Living the (expat) dream

We've had a taste of how good it can get. Mind you, we love our simple life, but there's no doubt that it's Bali on a budget. We have everything we need here* but last night we saw another lifestyle altogether. And I have to confess to just a teensy bit of villa envy.

The lovely couple that we caught up with at the Villa Kitty do** spend about 9 months here in Ubud and only about three at home in Queensland. They have a villa in a prime location in Penestanan, a stone's throw from the action but very private down a laneway that backs onto a rice field. And what can I say but it's gorgeous. They have done a wonderful job in creating their Ubud home and even have two beautiful Villa Kitty cats. When they arrived as youngsters, the cats spent a few hours exploring the lane, visiting the warung on the corner, dispatching the rats in the roof and haven't been outside since. They sit in the doorway and watch the world, but are now homebodies. When their humans are in Australia they are cared for by the one staff member, a delightful young man who does everything needed to keep the villa ticking over.

It's possible, but not easy, to purchase property outright here. You will see many places available but they are usually leasehold. The length of the lease will vary and therefore the upfront cost. A longer lease will be 25 years with a renewal option; shorter ones may be as few as 7 years. Not having outright ownership is a stumbling block for many who are used to other models but, as our new friends commented, their lease will see them out and they will have had the pleasure of the lifestyle for the amount that they paid.

Our meal was in a local cafe that has a strong expat presence. It's part-owned by an Australian, with food geared towards a Western palate, but certainly tasty enough and well priced. We met a few people and have been invited to the notorious expat Flyday night quiz at the Fly Cafe. By all accounts this is a Very Fun Night.

Tonight Bar Luna is giving a preview of the 2013 Writers Festival as part of their regular Thursday night literary event. I know that they have secured Lionel Shriver*** and Deborah Moggach as two of the headline attractions. But the afternoon rain has been very steady and if it doesn't ease as it usually does, we'll stay in.

The image above is not of their villa - I wouldn't be so rude, it's an Internet one - but theirs does have a swimming pool. lovely gardens, open plan pavilions ... sigh.

*And sorry, not telling
**Raised Rp 20,000,000 or $2000, so that will help a great deal.
*** Have just finished reading Big Brother, and still digesting it, so to speak.