Plevyaks in Bali

Mal's first day in Bali.  Mal wanted to chill, but we decided to get some vaccinationsz lunch at one of our favorite beach clubs, take a walk in the beach, do a little shopping and have dinner with the bunnies  at Casa Tua. Maybe Mal can chill tomorrow.

While I was away celebrating and collecting Mallorie, Ramses was busy being the Production Manager for the Green School, Middle School production of Matilda the Musical.  Jet lagged Mal and I went to the show this evening and it was terrific!  I was especially impressed with the props and scenery, which were overseen by my sweet man.

We had a lovely couple days in Rochester.  Uncle Mark, Grandpa Gene, and Grandma Elaine joined the festivities.  In addition to the graduation ceremony, we saw the Rochester sites, ate some great food and moved Mal out to Rochester.  A bittersweet few days!  Bali here we come!

As I approach Rochester, the sun is going down on this very long. Wednesday. Funny thing about cross date line travel. I've been in the air for 32 hours but it's still the same Wednesday as when I took off. And, I have almost made it to the Marvelous Mallorie! 

I only had 3 hours at the Doha airport, but I see why it is rated the best airport in the world! It features amazing architecture and an indoor forest flanked by world class shopping and so many restaurants!  I landed at 5 AM local time and everything thing was open, awake and vibrant.  I went to the business class lounge that overlooks the indoor forest and heard my fav order ever:  One flat white and one G&T.  That just about covers all the bases!  I'm ready for another sleep!

Even before we applied to Green School, we planned for this day, giving Mallorie veto power over the Bali Adventure because we knew if we went to Bali, Mal's graduation would not be a whole family event. Mallorie graduates from U Rochester this weekend, and tonight I fly to NY.  Rams has school and John hates the flying part of travel, so it is just me.  Denpasar to Doha to Chicago to Rochester.  27 hours total flight time.  Hopefully only 38 hours door to door, with a 12 hour time change. I boarded the first leg at 1 AM.  I intended to have dinner and then a nap.  Somehow while enjoying a glass of champagne and the massage seat back, I closed my eyes and missed both dinner and turndown service.  The QSuite chair was hard as a camping mat, but the blanket was soft and warm.  Congee for breakfast a few hours later, with an episode of The Winchesters, started the 'day?' off right.

We have been so happy to have the amazing Emily visit us this week.  We have showed her all our favorites including chiilin at Luna Beach Club, beach time at La Baruna, sunset at Ji, brunch at Penny Lane, and of course Luwak coffee and holy snakes at Tanah Lot. The highlight so far was something new,  a water purification at Taman Beji Griya Waterfall.  We LOVE visitors!

Last night Rams developed the same body rash I have.  I gave him a benedryl and big glass of water, which he didn't drink because he is 16 and knows more than I do.  This morning, he fainted (from dehydration probs) and hit his head on a concrete window sill.  ER we have done, and our amazing friend Wayan drove us and waited!  Quick CBC and CT scan and we were home to binge watch Dracula! No big deal, new lessons learned. Half way through our visit a woman was placed in the next cubicle who had been in a scooter accident with helmet.  She could not keep any short term memory.  Every 5 minutes she started over.  "Where am I?  What happened? where are the kids?"  Each cycle, she was convinced she had just "woken up" because the day was a complete blank.....every 5 minutes.  Thank goodness she was wearing a helmet!!

Last Sunday, Rams and I left John home to recuperate from a particularly nasty tropical virus. High fever. Body aches and viral arthritis.  As l healthily tosed our bags in the back of the scuba van, my shoulder twinged...proof I need to work out more, I thought.  After the first rest interval, my knees and hands ached a little...from helping Rams with his wetsuit of course.  The current on the third dive really gave me a leg workout...need more stretching. By the time we got home, my old elephant injury was feeling bruised again.  What?  Maybe I bumped it on the boat ladder?  It took me till Monday morning to admit that I had John's virus.  I could not walk well, or lift my arms or completely close my hands.  The doctors here don't have a name for it, because it's not Dengue and it will eventually go away.  The crazy part is that as I started to get better, the full body rash and ankle swelling started.  I'm allergic to the ...