Valentines Day in Bali

Happy Valentines Day! Most of us were up early (like 5am!) but the sunrise was beautiful and the gardens of the hotel are lush and tropical. Everything seems to grow well here. When it rains it is usually a downpour but in short bursts... no water shortage!
We had a bountiful breakfast at the hotel and then piled in the vans for the days adventure. First we stopped at Barja Sandhi, the national museum. (see below)
It had dioramas of the history of Bali from the stone age to present. Lots of information, from the Balinese point of view, of the Dutch colonization, the Japanese occupation, the Dutch came back after the war, and finally independence.
We then drove on to Embun Life, a small restaurant in a obscure part of town by a rice patty- beautiful and yummy food. After that we headed to Tanah Lot, a temple built on a rock out in the water just off the west coast of Bali. (see above)
The area reminded me of the Santa Cruz coast only with black lava rock cliffs instead of sandstone. The tide was coming in so we had to wade through the surf to receive our blessings from the priests: a little water splashed on the face from the natural spring out there and a prayer and rice on the forehead from the priest.
When we got back to the hotel everyone was ready for a swim. The pool(s) were really nice but in this climate everything stays pretty warm, even the pool water.
At dinner many of us tried a plate that had a variety of Balinese specialties- chicken and pork with different delicious sauces from sweet to spicy (they have a great chili concoction here). We ended with a warm black (Bali native) rice dessert with coconut milk over the top... ummmm