I’ve taken a few photos since my last blog and even though I’m now home, I will send them along in farewell to an island and its people, each having given me so much heart and joy.

The street in front of my home…..you can see the sign for Sumantra’s House. They are such a caring family and there were many hugs, along with a gift of a locally-made purse, on my departure.

Here’s my dear Bulgarian friend and neighbor for two years, Gergana. We enjoyed so many lovely mornings on my terrace and intimate meals out. This has been a wonderful connection for each of us.

Critters are are pretty much everywhere, the reptilian ones my least favorite. Sleeping with a/c running discouraged them from sleeping with me.

Here’s a relatively new bakery which I tried once. There were many temptations but most had meat fillings and weren’t refrigerated and the temps were high. It’s a tidy modern shop with a smiling crew.

The ogoh ogoh’s were just getting underway when I left. I’m sorry to miss them this year.

Images and sounds will stay with me always….motorbikes, pre-dawn roosters, frangipani, sautéed garlic, rice fields, smiling faces.

It’s good to be home, cozy in my heavy robe, running hot water to wash my face, drinking from the tap and washing clothes in a machine vs a bucket. It’s also interesting how doing without these conveniences becomes the norm.

Thank you Bali for another memorable year. Thank you all for joining me.

Sharon