Hi David, nice to hear from you.

Unfortunately, I feel very out of touch with Bali. We didn't get there last year and the year before our time there was taken up with business. I developed a nasty chest infection during our second week and spent most of the time in bed. We stayed in Seminyak and didn't venture very far from that area.

I've had mixed reports about the way things are going. Many people still stuggling to get back on their feet business-wise since the bombings and currency crisis. It seems the high end of the market is quite healthy and still plenty of manufacturing going on although that doesn't help those retail businesses.

I'm planning a trip some time this year and will spend as much time as possible in the Ubud area. We sponsor a boy to go to school through Rotary and I would like to visit him. He's in the village of Sembung - I'd love to know exactly where that is but can't find it marked on any available maps. It's about 45 minutes north of Denpasar.

I heard that Murni (from Murni's Restaurant) is not at all well at the moment which is very sad news.

I've been reading a book called "Under the Volcano" by Cameron Forbes who is an Australian foreign correspondent. It's a most interesting story of Bali's political and cultural history. I didn't ever quite realise what a turbulent history Bali has endured. I think you would enjoy it if you haven't already read it.

Are you planning a trip this year? I'm very much looking forward to going and seeing what's new myself.

Catherine