Almost Gone!

Billt4SF

Almost gone...after about two years we're down to our last two+ weeks in Bali. We are going "around the world slowly" -- one region at a time - and Bali was our first stop. It's been a great place for us to come after diving Raja Ampat and Komodo (and Bali). Such peaceful rice fields! FIRST - [B][U]a GIANT THANK YOU[/U][/B] to those that helped me with visa issues. We had quite a few problems, mostly around not understanding what was required of us, and not being versant with visa issues since this was our first stop. So --[U][B][I] Really, THANKS a bunch![/I][/B][/U] Ultimately we ended up with a Retirement Visa which worked great. it's easy to like the "pay, and you can do it" lifestyle. We have enjoyed Bali, we love the gentle people and the weekly massages, yet I don't think we have been able to embrace it as some seem to have done. We love our daily rice field walks, even though it's a bit of an obstacle course at times. We miss sidewalks and traffic lights! Someone asked "how do you fill your days in retirement", and for us, we were pretty relaxed. We really enjoyed it, though we didn't do much. We exercised nearly every morning (it took us some time to find good rice field walks that suited our needs), swam, worked on our computers (when the electricity or internet wasn't out :-) ), videoed friends back home, listened to music, read, got massages and went to dinner. Lovely days, but if I stay out in the heat & humidity I get very lethargic and I don't like that, so we use a lot of aircon. I love it ! And we are ready to go. It struck me when we first arrived, that there is a great deal of beauty and wonder in Bali -- and right next to that fine temple is a pile of garbage. We never seem to find quite the beauty that some photographers find daily. I found the trips to temples and such to be unsatisfying, even at low season. It's amazing that the people have been able to retain much of their culture and religion despite the tremendous burden of tourism and uncontrolled development. I wonder if, as or when the educational system improves, especially with regards to science, their culture will remain vibrant. See you around. - Bill & Emily

spicyayam

Sounds like you had a good time. So where are you going next on your adventure?

Billt4SF

Yes, we did. Indonesia diving is the BEST. We're going to go back the the USA (various places) for 6+ months, and the new adventure is slated to be South Africa. We're more than a little concerned about the situation there, and we're monitoring it. If SA doesn't work out, maybe eastern Europe? Any suggestions? - Bill

SamD

Billt4SF wroteYes, we did. Indonesia diving is the BEST. We're going to go back the the USA (various places) for 6+ months, and the new adventure is slated to be South Africa. We're more than a little concerned about the situation there, and we're monitoring it. If SA doesn't work out, maybe eastern Europe? Any suggestions? - Bill

Scotland?

Billt4SF

SamD wroteScotland?

Sure. Any particular details you might suggest? I think of Scotland as a great place to visit - in the summer. Neat cities (well, at least Edinburgh), and great hiking. For living, like for a few months or years, we think we're looking for something less than $100/night for an extended period, decent weather year-round, good access to airport for travel, and cool sites to see locally. We're in our 60's, and we do need our comforts. Truly, we are open to suggestions! - Bill

SamD

If good weather is important then forget Scotland. A warm sunny day in Scotland is beautiful but unfortunately few and far between. My favourite part of Scotland is the northwest coast from Ullapool to Durness. I am from Perthshire myself which is also very pretty but you can't beat the majesty of the mountains in the west. All the best in your travels.

Billt4SF

Right. I would love to visit Scotland, but I see it more in terms of a week or two than a month or three. We are looking ahead to imagine a place to stay for a year or so in Europe, from where we could travel around the Continent (and the UK). So far in western Europe we are considering northern Spain, southern France, or Lisbon. For Eastern Europe we have less of a clear idea what's there, maybe Slovenia? The choice may come down to price. - Bill

SamD

Billt4SF wroteRight. I would love to visit Scotland, but I see it more in terms of a week or two than a month or three. We are looking ahead to imagine a place to stay for a year or so in Europe, from where we could travel around the Continent (and the UK). So far in western Europe we are considering northern Spain, southern France, or Lisbon. For Eastern Europe we have less of a clear idea what's there, maybe Slovenia? The choice may come down to price. - Bill

It gets cold and miserable in Spain too. If you are like me and prefer the warmth then 5-10deg latitide either side of the equator is the place for you. But if I had an unlimited budget I would definitely buy myself a place in NW Scotland. If you can afford the central heating bills, who cares what the weather is like outside?