Aloha Friday v5

Nautie Friends!

I'm back in Bali (which feels blissfully familiar and easy compared to Nepal).  

I celebrated Aloha Friday exactly as it was meant to be celebrated - by doing absolutely nothing - and then eating.  

This also means there is no song for you....vintage instagram of Hilo Bay?  It'll have to suffice - not quite Halloween-y is it? 

(Also, there is absolutely no sign that Halloween exists here other than my Instagram. This suites me just fine.)

I hope you lovelies are enjoying your Friday wherever you find yourselves! 

Favorite Photo From Bali

This photo ended up being my favorite (as in I put it in my favorite pile because who can really choose a favorite?!).

My Mom and I were walking along the rice paddies when I realized we were perfectly silhouted over the bright green. 

So naturally I stopped....and we struck a pose.

I've got my skirt hiked up on one side with a palm tree on my left and my Mom's got her arms up vogue style. 

Mom and I strike a pose.

This is a scheduled post to keep you company in case I'm incommunicado while I'm Going Nomad!  Thanks for your understanding!  xoxo

Bye Bali - I'll be back!

I'm leaving Bali tomorrow morning headed for Nepal. 

I'm feeling a little melancholy-ish. If it wasnt for the fact that I'm headed to Nepal I'd be crying into a pillow. 

I'm sitting in my favorite coffee shop - reading a book about Nepal.   I've just run the most basic errands. Post office - bookshop to trade in an old read - gift shop to pick something up for a friend. It all felt so normal.  I realized sitting here that is be okay staying here. I could be comfortable - happy even. 

Its an interesting realization - that you're expat material. On one hand its freeing to know you could go anywhere and be happy. On the other hand you realize that it's gonna be harder and harder for you to go home.  

For now my mind says, 'give it a rest'. Just enjoy yourself.  So I will.   Plus, I come back in two weeks post Nepal. So there are more mellow Ubud afternoons in my future!

Travel Within Travel

We're packing up camp and headed to another part of the island for an overnight. 

I feel ridiculously excited.  

My Mom and I have both cracked up about how excited I am. Here I am, far from home and sooooo excited for an overnight! 

We're headed for white sand beaches and I'm doing a happy dance! 

I'm a fair amount behind in the blog - I'm thinking about how best to catch up - I'll come up with a plan soon.  

Toodles! 

Pagerwesi - Ubud, Bali

Yesterday the holy holiday of Pagerwesi wrapped up nearly a weeklong celebration in Ubud.

Pagerwesi Morning.

This year Pagerwesi was extra special because it fell on the full moon and the total lunar eclipse. 

All week the temple at Campuhan (Pura Gunung Lebah) was a little hive of activity - processionals left and arrived daily through town and the surrounding villages. 

Families came from all over Bali to leave their offerings at the temple - it was busy.  On somedays the police would hustle us past the temple because we didn't have on a sarong - we have to walk past the temple to come into town from our house - we quickly got smart and timed our trips home so we weren't being overly disrespectful.

Pagerwesi falls every 210 days on the Balinese Holy Calendar.  It can be roughly translated as 'Iron Fence' and symbolizes a battle between good and evil.  Specifically, it's a day when the Balinese strengthen their minds and spiritual selves against evil forces.  

Offerings left at the top of the lane.  Coconut, banana and rice.  

Pagerwesi comes close on the tails of Saraswati which celebrates knowledge - so an extra emphasis is placed on protecting knowledge from evil.​

During the day our little street was silent which is so, so rare.  Normally, there are motorbikes zooming around from fairly early on.​

Basket of Canang Sari for the compound.  Lots of rice balls.

Around my little house a strong emphasis was placed on warding off bad or evil spirits.  Almost like a cleansing ritual.  Water was sprinkled in all corners of the yard - extra incense was burned and extra robust Canang Sari (if you follow me on instagram this is what I've been documenting) were left.

Mama leaving her canang sari.

Once it started to get dark out and we could spot the moon low on the horizon processions started coming up the hill.​

Can you spot the moon?  It's about half way in shadow.

The first group was smaller and just rang a bell at every house along the street but, once it was dark and the moon had completely darkened a large processional came through banging drums and really making some noise.   

Long exposure shot of the festivities down the road - the long red streak on the left had side is a moped tail light that passed me on the lane.  Night photo!

Our host explained to us that this celebration was a time when they prayed not just for themselves and Bali but for the whole world.  It's also a time when everyone is welcome at the Temple to leave offerings (I think this might be in reference to a cast system).

In the west the full moon following the Harvest Moon is called the Hunter Moon.   After the harvest the fields are stubbly and a Hunter can ride over them with ease quickly spotting animals who can no longer hide amongst the plants...or so the story goes. 

I hope you all were able to see the total lunar eclipse wherever you were in the world! 

As always please excuse the awkard photo editing and lack of real information.  I had a really hard time learning who was being prayed to and what the offerings meant.

Campuhan Ridge Trail Lovelies

Everyday I walk the Campuhan Ridge to get into Ubud. I'm slightly up the hill in a much quieter town than the bustling Ubud. I must say, this was a very wise choice. 

Yesterday as I was walking into town I saw a couple headed towards me. ​

I recognized immediately that they were getting their wedding photos taken and then were headed to their reception. They were very, very gracious and allowed me to take their photo. ​

It was such an unexpected sight and they were perfectly situated (I mean, obviously they knew the best place for photos). I felt so, so lucky to be able to snag their photo! 

I didn't want these pics to get lost in my Instagram shuffle and knew these Campuhan Beauties deserved a post of their own!

Congratulations you two!  All the best in your future together!