ORPHANAGE DAY OUT: I had organised for 60 of the children to come to the beach just in front of the Inna Kuta but 48 turned up. Thanks to Bali Insight tours - Louise and Geoff, they picked up the children and Puja is the man who I organised it with. What a wonderful person he is. Can't speak highly enough of him. He speaks very good English and was wonderful with the children. They all arrived about 10.30 and along with Judy (from BTF and her friends and Wendy from the BTF, and my family, we all had a ball. Shorts were bought as nearly all of them arrived in jeans (although every time I say wear shorts). Maybe they know we will buy them some shorts!!!! Quite a few pair of shorts were purchased at a good price from my friend Tom Cat who sells on the beach. She also organises the food and fruit for me, which makes it much easier. A lot of the boys surfed, a lot played soccer which Judy bought the balls along. We had sack races, Balinese v the Aussies. I think we lost although we had age against us ha ha. We played the life saver on the toothpick game, tunnelball, and the person who could eat the cracker biscuit the fastest hanging from the string (instead of a donut) They all had ice creams and drinks, lots of goodies bought from Macro. Then at the end they did their usual song and dancing for us. It was a wonderful day and I know the children enjoyed the day out. Tears as usual were shed when they all got back into the buses for their journey back to the orphanage.
I would like to thank those people from this forum that helped make this day such a success and to Bruce who started this fundraising. Although he couldn't make it in the end, I hope he reads this.
MY DAUGHTER'S WEDDING: was held at the Kartika Plaza. She got a free night thrown in, so we (me and the bridesmaids and the bride of course) had to be ready at 12 noon for the make up etc. I couldn't believe it would take that long but it did and the hair stylists and make up artists got to work on all of us. The hairdresser asked me how I wanted my hair and I said just flicked (as I don't have long hair, just fairly short) and as I couldn't see what he was doing, I kept on asking my daughter was it going OK and she kept saying it was good. When he finished he said have a look, well I looked in the mirror and screamed in fright. I looked like I had just been electrocuted. My eyes nearly popped out of my head and I said OMG no no no. He said I looked much younger but I firmly said, no get it down, I look like I have had a big fright.
He finally got it right. My daughter looked so beautiful (as any mother would say anyway), but she did. The Kartika gardens with the beach backdrop was so romantic and a perfect location. The reception was just as wonderful. Everything was beautiful and couldn't fault anything at all.
RAMAYANA UPGRADE TO CLUB RESORT: For the last 2 nights, we upgraded to the Club Resort on the top floor. These rooms are so beautiful. King size bed with 4 poster and drapes. TV and video. It had like a 3 door wardrobe but the middle door walked through to the beautiful marble bathroom. Separate bath and separate shower with clear glass to the shower and toilet. Ultra modern handbasin and the lighting in the bathroom was fantastic. Also had those mirrors which are great for putting make up on and seeing every flaw in your face!!! You get free afternoon tea and free cocktails between 5 and 7.30 pm. and a late checkout of 6 pm
We really liked the Ramayana and the location even though the lobby renovations were not complete, it did not disrupt us in any way as they have an alternative lobby.
That's about it for my JBR. Thanks