Here it is, Christmas again. Looking back over the year, it seems Bali has thrown up the best and worst of what this beautiful island has to offer. But from dengue to surf lessons, and from baby spitting cobras in our yard to some of the best nasi campur tasted ever, Bali still remains our true love.

Twelve Days of a Bali Christmas

by Reena Balding
Sung to the tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas.

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a mosquito that carries dengue.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
2  gamelans
‘n a mosquito that carries dengue.

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
3 surfboards
2 gamelans
‘n a mosquito that carries dengue.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
4 swimming pools
3 surfboards
2 gamelans
‘n a mosquito that carries dengue.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
5 COLD BINTANGS
4 swimming pools
3 surfboards.
2 gamelans
‘n a mosquito that carries dengue.

On the six day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
6 geckos barking
5 COLD BINTANGS
4 swimming pools
3 surfboards
2 gamelans
‘n a mosquito that carries dengue.

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
7 cobras spitting
6 geckos barking
5 COLD BINTANGS
4 swimming pools
3 surfboards
2 gamelans
‘n a mosquito that carries dengue.

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
8 strong mojitos
7 cobras spitting
6 geckos barking
5 COLD BINTANGS
4 swimming pools
3 surfboards
2 gamelans
‘n a mosquito that carries dengue.

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
9 Bali bellies
8 strong mojitos
7 cobras spitting
6 geckos barking
5 COLD BINTANGS
4 swimming pools
3 surfboards
2 gamelans
‘n a mosquito that carries dengue.

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
10 Nasi campur
9 Bali bellies
8 strong mojitos
7 cobras spitting
6 geckos barking
5 COLD BINTANGS
4 swimming pools
3 surfboards
2 gamelans
‘n a mosquito that carries dengue.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
11 roosters crowing
10 Nasi campur
9 Bali bellies
8 strong mojitos
7 cobras spitting
6 geckos barking
5 COLD BINTANGS
4 swimming pools
3 surfboards
2 gamelans
‘n a mosquito that carries dengue.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
12 upacaras
11 roosters crowing
10 Nasi campur
9 Bali bellies
8 strong mojitos
7 cobras spitting
6 geckos barking
5 COLD BINTANGS
4 swimming pools
3 surfboards
2 gamelans
‘n a mosquito that carries dengue.

TRANSLATION NOTE:
upacara = ceremony
Nasi Campur = mix of delicious Balinese food with rice