Serendipitously, we met a fellow-Canadian who owns a beautiful villa with a guest house. The villa is 15 minutes drive from Pelangi school, and 30 minutes from Ubud. Our friend and his Balinese wife are letting us stay at his villa for our last 2 weeks in Bali, for budget-hotel prices. The villa has a huge pool and is set peacefully amongst rice fields. It’s a great way to finish off our trip and soak in the beauty for a while longer.
We have much more space at the villa, including a garden with a swing-set and a huge pool with kid’s floaty toys. We also have access to a small kitchen, where we can prepare a quick meal, and where I made cookies in a toaster-oven for after-school snacks (the staff were amazed at my cooking skills!). Theo and Vivi even have a new 6-year old buddy here.
But the biggest bonus for us all is Ketut, the villa’s smiley housekeeper and cook. Instead of yet another stressful, sit-down restaurant dinner with cranky kids, the kids can play in the pool, climb trees, or play games with their parents until dinner is ready. The “witching hour” has suddenly become pleasant. For Ketut alone, I would move here (I’d also move for “Superman”, the villa’s favorite shiatsu therapist . . .but that’s another story).
Dan is taking off to Hong Kong next week for a trade-show; and we’ll all meet up in Singapore a week later.
I may not be able to post again for a while due to minimal computer access. Soon, we begin our long journey home. Next time you see us, we’ll probably still be jet-lagged!
School in a Suitcase 
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