Legian

Bali is where I started to get sloppy. Six months on the road, hopping in and out of cultures, I was starting to feel altogether blase about international travel.  Carrying an American passport has certain privileges as well -- the world may not care for our foreign policy, but our tourist dollars are welcome almost anywhere. Indonesia Customs and Immigration Service cleared these misconceptions right up for me.  Through a collection of mistakes and oversights on my part, I got to know a few of their members quite well.  They were helpful, friendly, firm (unbribeable, at least in my price range), and determined to make sure that all of the 'i's were dotted and 't's crossed before I entered or left the country.  Also, they had really big signs posted that read "SMUGGLING MAY RESULT IN DEATH". Oh, and a few notes for people arriving in Bali from Thailand.  1) There is a twenty-five American dollar entry fee before you even get to customs. 2) They do not take Thai currency, Traveller's Checks, or credit cards. 3) There is no foreign exchange or ATM available. Enjoy your stay ... assuming you get out the airport.

Legian is part of the southern Bali tourist zone.  It's got a nice beach, pleasant cops who are happy to accept on-the-spot payment of fines for near mythical traffic infringements, and a thriving community of people who would like your money.  I left fairly quickly.

Mom and I stayed at "The Three Sisters Inn" in Kyoto.  Maybe we ought to introduce them all to each other.

This Japanese Sumo was just outside the Hulu Cafe, Bali's first gay bar and Drag Revue.   I don't know if they actually incorporate Sumo wrestlers into the Drag show, but I ferverently hope so.

I was just checking to see what a used one would go for...

I'm always a sucker for the biggest/largest/whateverest of anything.  In this case, there is a project to build the large statue of Wisnu in the world.  They're doing it in stages, but the locals all seemed to feel that it would be finished some day...

Wisnu will be riding the eagle Garuda when he's done.  (Those are trees, not shrubs, on the left.)