Sweet Savannah.

Obviously, I have a thing for Savannah.

For whatever reason, it is one of the places that has sat romantically in my mind for a long time without ever having been there until this past summer. And now, I know why.

The people are lovely. They are local born and raised mixed with a fair amount of transplants that fell in love with it just like I did and they all mesh together so smilingly. So many people smile in this city and want to talk to you and share why they love Savannah.

There is so much culture and history. You don't have to know it, because you can simply feel it. But if you would like to know it, there are so many tours to help you with that.

There is so much good food. Are you kidding me? Southern Cuisine at it's finest. Paula Deen has a restaurant here, in case that point was up for debate. I didn't get to go there but I did visit some fine BBQ establishments and a beautiful rooftop restaurant on top of The Bohemian hotel. And, of course, as everyone who goes to Savannah probably knows, you take a stroll through the beautiful city's mini gardens on the street squares to Leopold's (ice cream) for your dessert. Delicious city, that Savannah.

Everywhere you look is beauty: Spanish moss hanging from trees, sunflowers growing on people's porches, people painting on the riverfront, smells and tastes of good food, warmth (which I love, for those who don't like the heat...maybe not for you). The people are so welcoming and just plain cool.

Savannah, I love you so. Keep being awesome.

Settling In...

So, I am in Bali, lovelies...
It is 2:30 in the morning, the crickets are peacefully chirping, the mosquito net is placed romantically around the bed (I don't know why but I always think of the movie Out of Africa when I see a mosquito net, when I should really be thinking, 'don't get malaria') and I just woke up out of a strange dream to the sound of a kind of tapping on my window. I think it might have been a monkey because I staked out the window for a good amount of time and saw nothing. First night here. It is amazingly beautiful but completely different from what I know or expected so it will take a couple of days I think to settle into the rhythm of it.

Today doesn't really count although I have already experienced a few things that I will place in my memory pocket. But I am still very much out of sorts from traveling, feel dead in the head, which is understandable from 35 hours of travel and layovers. It will be worth the effort of the trip, I can feel it in my bones.

I am staying right now at a place called Alam Shanti which is down the street from Monkey Forest so it's only a matter of time before I see some of them and their shenanigans! I guess they are just constantly taking whatever they can off of you if you're not careful. Backpack only, nothing hanging out of bags and no food, unless you want to give it to them. :) Tomorrow, I hope to go walk to the forest first thing after breakfast...

My room is surrounded by these water gardens to the front and back. The toilet is located outside of my room (enclosed within a stone wall) and looking at one of these water gardens, which is so lovely, but at the same time...I just keep envisioning a monkey coming and staring at me nervously while I pee, so yes...I am holding it until the morning. :) It is a lovely view from the toilet though. Lol.

Just felt like checking in. I will do more of it about my trip including pictures, maybe during...maybe after. We'll see how it goes. Good night, morning, or afternoon! Whatever time zone you may be!