AFVOA Newsletter May 2020

Section 3 - Memoirs Newsletter No. 1 / 2020 P a g e 45 | 101 way of tropical Bougainvillea, Lagerstomia, Plumeria species (Frangipani) in a riot of colours; Ixora again vying with a rich palette of shades; variegated Crotons and Coleus offering a rich contrast; Bleeding Hearts (Caladiums) playing hide and seek, while Majestic Ashokas tower over competing palms; Spectacular blooms of the Gul Mohur remind us its Summer here in the Southern Hemisphere! An endless parade of quaint villages where local artisans churn out exquisite silver ware, carefully trimmed drift wood, unusual combos of glass bowing admixed with drift wood, thatching using “ijuk” sugarcane fibres to make the roof tops for shrines/ beach umbrellas; A now rarely seen dying craft as most opt for terracotta substitutes! The drive was a lesson in local customs. The resort at Menjangyan was MIMPI, the home for HOT SULPHUR SPRINGS! Mimpi in Balinese means ‘Dream’. What a charming dreamy resort it is with acres of lush greenery by way of vast lawns, shady nooks of cultivated shrubbery, spots of colour in the Frangipani, cobbled pathways, hordes of naughty monkeys …leading to the beautiful Hot spring pools! Comfy rooms/ villas for the honeymooners/outdoor bathrooms, offer a choice for the spoiled! Twittering of birds, calls of the Koel, serenade the early morning or “Ushas”; while the trilling of insects amazes one! An absolutely one of its kind is the number of fossilized trees on the lawns! Breathtakingly awesome to see Nature’s own glazing technique over the ages! The colours of the fossils are mesmerizing and one is lured into simply marvelling spellbound. Resort visits are truly bonding time; what wonderful family time we had with friendly repartees, leg pulling, recalling other fun times, remembering the ones who have left us, basking in the pools, hot and cold, all in a great spirit of love, caring, sharing, camaraderie. An experience of a lifetime. Bali is very ECO Friendly and conscious of the need to preserve Nature in all its natural glory. Thus, environment consciousness is at an all-time high where one time use of plastic is banned. The Potato Beach Resort has gone a step further and is 100% Zero plastic and Zero wastage; All items are reusable and recycled! To remind us, huge modern sculptures using abandoned flip flops, odds and ends, old wooden shutters from louvered windows, have been created on the grounds! Decorations for the new year are all from Palm fronds exquisitely fashioned into lanterns, ‘thorans’ and the like! ‘Ijuk’ umbrellas shade one on the beach! while bamboo straws in Coconut shell containers are neat! Bali is a surfer’s paradise as the sea here offers Rip curls and waves just so for Surfing! Rushi my little Bohemian has taken to surfing! What a fitness freak with