June 7th we left Adelaide. Unfortunately when we arrived in Denpesar my head was pounding, add the humidity and heat and I was GONE!
We were headed up to Candi Dasa for the first 4 days and it's a 1 ½ hour trip. I spent the entire trip throwing up. Hmmm great start. Thankfully this was the only bad day and I blame it on climate change, alcohol and the glare from the clouds on the flight over. (totally my fault.. Stupid stupid me J!)
We had a great private driver for our entire trip, he would come where ever, whenever we needed him at the drop of a hat and the trip up to Candi Dasa he was fantastic, stopping whenever I needed him too, running errands for us (getting our Mobile set up, grocerys and toiletries and changing our money for us while Hubby cradled me and took care of me. Geez I was a sight!
We finally arrived at our Hotel in Candi Dasa (Puri bagus) and I crashed. It was 4pm so Hubby went and explored while I slept. Unfortunately I don't really remember much detail from that first day.
Our aim for this holiday was to relax and have some peace. We left our 3 young daughters (4,3,1) home with the grandparents, this was an opportunity to be alone for once but I missed them so much.........
Anyway
I woke at 5am next morning feeling wonderful, Hubby was asleep so I went and sat by the ocean watching the lights from the fishing boats in the distance. The sea was dead calm and the breeze was gentle. I was back!!!
My biggest fear with this trip (Aside from my Children needing me) was that Hubby would hate it which would mean he would never want to return. On returning to the room I found him sitting on the porch and his first words to me (aside from how you feeling) was ‘this place is fantastic' Pheew. Now I could relax, he was comfy and happy, I need not have worried!
I finally had the chance to check out our room and the grounds. Our room was a sea view detached bungalow. Absolutely beautiful. The room was large and nicely furnished with many windows, the main one which looked out over the ocean. The bathroom was open air and really nice (especially liked the visits from large geckos while showering!)
Our first real day was uneventful. We went to breaky at the hotel (it was included) and realised that we were only one of 2 groups at the hotel. Went for a swim then went on the hunt for some clothes (we travel light J )
Candi Dasa, compared to the rest of Bali is TINY. Its like I remember Kuta being when I was kid. One main road, a few small restaurants and a few small shops. We bought some shirts and a couple sarongs and trodded back to the Hotel.
The road to the hotel was very rural. A long thin road, scraggly dogs walking along, coconut and Banana trees lined the street (or path if you prefer, cars barely fit and buses had to drop people off up the street!) Chickens and Piglets foraged in amongst the plants and children greeted us every step of the way.
Anyway ill round this part up since we didn't really do all that much in CD. The next four days the hotel filled a little and we basically spent the entire time.. walking (4-5km a day) eating (Vincents Resturant was a regular haunt for us) swimming and snoozing. I had a manicure, pedicure and facial at the hotel spa while Hubby went out on one of the fishing boats and that's about all we did. Like I said, we were there to relax!!.
The towel boy at the hotel was so much fun, always cheerful I just wish I could remember his name (I am hopeless with names). I lived on Banana Juice when I wasn't drinking beer or cocktails and on our last morning they had it available at the breakfast buffet. I truly was in paradise :)
I LOVE Candi Dasa, its so peaceful and reminds me of Bali when I was a kid. I was sad to leave but was also looking forward to the next part of our Holiday, Tjampuhan in Ubud (pt 2 coming soon)