Like many, if not most, of the countries we have lived in since 2019, Bali is a land of contrast. From the crystal clear turquoise blue water, to the gigantic mountains towering over the island, Bali (and Indonesia) has a lot to offer. The northern parts of the country, Sumatra and Borneo, are horrendously active seismically, and are some of the most volcanic regions on the planet. We have not been there yet, but here in the south, we never felt any tremors over our three visits since 2022. A few days ago the contrast of water levels and tides was quite evident, which made me think of these contrasts, so I took pictures of the HIGH water tide marks, and the low, and the difference is incredible.

Three years ago, on our first visit here, we took a scooter to the place where we now stay, near Mahana Point. Early in the morning the tide was so low, full of green algae and tidepools, that we could walk out hundreds of yards. A few hours later the tide returned, three to four feet higher, and made the surf truly dangerous for weak swimmers. From our hotel room we are able to see these ebbs and flows daily, and the two most graphic examples are the water level underneath the swing (see picture), and the depth of the water flowing through a large hole on the rock face to our south. When the water is LOW, you could almost walk through to the other side, but not a chance when that tide returns!!

The sea is relentless and I took a video of a sea cave or tunnel in the making. For untold millions of years the ocean has pounded this particular rock face (pix), and slowly, but surely, the indentation is growing one centimeter at a time.

The other night we had our first Huntsman spider experience, which we have heard about for years. These enormous spiders are harmless to humans, but since they are as big as the palm of my hand, it scared the bejesus out of me and Kathleen! I assured her that they were GOOD and ate more ants, mosquitoes, and bugs than humans, and she later apologized for trying to smash it with her shoe, and begged forgiveness from the Spider Gods. And she was so granted. Here’s an amusing video which demonstrates how big they get. And man, I’ve never seen anything move that fast! https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTIC6S8D5Ml/…,

Another thing we run into a lot out here, is Aussies– Australians–and since we’re closer to Oz that Hawaii is to California, Bali has been their vacay destination of choice for years. Many that we met live here full time now, and they are a wild bunch, with great stories to tell. They drink and smoke more than I, but they don’t make me feel like an outsider, aside from my Yank accent. Many are leaving their country for the same reason that nomads do: freedom to live as they choose. I also met a German guy here who’s been living on Nusa Lembongan for several years, and he asked me, “Have you been to Germany?” and I replied “yes,” and he came back with, “Have you LIVED there,” which I had not. He said that he always felt that he was under someone’s watchful eye, with cameras everywhere, regulations and rules up the kazoo, and a sense he could never relax. Out here he said he could chill, wear shoes where and when he wants, and ride his scooter (among the 99% of the riders) without a helmet.

And I agree 100%. Kathleen and I both feel very free here, and we don’t need to worry about what anyone thinks, because, truly, no one probably thinks anything, or judges anyone! That’s a good feeling.

We’re here two months total, then back to Vietnam for probably a year, but Bali may be one of our semi-permanent homes down the line.