a few pics (much more later)

cant download any pics except these few random ones! tech frustrates me so much!!! plugging off again and back in a week after vacay!

Buggy/ river canyon / special dinner

Sorry for typos in all if these - very hard on phone to edit and between suckled pigs and rafting and jungles ! Lol 

So hard to find the time and energy to write these blog posts but i know i will be so mad at myself if i don't as never want to forget this trip and these moments !

Today was our most packed day yet . Out by 8am and back 9:30pm without a break . Wonderful times though .

Buggy all terrain vehicles in morning through jungle and rice paddies . Stunning . Guys loved it ( especially bear ! ) for me was cool but not my fave . ( i chose it for them !! ) Very happy did it though for the sheer beauty of scenery . Stopped in village and met a local family and saw their home .

Lunch was so good . Then off to river tubing . Omg this was the best activity have ever done in my life . So incredibly beautiful and even more fun and beautiful than white water rafting . Never knew could be possible to beat that !

Indescribable actually . Huge water adventure on single tubes through the most amazing river and views ever with small fun rapids everywhere . The longest not so lazy river . Sitting in that tube was 2 hrs of best time of my life in the jungle with magnificent nature . And a zipline to get there !!

Went to our tour guides indys home tonight for dinner with his family . What an honour and experience . We met his beautiful family and had traditional balinese food on the floor of the celebration temple and ate with our hands . We read up on all the customs prior so were well equipped ! I was so scared in case served something i would not liked but loved every delicious bite of the corn fritters the peanut chicken satay and the corn soup and curries . It was a delicious  feast!

Met all the cousins and kids at the compound and visited the family temple and 10 pigs . Bear and winda his daughter are the same age and she is a total sweetie 

This was a truly magical night . We were so so so exhausted by time got back to villa . We made last minute decision to cancel volcano bike tour tomorrow as need a day off . Will sleep in ( maybe until 7am if lucky ! ) laze by the pool and read . Have lunch and a little shopping in ubud center . Then booked a couples 3.5 hr spa package at a ridiculous price !! Bear wont do this but will get another massage another day . I am so excited for a day off tomorrow to kick back 

Them the next day off to bali barat national park for 2 nights and wildlife and some of balis finest snorkelling !!

White Water Rafting in the Rainforest

Sorry for typos! No time  ! 

Is there truly anything more beautiful than this ??  Yes there is !! Bear being well enough to come with us !!

Bear is healed !!! We spent so much of the day giggling about our healing experience  and all the stories of witches and black magic and all the myths ( to us anyways !! ) that balinese believe  . They are very happy people so we were saying must he good to have those type of beliefs and hope as they seem very happy and fully belive in so many magical things that for us are beautiful enchantes stories . Love learning about their culture - it is so rich 

Hubby and i went out to dinner for amazing pizza and then had an outdoor sunken bath . Bears fever finally broke after avout 20 hrs straight of sleep 

Wasn't iseal to take him rafting but he and we super didnt want to miss this fabulous excursion . Walked 700 steps down in the jungle and 385 back up . I almost cried from that part !

The rafting itself was truly amazing . So so so beautiful  is nature and all within a jungle and waterfalls . Not sure i have ever seen such beauty 

We even hopped out of the raft and stood right underneath a magnificant waterfall ! My dream come true 

So was our afternoon . 5 hrs of leisure time and we finally got to use the resorts huge infinity pool surrounded by bali beds . Another dream come true . We all napped and read and the guys played ping pong and pool 

Off now to a traditional balinese show and a fancier dinner ( still super cheap !! ) in ubud center . And off to shop for gifts for our tour guides family as they invited us for dinner in their home tomorrow . We are reading up on balinese customs of how to be when there . We wont be touching their heads or earing with our left hands ! And apprently will likley eat alone while they watch us :)

Balinese Healing Day!

If there was a day to be healed this was it ! Bear was very sick all night and into the morning . We had thought to either cancel the whole day ( which all is pre paid so hard and sad ) or go without him ( harder and sadder and more worriesome )

When we called our guide to change the plans we quickly got two worried calls back from the driver and audley travel in bali with very clear instructions 

" bear must see the healer . Now ! "

So off we went for 30 minute drive to get our son healed 

What an experience !

