Hey everyone - hows it?

Good I hope? I imagine you are all now in the run up to Xmas, strange as I feel so Unchristmassy except for the Christmas music that was playing the supermarkets in Australia, obviously now Im in Bali there is not a wif of Christmas in site being a Muslim country and all...

So I had to update you all on the first week here. I arrived in Singapore in 'transit' and spend 11hrs at Singapore airport, I actually checked in to the airport hotel for a few hours to get some sleep but to be honest I spent most of the time in delirium wandering round the shops of the airport, which may explain the spontaneous purchasing of a net book. I have found with travelling that this is completely different to being on holiday, not only because Im not going to going home in 2 weeks but that Im constantly researching and addressing where to go next. I thought that when travelling I would kind of drift along and accommodation and places of interest would become apparent, so far I havent found this. I have also found that as Im travelling alone it difficult to just rock up at a location and then start to look for somewhere to sleep (esp when arriving at midnight) as I have to drag my belongings around and I think even the lightest of packer would find this draining, when travelling in groups one scout can go off looking but as Im on me tod I dont have this luxury. So my justification for a laptop is so that I can research where to go next and find the best deal...hence why Im now sat in a swanky hotel...more on that later!

So I arrived in Ubud Bali a week ago and it was a huge culture shock! Again I checked in to a really nice hotel (I thought I would treat myself after the 2 months of bedroom sharing and bunk beds). Ubud seemed completely unreal especially as I have been travelling in the western world for the last 2 months.

First day was my 'orientation' day, this is where I tend to chase about the local area trying to figure out what there is to see and / do. I had lunch of pig on a spit sat crossed legged and looking at the palace where later I went to see a performance (8 acts and several dancers) amazing stuff where the dancers move VERY slowly using their fingers and eyes mainly for dancing.

The next day I went to find cheaper accommodation (and did my bartering) and then had reflexology ( a snip at 5 pounds) and then down to Monkey forest. I loved monkey forest as I was literally jumped on by several of the monkeys and although I was rather worried at first (see FB photos) it was such a thrill to be amongst them and their fur was so soft! That evening however I did have a mini freak...I think due to the Reflexology and also the humidity I felt terrible and had to take myself to bed at 9pm...Ubud is in the centre of Bali and in the middle of a rainforest so the humidity is pressing and close so I have been drinking my body weight in water.

The 3rd day it was raining so I amused myself by a spot of shopping and then off to a fish spar where fish nibble at your feet! Again this was only 3 pounds! That evening I went out a propped up a local bar, I have found that now Im not in backpackers it is harder to meet people to chat with so the only way is to sit in a bar and wait until I find someone to befriend! This night happened to be a gay expat called Rob who I sat chatting to and listing to live music.

The 4th day I pottered and then in the evening decided to go for dinner and it was here I met Carol my new friend! It was great to sit and have dinner and chat with someone as so far I had pretty much been on my own for 4 days and was starting to feel a little mute! Im also glad I met her as it led to one of the weirdest experiences travelling so far...

The next day we decided to go and find the Balinese healing centre which is featured on Eat, Pray, Love. The lady there is called Wayan, I wont go in the story behind her but as I have just read about her I thought it would be interesting to see how acurate the book / film is. When we arrived we were met by Wayan and Tutti (her daughter) and after some deliberation Carol and I decided to do the body reading. This would include Wayan 'reading' my body to see where they maybe any problems and also to do a fortune telling reading. It started with her moving her hands across my body and then she told me whether I had enough Vitamins in my body, whether I 'little worry' or sleep 'not so well' all quite interesting but to be taken with a pinch of salt as such. She also read my palm and if your interested I have apparently will:

Have a long life

Have 2 deep love and 2 not too deep love (unsure what the second means)

I am from 6 generations of reincarnation

I am spiritually diligent

and I will marry and have 3 children (this I have been told before by other psychics and quite often told I will be having twins, probably through IVF by the time I get round to it)

After the body reading I was led in to a room and an older lady followed me in guy with a scarf, she then asked me to undress and put the scarf on (I wasnt totally comfortable with this but figured when in Rome n all..) and it was at this point 3 others came in and started to quite literally wash me with leaves....this process went on for 30mins..all very surreal.

So all in all a very odd morning but so worth the experience. I then went on a tour around Bali with a local guy (a cafe owner had offer to let one of his staff drive me around and show me the sites for a small fee). I went ot 3 temples a coffee plantation and a wood carving centre. Also totally amazing that this small paragraph doesnt do any of this justice!

I cant begin to tell you how amazing and different Bali is, there is so much to see and do, but today I left Ubud and went to Gili Trawagan one of the Gili Islands and I feel like I have landed in paradise! I have also found a really nice hotel...ok maybe a little over budget but its like a 5 star dive centre, I did have to do some trekking about today but its been worth it...back to budget accommodation though in 2 days...I promise!

So Im off out tonight to again prop the bar up. There is a very different crowd here in Gili T, I have been told in the guide books that this party Island, but it is very small and intimate but seems to have a lot of surfer type dudes here ;) Very different to the sophisticated crowd in Ubud, but I still think small enough to be chilled and not over the top...so wish me luck in my bar propping!

J x