After spending an exhilarating week in Vietnam, we flew to Bali and spent a relaxing week on the pristine, sandy beaches of Nusa Dua. Without any kind of prepared schedule, plan, or itinerary, we succumbed to spontaneity and let the mood guide us. It was exactly what we needed before heading back to jobsite.

Ally and Kylee playing on the beach near the hotel.

This beach was like no other beach we’ve ever seen or experienced. Extreme low tides arrived while we were there, exposing hundreds of yards of ocean floor. Beginning in the late afternoon, and continuing all through the evening, the ankle deep water provided a route to a nearby reef where the girls explored life in the sea.

Sunsets are a rarity at jobsite, so we eagerly embraced the vibrant rays before they got lost in the horizon.

The girls went jet skiing, rode a banana boat, and, for the first time, rode a Flying Fish.

Flying high above the Indian Ocean.

Our favorite activity in Bali was visiting the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud. The sanctuary is 27 acres of densely forested land that’s marked with gorgeous Balinese Hindu temples.

The sanctuary’s architecture is stunning and, often, fierce looking.

The sanctuary is home to mischievous troops of long-tail macaques monkeys. Tourists are warned to keep their personal affects in vehicles because the monkeys are adept at thievery and hooliganism.

When they aren’t stealing sunglasses, cameras, or water bottles, the monkeys are simply adorable.

A family taking some time out of play to take care of daily necessities – feeding and grooming.

Ally wanted to take this little guy home with her, but he jumped off and pounced on his friend (the monkey on the left) before she could talk me into it.

Chris didn’t mind having a monkey on his shoulder. He just wasn’t too fond of having sticky fruit juice and monkey saliva squirt down his sleeve.

The monkeys LOVED Kylee! They ate from her hands, jumped on her, followed her around, and ignited lots of attention from the other tourists.

Chris and Kylee enjoying a stroll on an elephant.

Ally and me on another elephant (we rode in front of Chris and Kylee). I was ready to get off the elephant as soon as I got on it. The fifteen-minute elephant ride was the longest fifteen-minutes of my life.

The girls enjoyed feeding the elephants; especially, after taking a dare from Chris to hold the bananas in their mouths. I admit that, at the moment, I hadn’t thought about the germs and diseases that elephants carry. Just another one of those “bad mom” moments. For some reason, this elephant reminds me of Mr. Snuffleupagus.

Ally’s expression after being “kissed” by the elephant is classic.

There are too many experiences and pictures to share in this blog (luckily, the slow internet connectivity that we have at jobsite forces me to be selective). Our time in Vietnam and Bali were absolutely memorable. Now, it’s time to start planning our next vacation.