Tag: Indonesia

House sitting around the world

House sitting around the world

House sitting around the world

Why not dog, cat or house sit?

It is great to care for animals and live in a home.  I left the UK back in October 2016 in search of a new life.  Although I feel very much at home in Bali,  it’s where I have been spending most of my time, I must say it’s really nice to experience a real home environment and be part of a wider community of people. Doing a bit of housesitting  you get to meet new people, and you don’t have to feel like you are a perennial tourist. Being a  dog walker or caring for a cat is so much fun!

Some of my housesitting has come through friends, but I think it’s important to join a website too, if you really want to give it a go, and why not try house sitting abroad and discover somewhere new.  Joining a site gives you more credibility and for me came two sitting places in Sydney, last year. One in Narrabeen caring for Milo a 2 year old Staffordshire bull terrier and another looking after a beautiful ginger cat called Lily in Stratfield.

“I get so much out of caring for people’s pets, it’s pure joy.”

Through friends of friends, I have been asked me to care for their pets and so I spent some time in Manly too, caring for a really cute little dog called Pepper.  Next month I will be looking after a very cute black Poodle puppy called Boo in Bali, where I am currently living and I can’t wait!

Deciding if the cat/dog sit position is right for me is all about synchronicity. When the timing is right, positions seem to appear and you just need to do a bit of work online, but options come along ultimately they have all worked out  well for me.

People will often ask you back to care again for their pet again.  When I pop back to Sydney next month and I will be dog sitting cute little Pepper again, and it will be fun I am sure. Also, now a familiar place so it makes it even easier and quicker to settle back into house sitting again.

It’s great to spend time with animals, it’s good for everyone to get some  oxytocin that feel good chemical that you receive whilst caring for the animals.  There are so many benefits in caring for animals,  you get to live like local, and you can feel what it would be like to live in different places around the world.

I am not interested in ‘doing places’ but experiencing what happens on my trips, who I meet and just working on being in the ‘now moment’, instead of worrying what my future may hold. It’s a welcome break from normal life. I also get to meet some really lovely people and get to know the individual animals along the way which is what I love most of all. They become my temporary family and that really makes me feel happy.

So it’s a win win situation all around. I get to stay on lovely house, meet interesting people and get to care for their pets.

Thank you 🙏😊

If you would love to do the same and need any advice ask me. You can use this discount link to join www.trustedhousesitters.com  

With this code you get 20% off the usual price to join.

https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/su/jifjtkoz

Happy adventures around the world.
Travel with Alice

Dog sitting in Narrabeen

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2017 – My Year in Digital Travel Postcards

2017 – My Year in Digital Travel Postcards

A review of my 2017 in digital postcards. I had a year of travel which took me across southern India down to the tip of India, to Bali in  Indonesia, then back and forth to  Australia.

A journey to find a new home and to experience and see the wonders of life and living in a rich and beautiful planet. What did I learn along the way? What’s next? Read on…

mala mantra maker
After a year of exploring and discovering new places and practising just being! Finally finding my way into creating Mala Mantra Maker – coming to you in 2018. Here’s 2018 being a wonderful year!

Travel with Alice   Explore, Discover, Create, Be.