They lay him down and poked and prodded his body . Lots of hard massages on the stomach and we felt so bad for tristan already in so much pain . He survived !

They also worked on the four siblings inside his body who are apparently  fighting for control and worked in his stubborness with a placedbo healing drink that he drank and wiped in his face three times  

I was next and they worked on my right arm that has had major tennis elbow issues for the last months . Also on my stubborness and need to control which clearly was evident by my screaming when they tried to pull my elbow joint out of its socket 

Last was hubby . First so soothing as they told him how he was so laid back and had the overall health of a teenager . Then he told them how his foot causes him to much pain and they did some crazy treatment to his foot that hurt him so much that he broke in a huge sweat and lost focus for a few mins and almost passed ouf . He later said he had this massive heatwave go through his body that almost knocked him out . I started protesting to the healer very loudly . I was so petrified that they were going to give my husand a heart attack or ruin our vacation or both !!!

We all drank some potions for our demons and left !! Certainly a once in a liferime experience ! And a must do on bali

Had to drop bear off for rest of day where he slept for 5.5 hrs straight in our little villa . We went on to lunch and then the water temple to heal some more which was so beautiful and a huge highlight .

Then onto the most gorgeous coffee plantation with the most spectacular view we have every seen . Heavenly place for hubby to sample dozens of types of coffees !!!! Was so fun fo watch ans he ended of with balinese " cat shit cofee !! " remember that movie bucket list ???

Misssed bear so much :(( he would have loved this day and he is a cofee lover like his dad . We are going to squeeze in another  cofee plantion on the way somewhere else .

Got back to villa to a sick boy with high fever . He got up from his huge nap and we all went outside and took another .

Then he woke up and good sign wanted to eat so we ordered balinese soup for he him and  he actually kept it down and went back to bed by 8pm . We left and walked ro village for amazing Italian pizza . Came back and had an outside balinese sunken bath in our outdoor bathroom with fish pond !

Crossing fingers tomorrow bear can be back in shape for rafting ( next  4 days hugely packed with adventure excusions )

Pray !  Heal !

Ubud for 5 Days

We left sadly sanur beach today to go to our villa in ubud . We have 4 hotels in our stay and this one is 5 nights so the only one where we can really settle in and unpack . 

We had a very crazy sleep again ( hubby and i bed at 8:30pm / no dinner / no keeping track of our son who had to go to dinner alone / thats how exhausted we both were . We woke up super early of course and even bear did too and we all met outside on our little prayer bali mats to read in our hut 

Had an amazing breakfast and bear surfed again for a couple of hrs ( this time we fell asleep so werent anxious )

Had a last dip in the pool and a few springrolls before we packed up and went to meet our indy and our driver .

The sleep confusion makes me feel extra sad for my mom as she has so many sleep issues and rarely gets a good sleep :((

We stopped at a gorgeous temple and heard all about balinese rituals and customs and culture . If i was a religious person i would definately be a buddha and second choice a hindu specifically in bali . 

I loved seeing my boys in sarongs :)

Then off to ubud hotel and resort for our next stay . Omg !! Omg ! Not as quaint as first hotel as much bigger but our villa ?????????? This is heaven . The three of us had our mouths hanging open for real . 

Our own outside plunge pool and sunken outside bath with fish ponds beside . Even the toilet has full windows and a pond beside it ! And an outdoor ( and indoor ) shower with fish ponds !

Windows fully everywhere . This is truly my dream home . Outside Bear and i within minutes crawled on the cozy biv bali bed with our books ( i love that he went to chapters and got 2 books before coming here )

Hubby dipped in the pool and all 3 lounging in this actually affordable luxury ! I cant believe this is within our budget and so luxurious . 

Resting for a couple of hours and then heading to " dirty duck " resto which was bears choice . We will walk there and back to get off our lazy butts a bit 

Tomorrow a cumtural day of temple cleansing and spiritual healing . Then to see the monkeys and coffee fields and the traditional woodcarvings . Bear is going to play some soccer with the locals too as our guide suggested that which is super fun 

Love love love it here 

I realize how burnt out i was coming here . My mind was burnt and feels so good to replensih it with some rest and relaxarion 

I wrote the authors note , dedication and acknoledgmwnts to my book here in bali .

