The last month has been a whirlwind of craziness… first I was in Canada for about 3 weeks in January after finishing my job in Timor-Leste. It was a welcome break with all the snow that fell – I haven’t seen a “real” winter in about 3 years. But even 3 weeks went by quickly and the next thing I knew, I was interviewed for two jobs and found myself thinking of going back to Timor-Leste.
So by the end of January, without a job or any kind of security, I packed up my bags and made my way back to conflict-torn Timor-Leste. But I figured whether or not I get picked for the job in Timor, I still had to go back. Before my bags were even empty, I was packing again to go…. to Bangkok. Muriel was invited/asked to go to a conference and I thought I’d join her to keep her company and take ANOTHER holiday.
Being unemployed, without any attachments, and a little money in the bank has its benefits! So on our way to Bangkok, we stayed at the Ixora resort in or near to Seminyak in Bali… I’m usually not a big spender on accommodation but this resort blew our minds. We were the only ones staying at Ixora at the time and they catered to everything. There isn’t much around other than a few other nice resorts and a long stretch of beach, but it was a nice place to be and to have the whole place to ourselves. In the photo above, we took an early morning swim and then had a nice breakfast facing the pool.
While Muriel was at her conference, I spent most of the week shopping and watching movies… definitely things that are missing in Dili. But the capital will soon get their own. Plans are underway for a USD$60 million multi-purpose shopping complex about 5 minutes away from the airport on the way into town. I wonder if there’s going to be a movie theatre?
Settling down now back in Dili and I’m getting adjusted to the place. Hopefully I’ll have more chance to see the rest of the country in the next few months. I should have a job with the UN again next month to finance my plans.