Daily life here in Ubud, Bali is a feast for the five senses. You awake to the songs and calls of thousands of tropical birds, cicadas chirping, water gushing by in the rice canals, and the sight of bright purple, yellow, orange, red and green flora at every turn. But there is a trade off for all of this tropical beauty. Insects and wild animals abound and roam freely in this tolerant, friendly Hindu island. Tourists can easily suffer from prolific mosquito and "no see um" bites, barking wild dogs, sunburns, and hungry Macaque monkeys wandering the roads and forests.
I discovered some trade offs on my fourth day in Bali after sitting by the hotel pool for an hour. My entire epidermis felt little stinging sensations as small red bumps appeared all over my front and back. After seven days, all the bites continue to itch (at night too) and I now wear full length clothing, using repellent and sunscreen until bedtime.
On our trips to town for meals, ATMs and dance performances, we walk on the Monkey Forest Road, a beautiful jungle with paved paths and hundreds of wild Macaque monkey living there. They obviously own the place, venturing out for any food a walker may carry, and jump quickly on you to get it. So, now we bring nothing but rupias (Indonesian money) and walk as far as possible from these furry critters hanging out on the path. Now I enjoy the jungle.
To enjoy traveling in new countries and adventure takes some education and experience. As I scratch my many bites under my sarong, I grin and and happily pay this price to experience Beautiful Bali.
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