From sunny to pouring rain and back again. This is Bali in wet season.

I'm sitting in bed settling down after another big day here in Legian, Bali. Despite being three floors up, in a well contained room I can still hear the whistles of local men stopping traffic when a tourist wants to enter or leave their hotel.

The stream of motorbikes, scooters and small cars is endless. From breakfast 'til well after sunset the hustle and bustle of the streets of Legian as well as nearby Seminyak, Kuta and Canggu is enough to entertain anyone willing and able to sit and watch it all.

But staying still and quiet as a tourist is hard to do. Someone is always asking you if you want something.

Something to drink?

Something to eat?

Some dress?

Some shoes?

Taxi?

Someone is always ready to sell you something. And I can't blame them as this is how most of the locals we will come across here make their living. And if they don't actively encourage the probably-richer-than-them tourist to come and get a massage... a tattoo... a silver piece of jewellery then that person might walk into the next person's shop instead. Or worse, not be convinced to part with their tourist dollars at all in this community.

Today started out hot.

It's fair to say it's always hot in Bali it's just the degree that changes. It's hot and dry. It's hotter and you're wishing it would rain already. Or it cycles between scorchingly hot and then the dark clouds roll over and before you know it you're drenched and actually cold for a change.

That's what happened today.

We hadn't even managed to get back from breakfast before it started pouring. My cotton dress was quick to soak. My legs were covered in dirty water from the flooding streets and the splashes of people and bikes going by.

I needed a second shower and it wasn't even 10am yet.

While the rain continued, we found places for our wet stuff and redressed in dry clothes. We thought about what we'd like to do in Legian and surrounds in the rain.

We sourced an umbrella from our hotel. And still the rain continued.

It was so heavy we just stood and watched just as most of the locals did.

People who were silly enough to go out into the rain (tourists) and those who seemed to have no choice as work still had to be done (locals) were soaked to the bone, clothes clinging to their bodies like they were stuck on.

Eventually, we saw the sun. I joked with a woman working at our hotel that it was like the sun was fighting with the rain. Who would win?

Soon enough it was the sun and as the rain became drizzle, we watched people move back onto the streets again. Locals emptied blocked drains. They swept water out of the front of their restaurants. They moved their wares back to the very front of their shops, right into the footpath where they usually lived.

And we walked. With the umbrella in his hand and the rain jacket I bought in the poring rain in Kuala Lumpur only a couple of days ago on my back, we walked alongside the flooded streets, avoiding puddles as best we could.

By the time we'd had our second coffee--which was much better than the first--the sun was piping hot again and I suddenly realised that I needed that umbrella to protect myself from the glare, the burn and from genuinely overheating.

There was more to our day, of course. There was a goanna sighting and squirrels were spotted. Brad made friends with a puppy dog and I smiled at unexpected cats lounging around like they owned the place.

There were meals consumed and drinks drunk. And more road crossings than I care to count. And there were smiles and laughter and banter with complete strangers, because this is Bali and this is how most people roll.

As I wrap up this post, I can still hear noise outside. Now, it's loud music from a neighbouring bar. But it's faint enough and soon enough I'll pop in my ultra-useful earplugs and forget about all the excitement of my day.

Mostly, so we can do it all again tomorrow.

All photos taken by Mr Paparazzi, also known as my partner, Brad. Used with his permission and blessing.