Took a 2.5 hour flight to Denpasar, Bali on no-frills Air Asia. Met a couple of girls at the airport in Darwin and we shared a cab and room in Sanur. The first thing that you notice is the sheer number of scooters/motorcycles. There was at least 1,000 in the airport parking lot. Everyone rides them. Women, men, kids, grannies, and even whole families at once. They ride crazy and fast, beeping horns incessantly. Have not seen any accidents though.

Bali is wonderful. It's safe, serene, and a bargain. Prices are so cheap I'm feeling a bit guilty. My hotel room was $25, $4 to have all of my clothes laundered, $6 for a fancy dinner, $8 pedicure, $2.50 for two scoops of gelato, a massage for $6. Haven't seen bargains like this since .25 tequilia shooters at Hussongs a very long time ago! I don't even look at prices when ordering meals.

There is a stone walkway that goes for miles along the beach. People have stores/booths along every inch of it. This is where you will also find the Hiltons and Hyatts which in turn contain mostly overweight, middle-aged, miserable-looking, european couples eating their hamburgers and fries. The semi-nude massages i saw being given at the beach have permanently damaged my retinas.

Shopkeepers set out offerings in little bamboo baskets each morning filled with flowers, incense, and food. They are beautiful and colorful. This a a colorful place and it smells of clove cigarettes and incense. My hotel is lovely, simple, with manicured gardens, caged birds, and a pool with a waterfall. As I was strolling leisurely to a late dinner, I saw a group of tired, grungy backpackers being herded into a hostel and I looked at them with disdain and pity as I am currently a respectable hotel guest.

I was able to witness two people being cremated at the beach. It was a long ceremony and probably 200 people were in attendance. The remains were not thrown into the water as is done in India thank goodness.

Things I Miss

Family, friends, co-workers

Watching Portlandia on Friday nights

Double Doubles

2012 election silly season moments

Rachel Maddow, Daily Report, Stephen Colbert

Charmin