Dive right in!

It's just after seven in the morning as I write, a balmy cool 26degrees... Despite having all modern amenities, life here ebbs and flows with the weather. It feels very primal, but our bodies seem to be functioning better just going with it.

As such, the sun sets at 6:30 and it takes hours after that for the heat to dissipate, so we too 'set'in the early evening. It is beautiful here, as much because of the landscape as the kindness of the people. The family that cares for our house are all involved in the process. The title 'Wayan'is a local term for the firstborn of a family. The patriarch of the family here is Wayan Kodang, and he does everything from driving to cleaning out our little pool. His son Wayan Alit manages the administration side of things, keeping track of everything and arranging whatever we need for our stay. They provided us with a cell phone for our entire stay, and literally will find anything if we ask. Alit's wife makes meals, and their daughter, Wini, is 16 months old and does a great job of entertaining Sheps and Cadsie.

Yesterday was our first round of adventuring, Kodang has been driving tourists around the island for over ten years, and is a wonderful guide. His insights into the difference between what a typical tourist may want to see and what we are looking for have been perfect. After a quick stop at a nearby beach, we went to the Bali Cultural Park. Indonesia is largely Muslim (95%) but the island of Bali is 95% Hindu. As such, Bali has a rich Hindu heritage. The cultural park is home to several huge copper sculptures. (See picture above) With the utmost respect to the artisan and the religious heritage, I cant help but to see a striking similarity to this character (Vishnu I think) and a Jim Henson Muppet.

The Government has created several parks and heritage sites like this, most of which sit half completed due to the general world wide ecomonic downturn, and in part to the damage the tourism economy has suffered due to terrorism risks. The parks are incredible! The cliffs you see in the picture are man made, about five years ago commissioned to compliment the sculptures and provide shelter for large dancing events. (Much to Cadsie's delight!)

Will post more tommorrow, we have a busy day planned.