After 42 hours of door-to-door travel we arrived yesterday in Ubud on Bali. An interesting itinerary through airports in Seoul, Bangkok and Singapore. Spent the night in Bankgkok airport - entertained for a while by the 24 hour restaurant team who clearly had never had anyone select banana cheese pizza from the menu. I still think it would have been interesting - but I guess no one will ever know, since they gave up after several attempts.

The villas we are staying in outside Ubud are great - very pleasant, overlooking a koi pond and rice paddy fields - surrounded by wild-life. Lots of geckos and apparently large unknown creatures that drop sizeable poop from their home in the ceiling. Ubud is a good mix of temples, markets, stores, restaurants and bars - with a unique Balinese atmosphere - crowded, narrow, very lush, friendly, with tourists mingling with the locals living in their multi-generational family compounds, most with their own shrines or temples.

We drove to the South East coast today - the beaches were disappointing - but the trip with our local driver, Ketut, well worthwhile. I have never seen so many motor-bikes - masses weaving in and out throgh the traffic like huge flocks of birds - somehow never touching ...... some with whole families balanced on a small bike - the driver texting as they go...

We have recovered quickly from jet-lag - but we are fading quickly tonight. Had dinner served to us on our villa verandas instead of dealing with the crowds in Ubud.

Weather is relatively cool - low 30's and wet today - but probably improving tomorrow.

Met a monkey up close today - inches from my face while sheltering from a downpour under an overhang.

Jessi and Kris are already turning into good negotiators - holding their own in getting some good deals for clothing in the local market.

Thats it - I'm fading fast