Day five -
We packed our belongings and met Gede who was taking us to the zoo then drop us at Ubud.

Bali Safari was a great day and had 2 turns of get a photo with the orungatan so I could get to cuddle him twice ... not that he had any interest in me!

We also had photos with a baby lion another animal I'd never seen but was wrapped around our neck likw a fur and gave very ticklish kisses as he sniffed our faces.

We also went on an elephant ride, a safari journey, walked through the aquarium and took in the elablorate Agung show. We did the Rhino package which gave us express lanes, free photos and the better restaurant lunch for approx $130 for the day.

Later that afternoon Gede took us to his recommendation of Champlung Sari which we booked into for $80 USD per nite.

The room and staff were not as nice as Amadea but it was a pretty hotel - although all those beautw stones with moss got very slippery as Tanya found out the hard way!

That evening we had dinner further up the road and discovered Ubud was also full of designer clothes and homeware shops! Not at all what I expected ...

Day six -
We had our included breakfast (another step down from Amadea!) where you have to be careful a monkey does not steal your breakfast!

We walked around all the amazing shops that had an arty / yoga and up market spin to them. There were also many cafes catering to the health conscious - Bali Buda beingy favorite. I found the yoga studios but the town did not have the vibe I hoped for ... similar to Seminyak the streets were like a rabbit warren with frequent traffic jams and over run with tourists ... especially when the large tourist buses arrived ejecting hordes of chinese tourists. By night the streets are sleepy again as all the day trippers go home.

I finally saw the rice field I was expecting but it was just one paddock in between cafes!

The cafe was 3 monkeys and served delicious food so do recommend it!

Day seven -
We did a morning Laya yoga session at Yoga Barn ($11 AUD) per class. It was my first experience of this and seemed to be what my friend's in Brisbane had told me about when they had done a course in Tigress yoga. Tanya was pretty sure the teach was orgasming at one point and would frequently let out a soft cackle in between her throaty instructions. Another lady next to us sounded like she'd escaped a mental institution and frequently hummed, and made high pitched sounds, followed by maniacal laughter.

It was a slow class and still a good release, even though I did not join some of my fellow yogis in letting go of my trapped energy any way my body saw fit!

We had a quick chat with fellow yogi Molly from Massachusetts in the cafe after as we waited for our wheat grass shot. The yoga teacher was nearby with her merry band of disciples gathered around.

Molly was volunteering at the Bali Spirit festival the next week but was also a little surprised at our class but also excited describing our teacher as 'the real deal'.

We spent the remainder of the morning shopping our way up to Bali Buda where we had a delicious big breakfast with coconut milk cappacino and a fresh juice for $5.50!

We meant to go home asap and relax by the pool after but were drawn into a shop that supports disabled balinese to buy a kite for Tanyas boy. We met Begonia who was a sweet Spanish lady who lives in Bali and runs the foundation. The art is all produced by disabled people within thr community and the money goes to the foundation to support people as they can.

In the street Tanya would have pais a lot more for her kite so she donated extra money as well as somw specifically for a man she read a story about on the wall of the shop. We later found out he has been quite sick with asthma but could not afford to go to the doctors so the money would be very helpful.

I bought 2 traditional paintings in raw local timber and paid only $50 AUD ... to be honest would not have bought them in the street but happy to when the money goes to a good cause and I have a beautiful story that goes with it. Chatting to us Begonia also realised she could help me with some activities while in town and all the commission she makes on booking them for me goes to the foundation.

A storm hit that afternoon so we didn't get to relax by the pool but had a nice dinner out.

Day eight -
We had breakfast at the hotel packed up our stuff ready to leave and relaxed by the pool.

I went for my first ever capoeira class at the yoga barn and Tanya went for a massage.

I absolutely loved the capoeira taught by an indonesian who has visited Brazil a few times to learn. He made it lots of fun first learning the jenga (not sure how to spell), then round kicks, then playing in a roda, finishing off with one hand arm balances.

I definitely want to do more when I get home!

When I got back I was exhausted from sweating profusely during our work out, but no rest for the wicked! Gede was there and took us to the rice terraces. They were beautiful and we enjoyed sitting in a bamboo table cross legged Japanese style drinking coconut and eating sate looking out over them.

There's so many beautiful homewares on the road between ubud and there that we drooled the whole way back! All too large to fit in our suitcases!

Gede took me to the Astiti Guest House where I'd arranged a room for $20 per night and I farewelled them both ready for the next part of my holiday.

I had to quickly shower and change as was meeting Begonia near Starbucks to see the dancing.

She was there as promised and spent a lovely half hour chatting with her about her life less ordinary - marrying a Balinese husband a d raising her 9 year old daughter here. She also was very inspirational talking about her calling to help the disabled people in the community. She left just after the first dance started leaving me seated in the best seat in the house - square on front of the stage seated cross legged on the concrete.

The dance and music was beautiful so very glad I followed her recommendation.

I had dinner at the indian restaurant afterwards .. then home to bed.

I saw Putu before retiring and she apologised for not being in earlier but was at the full moon ceremony (they seem always to have a ceremony! ).

Day nine -
Putu was up early as promises cooking me a delicious Balinese breakfast of green coconut and banana pancakes with apple, and delicious coffee.

She was a really lovelt lady trying to do so much to make her guests welcome ... she'd even taken two girls to the ceremony the previous evening.