Friday January 29th

Today was just wonderful from start to finish, action packed and inspiring to begin this blogging adventure take 20.

Woke up at 8am this morning and confirmed my suspicion of a few days that I indeed have bed bugs and not just a record breaking number of mosquito bites. Sucks, but not really a big deal. Just switched rooms and washed my clothes (which was becoming necessary anyway). Then I participated in the weekly garden Friday and plated chili peppers, eggplants and a plant that looks like aloe vera, but not exactly sure the name. Around 10am it was reaching 90 degrees and the feeling of fainting that I experience everyday was coming on strong. As a part of my eco-tourism project, me and Nyoman, one of the employees here and my partner for this specific project, have to explore local activities for future guests and create marketing materials for them. Today's adventure was the famous Tegenungan Waterfall. After a quick, but broiling, 20 minute bike ride through the town of Kemeneh, we arrived at the entrance to the park. An easy 10,000 rupiah entrance fee (= .74 cents) and we were in! 

The road leading up to the falls staircase is lined with tourist stalls and overeager Indonesians selling sarongs, beer, water, sodas, I was even offered Ciroc. About 200 steep and large stairs later and we were in front of the biggest waterfall I have ever seen in my life. Beautiful beyond anything I could have imagined, massive, surrounding by a sea of green- trees, these cool hanging vine/ root things they have everywhere, flowers and then BOOM, your back mesmerized by the waterfall. There is a lovely rocky area to sit on, enjoy a rest/ beer and admire the falls from. But I was eager to jump in. Nyoman insisted on a photoshoot- all the Indonesian guides were doing it for their groups of spanish, and Scandinavian tour groups so I think he felt obligated. I've included a few good shots below. 

Back to the waterfall epicness. The water was perfectly cool and refreshing and I could've played in there for at least 3 hours before getting bored. You can also swim through the actual fall point and sit on a cool carved out bench type thing behind the actual waterfall hits the pool below point. All in all, a MUST SEE in Bali and one of the coolest things I've seen in my life.

thats me! looking up!

Absolutely outrageously cool.

Then we returned to the office just in time for lunch- today was Gado-Gado, tofu, ricecakes, string beans and bean sprouts covered in peanut sauce. Delicious. And we had a birthday celebration! For Arum! My favorite employee! She is the graphic designer and just so fucking cool. 100% would've gone to Skidmore and loved it even more than me. She is as chill as they come, obsessed with hip coffee shops, brewing her own beer and an amazing photographer. We chat a lot and have plans to make gnocchi together this week. AND the office brought donuts in for her birthday! COULD THIS DAY GET BETTER?!

I guess its tradition to draw all over the birthday girls face and arms. Definitely bringing this idea home.

dinner setting. I had ribs and we split french fries.

Yes- a few hours later, Nana, the head of the office here, asked if we could go grab din in town and chat about my work here. Thrilled to get away from the eco-hood, we headed to an early, "yay its friday and the weekend" dinner in the most gorgeous setting.

A few hours later after chatting about traveling, life, work, Bali, funny stories we headed to another spot for dessert. Delicious again. And she just berated me with compliments on working well with the team and creating really good work and all that jazz which is awesome. 

So now I am in my new room, in the owners main house and excited about waking up with the same about of bites and no more than that! My ankles are polka dotted enough.

Good Night Bali.