Also just finished two books and love getting absorbed in a great novel 

Especially like being with our boys . Its so bonding to share this together . We keep joking how each villa is the most romantic place ever ! And here we are with our son :)) would choose it over and over again !

So many inside jokes and good times together . Each day we relax and bond more . I love these alone trips with one kid each 

Miss my girl and boy at home  though . Big  Big big kisses and hugs 

Beauty this is the safest place ever for real so dont worry !! ( beauty cried two nights as she was scared how far away this is )

We went to ubud center to eat and walked from our hotel to get there . Yup its chrystal clear to us we are not city people . Huge traffic and loud noise , pollution , store after store . Holes in the pavement and have to walk single file . An experience for sure but not what we prefer . Lets just say visiting china , india wont be top of our list !

That being said it was an experience and we had a great dinner seated on cushions on the floor at the " dirty duck " . Bears meal was the most unappetizing thing i have ever seen and liklely made me become a vegeterian instantly but he loved it

Until he got bali belley or food poisoning ( we arent sure yet ) we have been up most of the night as he has been really really sick from both ends :(( thank god we all went to bed by 9:30pm 

Its such a helpless feeling to watch someone have this type of bug far away from home . We of course know he will be ok as we have all had this type of thing many times over but its hard to watch .

We have our first big day today of seeing bali with a guide  and spiritual healer and monkeys and  corn  fields but will be wairing  to see what to do about bear :(

We arrived to paradise!

My luggage was the second to last suitcase . Praise be ! Blessed are the fruits !

We met our tour guide and driver for the trip at the airport . Indy our tour guide is so wonderful and knowledgable and friendly. We talked alot  about balinese coffee alot and currency and food 

We arrived at our hotel at about 10pm at night and realized that the long trip was very very worth it . We had truly arrived to paradise . Its hard to even describe our hotel as words would not do it justice

Tandjung sari hotel is amazing . Like truly amazing

For us we fit right in with the balinese ways . Outdoor living , huge beds , greenery and flowers everywhere , sunken huge bathtubs , outdoor huts , outdoor showers under the star, quaint pools , beautiful sounds of running water and birds everywhere 

Bye bye amsterdam ! Hello bali !!

Our " room " which is a bunglaow really was perfect . We went to eat quickly at the hotel before the resto  closed and had an outstanding platter of appetizers and soup. Best spring rolls and peanut butter satay .

Headed to our bunglalow for each a luxurious outdoor shower ( affer 35 hrs believe me felt amazing ) and then slathered myself in their heavenly lime body lotion . Went to read for an hour on our balinese mats in our outdoor garden hut and went to bed in our kingsize  balinese bed with all the traditional netting .  And this is considered not a luxurious hotel at all and very basic ???

( and bear has a little bed made up on the couch that he was super happy with )

We all went to bed in great moods and woke up in even better ones . 

Got up at 6:30am as with time difference couldn't do our usual vacation sleep in which was fine  as have more of the dah to enjoy !

Started again on outdoor garden reading and then headed for the most scrumptious breakfast ever ( the fruit platter is to die for an chocolate croissants ans my guy had avocado and egg and feta on toast and eggs benedict ) i had amazing pinapple pankakes 

Ocean for us today and an amazing day ahead at this gorgeous beach in sanur . Taking it easy with maybe a bit of surf for bear  and some long walks on the boardwalk . And definitely a balinese dance show this evening and they are setting up a table right on the beach for us to have dinner!!!

So far ? Bali rocks 

So do my boys . I was scared there for a while in amsterdam ! 

This afternoon was pure relaxation . Bear surfed for 2 hrs far away and it nearly gave us panic attacks as there seems to be no such thing as lifejackets for watersports here . He survived thank god 

Lunch out and lazy afternoon at the beach 

Then 15 dollar massages in the room for bear and I 

At this price we will have massages every few days ! Its totally incredible how cheap food is her too . We keep calculating in roopies to candian dollars and keep thinking we made errors . 1.50 for a piece of cake ??? 3 dollars for a salad ?? 4 dollars for a good sandwich and 7 for a whole  fish meal ? Wish our hotels were that cheap !

