"This is me now, waiting for the sun..."
At or around 1854 EST 7 January 2009 I will be leaving one of the Delta gates at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on the first leg of what promises to be a life-affirming trip to Bali, Indonesia. This, of course, will be the start of what I hope plan to be a lifetime of travel to all those places I've dreamed of for years.
Why Bali? Simple: it's one of those countries in Southeast Asia I didn't get the chance to visit while stationed in Yokosuka back in the Reagan Administration, and one that came highly recommended by fellow Minemen who've visited since my return to the Reserve in the Clinton era. A Hindu enclave amidst the largest, and most moderate, Muslim nation on Earth, Bali also has a long-standing and well-developed tourism infrastructure, offering lush jungles, gorgeous beaches, and a unique culture to explore and enjoy. Perhaps most importantly, I'll probably have already spent more money on airfare (I bought the ticket in September) than I will on every other expense during my three-week odyssey.
If anyone feels the need to get a hold of me, I'll be staying Narasoma Homestay in Ubud, away from the beach crowds at Kuta- though I do plan on checking the beach out once or twice while there. Still, the purpose of the trip is to realize a long-held wish- and prove to both myself and everyone else that dreams can come true.
Future journeys will take me to the Western Cape region of South Africa and as much of New Zealand as money and schedules will allow, with the latter trip hopefully with someone else who's always wanted to go there. (Read: "Honeymoon trip." Hey, a guy can dream, right?) For now, though, it's off to Bali.
Stay tuned...
Why Bali? Simple: it's one of those countries in Southeast Asia I didn't get the chance to visit while stationed in Yokosuka back in the Reagan Administration, and one that came highly recommended by fellow Minemen who've visited since my return to the Reserve in the Clinton era. A Hindu enclave amidst the largest, and most moderate, Muslim nation on Earth, Bali also has a long-standing and well-developed tourism infrastructure, offering lush jungles, gorgeous beaches, and a unique culture to explore and enjoy. Perhaps most importantly, I'll probably have already spent more money on airfare (I bought the ticket in September) than I will on every other expense during my three-week odyssey.
If anyone feels the need to get a hold of me, I'll be staying Narasoma Homestay in Ubud, away from the beach crowds at Kuta- though I do plan on checking the beach out once or twice while there. Still, the purpose of the trip is to realize a long-held wish- and prove to both myself and everyone else that dreams can come true.
Future journeys will take me to the Western Cape region of South Africa and as much of New Zealand as money and schedules will allow, with the latter trip hopefully with someone else who's always wanted to go there. (Read: "Honeymoon trip." Hey, a guy can dream, right?) For now, though, it's off to Bali.
Stay tuned...