Bali Surprise!

On May 14th I departed from El Salvador and began a 48 hour trip to Indonesia. One of my very good friends was turning 30 and Chris gave me the thumbs up. She and her husband have been teaching in an International school for the past 3 years and we had not seen each other in almost 4 years. Her husband and I schemed and came up with a plan to surprise Brooke in Bali.

30 of Brookes friends from Jakarta traveled to Bali for a long weekend celebration. We all stayed in two beautiful Villas with luxurious pools, sunset massages and full staffs.

After traveling in United First Class from LA to HongKong, spending the night in the Hong Kong airport, catching my flight to Bali, and finding my way to the randomly located villa in Bali, I cashed in on the "Surprise". It was all I could ask for. She screamed, jumped, tackled me, and had to wipe tears, snot and mascara off as she processed my arrival. A bystander had to tell his 3 year old that Brooke was crying because she was happy... It was a terrific moment and I would do it all again.

Once the surprise appearances were all made, we started into the Birthday Week Celebration. We had a big dinner at a great Greek restarant, drinks at several Hip hot spots, and even went clubbing one night. I began transistioning to the 14 hour time difference several days before I arrived so that I would be able to make the most out of our time together.

Bali is a Hindu island and while we were there we witnessed a religious ceremony on the beach. All the people are so peaceful and kind, no taxi drivers cutting you off, no drunks, no leering and lurking, and tons of spas and reflexilogy businesses. If you haven't had a reflexology leg massage then you haven't lived.

Brooke and I had the perfect amount of time to catch up while walking, and walking and walking some more. We explored the island on a motorbike and surfed the waves on a boggy board.

After 4 days of intense leisure we packed up and headed back to Jakarta Indonesia. We did a little site seeing before I boarded a plane headed for Singapore. Indonesia is the largest Islamic country in the world. Brooke and I timidly walked into the 4th largest Mosque in the world and were met with an english speaking tour guide who happily walked us thru the mosque and explained the details of the design and the history of Islam in Indonesia. It was awe inspiring. We had to wear a special gown and remove our shoes but they encouraged us to take photos.