On The Road Now

May 5, 2023May 5, 2023

Sago Cakes – a traditional Spice Island taste treat

Cut into individual segments, the sago cakes are ready to eat — Fresh, hot palm sugar-filled sago cakes, ready to eat

SAPARUA ISLAND, INDONESIA – A short caravan of funky minibuses hauled our group on a bumpy ride through the jungle. We were headed from our beachside landing to our morning destination in a rural island village.

The road had been paved with concrete sometime in the last century and was sorely in need of resurfacing. But the bouncy ride was all just part of the adventure.

We had come to watch our hostess, Oma Nelly (oma means grandma in the local language), demonstrate how she makes traditional sago cakes. Our guide, Leo, explained each step of the process.

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April 13, 2023April 12, 2023

(Wo)man vs. Bat – Stop with the poop already!

Fruit bat with outstretched wing — This is the kind of creature we’re up against – Image by Tanja Marx from Pixabay

BALI, INDONESIA – We’re big fans of nature and wildlife, especially birds and butterflies. We also enjoy seeing small lizards, non-rodent mammals, the occasional beetle, and other curious-looking insects.

Mosquitos and flies – and now bats – are not on that list.

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January 28, 2023March 19, 2023

Happy Meal: Why is my morning toast smiling at me?

smiley face on toasted bread — My morning toast is smiling at me – AI art generated by MidJourney

BALI, INDONESIA – We recently moved into an unfurnished villa after several years of traveling around the world and staying in fully furnished apartments, condos, hostels, hotels and Air BnBs.

Every one of those places was outfitted with all the standard trappings. Not necessarily lavish, but we rarely lacked any of the necessities for daily living.

The villa where we stayed for the past year was totally furnished – OVER-FURNISHED, to be honest.

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June 18, 2022June 18, 2022

Balinese culture on display during Kuningan Day

Stone figures adorned with flowers beside an altar piled high with prayer offerings for Kuningan Day in Bali Indonesia

BALI, INDONESIA – During a recent midday walk we passed dozens of altars piled high with colorful prayer offerings for Kuningan day.

Decorated with intricate woven fabrics, ornate palm frond banners and rosettes, tropical flower blossoms, piles of exotic fruits and coconuts, each altar seemed determined to outdo the one next door.

Balinese people believe Kuningan is the day their ancestors return to heaven after visiting the earth during the 10-day Galungan celebration.

November 27, 2021November 28, 2021

Into each life a little rain (or maybe bird poop) must fall

BALI, INDONESIA – Recently I participated in a silent meditation session inside a beautiful domed pavilion in northern Bali.

The introduction to the meditation was punctuated by brilliant lightning flashes, startling cracks of thunder and cascades of torrential rain outside.

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