“Which kingdom are we in?” Jacob asked.
We were headed down one of my favorite roads in Bali that runs through the gorgeous rice-scaped village of Kemenuh, across a giant river glen and into the larger village of Sukawati. We were just entering Sukawati at the time which is about halfway to the beach town of Sanur.
“I’m not sure…. I think we’re still in Gianyar. But we’re close to Denpasar. We haven’t passed through any kingdom gates, so I think we’re still in Gianyar….” I said in much the same way as someone discusses how many miles to the next gas station.
“I love that you pass through gates!” Jacob said.
Sometimes I forget just how special that is. You always know where you are because you pass through stone and brick gates for every kingdom, district and village. Kingdom gates are always the biggest and many are the times I have been happy to see the gates of Gianyar – our kingdom.
We were on the way to the Bukit Peninsula and the Uluwatu Temple so that Diana and Jacob could have a daytime view of the gorgeous cliffside wonder before going to the nearby airport. Their visit lasted just over a week – a very brief time for Bali. The time flew by.
Diana and Jacob made the most of it. They saw almost every sight and attraction of worth on the island and did many cool activities. They saw four of the island’s most important temples, both north and south shores, took a cooking class, had a morning of water sports, enjoyed many massages and spa treatments and saw two Balinese dance performances.
Jacob – a professional cellist and music teacher – took a two hour gamelan lesson. I think for him, that was one of the most special and powerful experiences he had. The gamelan is a unique and instrument so few westerners ever touch, let alone learn how to play. It didn’t take much for Jacob’s talented, genius brain to begin wrapping itself around the strangely melodic percussive instrument.
When we watched a show featuring several styles of Balinese dances last night at the Lotus Temple in Ubud, it was clear that Jacob had a new eye and ear for the mystical instrument. He pointed out how the ladies of the gamelan orchestra played perfectly without sheet music or a conductor. Jacob had a deep appreciation of them.
That was perhaps the most wonderful aspect of Jacob and Diana’s stay – their appreciation for Bali and the Balinese people. As so many people are when they explore Bali – Diana and Jacob were amazed by the art, culture and approach to life.
However, I think they took it a step further and really considered all the details and little things that are part of the Bali experience – right down to the pervasive use of double flush toilets and way the Balinese use only volcanic rock mortars and pestles in their cooking.
There’s nothing so wonderful as people who have appreciation and gratitude for those who don’t in any way demand or require it.
Over our last dinner, we all discussed how important it is to take the opportunities we’re afforded when we can. Just like this year came together for Emily and I because a combination of factors and circumstances lining up just perfectly, Diana and Jacob recognized that the opportunity to come to Bali when Emily and I were here was one they didn’t want to pass up.
Being two self employed people, it’s very difficult for them to set aside a large block of time and to give up income to travel. We’re grateful to them for doing it because it was so fun and enjoyable for us. We take it as a gift.
We all discussed how life offers no promises of tomorrow. We can’t assume that there will be another moment, another opportunity to chase after a dream. Although I believe life has no shortage of possibilities and opportunities, certain ones have shelf-lives. You can’t always do what you think you will later in life. Our finances, relationships, circumstances and bodies change. We like to think they’re all constants or at least somewhat within our control – but they’re not.
Diana and Jacob bravely seized an opportunity and in so doing created treasures – memories for themselves, and a memory we will all have to share among ourselves forever. That’s wealth.
After some time staring out at the Indian Ocean from the cliffs of Uluwatu, a lunch of traditional Balinese food, and heartfelt, warm goodbyes at the airport departure curb, I headed “home” to my beautiful wife to resume our “normal” life without guests.
Just as I passed through the gates of Gianyar, I noticed that the car ahead of me was a Mitsubishi Maven. It was like an act of the divine. After three weeks of driving two sets of our beloved guests around the tight, curvy, crazy roads of Bali, I realized everyone in Bali needs a driving maven. Oy.
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