Thanksgiving in Bali

Our friends invited us to their home in Bali for the Thanksgiving weekend.  This is the view over the infinity pool to the Indian ocean beyond.  I wish my camera could do a better job of capturing the view.  Surfers' dream waves were right there every day, all day.

Our friends greeted us at the entry to their place - which is often rented for weddings and other special occasions.

We spent a lot of time in the outdoor living room, reading and playing mahjong:

and having daily massages:

We had a traditional American turkey dinner served by a traditional Balinese staff:

John and I spent Black Friday doing a short driving tour of Mount Batur, an active volcano

seeing the rice terraced rice fields

(dodging motorcycles...a constant reminder that we were in Indonesia, not just Bali!)

and visiting the ubiquitous temples.  The Balinese are Hindus who believe spirits and gods are in everything.  They present offerings at every occasion and to every spirit you can imagine.  Their stone carved statues of good gods and evil spirits are everywhere, so it feels like an interior designer planned the island!  

  The art of palm frond weaving for offerings is exquisite!

And after all the touring, I had my traditional afternoon pick-me-up, serenaded by Christmas carols and snowflake decorations (it was about 90 degrees and 90 percent humidity)

A fabulous trip that everyone in Singapore needs to take at least once.  I can't wait to go back!