and what a shock its been getting back home and right back into a horendous banking job.
This was our 6th time to Bali but first only flying with Air Paradise. Flew on the same place out of Brissy with Nicno and were fortunate enough to get on the plane after big diesel spills on the Gateway that morning and going on a wild goose chase with a taxi trying to get onto a "back Street" onto the airport road after we finally demanded he take us to a train station and we board a train to the airport. All we wanted to do is get to the airport and board the plane and not get left behind. Whew, that deserved an early Binnie....
In my view, Air Paradise was all that the Forumites made it to be. We had good service, more leg room and great food. We didn't really care about the limit of 5 drinks per customer because all we wanted was a little sleep along the way. We were at the front of the aircraft and once it landed, I'm sure it took all of 30 minutes to get through VOA, customs and collect our baggage and breath that beautiful clean unique smell of Bali..
Spent the first 3 days at Champuhan in Ubud. What a fantastic place. Stayed in River 3 room which was ideal. Brekky in the Terrace restuarant was superb. Didn't do a lot in Ubud apart from relaxing, walking and eating. Tried in vain to do the "Babi Guling" thing at Ibu Babi (or whatever the name is) but they were only opened until about 3, and each time we went, it was absolutely packed out, so unfortunatly missed out. Bought a great canvas painting in the markets.
Highlight of our time in Ubud was doing the Badaya Cycle trip, which we organised with Nicno from here. I can highly recommend this day trip. Darma was our guide, and what a true spirit he was. He spent a lot of time detailing the Bali faith, religion and way of life. Apparently other cycling tour companies are copying his trip, so if you are interested in doing one of these trips, please make sure its the Budaya one or email myself or Nicno for particulars. We cycled through villages, went to a plantation, compound, and ended up at the Monkey Forest. We took along a heap of Chuppa Chubbs and lollies for the kids along the way, who just wanted to say "hello" and give us high fives. A truly great day.
After 3 days, it was back down to Bali Mandira at Legian. We love this place. Its a great location, beachfront, great brekkies and of course close to Sammi & Suzi's. Spent almost every evening having a Bintang or two or three three and almost always the last to leave.
Our favourite eating places were Legend, Glory restaurant, Bobbies, Legian Snacks, Kubuku in Poppies 1, Wayan & Friends. Bobbies in Padma Utara is a great little eating place. You get heaps of food and price is good. Spring "rools" are good. I must say that this time we went to Indo National it wasn't as good as it usually is. I know I could get potentially flamed about this, but I don't particularly like the idea of having to "book" a 6-30pm or 8-30 pm sitting in Bali. As we know, dining out in Bali is just when and how you feel like it,let alone making a reservation. I had the Chilli Crab and must say it didn't create the "wow" factor to me, particularly after really looking forward to it.
Legend Bar up the road in Jl Sudaweha promises to be a great nite with great entertainment. Saturday nights is good. They start their entertainment with Balinese dancers or cultural dancers, then go on with Michael Jackson impersonators to drag queens. Amongst this, they try to involve the crowd as much as possible with karoke. On the first Saturday night we were, my husband went missing for about 10 minutes or so, next minute Ketut (manager) makes his announcement and low and behold on the stage enters my husband and his friend dressed in women's clothes doing the "time Warp" thing. It all added to the fun of the night.
The big highlight of our trip was visiting our sponsored Balinese Children in Sembung 7 school. We have sponsored a child each, both 7 years old and couldn't wait to see them. For those who have visited their special children you can identify with me the special feeling you have when you first set eyes on your "child", and I guess they on us. They wouldn't let go of our hands. We were greeted by Agung and other Rotarians, and of course the whole school. We took pressies for our kids, and books, pens etc for the school. After speaking to the head master and teacher, they told us how these kids can walk up to 2 1/2 kilometres to school and back each day from their village. Of course their parents are too poor to afford a push bike, so I asked could we buy them a bike each. The response of course was very positive. We had absolutely NO idea of how much this would cost, but thought about how a gift like this could could bear everlasting treasures to these children. We took friends up with us who were from Melbourne, and don't actually sponsor a child (YET) but they were very moved by this visit and also wanted to buy a bike for some needy child. The headmaster chose a little boy for them, who actually had sponsored parents but haven't seen him.
Anyway, next day, off we went to Denpasar with Ketut (Sammi's brother) to find a bike shop to purchase 3 bikes. We bought these bikes for 215000 rupiahs each (can you imagine It). Couldn't wait to go back to the school to deliver them to these cherished children. Words cannot explain the look on these kids' faces when they saw what we had given them. The two little boys hopped on them and gave everyone a demmo on their riding skills. The little girl was a little reserved and couldn't ride it probably. John tried to help her ride it but she was just shy. Mind you she would not let go of her new possession.
Other things we did. Had a nice 3 piece suite made at Brisbane Taylors for almost $100. Am really pleased with it. Bought lots of lovely thongs for between 25000 - 40000 with beads. It amazes me why men can't understand the importance of buying 6 pairs, all differnt colours!!! Don't we need them!!!
Bought watches down the beach at S & S for only 30000. Didn't have any massages down the beach this year but decided to have them all at the day spa. This time I chose Tapa Spa just past Indo National. One hour massages only cost 60000. The girls there are beautiful. Day before we left I splurged on a 2 1/2 indulgence. First hour was full body massage, next hour was body scrub followed by 1/2 hour of Head Spa.. All for 175000. I prefer these massages as opposed to the beach ones where you can have them in peace without "you want sarong, you want t'shirts....".
Its getting late so time to sign off now. We've been going to Bali every year for the past 6 years so every time is special, and each time we count the days down to our next visit. Its a special place for special people and I keep the memories in my mind every day at work to destress.
...Only another 11 months to go.
Hope you enjoy my JBR as we immensely enjoyed our holiday.