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It's a bright, sunny Friday morning as I look out from our 3rd floor balcony in appreciation of the beauty surrounding us...Two doves engaged in a mating dance on the red-tiled rooftop below...several roosters crowing in a rhythmic pattern off in the distance...lavender, yellow, orange, pink and reds are a few of the beautiful colors of the potted orchids and other flowers lining the floor of our outdoor patio. A large variety of birds singing songs while enjoying the bright morning sun...The aroma of spicy Balinese food fills the air.
Our friend, Patrick (from the US) who's been living in Bali full-time for the last 6 years has offered today to take us to a waterfall and swimming hole which he frequents. It's a continuation of the street past our apartment which meanders through lush green rice fields which seem to go on forever. We've been here for 4 months and never even knew this place existed. That's the way it is here is Bali, so many sights to see everywhere. Unfortunately for us, part of the way up it starts raining. Only sprinkling at first which leads up to a torrential downpour. Patrick pulls out his umbrella and in so doing loses his highly valued rose quartz ring which flys off his baby finger and into the rushing creek below. After some scrambling through the rocks and water for a while up comes his ring. He was one happy guy in spite of the rain! In the meantime, Alvin has borrowed a machette from a Balinese lady out in the field as she points to a large banana leaf. We both carry it over our heads and we're on our way. This will be our umbrella for the rest of the trip. As the narrow path fills quickly with water it becomes very wet, cold and slippery...We're about halfway now to our destination so turning back is probably not an option although I would surely like to. Who says you have to go swimming to get wet? Not in Bali during the rainy season. There appears to be a rooftop off in the distance where hopefully we can find some reprieve from this rain. I'm every bit a drowned rat as I feel my teeth begin to chatter. Fortunately for us, there is a welcoming Balinese elder to greet us. It was if he knew we were coming. As the yard fills with water the white domestic ducks enjoy their new found swimming hole. Running, jumping, diving, waddling, sliding they couldn't be happier.. I try and steal a glimpse of whats under the lid of the pot cooking on an open fire covered by a lean to beside the house. Sure smells good whatever it is in there... Luckily, Patrick is able to converse with the man in Balinese. Patrick asks him his age and with a bewildered look on his face he replies that we doesn't really know. I've read that this can be quite typical for the older generation in the smaller villages. As I wrap myself in a large beach towel, Alvin takes from the pack a large loaf of Sourdough rye (thanks Bali Buddha) and a block of aged cheese. We eat, watch the ducks, share some stories and have a few laughs while waiting for the rain to subside. We hear the roar of thunder in close proximity and decide we cannot descend the steep gorge to the river below as the trail down will be treacherous after all this rain. An hour or so passes and we wonder back on an alternate, but just as scenic route although far more travelled. Off to our right, an organic restaurant with rolled down bamboo blinds offering protection from the elements. A painted brown sign with an arrow pointing to an organic farm sits across from the restaurant. I certainly couldn't think of more pristine setting than this for growing rich, healthy food. We stop and peruse the menu attatched to a bamboo post under a small lean to near the walk. Everything on it sounds like a delight to the taste buds. After 45 minutes we arrive back at our apartment, glad to have a hot shower, warm blankets and a tall cup of Jasmine tea to get rid of the chills......
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