It’s been a while since I updated here. The last I wrote, I was stranded on Gili Air. The boats were to start running on Sunday when I was there. I arrived early for the 10:30 boat only to find it had already left. Surrendering quickly to the reality that there was no boat, I headed back to Scallywags for one more night of relaxing. The next morning, I arrived even earlier getting there before 10:00 since the boat left around 10:00 the day before. This day, the boat left closer to 10:25. Such is the meaning of schedule in Indonesia, it’s at best a rough estimate. The best policy is to ask multiple people the same question, and arrive extra early.
I spent two days in Candidasa, Bali once I returned here. For years, I’ve wanted to visit that area and was finally able to fit that in. Since so much time was spent on the island, I wondered if I would do justice to the Candidasa area with only two nights and it was fine.
It rained a lot while I was there and continued raining once I returned to Ubud. I’d sent an email letting them know I was arriving early. They didn’t receive it and they were full. “No problem” Wayan said. Ten minutes later, I was settled into a new bungalow at the neighbors. Wayan told me to leave my bags and take only what I needed. The experience of being here, of staying here, is marvelous. What a loving family! Wayan cooked dinner the other night and insisted I join the other guests for dinner. The food was very good!
People I had met before were still staying here so it was a reunion of sorts. The next morning, I moved to one of the deluxe new rooms that weren’t here last year. That was the day before NYEPI and I thought I’d have Nyoman work on me. When I mentioned it to him, he said “you have no problemmmmm” and said it would be OK if I wanted. The day filled with other activity and I didn’t have a session with him.
My ear has been bothering me. He saw me rubbing it and grabbed a spot on my thumb leaving me ducking in pain. It’s a point for the jaw and ear. I’ve been working it for the two days since he showed me.
Yesterday, I hooked up with Alyz, a friend I met on Gili Air and a friend she is traveling with, Melinda. We met for coffee, and I would up bringing them back here to introduce them to Nyoman. Both had sessions which were very good. I asked Nyoman once again if he had time to work on me. Once again, he smiled and said “you have no problemmmmm Larry”. Alyz, Melinda and I went to an organic local Warung for lunch, where I’d been before and met Dayu. She’s such a lovely lady, made wonderful lunch for us and told me to come back for lunch and she’ll show me how to make peanut sauce for my lunch! I spent the rest of the day with my friends and got back to Nyomans around 7:00. I went out for coconut ice cream and came back tired expecting to turn in early.
The family and guest gather together here throughout the day and evening. Everyone sat about chatting and laughing last night. There’s always a lot of laughter! I thought several times I’d go to my room for an early night. At one point, Nyoman saw me rubbing my thumb, pointed at my ear and asked if it was still bothering me? Moments later, I was on the table and he was working on me. The pain in my ear went away, the tenderness in the thumb point is gone, and before I knew it, I was heading to my room at 11:00. So much for an early evening or needing one.
Here are a few photo’s of Nyoman’s and my rooms here.
