It starts as a whisper
You've found yourself, by your own doing, in what seems to be a mad mad world that goes at a frenetic pace but still has an almost relaxed feel to each and every part of it.
It doesn't take long before that whisper settles quietly in the back of your mind, as gently as a butterfly on a flower filled with sweet nectar.
The trap is sprung.
Bali has you now and forever.
You will still go at the same wild pace as before.
You've not yet realised your affliction.
Shopping, eating, drinking, partying then doing it all over again. Having a great time is so easy here.
Contemplation will come later.
Why?
It's not a question you will ask until you have ended your first trip and find yourself back at your desk, at work, dreaming. You'll catch yourself breaking into uncontrollable smiles, much to the consternation of your boss and co-workers, who are yet to visit the Lair of Happiness that you have just returned from.
As you wander the streets of your Paradise little things will start to dawn upon you.
Yes, that was a smile, yes it was meant for you. You return it with great delight and soon find that you are returning smiles so often that you don't bother to stop smiling.
The whisper has become a gentle hum in the distance
Small things start to take your notice.
When was it that you started feeling so comfortable with someone holding your hand, like an old friend, as you negotiate to buy something that caught your fancy?
Now you feel snubbed if they don't.
Do you remember when that hawker stopped trying to sell you watches and just simply said ‘good morning'?
Do you remember how you treated him the first few days?
He has forgiven you.
Don't worry, further on in your life journey with Bali you will learn how he forgave you so easily and take it home with you.
Something to treasure forever.
The gentle hum is now a deafening roar, just around the next bend.
Sitting on the beach, you are surrounded by the same group of people that have joined you every day at this time. They giggle at the colour of your skin and the bits you are prepared to show. They chat like they have known you all your life
Then it hits you
You have told them everything about yourself...and they cared
They have, in their own way, told you everything about themselves as well.
It was just up to you to see it and hear it.
The last thing you feel and hear as you doze off into a massage induced sleep, is a light tap on your shoulder ‘You come visit my home before you leave'
The deafening roar is now a powerful raging waterfall.
As you spill over the edge, you smile.
The maelstrom that is Bali swallows you forever.
And you couldn't be happier
CBE
Cracker ;-)