Part 2…A visit to new friend’s home in Sumbersari…A walk along the beach to more visions of paradise…Interior photos today…See yesterday’s post for exterior photos…

Private outdoor massage space at Pia & Thomas’ house, often used when a massage therapist visits the house several times a week.
“Sightings on the Beach in Bali”
On the walk along the beach to Pia and Thomas’ home we spotted these two coconut shells. The one with the water had mosquitoes prospering in its contents and the other?  Who knows what may be living therein?

Today, as you read this post you’ll notice it was posted earlier than usual since soon we’ll be on the two hour road trip to Lovina where we’ll spend four nights in a one of the most highly rated hotels in the area, the Puri Bagus Lovina. We’ll be posting photos of our room, the hotel and highlights of Lovina over the next several days.

We couldn’t get over Pia and Thomas’ outdoor kitchen and the fact there was no indoor kitchen, a unique feature that only a climate such as found in Bali allowing this ideal scenario. It’s easy to imagine the pleasure of dining at this handcrafted table.

Returning to the villa on Friday afternoon, after the five day visa extension process, hopefully we’ll have the visa extensions in hand.  We’d intended to leave early this morning. However, yesterday I hadn’t completed the two comprehensive posts (click here for exterior photos) for our new friend’s, Pia and Thomas home on the beach. Thus, we decided to leave a little later while I finished the post as Tom watched the Minnesota Vikings football game.

Granite countertops and built-in grill.

As it turned out, we spent more time packing for this four night trip than we usually do when packing for our final departure in any location. Picking through our limited wardrobes, packing toiletries, computers, digital equipment, power adapter, HDMI and extension cords proved to take more time than expected.

The Balinese styled cabinets are a special touch.

Yesterday, alone in the villa all day with the staff off on Sundays, we had a wonderful day although it rained off and on. During a short period of sunshine, we swam in the pool and later chatted seated under the cabana thoroughly enjoying each other’s companionship. Gosh, we’re lucky we never tire of hanging out together! We never seem to run short of playfulness or topics of conversation!

Balinese statues welcome guests as they enter the side of the property from the front entrance.

We observed this same type of companionship, love and devotion between Pia and Thomas. They, too, love spending time together reveling in the joys of their daily lives, never failing to appreciate the gifts each day brings. 

We fell in love with the open air master bathroom.

In a few years, Thomas will retire and their lives will not be too different from ours, except that they plan to stay put in Bali for part of the year, traveling from time to time. 

Décor in the master bathroom.

As much as we loved their house, easily seeing we’d enjoy such surroundings, neither of us ever thought for one moment, that we wished for a house we could call our own even as a part time “home.” We like, no we love life just as we’ve chosen to live it on the move every few months or so, just as it is now.

The tastefully appointed master bedroom.

A few days ago while speaking to daughter-in-law Camille, she asked how long we may be traveling as we are. Admittedly, we miss family very much and also bear a certain degree of guilt for being away. That’s to be expected. As we all so well know, we can’t live our lives motivated by guilt or regret. Passion and joy must be the common denominator to attain great happiness.

The second level living room/lounge.  We sat on this comfy sofa while we chatted, enjoying the ocean breezes that cooled the humid air.

But, we’re indescribably happy, incredibly happy. How does one change what is working so well, so blissfully when life, so fleeting, so unexpected, often has other plans for us?

Inviting guest room with mosquito netting for breezy nights with windows wide open.

When that time comes, we’ll make changes to accommodate whatever fate has befallen us and move on to the next chapter, whatever that may be. How can one predict? How can one answer when asked what our long range plans may be? We don’t have all the answers.

Another view of the guest room. It would be easy to be a guest in this home!

Spending these past wonderful hours with Pia and Thomas further reminded us that we are hardly alone in our quest for personal growth and discovery in this distant life we live, not intended as a means to be “away” from those we love but to continue on a path we’ve chosen which befits our desires at this time. They, too, experience similar feelings. 

Each space is decorated to perfection.

As we make our way to Lovina during the two hour drive, once again we’ll find ourselves engaged in animated conversation, never failing for a moment to express gratitude for this magical life and the unexpected treasures we continue to encounter along the way.

Another well decorated area in the living room/lounge area.

It’s not always easy. It’s not always exciting.

At times, it’s downright frustrating. But, collectively, it’s a life we wouldn’t trade for anything in the world, as long as we’re healthy and committed to carrying on.

The closet is the size of a bedroom, neatly arranged with clothes they leave behind when they travel to other countries. They only haul carry on luggage when flying to Thailand or Germany.

We’ll be back within 24 hours with all new photos of our “holiday within a holiday,” our “vacation within a vacation,” sharing morsels we find interesting and entertaining along the way.

Happy day to all!

Photo from one year ago today, September 26, 2015:

A photo from our visit to a local “egg lady.” while living in Fiji. As we approached this pair atop this table, they turned away from us while others curiously meandered toward us. For more photos, please click here.

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