has put me on a bit of a budget for the day! Bugger! Ah well, I have spent a fortune, but I have had fun!
Some observations of Bali this year.
There is a real sense of optimism, lot and lots of new business being established. There is a real sense of hope. the streets are very busy.
The new discovery mall, commonly called Centro, just has to be seen to be believed. Personally, I think it's an eyesore, but lots of people love it. The one fantastic thing about it is,, the new Breadtalk shop. Absolutely wonderful patisserie type products. YUMMY!
We finally got to try out TJ's this time, very impressed, despite the dopiness of one older lady who was serving us, and managed to get something wrong with every single order -now that is an achievment.
We stayed in the Green Garden again ( on Jl Kartika Plaza) the position suits us just fine. Unfortuantely or fortunately they have been extremely busy with meals every night. Rather then send their excess customers to the new restaurant/resort they have opened down the road (Febri's) the prefer to put more table between the restaurant and the pool. Those of you who have seen the set-up will know what I mean. Now, this is a good idea, except, what happens is that the hotel guests then loose all privacy. and can not use the pool in the evening. At one stage we had people eating not more than 2 meters from our window. A little off-putting to say the least!
Eventually we asked to get moved, which resolved that issue, but it was a shame!
We have had the great luck to stay with a guest who we've called Dracula, much to the amusement of all staff and long-term guests. She's actually rather sad, she's a japanese lady, who could be any age, but I would guess at early 30's, with a small child, who might be about 5. She is very fair skinned, much lighter than I am, and I suspect she must be very proud of it, as she NEVER allows any part of her body (literally) to be exposed to the sun. When-ever she is seen she has several layers of clothing on, including some spectacular long black gloves, and a battered black parasol, with the front bent down to prevent any light contact. According to the staff she even uses this in her room. The child is badly treated, having been hit several times accross the head. I must have been the only person not to have seen this, otherwise I'm afraid that I would have said something. All in all, she's been a topic of much converstation-funny how gossip truly is international, isn't it?
NExt year we plan to go to Java also, & I'm really looking forward to it. I'm just so glad that I was able to come and have this wondeful time here again.
That's all folks.