I left my ❤️ in Bali

Leaving Dan behind in Lombok was hard to do! He has ~8 weeks crossing the Indian Ocean and I'll be comfortably sleeping in a non moving bed, with hot showers on demand and other conveniences of non-boat life. Already, I'm looking forward to meeting him at Richards Bay in November.

Getting ready to board the Ekajaya fast ferry that goes between Lombok and Bali.

Typical architecture throughout Bali

Before heading home to the US, I decided that it was worth a few extra days to stay in Bali and had spontaneously booked a room at the Om Ham Retreat center in the area of Ubud. I took a fast ferry from Lombok to Bali, was picked up by the hotel driver and I was driven 2 hours into the highlands. The scenery seemed greener than Lombok, with flowers and vibrant green everywhere.

This cool guy was not shy at all and sat next to me for several hours as i read my book by the pool.

There were terraced rice paddys covering every piece of 'un-inhabited' land. And the architecture was dramatically different. Bali is predominately Hindu -- not Muslim as in Lombok, so everything was adorned with very elaborate decoration as each home had its own mini shrine. The higher elevation meant the weather was absolutely perfect.

Surnise over the rice paddys

For three days I enjoyed a curated retreat at Om Ham with private cooking classes, spa treatments and yoga classes mixed with gourmet farm to table meals. In my spare time I visited the local village, spending time with some wood carvers, tasting the local coffee, learning about Batik production and silver craftsmanship.

Learning how to make some local herbal teas

My favorite activity during this mini excursion were the sunrise walks through the rice paddys. The daily offerings were being put out in front of each home and the countryside homes were slowly waking up. While this visit to Bali was more touristy experience than my usual, it was a nice wrap on my Indonesian adventures. I was good and relaxed for the long flight home. I would go back to Bali anytime -- it was delightful!

The gardens as Om Ham retreat center

Now back to Seattle/Bellingham I am adjusting to pouring down rain, cold weather and am now recovering from COVID which is a special souvenir from one of the airports along the way. So this first week, has not exactly been what I imagined but it is nice to be close to family --even if I'm not allowed out of the guest room.

This wood carver is making a Tiki for some business in Hawaii. They were commissioned to make many of them as apparently they are much faster than the Hawaiian woodworkers.

Logistic support continues, with Dan enroute -- my current project is to get a sail made in Sri Lanka, from a Hong Kong sailmaker, to a freight receiver in Mauritius. 4 time zones, 4 languages. It is good fun. Only about 20 days to get the sail there...

Onward.

Okisollo's new asymmetric Spinnaker is complete -- now it just needs to get where it needs to be!