but I would like to if you don't mind. I just replied to Alex in a post and mentioned it and realised how much it affected my life but I never really said much on the forum, which I consider to be a good, family community and I'd like you to know this story, its not much but its mine and well you know, anyway.............
My Aunt & Uncle went to Bali for about 12 years running, year in, year out without fail. They stayed at the same hotel and spent time with the same Balinese family every year. They used to send money and clothes all the time and then come January they would fly over, spend time on the beach all day, sometimes go to the family home at night and then back to the hotel. They loved it like a second home like so many of us do. Once there they would buy kilo's upon kilo's of rice, shoes for the kids, all that really wonderful stuff. One year my Uncle actually helped them build a new home and they finally had a proper water system in place, perhaps a bit dodgy but anyway. It was amazing to me back then, I never knew much of Bali and wondered why you would need to do so much for someone else in another country. They became family to all of us. We ventured over in 95 for the first time and although we stayed in Legian, we got to know this Balinese family and come to love them as well and spend time with them in Sanur often. Again in 97 we went, just me and my boyfriend and that was it, Bali had us hook, line and sinker. We finally GOT IT! We spoke about going back in 18 months, maybe 2 years, dreamed about the beach, the people and the rice paddies, it just amazed me.
Little less than 4 months later, there we were back on that beach with my Uncles ashes, the closest thing to a father I had. It also made me see what an impact he had on the people of Bali, not just in our own backyard but all the way over in Bali. He was such a wonderful person and there he lies happily in the place he called paradise.
Going again in May this year to join them all for a couple of weeks. We've been back a few times since and I try hard to continue where he left off with giving what I can. Its just nice to know you feel the love so far away from home.