Kuta beach, Bali

early in the trip, the boys were often spoiled with their OWN twin bed.

hotel Lusa quickly became a favorite of ours.  1) because USA is hidden in the name, 2) it was close to Kuta beach, 3) the pool.  many laps, games of chase, & breath holding contests were hosted in this lovely pool.  breakfast, complete with Bali coffee, always enjoyed poolside.

Basil and Ryan's first attempt at surfing.  we came to discover that many elements of surfing successfully are hidden beneath the surface of this sport.  timing is everything here - from knowing which wave to ride to checking weather conditions / swell reports to determining whether high tide or low tide would yield the most fitting conditions.  let's be clear, surfing is for 20 year olds, ready to risk life and limb for glory and adrenaline.  i'll stick to my snowboard and backcountry freshies!

cold bottles of coke, 10,000 IDRs ($1) / cold cans of bintang, 20,000 ($2): comes w/ free chair rental

Carly and Kayl less inclined to surf after initial experiences - respect for the sea, lesson #1.  Kayl opted for a local Balinese resin tattoo that would last for several weeks before fading.

the finished tattoo...

navigating the streets of Kuta after a fabulous dinner of Nasi Goreng (fried rice with shrimp crackers).  a couple of Chocomuchos (anyone out there share our obsession with these candy bars?) from the circle K for dessert and then a slow walk back to the hotel, keeping an eye peeled for pubs with big TVs and FIFA world cup banners.  kayl and i would later sneak out of our hotel room at midnight to join a mostly crowded bar full of football fanatics.  one half of the bar was watching USA v. Germany, the other half, Portugal v. Ghana.  of course who could resist trying to keep tabs on both games!  i admit the walk back at 2:30am with my naive and youthful fellow football fanatic had me a bit on edge.  the deserted and often darkened streets urged us to keep a brisk step and limit our gaze.

nights 2 & 3, done.

on day 4, we're picked up in a van and driven to the port at Sanur.  4 nasi goreng's please while we wait for the fast boat to Nusa Lembongan…making this up as we go!