount Batur rises up from the black lava, six ancient villages surround the cauldron and beautiful Batur Lake (Bali’s largest lake) The crater cone is then rimmed by what is left of the old volcano before the big eruption back in 1964. It has erupted about 24 times since year 1800 and still active up to now
The sky was rumbling loudly and threatening to empty so I decided to head back down the mountains. I have learned never to go out anywhere without my raincoat. About 30 minutes into my trip back I ran into a police roadblock… they were checking all tourists for international driving licenses. I unfortunately had not had a chance to get mine renewed. So after a lot of negotiation involving taking away my motorcycle for a week a fine of 300,000 Rupia, a taxi home, etc… I made a donation to the young policeman’s personal fund. I later found out I paid way too much 100,000 Rupia (less than $10)… I just did not want any trouble. Even though I hate the corruption here in Bali I do wish you could get out of a police stop in the U.S. for less than $10.
Back in Ubud I had a late lunch of salad with crab cakes and homemade sweet potato chips at Coffee & Silver while catching up on my internet. Next I treated myself to a pedicure at Zen Spa, they do an amazing job so much better than in the U.S. Back to my room while the rain came pouring down giving me time to design some more jewelry. I have fun in the grocery stores looking at all of the different packaging. I stocked up on some supplies for my room, most important an ant proof container for any open food. The ants here come in all sizes all the way down to the size of a salt grain. I finished the day with a lite dinner at Café Lotus. I feel like the day was so long and it is only 9:30 at night.
|  | 
|
