Ubud - Rain Vignette

Bali Rain
Mon, April 5
One can feel, hear, and see the rain coming in Bali. Usually the sky will have been grey for awhile, so as to go unnoticed by all but the most experienced eye.

First there is the distinctly cooler breeze. Then one's hears the distant soft roar of dense rain approaching. If one is in an open area, high above rooftops (like I'm lucky enough to have been this morning) one can see the quick march of whitish rain blurring and darkening the landscape behind it. It takes less than half a glorious minute to witness the increasingly loud splatter of the first curtain of large drops hitting roofs, cobblestones, and broad plant leaves. Then, one is enveloped in a loudly roaring cloak of rain. Soon, there is the delicious mineral smell and feel of wind carried mist. One feels cocooned. Everything wet shines pale grey.

Apparently, my west facing covered balcony is auspiciously situated to avoid the western slanted rain... thus leaving me and my coffee table dry and enchanted by the experience.

I can see similarly mesmerized neighboring tourists who are reluctant to leave their compromised east facing balconies, despite having to huddle standing in a dry corner. The refreshing soft breeze is glorious.

An alarmingly large black wasp takes refuge under the generous eaves of my woven roof. A fat fuzzy bumble bee buzzes heavily by. Dusk and night creatures appear. Fireflies suddenly blink and hover over the rice paddies. Swallow silhouettes dart out from nowhere and soar effortlessly in wide sweeps over the fields, and then in deftly carved paths between buildings. An unfamiliar, rather large, yellow headed bird flies into a lanky swaying tree.

The rain passes quickly, but not before the sun breaks through with a crevice of brilliant blue sky, and warms the sparkling landscape with it late morning golden light. Roosters crow. Doves coo. Tree leaves drip. The lily pond still proves the the last of the thinning shower, reflecting the bright sky with overlapping circles and splashes of light. Ah... the pink lilies are open!