Went to a traditonal balenese dance at the beach 

Note to sister savy for one day when u open your amazing  travel company  ( that i will be bragging to everyone about everyday ) do not call your customers by phone and ask hotel to find them during a balenese dance !!! ( cant hear ! Think it is kids calling from home with something wrong ! Miss dance ! Email is much much better :)

Tonight after the dance we had a beautiful beach table reserved for a late dinner and hubby and i made the mistake of lying down and cant even fathom taking showers and going to dinner ! We are both totally falling asleep and it is 8:30pm !!!!!

Poor bear is going alone . Jet lag setting in for us and taking over . I am heading into my outdoor shower and going to bed and so is hubby . 

Goodnight !!

Off to Bali!

Warning : written in a grumpy mood with not sleeping so not as uplifting as all the rest to come blogs will be 

Bear myself and Hubby are blessed to be taking a trip we have been wanting to do for years and never have had the time or the will to travel this  far . 

The time has come ! ( I 

We take each of our kids away twice in their lives for bigger trips ( this is the biggest yet ) of our lives . Once in grade 6 and once after first year of cegep 

We are in our layover now in Amsterdam where we have spent the last 12 hrs on zero-2 hrs of sleep  .

Amsterdam got progressively nicer as the day progressed as we arrived and had lots of rain for most of the day . Even on our river cruise it poured !

There are some very cool ( and strange ) things about Amsterdam . Love the houseboats everywhere that people live on and all the narrow homes that back out onto water . Love that the city is built in canals - a mix between a French European village and Venice I would say . 

The fact  that weed is legalized here and available to all ( even in cookies and Jelley beans ) everywhere is shocking . And protitution  is also legal and accepted so a different climate around here for sure with penis shaped salt and pepper shakers in almost every window !

We looked up the top 10 foods to eat in Amsterdam and got to eat 5 of them . Waffle with Nutella amazing . Fries in a cone with mayo delicious 

Bitterballs ( smashed  beef and mushrooms ) quite revolting . Beef and sweet pickle sandwich on a bun - interesting somewhat . Little waffle cookie thing - good .

The food was good for a day but not somewhere I would look forward to the food for more than a short layover . 

We walked around a lot on both the sunshine and pouring rain and tried to fall asleep in many places but didn't work so effectively . We kinda felt like homeless people and  . We did manage a catnap at the table on a resto in the sun for 15 mins . 

We didn't have great times or great conversations as  we are  all quite zombie like and not great travelers but that is ok and we managed well enough and enjoyed the day on some levels . 

Bear is less resilient than I thought for this. When that boy gets tired ? Watch out 

Now at Amsterdam airport and waiting for next flight for Bali with a fuel stop of 2 hrs in Singapore . It's going to be a looooong night ( or day ? ) not even sure what it is anymore . 

Can't wait to arrive in beautiful Bali ! Will be interesting to see how this whole trip plays out and how we end up feeling about it . Love travelling in many ways but also the long journeys like this always thought were not for us . I hope I prove myself wrong ! I really do ! 

I have heard Bali is magical and I can't wait to just be there and immerse ourself in this totally new way of being and culture 

Ps - we just landed in Bali ! Left Wednesday Night Montréal and now Friday night here with the long travel and time differences . We are waiting at airport for luggage which of course is only mine not here yet ! I am trying not to stress about this - not sure I have ever had a trip where my luggage doesn't get lost or looks like it will be lost ! And it's crazy as when travel with boys and men they couldn't care less what they bring in a trip and of course their luggage arrives fine . 

Flight Amsterdam to Singapore  to refuel  and then Singapore to Bali wasn't that bad actually . 

I personally slept for about 6.5 hrs which felt amazing . Bear and hubby less and not as good of sleeps so they are more tired than I am now 

Had some really good talks with my boy which was good . He wanted to play a "fun" game where he told me all the things about myself I could improve . At least I agreed with most of them and will try as hard as I can to change a lot of them too ! 

( when you are travelling for this long you get desperate to find something to entertain you I guess )

At this point we don't really know if we have had meals or if Night or day or when to take medications . All we know is we want good showers and a good bed to sleep in . Tomorrow  we start the vacation with a one day and night stay on a Balinese beach  ( with a visit to visit the monkeys )before the more adventurous part of the trip begins 

We did it !! We are here !