Hello Bali, I never want to say goodbye.

And, thanks for the chili pepper. On the bright side of that pretty awful experience, at least now I know I'm not dreaming, and this place is real. The story goes like this:

Currently 7am April 15th sitting in "The Porch Cafe" in Sanur, Bali, watching all the scooters go by. It's my Dad's birthday today - Happy Birthday Dad!

We arrived in Bali from Timika yesterday afternoon about 4:30pm, popped next door to the airport and had a Bintang beer (or two). We then headed back to where Gordon had us booked in at a little place called Flashbacks behind a cafe called The Porch in Sanur. Kuta is the main party town in Bali where all the backpackers and tourists go, but Sanur is more quiet and less hustle and bustle. The rooms are rustic little cabins/huts surrounded by lush greenery. I love it here. I digress... After changing into my black dress we head to a nearby bar by the beach for a mojito and some dinner. I love the Balinese artwork here - so my style! We're chatting away when our order of some kind of delicious spring roll arrives, and on the side is a little dish of cucumbers, onions and beans. I always try and get my vegetables so I'm munching away on the cucumbers and then a "bean". I chew into the bean, and realize this is no bean. This is some kind of pepper. Chili pepper. Damn hot chili pepper. HOTTEST THING I'VE EVER EATEN. Instead of spitting it out I just swallow it quickly. I am NOT ok. My mouth is on fire and I'm salivating like there's a forest fire in my mouth. Which there was pretty much. Every time I exhale it's fueling the pain, and I'm sucking back my mojito like it's the end of time. Life or death. One minute passes. OK - I'll try eating, maybe that'll remove the heat. NOPE - putting temperature hot on top of spicy hot makes matters worse. They bring me tea which is supposed to take away the heat, but it doesn't. I am now realizing that it feels like my jaw is seizing up and the pain is moving up to my ears. Gordon says he can see smoke coming out of my ears and I finally understand how they came up with that saying!!! I am Sylvester the Cat, Bali is Tweety Bird, and she got one over on me again. I'm gripping onto the chair arm for dear life, eyes watering, mouth watering and burning, chewing ice cubes because the mojito is long gone by this point, in a desperate attempt to ease the pain. The ice cubes are the only things working, and about 10 minutes later (I actually have no idea of how long it took for the pain to pass - it was some kind of time altering, mind altering, mouth burning, ears smoking religious experience) and I realize I'm OK. Welcome to Bali! I will be more careful from now on hehe.

Gorgeous day today. Items on the agenda for the day include mani/pedi, find a tattoo shop, do some shopping, find a karaoke bar, and who knows what else!! It is magical here. Sunday will come all too quickly and I'm a bit sad about that, but I will just have to come back! Gordon loves it here too and has been back many times over the years. The culture is awesome and the people are so nice. The roads are crazy though - so many scooters! Every man for himself here when it comes to driving. Excited to get out and explore this beautiful Friday here in Bali. Been away for just over a month and I'm learning that dreams really do come true..... Love to y'all - you're all in my thoughts my lovely people around the world! XOXO