Bali Hi! The Island of the Gods called! It seemed a good idea to answer and say hello.
Catching up with some surf time, we also caught up with some friends living there, one hearing of my wife's 'fashion' background, introduced her to the managing director of a surf clothing brand, who offered her a job as visual merchandiser and marketing.
I thought, "Well, let's see if I can make something work here".
My first client was another surf brand where I enjoyed working and interacting with young art directors, sharing the vitality of the surf culture. 
We found a comfortable villa and settled in. 
I loved being embraced by the ocean again and gorging on the smorgasbord of waves available. 
Work, surf, and exploring the beauty of the Bali spirit and nature became the routine.
I felt an affinity with the Balinese culture, which honors and celebrates the inseparable connection between Heaven, Earth, and Man.  Simple daily offerings of flowers, incense, and sometimes a sweet, cigarette, or a coin, given in our home by our Balinese housekeeper, reminded us of this connection. Week-long celebrations, full moon ceremonies, and cremations enhanced this.
I found it easy to slip into the rhythm of Bali and the celebrations of life that regularly happened.
One celebration I love and immersing in is the Balinese New Year, Nyepi, which happens over several days. On Nyepi eve, the Balinese join together for the world-famous Ogoh Ogoh Parades. The Ogoh-Ogohs are giant, oversized figures taking on the form of demons, evil spirits, and characters from Hindu mythology. Some statues reflect more current issues and even resemble real people known for cruelty, greed, or injustice, and can be quite humorous. Usually made by the young people of a 'Banjar, the local version of a council, they are made of papier-maché over a bamboo framework, and the craftsmanship, creativity, and imagination are truly spectacular.  Each is put onto a bamboo frame to be paraded through the streets at night, accompanied by gamelan music, chanting, and often a traditional dancing troupe. The purpose is to scare off any demons or bad energy that may be hovering over the island.
The next day to me is fantastic. The 'Day of Silence', is to fool demons that the island is uninhabited and not worth a visit. For 24 hours, there are no lights, television, no cars and motorbikes on the streets. There is a complete halt to any action in the outer world, businesses close, schools close, roads close and the airport closes for twenty-four hours,  Everyone on the island must remain inside, turn off the lights, and be introspective and make peace with the past and prepare for the future, washing away any wrong doings of the past year, entering the new year with a clean slate – individually and collectively. 
There is a delicious silence that carries into the night when the stars reveal themselves in all their glory 
As a symbol of all the bad things that might happen in life, the Ogoh Ogohs are burnt afterwards to make room for the good energy that can bring humanity peace and prosperity in the year ahead. 

Bali s blessed with many sacred springs and sites where you can immerse, cleanse and refresh the spirit and mind..
As it is quite small I didn't have to go far to find a good wave, or too far through beautiful tropical surroundings and famous rice fields to the fresh and cool air mountains to what has been called the Creative Heart of Bali, Ubud, or to Agung, a high volcano which is still quietly active gives out occasional puffs of smoke reminding us indeed it was still alive; and could indeed give a decent kick, the last eruption had spewed lava out which had consolidated into an eery moonlike landscape. 

I had sold the apartment in Bondi, but any expected profit fell through when the successful bidder rescinded. The developer had not conformed to building and fire regulations, so I literally had to have a 'fire sale' and made no profit. There was no comeback to get compensation from the developer, who perhaps had 'contributed' to the building inspector, who in turn had approved the refurbishment. The developer declared himself bankrupt, dissolved his company, so there was no recourse. I simply had to cut my losses and let it go.
I, at least, was grateful for the years of living happily in Bondi that it had given me.

It turned out my wife didn't 'get along' with her Managing Director and didn't last the year out.
I was fortunate in that I was still getting work from India and Vietnam.
I decided to sell the cottage in Byron Bay, and invest in a home in Bali, certain that the rate Bali was developing it would be a good investment. Paying out the balance and investment tax had taken a big bite out of the sale. 
We 'bought' a long-term lease on a nice house with a beautiful garden and a pool.

                                          BALI BREAKUP
Not distracted by the excitement of travel, she realized she did want a child and was now desperate to have one. I retreated into my Self more as I thought I had been very clear before we were married that this would not happen, and she had agreed. She had changed her mind, but I hadn't, and was being continually told 'You have to change', which upset me.
We had a simple discussion, and realizing it was not a productive relationship for either of us, I said she should be free to try and fulfill this wish.
Just after the settlement, which again was quite financially crippling as although she came from a wealthy family had accumulated no wealth or property of her own. Covid hit almost immediately and 'broke' the business I was starting to build, no longer any work either off shore or locally and when we were able to sell our lease prices were falling drastically so it was actually at a loss .
I moved out and a whole new chapter started which was to test 'living yoga'.