Wrapped by a 40 Kilo Python

Holding a 40 kilo snake is a mission in itself, let alone the ambition of overcoming the fear of having it wrapped around your neck!

While in Bali last week, I had an incredible opportunity to experience this marvelous creature...

I'm willing to bet there are many of you who think I am crazy for even placing myself in such a circumstance!

But, I will confess, that this was quite a liberating experience to face my fear (for the third time that day! - Monkeys climbing on me, holding a fruit bat, and then handling this wonderful creature).

Enjoy the video clip...

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Holding a Fruit Bat, Bali

Holding a fruit bat this last week while on my trip to Bali, goes down in history for me as one of the weirdest, and most uncomfortable animal experiences I've had yet.

(It rates first, even before having a monkey run up my body and sit on my shoulder!)

It's claws (talons?) dug into my belly, as the 'host' held the bat up to me to hold.

Watch the clip for the full experience...

Tabanan Monkey Forest, Bali

My 'monkey' adventures in Bali captured on Video...

Part One - The monkeys!!!



Part two - Monkey Mama!



Part Three - Get The Monkey OFF My Back!!!



Part Four - The Hoard of monkeys and more monkey mania!



More videos to come... fruit bats.. snakes.. weird negotiations... and more...

Stay tuned...

Bali Masari

Many people on facebook and via email have asked me "where exactly are you staying?" (in Bali).

The answer is... Bali Masari.

I've just returned back to Perth, Western Australia.

Fully blissed out and happy to be back home, I can now upload some videos to share the richness of my adventure these last ten days.

Here, is the magnificence revealed of the resort, and surroundings where I stayed at...

Bali Masari, snuggled into the depths of Sukawati, between Sanur and Ubud. It is surrounded with the beauty of the Balinese Jungle, and the harmonic animal kingdom of birds, bats, geckos, crickets, cicadas, bugs and the odd spider!



Stay tuned... as I have been given a rare opportunity to extend to you an exclusive offer that the General Manager, Rai, has given me to offer you, my friends..

I'll be posting that in a few days. You don't want to miss out on what he's going to give you in this very 'special package'... at Bali Masari

Bali Bliss...

It's now day three of my Bali adventures... pure bliss in the mountainous region of Sukawati, between Sanur and Ubud.

I'm staying at a magical resort in this tranquil region, over-looking the Balinese forest, and a river running below the terraces of villas. Each morning I wake up to the sound of the birds chirping their early morning song as dawn peeks it's way over the mountains.

My days so far have been fulfilling my need for pampering, with a two-hour spa treatment of aromatherapy foot massage, lomi-lomi and hot stone massage. The setting is a private spa, with an open wall 'hanging' over the forest.

To be rested and pampered whilst hearing the forest 'breathing' and 'singing' it's harmony is pure magic!

I'm yet to mention that the spa treatments have been some of the best I've experienced. The love and attention put into the massage is very healing and body-soul connecting.

Oh.. and very inexpensive. These treatments range from US$20 t0 maximum US$80 (three hour package). Certainly the best value I have EVER received.

The rest of my day is spent lounging by the pool after eating a traditional breakfast of Mei Goreng, meditating on my private deck, dipping into my private plunge pool, snapping photos of magic moments, and simply enjoying my own company.

Yesterday I did go on a spontaneous adventure. I hired a private driver (Wayan) and car (US$50 for 5 hours) to take me to some "fun" places.

We visited the Royal Family Temple at Mengwi (Taman Ayun) which is surrounded by a moat, for an interesting but brief photo opportunity. It's 3,000 Rupiah (about AUD$0.40) to enter the grounds and witness it's beauty.


Then it was off the the sacred monkey forest in Tanaban (10,000 Rupiah, about AUD $1.20 or US$1.10) where I experienced several monkeys take it upon themselves to mistake me for a tree!

They were after bananas, which my guide, Madi had taken to carrying for me, to reduce the monkey fever rush up my body!

(I have plenty of video to share, but will need to post later as my internet connection here isn't supporting the upload).

There were also many large fruit bats hanging in the trees, and a smaller colony of bats at a "bat show" stand where you can experience holding one for a donation.

OK. So I finally got up the courage to hold a fruit bat! Been there. Done that. Never again. Very strange experience. But then again, it's already been a strange day!

Next, it was off to Tanah Lot, where I walked through the throngs of people to view through the market stalls (entry was 15,000 IDR - AUD$1.80/US$1.65). Then I headed toward the beach to witness the sunset. Along the way, I discovered there was a large snake handling opportunity.

I thought, "Why not?!" Until I saw the size of the snake! Then I though, "Holy S**t!"

When I witness myself say "No way! I can't do that!" Then I immediately have a conversation with myself of, "Yes way! Then you must!"

My personal policy is to face fear head on.

So, whilst there were a crowd of people standing around gawking at the 40 kilo python, I jumped right in and negotiated my price for a picture with it. This created a huge commotion as my now audience followed us around "for the best picture view, Miss!" and clapped and laughed as I was (barely) able to hold the snake. It was heavy!

