See below for 2 new posts -- Aus & Bali.  For now, just a quick comment about the news and why the 3rd world is so far behind . . . .

While in Bali, we saw several news reports about heavy fighting in Iraq, and even about a US-led invasion into Fallujah.  Isn't that funny?  Bali, a developing country, is so far "behind" that its news reports are almost 18 months old.  Everyone knows the US already invaded Iraq a long time ago, and that the US declared victory a long time ago as well.  I distinctly remember W in his flight suit, standing on an aircraft carrier, declaring an unequivocal victory.  The developing world really needs to catch up and get its act together.

See below for another new post today -- about Bali.

From Nov 14 until the end of the month, we spent just over 2 weeks in the Land Down Under.  We did not eat a vegemite sandwich and the man sure didn't plunder.

We spent 10 days in Sydney.  During those 10 days, we went to Darling and Sydney Harbors (quite a few times -- while the Opera House was photogenic, D Harbor was actually, we thought, a bit nicer), visited 2 aquariums (saw a platypus, a seal sanctuary, a dangerous animals show, and learned a lot about sharks), went to some museums (related to the prison systems and Aus's convict history), walked around the historic Rocks district, and visited a few zoos (the snakes and spiders were amazing -- see also the next sentence).  Jenn, to her wonder and pure elation, was able to see, pet, and spend some QT with several local koalas -- her new favorite animal.  She also hand-fed kangaroos and held a baby wallaby.  We also took a day tour of the Blue Mountains (hills actually, at least by CO standards; while the rainforest was scenic, the boomerang practice was, I thought, the best part), as well as a really fun tour of the Hunter Wine Valley (a wine tasting tour by bicycle).  Finally, we spent a day at the lovely Manly Beach.

After Sydney, we spent 4 relaxing days on Magnetic Island in North Queensland.  MI is a beautiful, largely undeveloped, and very low key island (most of it is a protected reserve).  The weather was fine, but the wind prevented us from too many watersports.  Nonetheless, we did go out to the Great Barrier Reef.  The dive trip was incredible -- an amazing underwater national park, and I even saw (several times and up close) a 6 foot white tipped reef shark.  We also took some scenic nature walks and even spotted a koala in the wild (sleeping, of course, as they do 20 hours a day).  We also saw a lot of beautiful birds.  Finally, our self-contained apt was right on the beach, and we were even able to put together a pretty good traditional T Day dinner (everything but the gravy and pumpkin pie).

Now, we are in Chirstchurch, NZ.  In 2 days, we head out in our camper van for a 9 day road trip around the S Island!!!  We'll look forward to posting about NZ soon, but we may be posting from Denver -- since we should be home around the middle/towards the end of this month.  Hard to believe!!!

Sorry for the lack of posts -- quite embarrasing, actually, especially since we have had email available.

BALI:  Thinking about a tropical/island vacation?  Forget about St. ____.  Think Bali.  Long flight?  Yes, but well worth it.  If you like gorgeous beaches, amazing culture and architecture, tons of activities, incredible food, and cheap deals, then Bali may be for you. 

Unfortunately, we only had 7 days to spend . . . but we made the most of them.  During that time, we had plenty of R&R, but we also went scuba diving (around the USS Liberty -- a WW2 wreck) and saw some amazing coral and fish.  We also went white water rafting.  The last thing I would have thought of, but what a blast!!!  The rapids were pretty good, but the scenery -- through a deep, narrow, waterfall-filled, rainforested canyon -- was even better. 

We also ate like kings/queens -- for cheap!!!  The local food was a blend of indian, chinese, and thai, but also unique and distinct -- a lot of spices and fresh seafood (one night we even sat on the beach and ate fresh seafood while watching a gorgeous sunset).  The most popular dish is rice, surrounded by all kinds of meats/noodles/fish/and veggies. 

Finally, the culture was incredible.  While Bali is somewhat touristy (a good tourist infrastructure), the locals mix freely and go about their lives as if no tourists are even there.  Like many hindu cultures, Bali is a land of festivals -- one is almost always taking place.  The architecture -- mainly the temples, but even the traffic circles -- is an incredible blend of indian/hindu statutes and structures that look like Japanese pagodas.  We saw several temples and even visited a local's home (every house has its own temple).  We also witnessed, daily, the locals making "offerings" (incense and fruits/food/nuts) to the gods -- sometimes at temples, but also at traffic circles, street corners, and just about everywhere else.  Bali hindu culture is a fascinating mix -- basically traditional hinduism has been layered onto animist/traditional beliefs, and that culture is thriving today.  The hi-light of our trip, however, was to witness a cremation ceremony, which was unlike anything we have ever seen.  From the body purification ceremonies, to the street procession, to the funeral pyre and actual cremation ceremony, it was an amazing site to behold (and not, by any means, just a tourist production).  The time, effort, and emotion that went into that ceremony -- and he was just a "middle class guy"-- was overwhelming.  We were very privileged to partake in such an event -- and wait until you see the photos of the funeral procession (particularly when the bearers, while dodging power lines, made 3 circles at the intersection in order to "confuse" the evil spirts).

