Money doesnt make you happy. I now have $50 million but I was just as happy when I had $48 million. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Often I go for lunch to a small restaurant near our Ubud office. The other day I overheard someone talking at the next table: “ …so fresh at night, - and all this rain …”

Instantly it was clear these people are not from the southern coast. There it is clearly warmer than in Ubud, also they have less rain. You may know that Ubud is an average 220 m above sea level.

About every 100 meter up, the temperature drops by almost 1 degree and for many in Ubuds south they also catch some cooling sea breeze from south-east, whereas just 15 minutes up north you would live about 500 m high and experience even more fresh conditions.

Long time ago, before I left Europe for good I thought "never cold feet again please". Then, after some years living on the Indonesian coast I missed the fresh air and the moment, when pulling a blanket over at night gives that immediate cozy comfort. Right now I sit on the veranda and contemplate either a hot drink, or getting up for a pullover. Isnt it indeed nice to still have this bit of seasonal change in addition to the rice field transformations?

You may think, "well, happy to hear that Mr. Ramon enjoys some fresh evenings", but I see no connection to me… well, there is more to this.

I found out by visiting many properties around Ubud, that even within only 2-300 meter difference in hight, some garden plants grow either very well or we wonder, what is wrong with ours, because the friend in the other village ‘up or down there’ has exactly the same, but his grow twice as strong and high. I noticed this when a gardener from Rhenon, commented on my "monster red palms": “Never seen this in all the coastal gardens, I set up”, was his comment.

You know Rhenon, dont you? Go from here to Denpasar, on Jl. Bypass Sanur at Kentucky Frieds turn right and then 2 km straight. Almost immediately after this right turn there are these g arden businesses. They purchase their plants wholesale from Java, plant them here and wait for us to come and buy.

Tip: If you need many plants or a number of exotic plants which carry a hefty price tag, it pays to fly to Surabaya. From there take road transport to a village area called Batu. There are the wholesalers whosupply most of Denpasar’s plant traders. When setting up my garden from scratch, I did this, paying half price or less; the garden guys came with 3 trucks, plus bamboo to stabilise the newly dug-in plants and "hey presto", I had a decent looking garden in a week.

Back to the right plants for your property - same as my red palms (the ones with a red stems), the people from Batu were insisting I buy many, because above Ubud they would do very well. Last week I went to the Denpasar garden centres and it is true, there the same plants of same age are looking like the relative, who just ended his 2-month hunger strike.

I do not look at those stunning 3 coloured bougainvilleas in Rhenon with envy any more. They would not give me much enjoyment, because north of Ubud it is just that bit more rainy which they don’t like.

Instead I ask sometimes a neighbour with particular healthy plants for a cutting and know, that this is the way to establish your area-specific garden paradise. In a few days I will leave for vacation. Please forgive me that our talk today is therefore suffering from short breath, as I try to fit in the things-to-do and will not add much of value to these lines. Oh, maybe just little, - A word of warning to your friends who trustfully may set out on their own to hunt for their land to build on.

The following is a true story, happening right now. Naturally I will not tell you the affected partys names for professional reasons and would not do for ethical ones. Also, they would be up set even more to read about their personal demise here. Here goes . . .

The local wife purchased with ex-pat-husband’s money and on his behalf this 16 are block southeast of Ubud. Take a bike and from there, be in 7 minutes in Ubud centre. Good quiet area on a gentle slope. Not bad. The block had been recommended to them by a local “calo”, a private middleman, of whom you find one every 150 m at the most. That all happened when prices where way lower than today, but then there was also less money around to buy for them.

As things often develop, the pair broke up and naturally in the interest of a fair good-bye they decided to sell the land and share the money. Now comes what is not common, but may serve as a warning to others, or to make you feel happy because confirming that you are smart as this did not happen to you - On visiting the vacant block to take photos, they were told, “this is not you land. Someone else bought the land. Certificate ada”. Even the gossip was traded that the certificate has been already used as bank guarantee for obtaining a substantial loan.

Knowing that this is not possible, because the couple is holding the freehold ownership certificate in their own hands, they went for clarification to the land department (BPN). There the mystery thickens.

In the ladys name is a block of 16 are registered, which is 300 m from where they thought they purchased and in a different shape as on their certificate. In addition there is no access road whatsoever.

The poor and thoroughly upset people decided to see the police as the case smelled "fishy". The police, of course advised them that the matter is not a criminal one and requires a lawyer who in conjunction with Notary and Land Department can straighten all out.

I know all this, because our office was asked to please assist, although we were not involved in the purchase process at all. Now, instead of saying - "come on, you brought the misery upon yourself and now you want us to help, only because we are known as expert in all land related issues”, - we agreed to seeing the notary, based on a power of attorney, which was given for that purpose. I should not tell you, because this may set an unwanted precedent, but their situation is heartbreaking and we do step in for free.

It is early stages, but I can tell you, buying the property via an established agent and an experienced notary would have sure avoided this drama.

Maybe when coming back in mid July, I can tell you more. But this is Indonesia, the chances for a quick solution are slim…

Just when I thought I let you go, - for buying anything, we use money, right? Have you ever thought through what money really is? Yesterday I found for the first time an explanation, which I can process with my simple mind and agree too. Interesting thinking - I just copy the text here, not claiming that anything of it is grown on my patch . . . Enjoy.

I wonder what we will be chatting about next time. Any ideas?

As always, - wishing you well, wise investment and joy in life - Ramon