The swimming pool in front of my “bale bengong” right at this moment is so inviting I feel like ignoring this ear infection in me and just jump into it. Even the pigeons have decided to pay a quick dip in the pool. Ubud is fairly hot today. My common sense told me not to, for fear of the infection not healing before I fly out tomorrow. I can only imagine the pain flying with an ear infection, as much as I would love to be stranded here for as long as I could.

Yes, this solo trip is coming to an end. Slowly, but surely in the next 24 hours. Instead of going back down south for “I should see the beach for one last time before I leave” and spend the night in Seminyak, I decided to take it all in Ubud until the last few hours I have to drive down to the airport tomorrow. I don’t need to feel the traffic jam in Denpasar and Seminyak before I get to Jakarta, thank you very much.

I know I haven’t been good with posting a whole lot of writing, as many expected. A friend asked how many articles I have produced, and the truth is, I have been procrastinating to post the copies I have drafted along the way.

It takes some good sitting down time to do it, and the truth is, being a curious person, I am always out and about exploring and talking to people.  So that’s what’s been happening instead of writing and sorting through the over 1000+ photos I take in the one month I have been here.  I like venturing out and absorbing the scene, sound and sights – and no, by that I don’t mean the sight the typical tourists would go for.  I would wander the streets of Bali in my car, or walking. I would stop and chat to people, and more often than not, I’d learn something, regardless how insignificant it might be to some.

I love stories from people. Conversing with strangers, who some later become friends are some of my favourite past times. Some stories are inspiring, some are..mind boggling to say the least. But with an open mind I listened to all of them. I have taken a good habit of writing things down every night before I go to sleep on my travel journal – as encouraged by an editor friend of mine.  (Some might be worth sharing later)

This trip might be coming to an end, but my journey continues on. I didn’t exactly set out on this trip with a clear goal and vision, and approaching it like a project with a deadline.  I didn’t expect to know what I want to do next after the trip in terms of “work”. All I know, I am not ready to be back in the professional-suited-up-working environment. Yet.  If ever. Though one should never say never.

Where to next, my two feet?

All I wanted to do was to explore my love for Bali, traveling, writing, photography and yes, diving. Even if it gave me an ear infection. Did I find what I was looking then? Yes, and more. Oh, so much more that I feel my head would explode, not without a big grin on my face,  whenever I look back at what I have done, and who I have met along this trip.

All I know for sure, I will be back in this island.

In the mean time, I have to see if that gecko I found in my room this morning has decided to leave me alone for some peace on my last night.