With Ketut of Bali Santi in Ubud. My favorite massage therapist in Ubud, Bali. She’s next door to an herb store making aromatherapy oils, soaps, lotions, mosquito repellant and very near Sandat Bali. Sandat Bali is where Nyoman, one of my healer friends lives, and Wayan his wife operate a homestay.
A Few Travel Experiences!
Baby already learning to help bail the boat near 4,000 islands, Southern Laos.
Baby learning early to help with the boat!Please….Feel Free To IGNORE Advice!
Ignoring advice, I found this lovely spot on Ko Samet. It’s some of the softest white sand places I’ve ever experienced!!! Quiet peaceful beach (during the week). Much less expensive accommodations were in the village, a ten minutes walk to this spot! So happy I ignored “informed advice” and listened!
Go Local!
Move out of prime tourist areas! One block away will often
bring you a world of different experiences! Local, intimate, personable and, for me, enlivening!
Literally experienced “magic” happening with this healer in Ubud, healing for people with serious challenges! Awesome friend and family, tune into this when you travel!
https://www.facebook.com/sandatbaliubud
School girl, Sri Lanka
Meeting children getting ready for school, morning walk in Sri Lanka.
Meeting children and families during an early morning walk photographing birds in Sri Lanka. Early morning, away from the beach and tourist, into the forest.
http://www.talallafreedomresort.com/
Dream Fulfilled!
Photo of family homestay from my bungalow.
From the first time I saw images of Raja Ampat, I wanted to go there, knew I would go one day! It required more scheduling and planning than I normally do. Details, flights, arrival time, taxi to port, ferry, immigration and $100 US park permit, boat to Arborek Island, find my homestay. Left Bali around 4:00 pm for airport. Overnight in Makassar, flight at 3:00 am, etc. Result: an awesome experience (minus the food poisoning at the most expensive place I stayed)! Umbrella cockatoo’s woke me in the morning on one island! This is the view from my hammock in my bungalow of the family compound on Gam Island.
Fortune smiles again!
Visiting the tourist office in the tea country of Munnar, I was looking at a map on the wall. A woman stopped, pointed to a spot and told me “this is a great place to visit”! She gave me the name of the home stay. It was in the general area where I wanted to go so, after a LOOOOOnnnngggg day of travel, I arrived in the next village. And as fortune would have it, I arrived at the homestay during the few days that coffee trees blooming filling the country with the fragrance similar to jasmine! The photo is of the family at Sahyadri outside Kalpetta in Kerala, India. AMAZING food prepared fresh each meal. So peaceful, quiet and cool, an escape from the stifling heat of Cochin. WOW!
http://www.sahyadrihomestay.com/
Sunrise outside Bagan, Myanmar
Early morning e-bike ride to see sunrise over the temples. There are over 4,000 monuments in a 14 square kilometer area! Peaceful, quiet, reverent! Stayed at a great hostel there:
https://www.ostellobello.com/hostel/ostello-bello-bagan-myanmar-burma/
Repeat Dream!
Yes, I am going back to Oaxaca! I loved my experience there so I’m going longer and have more of the experience in Oaxaca community. First, I’ll explore some new places in Mexico. Then, WOW…celebrating Dia de Los Muertos ahead of the official days. Such an amazing local celebration before the tourist arrive!
Dia de Los Muertos, Oaxaca…celebration of life! Learn more:
Older post but helpful information: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-08-31/how-to-plan-a-trip-to-oaxaca-for-day-of-the-dead
And…https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/north-america/mexico/top-ten-day-of-dead-mexico/
As you look around, let me know if you have any questions or suggestions!
And by all means….if travel appeals to you, GO!
There will come a day where there will be no more “someday’s”.
Blessings on your journey’s!