What care I for men when there are rocks and trees?

Jane Austen said that or something like it.  She was of course a noted spinster.  As am I.  I say own it. How did this spinster spend her day?  Going to a temple, wandering through parks and gardens, having conversations about old school music and children’s books with a middle-aged Australian man.  The usual.

If there is one thing Bali has going for it, that would be it’s lush vegetation.  Up here in the lakes district we are in the crater of an ancient volcano.  That being the case it is like living in a cloud.  The humidity is 70-90% daily.  That is a published fact.  It rains every day.  That is just common knowledge.  The mornings dawn bright and clear and by about 3 or 4pm the clouds have come to town to give everything a good watering.  I feel it is worth noting at this point that my rain gear is back in Kuta in my luggage. 

The temple has the distinction of being the only one in all of Bali that is on water.  Sure there are about 700 around the lakes and the coast, but only 1 can claim to be on the water.  Guess who saw it this morning?  Yup, me!  Taking the advice of a trek guide I ran into yesterday I went very early this morning.  I was in and out just as the first tour bus parked.  While it was just me walking the grounds it was very lovely and still.  I kind of missed the monkeys though. (By the way Ryan, consider your penis shaped souvenir in the bag.  The checked bag that is because it would be super embarassing to carry that through airport security.  And why is this listed in the temple section?  Well, remember what I said about vendors near temples?  You're welcome.)

For a taste of hullaballoo, I went back to the market.  I had done a bit of shopping yesterday but I had tons of shopping left (there are just so many of you who need souvenirs).  This morning I cleaned up.  And out.  My wallet.  It was a very productive trip.  I am down to my last 5 people to buy for.  I have never been good at bargaining but I have found silence and the willingness to walk away invaluable in these transactions.  Also, it is a great idea to go to market very early as the first sale of the day is thought to bring luck so the vendors are more bargain happy.

There is an amazing free park in town with an orchid garden (sadly not in bloom), a coffee plantation, and a bamboo forest.  It is also the only place in town for free wifi.  I go there alot.

The town’s other claim to fame is the Bali Botanical Gardens.  A massive, manicured garden glory with a begonia house, a cactus house, a wild orchid garden (some actually in bloom), and so much more.  It was here at the lake view that I ran into John the 50-something Australian who sat and chatted with me for an hour.  Why is this of note?  Was he strikingly handsome and oh so available?  No.  For years I have looked down on ex-patriots for their cliquish need to band together and I take that back now.  After 2 weeks of being in the Pacific Rim what I crave more than anything is a conversation carried out in English without the intent of a monetary transaction.  I had a bit of that yesterday at a rest stop with a middle aged Australian couple. Today I had enough to get me through to Hawaii. 

Ex-pats, don’t think you are off the hook.  I still think the term ex-pat is snobby and I do judge all who willingly call themselves that in public.  You’ve been warned.

P.S.  While blogspot wouldn't let me download photos, Facebook was totally okay with it. If you want to check in on some photos from today they are in the Bali album.  The first 5 were from a few days ago, but after that it's all new stuff.