Seminyak: Bali- I still cannot believe I am in Bali- it is somewhere I have wanted to come for yonks. Well Helli and her belli are in Bali! Actually I do believe that my belly is looking a tad thinner since you last viewed due my 100,---- yes that is Rich Huggins 100 (In groups of 3x30 plus 10) SIT UPS PER DAY- MY ASS AND UPPER LEGS STILL NEEDS SOME SERIOUS WORK RITCH-Beware you will be receiving a call when I get back!! I feel that I have been slack in every respect re journal entries and so have written a few lines to keep those of you who are my loyal readers satiated. BALI- is a small island midway along the string of islands that makes up the Indonesian archipelago .It is adjacent to Java which is the most heavily populated of all. In case any of you have been a tad worried re -TSUNAMI in Java- Bali did not seem to have any affect what so ever. Have no fear- I have kept a keen eye on any larger than life waves-since ,I have HEY JUDE GUESS WHAT? Got so into body board surfing. It is ab brill .I do not go -or should I say cannot make the big waves -as simply wading out to the tiddlers is a big effort what with all the force etc.I have new respect for surfers and their strong shoulders.No wonder they always insist on showing them off when not in the surf-they have worked dam hard for that look. Well I was in again today and will continue for 10days as we have booked into the Oberoi for 10 days !! We did go over to Nusa Dua which is about 20 minutes from Seminyak where there are lots of plush resorts too - went to the Conrad and Novitel- very nice -sllightly sterile in a resort kinda way-and also the beach was so far out -and you could not swim on the reef which is right in front of hotel.So big Louis -gave the right answer and said - MUCH PREFER THE LIVELY LOVELY WAVES. I guess no more back packing- for Hells! But before I get too big for my bikini- (The Oberoi - I am chuffed and gobsmacked )- I want to blab on somemore . The island of Bali is dramatically mountainous-the central mountain is a string of volcanoes.It is called GUNUNG AGUNG- which translates as MOTHER MOUNTAIN. It is over 3,600m. Hopefully we will visit it on our travels inland. Bali is also volcanically active- and extremely fertile. ( Judging some of the KUTA COWBOYS likewise I would say they are too!!!) Lots of long haired ,muscle bound, smiley and tattooed up to the eyebrows these boys are everywhere, offering services all and sundry - not just how to wax your surfboard if you know what I mean?-saw some v interesting sights whilst walking miles down the beach - anyway moving away from the pleasure industry!!!! It has a population of around 3.1 million .Now this does not include the lizards-of which there are zillions all shapes & sizes, squirrels,iguana,mouse deer and dogs. Now BALI DOGS- is worth a mention.Judy and I could not fathom why there were so many mangy looking doggies around. Well I have found the answer in a piece of literature I recently read. There are hordes of many,scabrous dogs all over Bali. Believing the folk here to be so genuine,gentle and kind I could not understand there complete lack of affection or caring for the canine kind. For the Balinese -dogs barely exist-inhabiting a lowly world of trash eating and scavenging.Left completey to their own devices the dogs reproduce and hang aroung the fringes of society . Their plight is not helped by the fact that many people consider them to be the embodiment of evil spirits.As if to confirm this the dogs are usually the first on the scene to scoff down the offerings (left everywhere in front of shops,house etc on the pavements) left for the demons. So although this does not justify this neglect I now understand what the sitch is. Incredibly here I was thinking that Vietnam would be guilty of this crime- infact NOT ATALL -without exception all the doggies I stroked and saw in Vietnam were in impeccable condition.- and well loved /adored. Anyhow hopefully someone -expat or Government will perhaps make this a worthy cause-and start a program to curtail reproduction / dog care etc. Well Louis has arrived - escorted by 2 porters! ( Why am I not surprised?) adn I am so happy . Off for dins so wil continue domani.