Mala Making in India
Travelling in India January 2017 – Chennai, Pondicherry, Malapalapuram, Kanakamuri, Varkala, Kottayam, Kochi. Finding inspiration to make my own Mala’s – under Mala Mantra Maker
My 2017 year in Digital Travel Photography
Discovering my new home in Bali, Indonesia. Exploring the rich culture of Ubud and the island of Bali.
northern beaches the elements
Enjoying swimming in the sea.  Spending my birthday month of May in Sydney on the Northern Beaches. Thanks to Annie I spent time in Newport Beach, working on designing a new life with Screw Work, Let’s Play the course with John Williams. Celebrating my birthday and rebirth into my new life.
A year in digital Travel postcards
Starting a new life in Bali, Indonesia.
TANAH LOT BALI
Exploring the rich culture Bali has to offer and my new home
Sound Healing at the Pyramids of chi
Discovering my one of my favourite places in Bali, The Pyramids of Chi. Connecting with the Gong and attending several Gong workshops. A big thank you to Peter and Lynn a wonderful caring couple who run the Pyramids and to the Gong workshops with Sanj Hall and Drow.
ALASARI PLANTATION
Exploring the wonderful Alassari Plantation in Bali, the most tranquil place to be. Being touched by the kindness and wonderful hospitality of Craig and Valerie Glenister. Thank you!
What you want in life
Exploring a new life in Bali, Indonesia.
Marsh the dog 14.8.2017 RIP
Losing our beloved Marsh, who we all loved very much. He was the kindest, most gentle, loving dog I have ever met. Who inspired me to love dogs and not to afraid of them. They only want love. Much love and you will always be remembered. xx
Blue Mountains postcard
Exploring the beautiful landscape of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia
NARABEEN Dog Sitting
Getting to spend more time on the Northern Beaches and caring for Milo a beautiful dog. Enjoying dog sitting and walking a dog again! The best Christmas gift I could receive this year. Thank you, Georgia and Matt!
NATURE IN NORTHERN BEACHES
Having time to explore the beautiful nature of the Northern Beaches region of Australia. Such inspiration and joy to see so much rich and colourful nature. I love those trees so much!
A year in Digital Travel Postcards
To top my year off spending time at Beautiful Palms, in Palm Beach thanks to Bobbie. A cottage with amazing views over Palm Beach and Barrenjoey Headland. A person couldn’t ask for a better view of the beautiful Northern Beaches, Sydney. It’s heaven!
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Ubud Readers and Writers Festival 2017

Ubud Writers And Readers Festival 2017

Ubud Readers and Writers Festival
Ubud Writers and Readers Festival 2017, Bali, Indonesia: Reflecting on my time spent in Bali this year one of the most memorable times was attending Ubud Writers and Readers Festival.  I felt so inspired by the 4 days of interesting talks and finding out about so many books I would like to read.
My days were action packed and started at 9 am and by 5 pm I was happily exhausted by all the discussions and presentations that I had attended. I continued into the evening on a few occasions too!
We had amazingly hot weather and no rain! There was so much packed into the 4 days it felt more like a week, then all of a sudden after being submerged into listening to dozens of inspiring writers and poets the festival was over.
On the first evening feeling still full of life, I made it to Casa Luna to see Osamah Sami talk about his latest film Ali’s Wedding and his book The Muslim Boy and he had us in stitches with his stories. He is a really talented writer, comedian, actor and it was the first time I had come across this guy.

These are my top 3 recommendations from the UWRF17:

love your work

Jung Chang – A beautiful soul and the inspiring writer of Wild Swans
Jung Chang talks were (China’s Women and Writing Modern China) 

I was so looking forward to Jung Chang, as I think alongside Ian Rankin she must be the most famous person here at the festival. When I read her book Wild Swans back in the 80’s and later Mao I was enthralled by her dialogue and story. At the time this encouraged me to read more about China and Japan and give me the passion of all things Asian.
Jung Chang did not disappoint during the two sessions I attended.  She is a woman with a beautiful aura and presence and an intelligent and engaging speaker. She was able to bring to life the book Wild Swans through personal stories, showing at one point her grandmother’s tiny shoe from having spent her life with bound feet.  She really captured the audience with her passion for writing and life generally. She is an inspiration and to listen to her stories was amazing. Her research on her subject was thorough and with the help of her husband an Englishman and what this brought to life in her books. Her storytelling is gripping and of the struggles in her life and the life of her family is both shocking and amazing.
Jung Chang – author of Wild Swans, Mao and her new book The Empress Dowager sounds fascinating to read.   Based on a true life story of a Concubine born in China (1835) has a fascinating story how a woman impacted Chinese history.  We all need to laugh at ourselves AND the tragedy of our lives sometimes and this one I think is really going to do just that.
Osamah Sami – Iraqi born who moved to Iran and later to Australia
Ubud Readers and Writers Festival

Osamah Sami must be one of the highlights for many people who came into contact with him and listened to him talk. He came across as a thoroughly lovely guy and hugely talented. Not only was he hugely funny but passionate, and humble and able to tell some tragic stories about his life. Having written his book the Good Muslin Boy, was the winner of 2016 NSW Premier’s Literary Award. Later the film Ali’s Wedding which I can’t wait to read when I visit Australia this month.

