Coach K Goes to Borobudur to Seek Enlightenment

Coach K was eager to walk the nine levels of the Buddhist shrine of Borobudur to achieve enlightenment. Borobudur was built in the 8th century and is the number one tourist spot in Indonesia. It is a holy pilgrimage destination for Buddhists. The Coach donned his sarong and began the trek upward.The Coach walked the two miles of corridors and stairways, contemplating the 2,600 relief panels.The Coach captivated the groups of children he met along the way as he led Wong and me up, climbing closer and closer to the top three levels of the Buddhist cosmology.
At the top of Borobudur are 72 Buddha statues that are seated inside of stupa that look like large, stone bells. If your arm is long enough to reach inside and rub the Buddha, you can achieve enlightenment. Unfortunately, the top three levels were closed due to the earthquake damage after the eruption of Mount Merapi last November. That did not stop Coach K. He did not need to rub the Buddha. He found his enlightenment by leading us to the top. He promises to lead me to my enlightenment when we hike Borobudur again. What a day Coach! You made it!

Coach K Leaves Bali

Coach K celebrated his last night in Bali with dinner and drinks at Cafe Havana. Wouldn't you know that after slamming back a frozen martini, the Coach grabbed the mike from Karma and belted out some Johnny Cash tunes! He had them dancing on top of the tables. Hey Coach, they will remember you for quite a while in Ubud. You are leaving behind a slew of Blue Devil fans!

Coach K Tours the Countryside of Bali

Coach K enjoyed driving through the rice paddies of Bali, looking for Oxen, farmers, and temples.
Ever interested in the local folk wherever he travels, the Coach talked with a farmer who was gathering palms for offerings. The farmer is now the newest member of the Cameron Crazies. All of Indonesia will be pulling for the Blue Devils this year Coach!

The Coach was blown away with the view of the stepped rice paddy at Tegallalang, Bali.Thank you Made (I Made Dharma Yasa- dharma_made@yahoo.com) for being an excellent driver. The Coach had me post this advertisement for you! The Coach never forgets a promise.

Coach K Visits a Coffee Plantation in Bali

No one knows how to savor a good cup of coffee more than Coach K. He climbed onto the stone stove, made an offering to the Coffee God, and observed the hand roasting of the Bali Coffee beans.
The Coach learned about Luwak Coffee, which is the most expensive coffee in the world. The Asian Palm Civet eats the young red coffee beans, which sit in its stomach for a while, and then, well, you know, come out the other end. The beans retain their shape, and are gathered, washed, dried, roasted, and brewed. Luwak Coffee is touted for having an earthy, nutty flavor. For this reason, the Coach and I decided not to buy any!
The Coach was overwhelmed at the coffee and tea laid before him for tasting.
The Coach loved the Lemon Grass Tea, the Ginseng Coffee, the Hot Cocoa, and the Vanilla Coffee. He bought Lemon Grass Tea to bring to the team back home in the USA.
After a long day of touring the Balinese countryside, Coach K and I enjoyed our coffees and teas while looking across the coffee plants growing in the jungle.

Coach K is Purified at the Holy Water Temple in Bali

The Coach was required to slip into a sarong and make his offering before entering Pura Tirtha Empul, the Sacred Water Temple, in the center of Bali. Just look at him. He loved wearing a sarong.
I had to hold the Coach's bobble head back to prevent him from diving head first into the first sacred water pool. No diving from the edge Coach. Only from a diving board, and there is no diving board here!
The Coach was purified in the water twice, this time under a waterfall. He is ready to win a national championship with all of this good karma.
The Coach loved the Sacred Water. I had to drag him out of the flowers.
The Coach's aura now is one of balance, peace, and happiness. Wasn't it always that way Coach? Once a year, come back to Bali for a dip in the Holy Waters.

Coach K Rides an Elephant

Coach K hoisted himself to the top of an elephant today in Bali. Tia is a 27 year old elephant rescued from the Island of Sumatra. She was pleased to show the coach around the Elephant Park.
The Coach called down from Tia that everything looks better from the top of an elephant!
After his elephant ride, Coach K and Tia relaxed by the pond. They were so chummy that Tia scooped the Coach up with her nose and placed him in her lap.
Riding one elephant was not enough for the Coach. He jumped out of my arms and up with a trainer to ride a male elephant.
Today was a great day to ride an elephant. Thanks Coach K for taking me to the Elephant Safari Park in Bali.

Coach K Dances the Barong!

Coach K was the last man standing in the temple in Ubud after the Keris Dance. The dancers entered a trance, were blessed by the priest, and then stabbed themselves with swords. When the dance was over, and all dancers collapsed but the Coach stood tall... well, tall for a bobble head!
Coach K learned to play the "gong" for the holy Barong Dance. Coach, is there anything that you can't do?
The Barong is the King of the spirits in Balinese mythology, and the leader of the good. Barong and Coach K had a lot in common. K explained to the Barong that in America, the Blue Devils are the good, and he is their leader. The Balinese now refer to the Coach as the Barong K !
The Barong Dance is performed in the temple, and is considered a holy ceremony. As the Barong K, the Coach was invited back into the temple to relax with the dancers. I was not able to accompany the Coach, as I was not wearing a sarong. From scuba diving to Hindu temples, the Coach is always dressed appropriately.

After a night of dancing, my Bali hostess and friend, Renee, took the coach and me to The Deli Cat for rose. That's what we drink in Bali. (All the other wine is too expensive, even for the Coach!) The manager, Gusti, was thrilled to meet the famous, winning basketball coach! Cheers Coach! Welcome to Bali nights!