Bali Bird Park, Komodo Dragons and the Water Temple

Chad really wanted to see a Komodo Dragon while in Bali. I blame the tourism video they showed on the airplane. Damn you. I had to hear random facts about these creatures for 10 days. He also asked just about any person willing to converse if they've visited Komodo Island (everyone said no except our tour guide). Since we were in no way taking the ferry, then hiking and camping on some isolated island to be eaten by a ferocious reptile, Chad settled on seeing one in the Bali Bird Park.

It excited Rhett seeing all the birds of Indonesia and Chad saw his dang Komodo Dragon so all was well with the world. 

Then our tour guide took us to a restaurant overlooking the rice terraces and they had Indonesia's version of rice pudding (made with coconut milk) so I was happy. 

The Water Temple was a sight to see as well.

It was a good day in Bali.

Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventure

-Lovelle Drachman

Komodo dragon info here.

Komodo Island info here (if you dare).

Bali Bird  Park info here.

Coffee and Poo in Bali

So Chad's favorite part of this trip was the coffee plantations. Well... the coffee plantation and the babysitting available at our resort. He enjoyed the coffee tour so much on our first day outside of the resort that we had to go to ANOTHER one on our next adventure. Oh and we had that coffee that you've probably heard of that comes from mongoose poop (i.e. The World's Most Expensive Coffee). No big deal.
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A cinnamon tree

A cocoa tree... Rhett loved using the ones on the ground as footballs.

Our teas in all their glory but the coconut coffee won my heart.

In case you're wondering, the poop coffee was really smooth and delicious. Thanks to the mongoose, anything that was bitter is now gone.

A coffee bean... we opened one up and licked the inside. They are very sweet and I wasn't at all surprised that those little critters enjoy eating them.

Vanilla bean vine

Turmeric tea

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.

-Helen Keller

Read more about the Luwak/ Mongoose coffee here.

The Mother Temple and Monkey Forest aka How I spent Valentine's Day 2014

I lucked out in the Valentine's Day lotto when we visited a local silversmith and their shop in Bali. I don't usually go crazy for Valentine's day but I guess Chad felt obligated to buy me something since we were at a jewelry shop and it was a holiday for lovers. 

After visiting the jewelry store, our tour guide showed us the Court of Justice, the Mother Temple, Bali's largest volcano, Batur, and the Monkey Forest in Ubud. 

Baby legs can never be overexposed but Chad's were considered so.

We visited the Mother Temple during a holy time (think Chinese or Lunar New Year) so the temple was active with prayer and hundreds of people bringing offerings. It was really special to see.

Monkey Forest was one of my least favorite parts of the trip. These are wild monkeys here, folks. Now they are use to seeing a gazillion people each day but don't think they won't chase after you (or your children). They aren't above public intercourse either. Learned that the fun way. 

Minutes after taking the photo below, this little monkey baby chased Rhett and I had to shoo him away with my umbrella. True story.

Every hundred feet the world changes.

-Roberto Bolano