Bali Bliss - June 2012

I'm sitting in a cafe on the Gili Islands, overlooking the turquoise water and white sand beaches.  The server here noticed I was on facebook and immediately ran to get a pen and paper so she could add me as a friend.  As I reflect on our trip this gesture sums up the Balinese people - kind and generous they wish to be friends with everyone they meet.  You can ask for anything here and their response is always "no problem".  Even though a Balinese kilometer is about 100 feet and an hours trip is 90 minutes, its hard not to fall in love with these smiling, shinny happy people.

The majority of people in Bali are Hindu.  The Hindu culture and belief system is portrayed in Yoga Philosophy, and having the opportunity to experience a culture that lives and breaths these beliefs has taught me how your thoughts truly can become things.

As we near the end of our trip, David and I have been discussing what lessons we have learned from our adventures and from conversations with locals.  For me, three things come to mind that make up Bali Bliss - Karma, contentment and gratitude.  It is these three things that I understand keep the Balinese smile so bright, at all times, no matter what the circumstance.

Karma teaches that what you do in this life echos for eternity, and translates into good or bad luck when your spirit is reincarnated.  Believing your actions in this life affects your next life, we see the Balinese people kind to all others and this is seen in the almost inexistent levels of crime here.  Family and community is very important and the Balinese people live in compounds of 3 generations, and there will be 30-50 compounds in a village.  Each village is responsible for its people, supporting them in times of need, emotionally and financially.  You see very little poverty here as a result of this constant support and love.

Offerings are made to the Balinese Gods many times a day, showing gratitude for all that they have; from the food they have eaten to small and large possessions.  Outside front door steps you will see offerings of rice and sweets, flowers and incense to thank the Gods, and on the dash boards of taxis offerings for good luck.  We have seen that focusing on gratitude for what you do have, rather than on what you don't have gives the Balinese people a sense of contentment, no matter what their situation is.  From the fortunate cafe owner in Lovina who married into a rich Dutch family, to the young girls who massaged our feet on the street, everyone is happy with what they have.  When we asked the 15 year old girls who massaged us in Legien if they were always happy, they said with a smile, "yes, always".  Everywhere we go, people are laughing and smiling and when we chat to them they are eager to get to know us.  Even the young girls selling snacks at Padung Bai port as we sailed out to the Gili Islands, we joked and laughed as they playfully negotiated a price for water, crisps and Bintang at 9am.

Speaking to the Cafe owner in Lovina, we learned a very powerful philosophy from which he lives by. When we asked him about his love for his wife he said "until now I love her fully, but I don't know what the future will bring to us."  He explained that the future is a mystery and all that he can be sure of is the present moment, and in this moment, yes he loves his wife dearly.  As David explored this philosophy further he expanding the idea of "until now" to thinking that until now I have been a bad parent, friend or lover...until now I have been addicted to alcohol...until now I have been grieving, sad or frustrated...but in this moment, I can change and be a better person, I can be happy, content and positive.  Until now I have been afraid to step into my greater self, until now I have been afraid to open my heart fully and love fully.

Leaving Bali in only a few days, I will bring back with me many memories, many new friends in my heart and a new way of thinking.  To always have gratitude for the things I have and the people in my life and to be as supportive of others as they are to me.  To be content and focus on what I do have, rather than what i don't have. To know that the past is history and the future is a mystery so stay present in the moment as this is the gift of life.

If you wish to follow our adventures and meet the Balinese people we have met connect with us on twitter @livezensation or on tout.com/thekickasslife.  Or watch my facebook page where I will be posting our 15 second tout videos.


Trimakasi
(Thank You)

Bali arrival 2012

I have returned To Bali, June 1,2012 As soon as I landed in Bali and smelt the sweet,fragrant air I remembered how much I love it here. The man at customs looked at my passport and said, we should call you 'Newguy' (instead of Newman)then looked up at me and smiled in that gentle, Balanese way and chuckled. Only in Bali! I'm here to take part in my very dear friends wedding. I met nick and eve when I lived in Australia. They were my rock during a very challenging time in my life and I will for ever hold a special place in my heart for them. I'm honored to be here for them, and their wedding will be a union of two very special people. The taxi ride to the villa was typically Bali. Crazy traffic through winding streets, mopeds weaving between cars carrying pets, belongings and children without helmets. We dropped off the young German girl at her hotel in Kuta. I met her alone and scared at the airport so my driver was so kind to take her on the way, as long as I didn't tell his boss! After numerous turns down tiny streets, littered with stray dogs and cats we arrived at The Chandra. My welcome drink in hand, I entered our shared villa and stepped into the secret garden! An oasis amongst the impoverished Bali, how lucky am I?? And there they were, eve and nick wrapped in my arms after 2 years apart. Tears and giggles, I was so happy to see them and I just couldn't resist kissing nick's newly installed titanium head. (more on that later) Welcome to the land of the gods and goddesses...this Is going to be one amazing journey! With gratitude, zenjen