My fellow Balinese men who helped me, relocated me back to the lawn to then have me sit in the 'snake circle'.. where they wrapped the snake around me on the floor for yet more pictures.

What an adventure! I felt like Indiana Jones!

My driver then escorted me down the rocks to witness the beauty of the tide line. In an ocean-side cave, we came across another 'Holy Snake' which was guarded by two Balinese men to make sure it is protected and you pay your donation.



Just before I approached them there were two men (a Javanese tourist and his Balinese guide) who approached my guide Wayan. I overheard some conversation about wanting to take a photo with me. When Wayan told me, "this man wants to take a picture with you," I laughed and with a cheeky grin I said, "Sure! If he pays my donation to the Holy Snake"!

The look on these mens faces was priceless. Shock!

I'm a keen negotiater in almost every situation. I saw an opportunity to flex this skill, and in Bali mode after visiting the market stalls it seemed a natural course of negotiation.

The Javanese man agreed. Then paid 5,000 instead of the agreed 3,000 Rupiah to the Holy Snake man.

Wayan and I giggled. He said, "I've never heard anyone ask for that before!"

I laughed and said, "well I'm a strategist! There's more ways than one to skin a cat, if you want something! That was a win/win/win" He got his photo, I get to handle the snake, they get a donation."

Wayan nodded and laughed, amused by my boldness.

With a fun and adventured packed filled day, we headed back to the hotel, where I was met by the staff who had set up a private candlelit dining space for me, poolside.

It was a magical way to bring a close to my day, as I enjoyed the night sounds of the mountains, the peace in the air, the beauty of the pool, and dined on delicious food and drank Balinese wine.

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." ~Henry David Thoreau~

Goal Setting... Tick Your Life To A Whole New Level!

Thanks to a facebook (and Perth) friend of mine, Adam Kappel, I've discovered a fantastic GOAL SETTING TOOL - Lifetick! I was perusing Adam's great website and I discovered he was sharing the AWESOMENESS of this product.

And it really is AWESOME!

By the way, to make it clear, there is NO affiliate link to this article.

I'm truly grateful to have discovered this tool, and want to share it with you, as it is a MUST to be clear on your core values and goals to create purpose and momentum in your life to create the one you want - Lifestyle By Design!

Among Lifetick's excellent and well thought out features the benefits to the user include clear, concise and great visuals of your goals, it's easy to use as a daily habit, and it will make a big difference to your decisions and behaviors/actions towards getting what you want.

With Lifetick's feature to send you email reminders (set by you), it helps to keep your focus on what you have decided to take action on. It'll help to keep you even more accountable and on track!

It is also yet another great 'mobile lifestyle' tool.

So often in the past, I've written my goals in journals. In the past few years with all my extensive travels, I've taken to typing my goals on my computer and storing them on my back-up hard drive. I have been looking for a better solution for awhile...

...Now, I've found it!

With Lifetick, it's all online, and you can access it from anywhere! It also has an iPhone web application to sync with your online account.

No more worries about heavy books to transport or the time spent to scan old records to keep (assuming you want to keep them. I personally love to reflect on past years goals and successes as it is a record to my personal growth and to how much I have achieved through the weeks, months and years).

If you're not yet used to goal setting, then no problem!

Lifetick will take you through step-by-step in a well formatted way for you to create your goals using the S.M.A.R.T. goal setting system.

Specific - Does the goal clearly state what it will achieve?
Measurable - Will you know if you have achieved your goal?
Achievable - Is this a goal which can actually be achieved?
Relevant - Does this goal reflect your values in life?
Time Specific - When do you want to achieve this goal by?

For those of you who are Life Coaches, managers, personal trainers, sporting coaches and anyone who assists others in achieving their goals, get excited because this company is soon to launch Lifetick Coach that will really assist you with your clients. Here's what it promises:

• Coach creates accounts for clients
• Clients use Lifetick to create and manage goals
• Coach gets to monitor his/her clients’ progress
• Clients and coach can communicate through Lifetick

I could go on and on and on about how passionate I am about this opportunity, but you can read and see more by going to the Lifetick website.

Oh and it's FREE for the basic version, so you can trial it. The paid version is only AUD$22 a year!

I encourage you today, to sign up to Lifetick and start using it immediately to make it easier for you to start creating (or to continue your momentum and take it to a whole new level), your Lifestyle By Design, by having clear goals set up so you can WIN!

From one of my favorite mentors:
"You control your future, your destiny. What you think about comes about. By recording your dreams and goals on paper, you set in motion the process of becoming the person you most want to be. Put your future in good hands - your own." ~Mark Victor Hansen, Co-Author of the "Chicken Soup For The Soul" series~

If you found this article helpful, please leave your comment below! :o)

Ducks for Dinner

It's not too often you get to dine WITH ducks, versus eating them!

Check out these wonderful 'Park Pets' from Karrinyup Waters Resort.

I enjoyed a 'last supper' with my parents in Perth, before (I leave for Bali tomorrow) and they leave for the journey north later this week, for their trek around Australia.