Hi everyone. First time jbr, 10th visit to bali. Oh, the familiar smell and heat, when we get off the plane. We love it, but this holiday was going to be somewhat different. 6 Months ago, I decided to do our renewal vows, but it was going to be a secret from my wife, who I have been married to for 39 years. On our visits to Bali, we usually have breakfast at Tommys Cafe in Legian. 3 Months ago, I mentioned to Desma, owner, what I was going to do, she said kindly, leave that up to us. Now you are asking yourself, how do I keep an occasion like this, a secret from my wfe. Easy, no 1- she doesnt know how to start up a computer, no 2- keep all your correspondence in the spare wheel of your car! All eight of us stayed at the Jayakarta in rooms overlooking the pool, clean and no problems, but after 10 visits to Bali, you go with the flow and nothing is a problem. First meal at night was Mie Goreng, fried eggs and krupuk and Bintang at the Corner Restaurant in Legian, wow, welcome back to Bali. After telling my wife, why we were all here, we had the renewal vows the next day. We were all dressed in Balinese costumes and the two waitresses from Tommys, Wayan and Yati, were our bridesmaids. They even organised a live band in the church, beautiful decorated with fresh flowers, when we walked into the church, Tekut in a rich, clear voice sang " You will never walk alone" and during the ceremony "Unchained Melody". Wow!. Beakfast at Tommys afterwards and dinner at Padma Club. One day, we will long remember.
Next day, we took our friends to the Ulawatu Temple. My wife stayed behind in the carpark, as she has seen plenty of Temples and monkeys and didnt want to take off all her jewellery and glasses. Quess what, when we came back, she was minus her glasses. She told me and I will delete all the swearing words, that a stray monkey jumped from the tree on the carroof and snatched her glasses. We got her glasses back, broken and minus one lens in exchange for a bunch of bananas and she still thinks, they are cute little fellers. Next candlelit dinner on the beach at Jimbaran.
Every time we go to Bali, we come back a little bit richer. Thank you all Mades, Wayans, Ketuts etc., for showing us how to live.
The simple things of life, your religion, serenity, your values and a good family structure. To you all "TERIMA KASIH"