Salamat Siang,

Today we ventured further than our local Ubud Village and found ourself at the Bali Bird Park. WOW is all I can say - with regard to both the drive down to the Park on the narrow and very busy roads - and of course Wow to the Birdpark itself.

Who would think Bali has one of the nicest Bird Parks ever - at the same level of Australia Zoo. Amongst a stunning botanical landscape the finest collection of Indonesian birds plus fantastic birds from all over the world. The girls went crazy, as we could reach out and literally touch all the birds perched in trees in their natural habitat! Aviaries where you follow a walk at tree-level, or what those with feathers might say at wing-level - are just beautiful. You can throw live crickets into the air for the birds to fly and catch them as they would naturally. It certainly surpasses any bird park I've seen in my travels over the years.

Brookie held a huge Eagle and the most beautiful Owl, she also had very LARGE birds that I've never seen before perched on her head and shoulder. They certainly put the Colour Spectrum to shame!

We got to see the WORLD's Rarest bird, the Bali Starling - only a few remain left, and we saw them! A Brilliant white with bright blue around their eyes. Friendly little things they are, maybe that's why they are so rare!

We saw Javan Hawks, Serpent Eages, Scarlet Macaws, Toucans, and Congo Parrots. The family favourite was the "Lessor Adjuntant" (now nic-named the Brandon Bird! :) Mine is the Asian Fairy Bluebird, Brooks is the King Bird of Paradise (with 2 stunning 'bits' hanging off a fine thread as it's tail! Sienna's "bestest" bird is the .... ummmm .... wait for it .... "Komodo Dragon" (I think someone's a little confused! In her world, Dragons have wings, didn't you know?

Yes, Siennas highlight of the day was getting up close and personal with a huge Komodo Dragon, of course in only true Sienna Style ... she wondered "where it's wings were to fly, and when was it going to breathe Fire?

Brookie and I laugh all day long at her little sisters antics and thought processes.

In true Orang Asing style, Erica's already lost her road map .... must have left it in a cafe yesterday (along with my Bali brain) and of course, today we got lost driving. (Isn't that what husbands were created for?)....however, all worked out well, Erica just headed North via the most stunning road of furniture I've ever seen ... well Business Plan Number 1001 came to mind, the furniture I saw 'roadside' would be worth a small fortune back home, one off pieces carved locally by little old men in loin cloths.... so stunning! (the furniture that is, not the little old men in Loincloths! :) So when the "Perawat" (aka Nanny) starts next week, the girls can chill by the pool in the heat of the day and I'll escape for an hour or three.... and check out "Furniture Alley" ....which even better, leads to my Villa's laneway! Good work, what a find Erica!

Any takers for Importing ONE OFF's in NZ and OZ? Get in quick! :) I'm Exclusive!

Next week (when the girls are occupied), I'll venture further again into Seminyak/Sanur, check out the surf beaches and visit the Expat hospital etc, so I can find my way around with more confidence. A Driver from my local Village charges $6 for a FULL day to sit next to me in my hire car and show me the easiest/quickest routes for me to take. So that is certainly worth breaking the bank for! ... and yes of course I will pay more!. So sad, that the average monthly wage here is $80 per month, for 6-7 days work, and many are paid UNDER the Minimum wage which is set at $87 month! Every $ is earned with the greatest of smiles - really makes one think when our children back home walk around with not only a Wiis, but iTouches AND a DS - that are worth 8-9 months salary here to feed a family.

Aren't we Blessed?

Well dear friends and family .... I'm only half way through the day yet, so I'll sign off and update you tomorrow with happenings of later today. More bike practice (don't panic, Brooklyn has the Ambulance Number memorised!) then were off to meet a new friend at KAFE, in Ubud - a very cool coffee hangout.

Tomorrow night we may head to the Elephant Safari Park for a Night Ride - 20 minutes north of Ubud, where an Ozzy guy has given refuge to 30 abused and abandoned logging Elephants from Sumatra. They have even bred 2 new baby Elephants in 2 years ... a great success, which as we all know, is rather unique in captive Elephants.

As you all know we moved from HOPE ISLAND which is protected by Security Gates to keep the "real world" from entering (and of course "low lifes" like MY friends - ha ha only joking ya'll), so today, as we enter our very long "village roadway" off the main road (Note: in the 'back-arse of Bali') - Sienna asks "Mummy, in Hope Island I'm allowed to take my seatbelt off inside the Gates, where's our Security Gate so Sienna knows to take her seatbelt off ... and why do all these strangers wander around our House, why doesn't the gate keep them out"

O.M.G!!!!

Over and Out.
xxx Lots of love to all.