Hello again, beautiful souls,
One of the things I’ve come to love about Bali is the mesmerising daily chorus of wildlife and the elements....the rhythmic chirping of crickets, the symphony of birds and insects, the constant croaking of frogs, and the rain that ranges from gentle drumming to an all out roar that sounds like thunder - the sounds create an atmosphere that feels so alive. Most days and nights, I’ve enjoyed a few moments to myself to just sit with my eyes closed, letting the sounds wash over me while I focus on my breath. It’s such a simple but grounding practice that adds to the magic of being here.
Since we arrived in Ubud, there’s been one sound in particular that we couldn’t quite place. The first time I heard it was on our first day. I was in the bathroom when I heard a loud, startling call, which I immediately assumed was a bird. It was so loud it gave me a fright, and I thought it must have been on the villa roof above the bathroom. I quickly dismissed it and didn’t even mention it to Jason. But as the days passed, I kept hearing it, and always in the bathroom.
When I finally brought it up, Jason said he’d heard the 'bird' too. And speaking of the bathroom, it has also been home to a little gecko we’ve noticed darting about, but so tiny it's not bothered us. Jason said the other day that he'd noticed that geckos make a noise and he decided that our "bathroom bird" must actually be the little gecko. I wasn’t convinced that such a small creature could produce such a loud sound, but the mystery remained unsolved.
Anyway, back to today’s events. We started early, catching the sunrise through the mist from our balcony before heading up for breakfast. After the mist cleared, the day showed no signs of rain. The sun was shining, and we decided to make the most of it by lounging on the terrace and cooling off with dips in the pool when it got too hot.
The morning passed blissfully. We had no plans, no responsibilities, and no deadlines....just time to do whatever we wanted. We floated in the pool, Jason went to the hotel gym while I read for a while, and we even allowed ourselves the luxury of doing absolutely nothing. The sun was very strong today, but thankfully I got my sun cream application just right this time and have even smoothed out some of the patchy tan lines from the 'hunched up' incident earlier in the week.
At 1 pm, we caught the shuttle into Ubud. Jason went to get a massage, and I went to meet Mimi, an online friend and coach who now lives here. We’ve known each other a few years through Zoom and Facebook but had never actually met in person before.
Isn’t it amazing how relationships that begin in the online world can spill into real life? It’s proof that you can build meaningful, tangible friendships without ever meeting face-to-face—until one day you do!
In fact, I have gotten to know so many lovely friends online and one of my closest friendships started this way. It’s such a wonderful reminder of these connections that can blossom in unexpected ways.
Mimi had suggested we meet at Café Mudra, tucked away on a quiet side street. It was such a charming place, with playful signs and menu listings that used funny 'play on words' titles. Its wooden beams and architecture had the feel of a chapel, complete with a fireplace....not that it would ever be needed in Bali, of course 
The menu was full of fascinating options, but I eventually settled on a Seven Spices Chai Pot. When it arrived, it didn’t disappoint. It was delicious, and it looked stunning too. While we waited for Lorna, another of Mimi’s friends staying in Ubud, we chatted about how she came to live in Bali. It was fabulous to get tips and guidance from someone who knows the area so well.
At some point, the conversation turned to the local wildlife, and I mentioned the mysterious bathroom noise. To my horror, Mimi suggested it might not be a little gecko but a much larger "thing" she couldn't remember the name of, that sometimes lives in the roofs of houses. I made a mental note to investigate further, although part of me wasn’t sure I really wanted to know the answer! 
When Lorna arrived, the three of us had a lovely time, sharing stories and enjoying each other’s company. As we were finishing Jason joined us after his massage and we made plans to meet up with Mimi later that evening at Bali Bohemia for their open mic night.
After saying goodbye, Jason and I headed to the shuttle pick up point, bracing ourselves for the usual no show. The traffic was very heavy so if it was on its way we expected it to be late. And as if in cue, the rain started pouring down in true Bali fashion. Luckily we had waterproofs at the ready and to our surprise, the shuttle actually arrived not long after.
Once back at the hotel, we took the buggy down to our villa. I couldn’t resist asking the driver about the mysterious animal or bird making the noise in the bathroom. After a few moments of explaining and trying to describe the sound, he made the exact noise we’d been hearing. “Yes! That’s it!” I said excitedly. “Gecko,” he replied with a nod. “is it a big gecko?” I asked nervously. He nodded again and said, “If you hear it again, call me, and I’ll come and get it.” That something didn't reassure me as much as it should have ......what exactly would he be coming to 'get'?
A quick Google search later confirmed our worst fears, we’ve been sharing the villa with a Tokay Gecko. They can grow up to 16 inches long and are known for their loud calls. They can be aggressive but aren't considered dangerous unless provoked. Now though, I can’t help but glance at the bathroom ceiling, half-expecting an awkward encounter at a very inopportune moment.
With just enough time to dry off and get changed, we headed back to reception to get our taxi to Bali Bohemia. The driver was so lovely, taking us through smaller local roads to avoid the worst of the traffic, chatting along the way about Balinese culture and pointing out interesting sights.
Bali Bohemia was already busy when we arrived. We found a little table upstairs and ordered food and drinks, soaking up the lively atmosphere. It was such a unique and vibrant place, full of energy and charm. Mimi joined us soon after and introduced us to her friends.
The night was filled with incredible performances. Musicians and singers got up one by one, each adding something special to the evening. One of the highlights of the night was a drumming group made up of students and their teacher, who absolutely blew the audience away.
As the night went on, the music got livelier, everyone was up dancing and singing along, and the atmosphere was buzzing. It was so much fun, the kind of night that stays with you forever.
We had originally planned to leave at 10pm, but we just couldn’t bring ourselves to leave early and miss the fun. When Jason messaged the driver to say we’d be staying later, he replied that he was already on his way and would wait until we were ready. No rush, no extra charge, just another example of the incredible hospitality here.
Arriving back at the villa, Jason and I approached our gateway giggling about the Tokay Gecko, wondering if we'd find him making himself at home, lounging on the bed when we got in! But as we opened the door we were slightly more cautious, tentatively peeking around it to make sure our uninvited guest wasn't around. In fact I think we'll be opening doors a lot more cautiously during the rest of stay!
With love and hugs from Ubud,
Jayne