What A Wonderful World

What a Wonderful World. What a wonderful song and what a wonderful message!

Bali takes me away to a beautiful space

What a Wonderful World. What a wonderful song and what a wonderful message!

This may be a tad morbid, but I’ve chosen this as my funeral song and I want one and all to know it. This song so beautifully represents my approach to life, how I feel about the world and how I want to be remembered.

Tropical Jakarta

I remember my friend telling me years back that she and her sister had chosen their funeral songs and I thought that was sick. But now I understand. Why shouldn’t you choose a song for your friends and family that will make them remember you in the best way possible. This totally should be your decision and it’s nice for your loved ones to know this in advance.

The lyrics go:

Oooooooooooooooooh
Oooooooooooooooooh
Oooooooooooooooooh
oooooooooh oooooooh
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dream of once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow 
Bluebirds fly
And the dreams that you dream of
Dreams really do come true

Someday I wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemondrops
High above the chimney top
That’s where you’ll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
And the dreams that you dare to
Oh why oh why can’t I

Well I see trees of green and red roses too
I’ll watch them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself 
What a wonderful world

Well I see skies of blue and
I see clouds of white
And the brightness of day
I like the dark
And I think to myself what a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
and also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shaking hands saying
How do you do
They’re really saying I, I love you

I hear babies cry and I watch them grow
They’ll learn much more then we’ll know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
world…

Someday I wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemondrops 
High above the chimney top
That’s where you’ll find me

Oh somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dare to
Why oh why can’t I…

Ooooooooooooooooooh
Ooooooooooooooooooh
Oooooooh Oooooooooh

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW/WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

Singer: Thomas Newman

Oaxaca, MEXICO

I first discovered this song in one of my favourite movies, 50 First Dates with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. The film had such beautiful sentiments and the song was so upbeat and I feel you can’t help but smile when you hear it.

This song also takes me away to far away place. An easy going, free spirited and happy island Oasis. Chilling with friends and smiling about the best things in life. I’m instantly transported back to many of my travel destinations as well as I have it on my Ipod and I have so often listened to it whilst walking around a new city or along the beach.

I hope people will smile when they think of it and remember me and my attitude to life.

BEst BBQ Pork Ribs in Bali

14-02-2010

It does appear to be a recurring topic with me, that of BBQ Pork Ribs. Admittedly I love them and especially the mess you make when eating them. So I was delighted to find a popular lunch spot in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, for eating the delicacy.

NAUGHTY NURI’S WARUNG & NACHO MAMA Grill

For Good Indonesian and Mexican Food.

(An unusual combination granted, but it works)

The cooking style on the open bbq at the front of the eatery reminded me of a fantastic place in Huasteca Potosi, Mexico where we had amazing BBQ chicken in a popular tourist spot.

The great restaurant can be found at Tromol Pos No. 219, UBUD 8-561, BALI, Indonesia. Situated amongst lush tropical plants on a quiet village type road, you can relax and enjoy your meal in peace.

Once you have finished with your meal and are suitably stuffed, you can waddle across the road and check out the UBUD Art Gallery and Museum with some traditional handicrafts.

Oh… I really should mention something about the ribs.

Cooked on an open bbq and coated many times in thick, gooey, sweet and tangy bbq sauce. Served on their own with Lime juice and an extra bowl of sauce, you will certainly be satisfied after chewing away at the meaty goodness.

I found it strange to be the only one at the table using my hands whilst the asian guests around me skillfully pulled the meat from the bone with knife, spoon and fork. I have to admit, I looked like some what of a cannibal gnawaing on the bones but I can guarantee I had the most fun enjoying the ribs.

Saucy, sticky and succulent. Naughty Nuri’s sure has some good ribs!

http://www.foodtravelblog.com/blog/balis-cuisine

Pictures taken from:

www.foodtravelblog.com

Garuda Anxiety

I’m thrilled to be leaving this Sunday for a week away in the tropical Bali. However, the journey from conception of idea to arrival in my destination is proving to be quite the challenge.

This trip has been in the making since August 2008 when I purchased a charity ticket from the lovely team at Garuda Cardo through an Auction. $300 return to Jakarta! Not bad! This actually came at the perfect time as my friend was going to Indonesia in September and needed a friend to go on the trip. Sign me up!

Then fate happened to step in and decided I needed to slow right down. A 2m jump on a snowboard, 1 week of hospital and many x-rays later and I was in a back brace for the next 8 weeks. So, no Bali for me.

I recovered, I’m well and I have a deadline. February 21st 2010. The ticket must be used or it expires. Well I am certainly not one to waste especially in these crucial financial times. So I decided I must go it alone.

My friend believed she could save me from yet another solo trip by accompanying me. A girly holiday in the lap of luxury, relaxing on beaches and enjoying a good rest. Sounded perfect.

Again, fate steps in. My friend decides that really she can’t afford the trip after I spent 3 hours looking for flights for her and she would have to decline the offer to join me on this trip. A mere 4 weeks from the departue date and I was now friendless. Excellent.

So it appeared that I may not ever get to Bali. But no. I stood my ground. I would not yield. “I will go to Bali alone and I will have a good time.”

Hotel booked just 3 days before I went, thanks to my amazing friend working at NRMA Travel, and it seems like all is well.

http://www.anekahotels.com/

Final but very vital hurdle which must be faced before I am relaxing and having fun in the sun.

GARUDA!

Now I’m not sure about all of you but I have heard that Garuda can be somewhat….. touch and go. Majority of the time all is well, but on the odd and very public occasion, they send the aviation industry into a frenzy.

I am hoping that after the hoopla I have been through to actually get this trip going, all will be safe, secure and things will run like clockwork. So slight anxiety which is odd for me as usually when flying I’m as calm as a Buddhist monk in the hills of Tibet. But I know that all fingers will be crossed and seat-belts will be fastened and eyes will be firmly shut!

Next stop…. BALI!