Wrapping Things Up In Bali

Well, today is our last day in Bali. It's been a wonderful trip - complete with its ups and downs, of course, but a really great vacation. You can only go for so long in Korea...there are plenty of things I love about the place, but seriously, most people need a break from that country every so often!

I got a little sick about halfway through the trip. Nothing too serious, but I had to get on antibiotics just in time for New Year's Eve. That was a bit of a bummer, but the overall theme of rest, relaxation, and suntan still managed to prevail for the whole trip. So I didn't have an epic NYE, that's alright. It's pretty safe to say I have plenty of epic nights out in Seoul regardless of holidays.

I don't really want to leave this place just yet...it's so warm and even though we did a lot of sightseeing, there's still so much more to see and do. However, I am actually excited to see all of my friends again. I'm not excited about going back to work, but so it goes. We have another cool trip to look forward to in February for Lunar New Year Vacation - a few of us are going to Hong Kong. So life's pretty damn good!

Here are some of the highlights of our trip I haven't yet blogged about...

One of the coolest sights we saw was Tegalalang, Bali's biggest rice terrace. Rice farming might not sound that interesting, but just look at how beautiful this is!



This same day, we also went to the biggest hindu temple complex in Bali: Pura Besakih Mother Temple. It was rainy and we kept getting hassled by super aggressive guides and "temple keepers", but we managed to have a good time and take some nice pictures at one of Bali's most famous sights.






On our last day of sightseeing, we went to Kuta, the busy, touristy hotspot, and Uluwatu, another really cool temple. We were supposed to see a kecak fire dance (another traditional dance that would have taken place at sunset) but unfortunately my throat was feeling pretty bad at that point so we called it a day. Maybe next time :)


Here we are on Kuta beach, a much bigger, more tourist-trappy version of our beach in Candi Dasa.


They have Starbuck's and Hard Rock Cafe in Kuta, both of which Carl is a big fan of.



We weren't sure what it was for, but we ran into a procession along the streets of Kuta to the beach.


shopping in the many markets


On the way out of town...motorbikes are the prime form of transportation here.
Next stop was Uluwatu, a really cool temple on the coast. We got there on a nice, sunny day which made for some really pretty pictures.


I like my sarong outfit.


Nice view.


Carl in his manly sarong.


pretty pretty


Even Domo-kun is enjoying himself here.




Monkeys hanging out.
So that's all, folks. This trip has come to an end and we'll be on an overnight flight back to the frigid land of kimchi and Cass in the morning. Hope everyone has a very happy New Year! ♥
You may peruse all of my snazzy Bali pics here.

Barong & Kris Dancing

Are you sick of hearing about Bali yet? I hope not, cause I have a lot more to report on! One of the coolest things I've seen on this whole trip was a traditional dance performance. We had to get up early to see it (it started at 9:30 am in Ubud) but it was totally worth it. Don't ask me to explain what any of it meant...we had an English summary of the story and I still had no idea what was going on. All I know is that the costumes were really cool and it was one of those "I'm definitely in another country" moments. Sweet.


The music was all played live next to the stage.


A monkey and a tiger were key characters.


Beautiful dancers


Some kind of witch/demon thing..?


The performance ended with everyone violently knifing themselves to death...but I swear it was the most pleasant experience for us!
I put together a few videos of the cool parts. By the way, I'm loving the HD video quality of my new camera :) Enjoy...



More photos of the dance, as well as pics from the rest of the trip, can be seen here.

Ubud Sights

Over the past couple of days, we've been checking out a lot of Ubud, Bali's art center located in the middle of the island. Yesterday we saw more monkeys than you can fit in a barrel, a wood carving museum, and an elephant cave. Today was also jam-packed full of sights, including a traditional dance performance, a coffee and cocoa plantation, rice terraces, and Bali's biggest Hindu temple complex.

Let's start with those cuddly monkeys.


This one isn't so cuddly, but this giant stone monkey guarded the entrance to the Monkey Sanctuary and let us know that around here, monkey is king.



This place reminded me a lot of Nara in Japan, the temple where a bunch of tame deer hang out and get fed a lot. Except, you know, with monkeys.


Baby monkey!


Monkey see, monkey do
Another highlight was the Elephant Cave, a really freakin' old and cool temple/bathing place that wasn't actually discovered until the 1950s.


Here we are in front of the cave. Can you imagine what it must have been like to be digging around in the 50s and find this business from long ago?


Fountains in the pool area.. a guide told us they're fountains of youth. How convenient to find so many at once!


Now that's a cool tree.


In our rented sarongs (to show respect at temples, men and women should cover their legs) by a rice paddy.
We've been doing a lot of sightseeing, which has been really cool, but I think the lay around and do nothing part of this vacation is nigh. I am loving life right now!

Check out plenty more pictures here.

First Day in Bali

Bali is amazing! We're loving it here- it's indescribably wonderful to get out of Korea for a while, especially when it means getting out of the freezing cold straight into sunny paradise. Can't really go too wrong there. Here are a few pictures from our first couple of days (also, hooray for free wifi).



My brand new camera takes extra purty pictures of flowers.


Merry Christmas! Get in the pool!



playing on the beach


statue in the hotel


infinity pool


First sunset :)
More photos of Candi Dasa, the area we're staying in, as well as the rest of the growing collection of photos can be seen here.
Next post: all about Ubud!

Merry Christmas From Bali!

Howdy everyone, greetings from Bali!! Here's a little video update from my Christmas tropical paradise.. Have fun in the snow! :D


P.S. I bought myself a really effing sweet camera at Duty Free. Expect awesomeness.

Have Yourself a Very Cute Christmas

I got some of the cutest Christmas cards I've ever seen in my life today! I have these 2 students: a pair of really cool, smart sisters who also happen to be really good at art. These cards were not purchased, they were hand made! Too cute for life.


The first one was from Ashley, who's maybe 16 or so. She seriously drew this...I was in awe!


Cute message inside.


And an adorable walrus on the back.


Just look at this card made by Josephine! She even drew Lady GaGa down in the corner cause she knows I'm a fan. AHH TOO CUTE JUST TOO DAMN CUTE!


Awww! I feel like I'm actually doing something over here when I get stuff like this. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy knowing that there are at least 2 students out there who actually like me and listen to what I have to say. How refreshing!

Mom in Korea!

My momma came all the way from D.C. to spend the weekend with me in Seoul! We stayed at the Hamilton Hotel, ate yummy food, and did some Christmas shopping in Insadong. It was short, sweet, and fantastic!


Friday night


On Saturday night, everyone got together for a delicious dinner at Chef Meili's, a German restaurant in Itaewon. The infamous GIFT GAME was played shortly thereafter.


Yay!


View from the Hamilton...oh what those streets have seen.


Walking around Insadong...now that's a hog.
Weekend visits to Seoul: pretty effing cool. I'm available for more of those, just sayin'.