Forgap & Rumor, Singapore-Sydney, Feb. 2-20, 2018--LIVE!

[forgap]

Sunrise in Bali

 

 

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[Bellaggio Cruisers]

Thanks so much for sharing this journey and your photography! Loving every minute. We have to wait until March 2019. Boo hoo.

Sheila

[forgap]

Last night our excursion finale was a performance of Kecak which is a traditional Balinese dance of the story of Ramayana. It is as much a vocal performance as a dance. Men sit in concentric circles, swaying and vocalizing sounds as a storyteller narrates the unfolding story in dance. It’s a complicated tale of love and treachery with love triumphing in the end.

 

 

 

The performance ended with a fire dance with one of the men walking on flaming coconuts while in a spiritual trance.

 

All this was performed on a lawn in a jungle setting with exotic tropical birds calling as night fell. It was quite a special night.

[forgap]

Another view of sunrise this morning as the sound of morning Hindu chants and chimes drifted over the water.

 

And, sail away this afternoon!

 

 

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[Mr Rumor]

At BalI’s Taman Ayun (literally “beautiful garden”) Temple at Mengwi this morning. The temple was built by the Raja of Mengwi in 1634.

 

 

 

Alas, because of time constraints, our visit to the ancient Hindu pilgrimage temple Tanah Lot was limited to a brief photo op from a distance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Mudhen]

Photos have been stunning! Are you sure you both aren't photo journalists for Conde Nast?

Enjoying every post!

Linda

[forgap]

We had an early morning and a long drive. Today we traveled to the Ulan Danu temple in the highlands of Bali. This area was much cooler and is famous for it’s agriculture and coffee production. Coffee beans are arabica and robusta and a local specialty, Luwak is expensive because it is produced from the coffee beans which have been digested and then re-harvested by the Indonesian cat-like animal called a civet. Our guide said that the World drinks cappuccino but, in Bali, they drink cap-POO-ccino.

 

The temple complex was beautiful.

 

The drive back included the rice terraces...not quite the terraces of my imagination but beautiful, none the less!

 

 

 

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[Mr Rumor]

Thanks, Linda!

 

The Voyager Production Company paid tribute tonight to “The greatest moments of the Hollywood movie musical” with their second production, “Lights! Camera! Music!”

 

And now Denis and Elina—the Natural Duo—are packing the Voyager Lounge dance floor with their engaging mix of rock, Latin and pop.

 

“La Bamba!”

 

 

 

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[forgap]

Good morning, Komodo Island!

 

 

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[Got2Cruise]

These photos and comments are amazing. Thank you all!

 

 

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[Mr Rumor]

We’re anchored, and it’s a gorgeous day, perfect for seeking out Magic Dragons!

 

 

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[Mr Rumor]

Hello to all my Regent Cruise Critic friends!

 

Love,

 

Komo

 

P. S. Please, come a little closer!

 

 

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[forgap]

Prepare yourselves for dragonpalooza!

 

A little too close for comfort!

 

 

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[Mr Rumor]

This young guy felt so relaxed in our company that he squatted down and took a whiz!

 

Baby Komodos have survival on their minds the minute they are born, scaling the nearest tamarind or palm tree to escape mom, who would find them a tasty morsel. A tree will be their full-time residence for the first two or three years of life, with only the occasional foray into the neighborhood. This little Komodo was spotted a short distance from the water hole, where a handful of adults were hanging out.

 

 

 

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[Travelcat2]

You both took incredible photos! We did not see a baby. Happy that no one became dragon lunch:D. How hot was it?

[forgap]

Heat was not bad...80’s with high humidity but no worse than Atlanta in the summer.

[Mr Rumor]

I’d guess the temp was in the low to mid-80s, Jackie. It helped that the trail we walked was almost completely in the shade. Still, we couldn’t wait to take a shower when we returned to our room.

 

We’re now Darwin bound. Goodbye, Komodo Island, goodbye Indonesia. Thanks for the memories!

 

 

 

 

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[Mr Rumor]

As thrilling as it was for Ginny and I to finally see Bali together, I know our elation couldn’t compare to that of the Voyager Balinese crew members who were able to host or visit ashore with family.

 

Seven Balinese crew even had the joy of sleeping in their own bed, a precious gift from Regent, who we have seen time and again go just a little bit beyond to show its appreciation for its hard-working crew.

 

One of those lucky seven was our steward, Ida Bagus, already on his seventh contract with Regent at the age of 27. I can’t imagine a situation any more special than Bagus’, who got married in 2017 and whose wife, Cokorda Dewi, is pregnant with their first child.

 

When Bagus began his present contract last November, Cokorda barely boasted a bump. But today, at seven months, Bogus says there is no mistaking she is very pregnant. (Bagus added that while their doctor has informed them that they are probably having a girl, Cokorda is betting on a boy: “The baby has been very active.”)

 

While his wife was able to drift off to sleep quickly Wednesday night, Bagus said he was too excited to sleep. “I kept touching the baby—I felt her kicking!” he exclaimed.

 

Bagus will miss the Hindu Seven Months Pregnant Ceremony on February 15, as well the baby’s birth. But he will return home in July just in time for the Three Month Ceremony on July 15, and he is delighted about that.

 

Rich

 

Bagus shares a favorite photo of his wife Cokorda Dewi. “I’m so lucky,” he said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[xrvlcruiser]

This is a great thread! Thank you both for the words and the pictures!

Peggy

[Gilly]

Fab pictures....did you buy pearls?!

[forgap]

Rich, I am so touched by your post!

[Mudhen]

Awww,,,,,what a lovely couple! Exciting times for them!

[Travelcat2]

Such a lovely story - thank you for sharing!

[RachelG]

Rich, that is the sweetest picture ever!

[forgap]

Fab pictures....did you buy pearls?!

No....I lived in Japan as a teenager and my mother seemed to be best friends with the pearl man. My niece and my nephew’s wife have all benefitted from her hoard and now I have to wait for my grand nephews to marry to get rid of more!:eek: