Indonesia in eight ....

I promised I would sum up my jaunt to the Tropics in only eight images ....

Offerings made daily to the Gods - marvelled at (and tripped over and slipped on)

The Haven Hotel, Seminyak - beautiful surroundings and brilliant staff.

Motorbikes EVERYwhere! Two wheeled chaos that just seems to work over here.

Hindu deities ... art and craft that blew my mind.

Tropical fruit Heaven.

Flora and Fauna growing abundantly - thoughtfully landscaped and stunningly displayed.

The countryside - rice fields and villagers that left me humbled and in awe.

Critters.... Hmmm ... enough said.

There I did it! I'm not even going to say much more that. 

Let the images speak for themselves.

There is more to share with you regarding this crazy, charismatic and chaotic island... 

    ....but that's another post for another day. 

****

Too much of a good thing....

Well you know you're in for a super holiday when 

friends unselfishly prepare a batch of their 

Crazy Clarke Brownies to send with you...

But other than icing covered cheeks ...

What do nine bliss-filled days in 

Margaret River look like?

What are they filled with?

What is a family to do when stranded

(by choice of course)

in amongst some of the 

most beautiful countryside

Australia has to offer?

How do they cope in a rammed earth cottage, filled

with food, fire, hot water AND modern conveniences?

Bear in mind they are situated in a tourist hot spot - wineries, 

restaurants, beaches and cafes are only a 10 minute drive away.

Well peoples - put the kettle on because I've never 

posted these many images in one hit. 

It's just that bliss can be difficult to narrow down ....

So here's how the JAm family "coped"....

... fire lighting...

.... chai drinking ....

.... snoozing ....

... sun catching .....

.... preparing ...

.... Bear Grylling ....

..... chopping ...

... cooking .....

... wandering ....

... marvelling ...

... reflecting ...

... moss hunting ....

.... more moss hunting ...

(and yes ... that was mainly a "me" activity"

.... playing ....

... indulging ...

.... as above ...

.... enjoying ....

... relaxing ...

.... exploring ...

.... rain loving ...

(aside - object in Young Princes hand is not a dead animal

but rather a giant seed pod ... phew)

.... gazing....

... kissing ...

... winery hopping ...

... truffulla tree spotting ...

... photographing ...

... smiling ....

.... picking ...

.... quizzing ....

... greeting ....

... finding ....

... wondering ...

.... crouching ....

... chessing ..

... and of course eating.

Indeed eating became a "five to seven times a day"

activity ... the fresh air called for it.

Aaah peoples, I am rejuvenated and recharged.

Which is just as well since I have returned to

a rather daunting list of appointments 

(some fun - some not)

CONCLUSION:

There's no such thing as too much of a good thing.

No Sir

****

How have you all been?

Coping with Winter?

Uk peeps - Summer? Olympics? Tourists?

East Siders ... are you as cold as I am today?

I want to crochet but it's a challenge in thick woollen gloves!

Also just in case you need a lovely tune to bop

to today  - here's a cracker.

The words echo how I'm feeling

and the video clip always makes me laugh....

Ok ... time to "rise up to my ability"

The Perfect Vacation

Family and Friends...

....resorts...

...familiar fauna...

... lots of golf for Hubby ...

... soaking up the sun, beach combing...

.... fabulous food and wine...

.... the best pizza topping ever

(it's the avocado and balsamic baby!)...

... Christmas with loved ones, gifts galore, beautiful wrapping, 

stunning (with a capital S!) table decor....

.... traditional cooking methods, crazy critters, a day at Sun City...

.... camping in the bush, four wheeling (eeeek!), 

the biggest pool ever, torrential rain....

.... and a tea party that beats all...

Yes sir... 'twas the perfect vacation.

Still settling in, recovering from jet lag, eating too much, sleeping in (too much),
catching up on "blog-goss", preparing for school, sharing vacation photos, trying to beat the heat and of course...in amongst it all... solve world hunger and find inner peace.
Hmmmmm ... will keep you posted.

Happy belated New Year to y'all!
2012 is going to kick butt!

******