Despite the long flight, we would higly recommend Bali to anyone!  Bali has a tourist infrastructure to cater to all needs and budgets.  The people are probably the friendliest we've met so far.  Just a wonderful experience.

See below for a final post on India.

We just spent 4 nights/days in Bangkok.  Tomorrow, we head to Bali where we'll spend a week (11/6 - 11/13) . . . then to Sydney (arriving 11/14).

Although we have been to Bangkok before (and "did" most of the major tourist sites), I think we had an even better time this go round -- and we, for the most part, skipped the sites.  Instead, we wandered through the markets -- the sights, sounds, and especially the smells from the thai food street carts & stalls are just incredible.  We also did some shopping -- the "knockoffs" are fantastic . . . . and you can sit and leaf through HUNDREDS of dvds/cds/PS2 games, pick the ones you want, waith 5 minutes for them to be burned, and then pay about $1 per disk.  Incredible.  Even for someone like me, who does not usually like to shop, Bangkok has been AWESOME. 

After the rigors of India, B is a wonderful pleasure palace -- dunkin donuts, S'bucks, Baskin Robbins, 7-11, cleanliness, no free roaming cows, minimal car horns honking, movie theatres (the nicest we have ever seen -- Dodgeball was hilarious and the Grudge was great) . . . the list goes on.  BKK is amazing -- so modern and so much technology, and yet so different from home.   The skyline is filled not only with modern bldgs, but wats (temples), palaces, and other asian-typed buildings.  The city has such a great vibe and is so alive . . . and the food alone would justify buying a plane ticket and a visit.

We also took a night/dinner cruise -- seeing the major monuments lighted up at night (which we did not do last time) was amazing.  This time, we also had a brief visit to Patpong, although we declined to see the pussy ping pong show.  Finally, we visited a toxicology center and snake farm -- incredible (especially the King Cobra and the moment when Jenn had a python around her neck)!!!!

In short, BKK is just an awesome city.  Have a Singha or a Chiang beer and visit this amazing world-class city.

After the color, palaces, forts, calamity, cows, & camels of Rajasthan, we spent 5 days in the Himalayas -- in Darjeeling.  The area was beautiful -- the foothills alone stand at around 14,000 feet and the skyline is dominated by Kanchenjunga (at almost 6,000 meters, the world's 3rd highest mountain). 

Darjeeling was very relaxing, offered great views, and had fantastic tea (from the famous nearby plantations).  The culture was entirely different -- heavily influenced by the large amount of Tibetan refugees and the large Nepali population.  In fact, we felt as though we were in an entirely different country.  The faces, food, language, attitudes, and atmosphere were a far cry from the free roaming cows, incessant horns, and desert like surroundings in Raj.  In Darjeeling, we were in a peaceful mountain town -- which although touristy to some degree, was as "real" as the rest of India.

Over our 5 days, we did some light hiking, visited a Himalayan zoo (with snow leopards), visited the Himalayan Mtn Institute (a school started by and dedicated to Tenzing Norgay -- a true national hero), trekked to a gompa (Buddhist monastery), and watched the sunrise over the Himalayas (from Tiger Hill at 11,000 feet) -- a truly amazing experience that made the whole jaunt to Darj worthwhile.  As the sun came up and Kanchenjunga turned pink, the crowd of about 1000 people (EVERYTHING in I is crowded) began to cheer.  Like everything else in I, Tiger Hill was a fascinating cultural experience.

Finally, we finished our visit to I with an overnight in Kolkata -- a city with a great vibe (albeit ridiculous traffic and some very disturbing poverty).  While we would have liked to stay another day, we were happy to go to the spa at our hotel (which was AMAZING, although the "flower bath" was maybe a bit much . . . . ) and relax.

All in all, India was an amazing, wonderful, and incredibly interesting experience.  Despite all of her trepidation and fears, Jenn really had a great time and ejoyed I immensely.  Likewise, I found it to be the most fascinating (and lovably bizarre) place I have ever been.  The Taj was the best monument either of us have ever seen, and Varanasi was the most unique and fascinating place -- from a culturual perspective -- that we have ever visited.  If you ever get the chance, and are willing to immerse yourself in a world that is SO different from your own, then head to India and enjoy.  While maddening and frustrating at times, it really is a magical place (and the food is quite good as well -- we both survived a month without any stomach problems).