Grocery Shopping (Berbelanja di Supermarket)

Today we went grocery shopping with Tonny's mom and his sister. Really we just accompany her to help out. Her favorite spot to go is Tiara Dewata (Crown of the Gods). It's been there since 1986. Before that came along, she would go to the open markets (pasar) for daily needs. As the years pass here, the more and more it becomes westernized.

Before picking his mom up we had lunch with his sister at a Bakso cafe. I say cafe because it's smaller than a restaurant. Here they are called Warung. Bakso (as they are called in West Java, or Bakwan as they are called in East Java) are a type of meatball served either steamed and served in a chicken broth or deep fried. Either way they are delicious!

Learning Indonesian (Belajar Bahasa Indonesia)

Today was my first private lesson with my friend Sandra. Sandra and I met this past year when we were taking a level 2 class of Indonesian at an international school here. We've kept in touch and a couple of weeks ago she asked me to share a private tutor at her home. Today was the first day and we had fun. Sandra and her husband moved here two years ago from Perth, Australia on a retirement visa. They're very nice people. In the following photos, the first is of Sandra and me and the second is of our teacher Nyoman. Nyoman is a common Balinese name given to the third born whether it be female or male (More on this below). We will meet every Wednesday and Friday of the week for a total of ten lessons.

In Balinese culture if you are the first born ( male or female ) you will be called either Putu, Wayan or Nengah. Second born will be called Made or Kadek, third born Nyoman, Ika or Komang, fourth born Ketut. If you are #5 you go back to 1. So the more Balinese you become friends with, the more difficult it is to keep their names straight!

Rumah Kita (Our Home)

It was a year ago today that the two (three, counting our dog Wheezy) of us landed on our new island home of Bali. After looking for our own place through the month of September last year, we finally settled with our current home in a new condo development called Sunset Garden. It's located on the outskirts of the popular tourist destination of Kuta. Luckily we are far enough from all the hubbub to have peace and quiet. These two photos are of the front gate to Sunset Garden and the other is the front of our unit.

Here it goes...

My name is Corey. I moved to Bali a year ago this month from the States. After much deliberation, my partner and I decided to leave the Isle of Manhattan for a different kind of island life. Now, at the extreme encouragement of one of my friends (and you know who you are), I have started a photo blog of my time and experience here on the island of Bali. Hope you enjoy.