Another day ahead of us, we have watched the sunrise, had breaky, we now wait for Kuala & Arya to pick us up to go out for the day. We are off to the optomotrist (recommended on the forum) @ Bali Galarea. The staff @ Optik Tunngal were thrilled to hear that they were mentioned on this forum. The service was great, it surprised us at how up to date their equipment was. We both bought new specs. @ half the price here in Aus.
Even contact lenses we buy here @ $100 per script was only $46 in Bali. Same brand, I really have to ask why we are ripped off back here.
We visited the bakery," Bread Talk" again mentioned often on this forum.
It really is a pastry lovers heaven. You really don't know what to select, so I just went the whole hog. And a little (maybe big) pig I made of myself. Oh well, I am on holiday, is my justification.
Everyone else was ready for lunch, which was the last thing on my mind, as I scoffed down another pastry. Maybe a bottle of water would go down well, followed by a ciggie. During lunch we talked about the Ceremony we have to go to the next day. Wanting to show the proper respect to our friends, we wanted to wear the proper dress. Kuala asked what type of Ceremony it was. Mrs. says "Cremation I assume".
Well, it was most important that we are sure, as there are different colours to wear to different ceremonies this is most important if we want to do it right. To solve the problem, Kuala phones Shrek to varify which ceremony it was. Mrs. stuffed up again. You know what happens when you assume??? It makes an ass-u-me. It is a purification not cremation ceremony. We go off to a traditional market (for the locals)to be outfitted with the correct dress. I now have my first serong, white Bali shirt & traditional hat(udung). I really feel Balinese now. After 3 days in the sun I am almost as dark as they are.
Shopping now finished for the day, the family is eager to show us Dreamland. We all pile into the car again & off we set. After driving about half an hour, we see the driest most barren parts of Bali we have ever seen. Nice new roads, no trees to be seen for miles. Just block after block of vacant land for sale. Big dreams of lakes, golf course, & elete developement etc.etc. The only water around the area would be the ocean. I really think it is aptly named, Dreamland. One thing that was magnificent, was the view of the ocean from such a high vantage point. The family suggested we walk down to the beach. Walk! it was a bleedin goat track, with the typical gigantic Balinese steps. The path was only one person wide, with no hand rail. You sort of, became quite friendly with people coming from the other direction. We did make it down safely, walked along the beautiful beach for a while. After resting in the shade of a huge rock for a while, we decided to become mountain goats again & head back to the car. Mrs. stopped a few times under the rouse of needing a smoke. She must have thought I was more stupid than I look, I could clearly hear her gasping for breath. We made it back to the car, enduring a few tight squeezes along the track. We headed back home for a much needed happy hour & a cool shower. Before the family left, I had a crash course in tying my serong correctly. Apparently it is most important that men must have the pleats falling just rightat the front. Me, being an ex. brickie & never having worn a skirt before, this was going to be quite a challange.
The dress rehersal went well & I looked quite the part. Bidding the family farewell we head back to the room. We freshen up for our evening walk on a flat path along the beach. No dinner required tonight, maybe it was the pastries!! Before we go for our walk, I try the serong thing again, just to make sure I've got it right.
Being all thumbs, I don't remember which side goes over what. The pleats wont fall right. Gee! I sound like an old woman. I toss the thing aside, I'll worry about it tomorrow.
More photos @ www.fotothing.com/balicharles/