Last night we sat on the veranda reading until dusk overtook us and we had to move inside. The veranda overlooks rice fields and at our doorstep one story below there is a waterway that gurgles with running water at all times. The frogs seemed to like it as later they lulled us to sleep with their croaking.

Once inside we began putting together our plan for what to do while we're in Bali, and we also tried to make some sense of how the money works. How the money works: 9,000 Rupiyah to 1 US dollar. We had to laugh at ourselves when we discussed that the place we are staying in is outrageously expensive compared to other accommodations at 135,000 Rp a night, including breakfast each morning. For those of you quicker on the maths, you already know that is $15US! Hard to believe that just weeks ago in Australia too expensive was closer to $50US nothing included. The rest of the plan is coming together as we plan to move up to the Northeast coast to Tulamben where there is a WWII plane wreck that is a good dive and also can be seen by snorkellers. Perfect for us.

Yesterday we spent some time walking the streets of Ubud. It is indeed a consumer/tourist driven economy with offers from transport drivers at every second doorstep. As we said before the place is a haven for artists and sculptors so art shops abound. There is a lot of traditional Hindu sculpture and some more contemporary pieces peak through as well. I have to remind myself that I am carrying an already too heavy pack and that shopping must be kept to a minimum!

We just had breakfast with bananas from the guest house garden. We feel like royalty. I think our first impressions were spot on -- we're really gonna like it here!

Namaste,

Val