The Tale Of The Seven Roosters

It's 4 am and once again the more than annoying sound of crowing from the roosters fills the air directly beneath the window of our 3rd storey apartment. "Someone please tell those birds that it's Sunday and 4 am," Made's (Maa-Day's) brother or possibly brother-in-law seems to have collected more than his fair share of roosters, up 4 from the 3 of yester year. One rooster, maybe, but 7 right beneath our bedroom window, I don't think so, as I sweep my hand across the night table searching for industrial- type ear plugs to silence the noise. I think, they should be paying us to stay here, someone's got this all wrong!

Unfortunately, c*** fighting has become a lucrative and popular sport here in Bali as can be witnessed by the many roosters housed in the small round bamboo cages only slightly larger than the noisy birds themselves. It is widely known to be illegal but rarely, if ever, enforced. Alvin pipes up, "That it's going to be roost roaster for the next 7 days." Strangely, I agree that would be one way to quiet the neighborhood.

It's bittersweet as we've grown quite fond of our extended family who we've shared close quarters with while here in Bali.

As we walk by the 7 roosters in the 7 cages we feel we are left no choice but to leave the place we once considered home.

We're off in search of a new place to hang our hats. As we roar up one street and down the next, on our new model Honda 125, our first and foremost question is "Do you have roosters," and inevitably the answer is always Yes, we have roosters, all of Bali has roosters! What do you think??

As we're about at our wits end, we go for lunch in our favorite little restaurant tucked away up a narrow street.

We're asked how our day is going so far, Alvin and I look at each other, sigh and relinquish the story of the 7 roosters.

Yes, Claudine says it's a common problem here in Bali, the roosters that is. But I do know of one place that has only 1 rooster and 1 quiet dog.

I think quietly to myself, yes, there is a God and she's once again answered my prayers!!

Claudine says, "It's a popular place, known as the 1 rooster and 1 quiet dog place, so you must go quickly, go right now!"

Immediately we're taken in by the trickling water of the 3-tiered fountain surrounded by a lush but well manicured garden and stone walkway throughout. The rooms are light and airy with beige tiled floors and dark wood accents on white washed walls. An open-air shower is home to several large ferns cascading over moss filled river rocks. A uniquely-shaped sand colored cement tub fills one corner of the bathroom and adds another touch of earthy beauty to the already exotic Balinese decor.

A peaceful calm overtakes our sleepless eyes while easing our senses as we both feel the unspoken words.

This will be our Piece of Paradise for the next little while and the end to the Tale of the Seven Roosters!!!

Oh No, Another Bat, that's another day and another story!