Kopi Luwak, Monkeys and Ants.

Here are some of the pictures from our adventures over the last few days.

A regular habit of ours is what me and the kids have come to call 'favorite things' Lindsay will ask us what our favorite thing about a person, meal, day or anything. While sometimes difficult, it is an excellent attitude changer.

My favorite thing of the last few days has to be the drinking of the Kopi Luwak. For those who have heard of this, you will appreciate what a moment this was for me. For those who have not... google! I'm bringing some home for those who would like to sample... but fresh, it is sublime!

There is a picture of what appears to be a small floral meal on the sidewalk. This is a typical example of an offering. These beautiful little palm leaf boxes are filled with several different natural and food items, each with symbolic meanings, they are then placed in strategic areas of the home. There are 3.3million Balinese; 95% Hindu, lets be pessimistic at 4-5people per home. There are at least three locations in a home to cover. Not including temples (of which each community has several) nor those in front of businesses or on the windsheild of cars, it is easy to presume that there are several million of these little beauties out today. This is a ceremony that takes place every 5 days!

We went to the Monkey forest today, but had a short visit. While fascinating it is a sad place. The monkeys are protected by Hindu beliefs, but the sale of bannanas and the nature of primates has created a dangerous combination and the monkeys have become aggressive. We were warned to hold the kids, not wear jewelry and be cautious. What did me in was the guards with sling-shots... just didn't have the right feel. Soo a picture of me and our little monkeys at the gate will have to suffice... (and no sling shots were required to keep them in line!)

Lindsay had an ant (we presume, though perhaps a wasp) fly into her eye after dinner today and bite her. I had one of these ants bite me on the shoulder earlier today and it is quite similar to a deerfly. She is a real trooper, and seems to be recovering well. There is a level of panic in a situation like that that we as adults can process fairly quickly, but poor Shepherd had a bit of a hard go. This is largely my fault as I have tried to overcome his inquisitive nature with fear in order to protect him from the dangers here. Because of this he is very aware of bugs and a little too stressed about them. Lindsay, though she had every reason to be shook up, did admirably. Shepherd needed a little more re-assurance... poor guy.

I'm certain this will come up in conversation a few times tomorrow...