back from bali

finding difficulty getting back into the swing of things

with an environmental portraiture assignment, a movie review, backlog of papers to read

(even reading the papers...! usually find analysing the writing styles and learning new knowledge so easily enjoyable...)

coffee isn't working against some unconscious instinct not to think

the same way it melted my body and mind into a wonderful state of nothingness upon waking up to leave the country

it seized reality to clothe my mind upon waking up to return

had a hot shower to wash off physical evidence

and hope that this attempt to materialise some thoughts and residue feelings will help settle the mind back to work

there are amazing sunsets in Bali

the red yolk sun sinks early, but the setting colours take their time to merge and shift in shades

the crashing waves confident in their line of defence

their thunder, and the sea breeze empties the heart of weight and substance

calling us to fill it with 

this

that almost buoys us up to fly

this

weightless content feels like freedom

we walked like determined starving soldiers to our first dinner

and the realization that we were then in Bali came late -

it is so easy to fly to another continent now

the difference isn't as amplified as it was when we were kids

feasted like royalty for many meals there, communal dining style

i got to know people better

strange how we may feel like kings and queens in third-world countries like so

but return feeling like paupers back home

(but our hearts return richer

if there is enough time to solidify the experience)

went white water rafting down 16km

our guide is called peot, who skilfully manoeuvred us around potential rocks and 'boom-booms'

made friends with the many geysers that sprouted white moustaches through the route

falling leaves like delicate birds twirling in quiet air

thin light waterfalls trickling down stone mountains in finger tendrils

heart yearned for a more equal enjoyment of nature,

to be paddling and manoeuvring around obstacles together as a team down the rapids at a matching speed

the wind raising the goosebumps on your skin 

and the sun's warmth coaxing them down again

but was also quiet, satisfied, peaceful.

ate like a wolf after and skinny dipped

we swam in the night in a villa

took photographs with a permanently smudged underwater camera

drank too much and played king's cup / ring of fire

took a very tiny cultural peek

slept alternatively on buses

that's all, a very short trip

kind of throws you off balance

gets the desire to travel and explore and understand the world more

burning