While in Bali, Indonesia I ran into two Swedish girls I had met on Khao San Road, Bangkok, Thailand. They told me they were going north to see the black sand beaches near Pemuteran. They also informed me that I was welcome to join them, obviously I said “sure”.

We hired a private driver and he dropped us off near the ocean. We stayed at a small guest house that also ran a non profit to help educate the local children and orphans. Spent Christmas with the orphans and local children playing soccer with a ball that barely rolled.

The kids were incredibly friendly and seemed to be extremely happy. It was a memorable Christmas and very different from any other I’ve had. I will say this, if you get something caught in a tree in the tropics, don’t just shake it, you may be completely covered in red ants, not so fun.

Tips hat,

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