…with a connection in Helsinki delivered my husband and me to Singapore a few weeks ago, then onward to Bali. At the request of my esteemed blogging colleague Milo James Fowler, I’ll share a few pix here:
Starting with Singapore, as a city-state, it’s very contemporary with endless shopping malls…
…yet was not without some colonial or cultural architecture:
Fortunately, I wasn’t trafficking any illegal substances so wasn’t put to death (as threatened on my departure card at Immigration) and could live to see Ubud, Bali, where I wish we’d had more time. I’ll let the pictures explain why:
(that first photo above was at our rented villa—inSANE serenity. I would love to just sit there for months and write.)
Whereas Singapore didn’t really make us feel we’d traveled that far or to anything exotic (and charged a hell of a lot for booze, valuing cost of living over cost of indulgence), Bali compensated with its cultural richness…
…and MONKEYS!!! Here I am greeting one of my brethren (wearing my most challenging human costume to date—my cover was almost blown when a little monkey leapt onto my back and nearly pulled my dress down); the others consult with their critique group:
*sigh* How I envy their freedom in the Monkey Forest as I’m caged back up.
But I’ve missed my blog buddies, so I’m glad to be back and catching up with all y’all. More of my yammerings to follow soon…
The Fallen Monkey 
August 5th, 2011 at 10:06
gorgeous pictures, i wish i could be there!
http://sandbetweentoes.wordpress.com/
August 10th, 2011 at 18:19
Thanks, Laura! You have a number of places on your blog I’d like to see, too!
August 5th, 2011 at 12:11
welcome back – that’s quite some holiday 🙂
August 10th, 2011 at 18:19
Why, thank you, sir! It was a good time, though I’m quite happy to be back in England to give my sun-burnt shoulders a break. 🙂
August 5th, 2011 at 15:53
This looks so amazing! Have never been to Bali but it seems like the trip of a lifetime. And wonderful to see you back home at your desk, too. You’ve been missed. 🙂
August 10th, 2011 at 18:18
I’ve missed you, too, Eva! Sorry my delinquency getting to your blog. It’s been manic ever since I got back, but looking forward to catching up with ya!
August 6th, 2011 at 09:02
I am beyond jealous. I would have to fly fifteen hours just to get back to where my jealously gave it up and surrendered to awe!
August 10th, 2011 at 18:17
I hope you get frequent-flyer miles for that, Connor, to put toward going to Bali for yourself! So worth the looong flight and swollen elephant feet afterward (that last might just be my own circulation issue :)).
August 6th, 2011 at 10:01
Welcome back! Loved these photos, and what an adorable photo of you with a fellow monkey, see, the monkey recognised you in spite of your human costume 😉 and what can I say, the last photo is the most adorable thing ever. I have great affection for little monkeys, I think they are the cutest things ever and have always wanted to go to Gibraltar to see the ones there, I’ve heard they are quite cheeky 🙂
August 10th, 2011 at 18:13
Oh my, I’ve heard about the Gibraltar monkeys, too! I thought the ones in Ubud would be more thieving, but they seemed pretty into their own thing…unless they smelled food, of course. (“Is that a banana in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?” ;))
August 6th, 2011 at 20:16
MONKEYS! Love them! I was able to hold some in Honduras, but that wasn’t for long enough and now I know where to find more!
Great photos!
August 10th, 2011 at 18:11
Thanks, Annette! Gotta love a monkey, I say. 🙂
August 11th, 2011 at 18:09
Holy cow — the juxtaposition of the modern and the historic, the urban and the scenic + MONKEYS… I’m blown away here! Great pics. You did not disappoint.
Sorry it’s taken me a while to stop by; I’ve been unplugged in the backwoods of Maine for the past week for a much-needed respite. =]
August 11th, 2011 at 22:09
Oh! I’m seriously clapping (well, in between typing letters) for your unplugged escape to Maine! I’ve been researching a country getaway myself—I know, sounds ridiculous considering I just went on one, but as a group vacation that really wasn’t restful, and I had zero time for my writing, which I’d hoped to accomplish. I just need a solid few days in solitary confinement out in the country to really focus on new writing and hopefully get back to querying for the old stuff.
I’d love to hear about your trip! Never apologize for delays in stopping by—you obviously know my track record 🙂