ubud-bungalows-bali-9813257I found Bali to be such a contrast sometimes.

The island is stunningly beautiful; tropical rainforest and jungle serve up a menu of green not seen elsewhere, the heat becomes just about unbearable before a tropical storm moves in and breaks it throwing down an alarming amount of rain and leaving nothing but freshness behind, and the people are some of the most gracious, graceful I have seen anywhere.

However, the traffic can be a nightmare with scooters and cars competing for roads built long ago, tourists (of which I recognize I am one!) crowd in everywhere, and touts fill in the spaces becoming overbearing and unbearable all at the same time.

Our guesthouse in Ubud was a beautiful oasis. It contained all the beauty of Bali and none of the ugly. The traditional architecture lent a soothing calm; I would sit on the veranda in the evening taking in the frangipani scented air and listen to the sounds of traditional music waft over the wall from the restaurant across the rice field. It truly was heavenly.

*****

There’s still time to enter the giveaway!!

It’s time to share the wealth!! I have TWO copies of Chris Guillebeau’s new book The$100 Startup to give away.  I have already read it (and loved it!) and will be reading it again and taking notes as I determine how best to put my World Domination Summit $100 investment to great use.

Just leave a comment on this post letting me know you’re interested – I’ll draw TWO names on July 25th and announce the winners the following day.