We made it to BALI :)

Well we made it to BALI, INDONESIA :) It's kind of different than we expected, but we are so happy to be here. It is pretty hot, but mostly just HUMID! The streets are very very narrow and dirty, there are people everywhere. The craziest part so far are the roads. The drivers are NUTS and nobody yields for anyone. Normal size motorcycles fit 2 parents and 3 kids... they carry live animals and water barrels... you name it!

The 15 hour flight from LAX- Taiwan felt pretty short. Both Scott and I slept most of the time, and wrote thank you notes, wrote in our journals and did stretches when we weren't sleeping. The food wasn't bad, and we just had a great time. But then it started feeling really long during our 3 hour layover, and then the 5 hour flight felt like 20 hours! IN taipei we met a sr. missionary couple who just finished their mission and are going back to Cambodia to teach dance at an international school. We got some noodles, we were STARVING, and boarded the next flight. We had absolutely NO problems with security or customs, what a dream! We even had little scissors and toothpaste... anwyay, the flight into bali was SO COOL! It was just surreal to look out the window at the whitesand beaches and red roofs.

We got a taxi to our hostel/homestay in Legion, right beside surf town kuta. After haggling the price, ($20/night) we decided to stay at a place with AC adn hot water our first night. We rested for a sec and then went to explore the beach and little shops. We bought water (so cheap!) and razors and then went out to dinner for 1.50 per person. We had chicken curry and fried rice, so delish! So far neither of us are sick :) We sat beside a German couple who had fair English. This is their 12th time to Bali they love it so much! They were REALLY helpful, telling us the best dance group to watch, the primere snorkeling spot for this time of year, and which Taxi service to always avoid. It was sad to say goodbye!

We got back to the Sri Beach Inn (i think we're the only guests) through some fairly intense rain, and took a little while to dry off. It is so humid nothing dries. I didn't bring my towel, which I regret. Oops. Our backpacks are WAY too stuffed. We eliminated 1 side bag already, but you better believe I'm getting rid of more things today. It's just too much stuff. And sorry mom, my travel pillow is definitely on the cut list.

This morning we spent some time repacking our bags and taking cold showers. We are using a half broken watch and never really know the time. We are using internet for $1/hour (very different from New Zealand!) at a nice resort closer to town. There is fun Balinese music playing in teh background behind me, and I'm looking out toward an infinity pool. We headed to the markets in Denspensar today and will end in Ubud tonight.

I think I am having a bit of culture shock. I guess daily life in America makes me forget that people across the world wash their feet in sewers and eat literally whatever they can find. Scott and I feel so lucky to be here and have this opportunity to experience such rich culture and hopefully see more of the beauty Heavenly Father has put on this earth. We love each other and so far, we LOVE Indonesia!!!