Greetings from Bali

**Originally posted on tumblr on Jan 2013. **

Greetings from Bali, Indonesia.  It took us 2:45 hrs to fly here from Singapore.

After getting some lunch in Penestanan, the town where our rental villa is located, we sauntered over to Ubud to check it out.  Definitely more touristy over there, whereas Penestanan has more of a remote village feel to it.

Unlike our typical vacation style of go, go, go, we’re enjoying just hanging out in the relative luxury of our villa, which has its own pool.  In the evening it’s quiet, except for a frog that was trying to find itself a mate, and the crickets that are probably doing the same.

Us city-dwellers often forget what peace and tranquility really sound like–when you don’t hear any traffic, or people, or other signs of civilization.  Nothing but the steady whirring of our ceiling fans, and odd noises from critters outside in the yard.

It’s times like these when my thoughts always turn to giving up the urban lifestyle, and moving to a place like Penestanan, for a simpler life.  Maybe if I did, I would eventually yearn for the bustle of the city, but I sure would like to give it a try.