Jumping over Java

We have arrived in Bali, at the Four Seasons Resort in Sayan. We are resting in our Bungalow,  overlooking the River Ayung, after the half-day of travel and a subsequent workout. Although it was very hot and humid today, the evening is soft and warm and air is laden with strange aromatics of the Balinese jungle. Here tropical plants grow in the ground, not in pots and we have been watching big butterflies float out of the bamboo that fringes our mostly-outdoor living space. The river itself cascades below our private plunge pool. It is better than we thought it would be.

We crossed the Equator today on another wonderful Singapore Airlines flight, after a flawless transfer out of Singapore and a rather hairy ride through the outskirts of Denpasar, on the way up here to Ubud. To drive here would be insanity. Leave this to the locals who will drive you around all day for less than $50. There are very few traffic signals and to be honest, it seems to be a free-for-all-jumble of two-way pandemonium where the right-of-way goes to the boldest driver who must also learn to maneuver around gaggles of mopeds, motorbikes, bicycles and pedestrians while passing trucks on a "highway" that is narrower than some running paths back home. It is better to sit back, relax and marvel at the way these peaceful people tackle the road like New York City cabbies and yet always greet you with a smile, a bow of the head and their hands clasped in the Namaste pose, as if they were at their first communion.

We really haven't explored the whole property yet but we have decided to take it easy tomorrow and not go on any excursions, so we will provide you with more information tomorrow night. We are tired and will be retiring shortly. I will leave you for now with a few pictures of the room and the environment between our bungalow and the main building.

bali bathroom

bedroom

patio

sunbed

infinity plunge pool with river in background

we had room service here tonight

frangipani and rose petals in the tub when we arrived

some kind of cool looking dragonfly

this is the roof of the bungalow

These birds of paradise surround the bungalow

rice paddies on the hotel property are part of the chef's extensive kitchen garden

below us is the Ayung, the longest river in Bali

sundeck at the pool

communal pool over the river

part of the main building - there is running water everywhere

I will get the name of this specimen 

PS - there was a small snake on the property this evening and we saw the Assistant Manager, several housekeeping staff and two security guys pursue it with great vigour until it was apprehended.