Monday, November 28, 2011

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!

I have been home 1 week today and I can honestly tell you......."There is no place like home!" - The most wonderful sight was seeing my girls waiting there for me to get through customs.....and then, talking to
Nicole on the way home.......JT and I are so lucky! - as if that weren't enough, the girls planned a surprise at home, with the boys, that included confetti and champagne! - What a group.....This first week has been
filled with such joy and excitement. - I have not suffered from jet lag, just the excitement of being "HOME" -
I was so afraid that Bella would not recognize her mommy, but not so.....We picked up right where we
left off 6 months ago. I am so glad to be home and I can't wait until JT comes home on the 10th.....

I am not going to post any blogs while I am home so.....John and I wish all of you a very Merry
Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!!!!

Stay safe, stay well and as always.......

Much love,
John and Sharon

Sunday, November 13, 2011

BALI WAS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!

Hello everyone! I hope that all of you had a great week and week-end.......Well..............7 days and
counting..........STATESIDE HERE I COME!!!!!! I CAN'T WAIT TO HOLD MY GIRLS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!! Bali was absolutely beautiful....JT and I had such a great time....What a wonderful way to celebrate 35 yrs. of life together.......UPS and DOWNS and BIG CHALLENGES.......John and I have so much to be thankful for. We stayed at the IBAH Resort in Ubud, Bali. It is a beautiful resort owned by the Royal Family. And when I say that we were treated like royalty, that is no exaggeration! You are surrounded by the air of "YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND" and the staff could not have been kinder, sweeter or more helpful. We arrived in Bali on Thursday at 10:30pm - FRIDAY - WHITE WATER RAFTING......WHAT A BLAST!!!!!! - The waterfall was awesome......See pics.......SATURDAY -
MONKEY FOREST - Balinese monkies are NOT CUTE!!! - At breakfast, we met a couple from Katy, Texas who now live in Jakarta......We spent lots of time talking and exchanging info. They would like us to visit while we are living here..... Today was the 1st of our massages -FACIAL today - JT was not too sure about this........Saturday evening was our ANNIVERSARY DINNER..See pics...the resort went all out
to make our anniversary special. The chef made a wonderful dinner for us and surprised us with a wedding cake to celebrate. The best part of the evening was a telegram, along with a bottle of wine, from "OUR GIRLS" with all their love!!!!!! - Lots of tears shed...... DAMN WE DID SOMETHING RIGHT!!!!!
SUNDAY - we spent walking in town and through the villages. What an eye-opening experience.....WE ALL NEED TO BE MORE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT WE HAVE!!!!! John and I also spent time looking for Balinese paintings - We purchased 3 beautiful canvases - can't wait to have them framed when we get back home.  - Sunday evening - the 2nd of our massages - full body - JT liked this one - very relaxing after a day of walking.....JT and I were given a Balinese cooking class by the chef of the resort. - I learned how to cook 3 Balinese dishes and he gave me the recipes for them along with his e-mail address if I run into any problems..see pics..MONDAY - the elephant park - WHAT A HOOT!!!! - see pics - They really are "gentle giants" - Check this off the bucket list......We had soooo much FUN!! -  Last evening in Bali was low key........We had ate in our room while we packed for Tuesday's flight to Australia. WHAT AN ADVENTURE WE ARE ON!!!!! I HOPE THAT YOU COME ALONG FOR THE RIDE..........ENJOY!!!!!

As always, we miss all of you very much and can't wait to be home for the holidays. - Make sure you
pencil us in.....

Much love......John and Sharon

VIEW FROM THE BALCONY
 

DECK OUTSIDE THE BEDROOM



 FLOWERS ALONG PATH TO OUR ROOM


BUDDAH  AT ENTRANCE


ELEPHANTS ARE WORSHIPPED



PATHWAY TO OUR ROOM





OUTSIDE GAZEBO


FLOWERS EVERYWHERE


PATH TO OUR ROOM 


CONTINUED PATH






 STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN!


JOHN ON OUR ANNIVERSARY


 OUR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION



THEY EVEN HAD A WEDDING CAKE FOR US



OUR ANNIVERSARY GROUP




FLOWERS IN THE POND IN THE REGISTRATION AREA





FIRST TRIP TO TOWN - FIRST TEMPLE WE SAW




FLOWERS EVERYWHERE


ABORIGINAL ART - DEPICTS THE SEASONS OF THE YEAR


TEMPLES EVERYWHERE




DEAD ARE LAID TO REST HERE



READ THE PRINT



ENTRANCE TO TEMPLE



JOHN SAYS "THAT'S A REAL WOMAN" 


OUR BALINESE COOKING CLASS


JOHN BEING JOHN



MAKING CHICKEN AND SHRIMP SAMOSAS


JOHN NEEDED A LITTLE HELP



OUR CHEF




DESSERT - BANANAS W/COCONUT AND VANILLA FLAMBE


JOHN SAYS "THAT A REAL WOMAN"


SHE ARRANGES THIS EVERY MORNING WITH FRESH FLOWERS


THE RESORT - IBAH


JOHN WAS FASCINATED WITH THE RICE FIELDS



ELEPHANT PARK - AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!
































ON THE WAY TO WHITE WATER RAFTING THROUGH TOWN



DON'T WE LOOK CUTE!!!!!!!









OUR RIVER GUIDE








BACK AT THE RESORT - POOLSIDE


KISSIN' MONKEYS










HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE ADVENTURE TO BALI!!!!!!!!!!