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Greetings from Bali

Bali is still an earthly Paradise! Highlights of our journey so far have included gorgeous trips snorkeling, fishing and boating in Candi Dasa with our friend De Bas, who is really talented at organising local trips, trekking etc Not to be missed! ph De Bas 08174705076.

We are currently staying at a very magical cultural centre called Bali Mountain Eco-Retreat located high on the slopes of Mount Batukaru in Tabanan Regency. This beautiful place was created by Australian musician and AIAA Member Richard Kaal and inlcudes a dance/yoga studio, music studio, performance space and recording studio set in a breathtaking, secluded mountain landscape, far away from the heat and busy towns. Richard and partner Rebecca welcome you to join in with regular music nights and jam sessions. One of Richard's major projects has been the fastidious research and recording of local traditional Balinese music and the production of 42 Cds of this music so far. For further info please go to www.balimountainretreat.com and for music projects and CDs go to www.musikaal.com

It has also been really wonderful to catch up with other AIAA members such as well-known Indonesian painter Pranoto at Pranoto Gallery in Main Road, Kutuh, Ubud, whose studio is always a great place to meet local Indonesian artists. Reuniting with dear friends such as Lilir at Utama Spice in Pengosekan, Ubud www.utamaspicebali.com, Ibu Oka Wati at Oka wati Hotel www.okawatihotel.com and Agus and Toshiko at Ubud Raya Restaurant Pengosekan has also made us feel very welcome and at home.

My Balinese Travel Warning - please be careful of slipping over on wet tiles during the rainy season. As we all know the major cause of serious accidents is slipping over on bathroom tiles and traffic accidents. The statistical probabiity for being injured in a bombing is infinitesimally small in comparison. The probability of being injured in a bombing in Ubud, Candi Dasa, Batukaru and 99% of Bali is 0 % as there has never been a bombing in any of these places. Meanwhile the evidence of economic devastation caused by lack of Australian tourists in Bali is still greatly felt by families and small village businesses. But watch out for those dangerous wet floors!