The Northern Irish born playwright and writer Paul Mc Veigh

The Good Son by Paul McVeigh – a very touching piece he read from his book at the Festival, so I can’t wait to read his book. The blend of humour, detail, living in war-torn Northern Ireland from a young boy’s point of view and the need for survival during the troubles.  Paul came across as a lovely guy, full of energy, humour and intelligence just like this book I am sure.  A think it will be a gripping read!

I need to buy and read on a kindle so here is the deal on this one only £1.89. A bargain!

I had such a wonderful time at the festival. There is so much to share and if you want to attend next year here are the details: Ubud Writers and Reader’s Festival 2018 and Books I love 
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Finding home

Finding home…

Finding Home Ubud, Bali

Currently living in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Finding Home: It’s nearly a year since I left the UK in search of a place to call home. What actually is a home? Is it a place, or the people that reside it in. I guess I was thinking that it would be a place, as I have only myself to live in the home. Without going in to any unnecessary detail I have suddenly found myself, single again and in search of a new country and place to call home. For now I have found myself unexpectedly and happily living in Ubud, Bali, a place where I feel a sense of belonging and connection.

It came as a surprise to me that I would feel so at home in Bali, a  place centred around family life when I am alone.  I think it must be the people as they so friendly, happy and kind.  The place has a feeling of acceptance and encompasses people from all over the world. It feels here that it doesn’t matter what has happened in your past life, it’s all about new beginnings and living in the moment, alongside the daily Balinese rituals of gratitude through their offerings. 

Finding a  place to call home?

I have realised I am looking for a place to settle for a while to call home but the real home is the search within myself, it’s more a feeling, and an emotional connection that makes me feel at home and maybe it’s not the actual place after all. Although living in Bali helps a lot as it’s such an uplifting beautiful place to be, especially Ubud as it seems to draw you into a vortex of positive energy.  I am finding a place within myself, a place to feel safe, a sense of belonging, a sense that people care and in return I can get to connect and care too! 

This month Reading:  Lion by Saroo Brierley

“ As a five year old in India, I became completely lost. Twenty five years later in Australia, I finally worked out how to find my way home” Saroo Brierley

I have just read the book Lion by Saroo Brierley and I found it quite an emotional book. You can easily connect with Saroo and his journey to find his previous home and family.  For me having gone through the long process of adoption myself,  I felt a deeper connection with the book that I had expected.  I can also relate to him in being lost and trying to find a place of safety and the right people to help him.  It is quite amazing how a young child of 5 years old and me as an adult can relate to the feelings and dilemmas of this small child. I often find the book I happen to be reading relates directly to my current life. Find the book here

Excited about: Ubud Writers Festival coming up in 25-29th October 2017

Buy tickets here and get 20% off

Lineup:  Check out the writers who will be speaking including Ian Rankin, Saroo Brierley… to name a few.

If you can’t afford a ticket you can always volunteer 

If you need help with finding some nice Accommodation try www.booking.com – I find it really easy using this app on your phone/or their website and you often have the option of a free cancellation so you can change your mind too! Click on my link and you get £15.00 your next booking.

There are lots of lovely Guest Houses in Ubud.

Here are some of my favourites:

Merthayasa Bungalow 2 – Jalan Hanuman – Central Ubud – with a pool

Uma Kutuh 2 – Jalan Tirtar Tawar – overlooking rice fields – 10 minutes out of town – with a pool

Junjungan Guesthouse – Jalan Tirtar Tawar – overlooking looking the jungle – with a pool – 15-20 minutes out of central Ubud.

If you fancy a place to get away from it all in total luxury and relaxation visit: Alassari Plantation 

Bali, Indonesia

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