Lembongan

First, let me say I am glad I am out of Mumbai. Crazy to think I had breakfast at the Taj Mahal hotel when I was there.  The security was in full force when I went in, almost like they were anticipating something?  Obviously they were right, but it still didn't matter.

Diving in Lembongan was great.  We went drift diving, which requires little effort as the currents pull you along the edge of the reef.  It's lazy diving, but great fun!  I have been drift diving in Pulau Weh, but these currents were much stronger.  We must have travelled 6-8 miles in 40 minutes, so we were cruising.  I seemed to go much faster than my dive master and my diving 'buddy.'  A couple of times I got so far ahead I could barely see them.  I tried to swim backwards, but was unable.  I found a rock and grabbed on, and the currents blew past me.  It was kind of like hanging on to the top of a moving car.  Not that I've ever done that, but it felt like it looks in the movies.

I'm back in Kuta.  It's rainy season here, and when it rains, it downpours.  The clouds and the wind help keep it cool, and it usually clears up pretty fast.  It's not so bad.  As for surfing, I am getting the hang of it.  My paddlers are my biggest obstacle, but with a push from my cute twenty-something Balinese instructor, I can catch most waves.  It's so fun!  I also love mainland Bali for a few other reasons:  people who have no reason to kiss my ass think I am in my twenties, massages are everywhere and dirt cheap ($5 for an hour), there is salad and sushi and pretty good Mexican food, when hawkers ask if you want something and you reply 'no thank you', their response is 'you're welcome.'  End of story, no following you around to the point of extreme agitation.  It's so relaxing.

Happy Thanksgiving.  Eat some extra turkey for me today!