Good Morning or Good Night depending upon where you are. We have arrived at the Wakatobi resort. Wakatobi is an acronym for the four islands around us. I learned last night that the owner had the idea for a resort in Indonesia. His vision was an island with a sandy beach, and a house reef that was vibrant with sea life. He was towed behind a boat with a mask and snorkel looking for such a place. Charts for these islands were inaccessible and at least 40 years old. It has been operating for the last 16 years, but in full operation for the last ten. It is very rustic and remote. It is also very pampering and focused on the scuba diver. Yesterday was our first full day. First dive was at 7:30 am! three scheduled dives a day. They have us scheduled to do two night dives. Meals are at specific times and the food is very good. Today I will take my G10 camera out into the ocean. It is a challenge with buoyancy, but hopefully worth the effort. Steve brought his SLR camera and began his process of shooting macro.

I believe we will slow the world down and find a relaxing pace. The people here are very smiley. The natives work at the resort. I met a young woman last night who teaches English as a second language. Wishing to travel she found it a good way to see the world. Her first experience was in South Korea, which she reported as beautiful and students were into their education. I am thinking on Jody, my dear nephew who is there in the army. She reported it to be very fulfilling.

Her current position had a bigger learning curve as the people here did not have an overall view of education as beneficial. She had a bigger learning curve as to how to go about it.

The cremation in Ubud was spectacular!!!!!! If you can say that about a cremation. It was a tremendous ceremony. Steve got the best photos of it that hopefully we will get on here to show you. We saw a dance/play at the palace. Very expressive and colorful in traditional clothing with traditional music. Not knowing the story line but only observing, it appeared the theme was balance between good and bad. Much of the dress had opposite colors. We were approached by many street merchants selling saris. We each bought one along with the required belt to show respect for their tradition and culture. The merchant explained as he wrapped us up in cloth that it represented half of a person is good and half of a person is bad. The belt symbolizes the separation. The heat was a bit overwhelming for me. I bought a hat to keep my face shaded. I love it. It is a triangle with a point on top.