Okay not much more to put up with only 5 more days to go.....
Monday 24th July
Up early and another filling breakfast, after yesterdays long trip we have decided to do some shopping today.
First port of call the Soul Sisters on Jl Legian just back from Padma St towards Seminyak on the beach side of the road. They have just the best range of gear suitable for all ages and colourful as well, I bought a dress (black and white dots) a great top for under my suits (Black and red) and ordered this fabulous top to go with my jeans or trousers, all items are in a soft uncrushable fabric (great for traveling) My order will be ready tomorrow. I got all that for the princely sum of 610.000rp or about $78, I feel rather good about that. I met a couple of ladies in there, one was a celebrant and buys oodles of Soul sisters gear, she said she wished it would wear out and she could buy even more, the other lady was from Queensland and is a fashion wholesaler and commented that the gear just walks out the door.
From there we wandered down to the Melasti St markets and called in to the Lokha Legian Hotel for a look, it appears quite impressive from the outside, the staff were very obliging and gave us the full Cook's tour of each of the rooms, all were very nice but as there is no lift I would prefer to be on the ground floor around the pool. Nothing to do with the Bintang club and climbing up the stairs after a heavy meeting!! Anyway can recommend any of the rooms 2nd floor for the young though.
Carried on down to the markets and did some mandatory shopping like T/Shirts for the grandkids, a couple for Ross to add to those he has at home in his new stockpile, picked up a nice wall hanging with some nice verse on it, I already have a couple at home but have a spot for this one. Shopping is great but got bored as I was hungry so headed off to Yogya for lunch, we have been trying to get in here for 9 days and it is always full, I couldn't believe it one table and 3 people want it, I made a beeline for it, I am eating here today, food was great as always, about $2 a meal followed by a couple of bintangs (for the Club only) and decided to walk back to the hotel, as we passed Melasti spa it was as if someone was calling me, I just had to answer, 2 hours later we walked out feeling refreshed and fabulous ready to babysit the girls tonite.
Tony and Linnett left to go to Jimbaran bay for a lovely romantic seafood meal on the beach and we, Jessica, Madison, Iluh and Rikha head off for the Seaside Restaurant on the beachfront just up from Puri Raja towards Seminyak, next door to Kumala Pantai.
Well I have to share this secret, I had the Eggplant for entrée, should have had it for mains as the serving was so large, I have to say it was to die for if you like eggplant that is, I followed it up with the Aus. Fillet steak cooked so rare it was walking, just how I like it, well I hardly needed a knife to cut it, Ross had Lamb cutlets and loved them as well, so I thoroughly suggest a visit to the Seaside, the owner works the floor meeting and greeting everyone and makes you feel comfortable and guarantees all meals are fantastic or your money back, can't get a better wrap than that eh? A couple of Bintangs just to finish it off, a nice stroll home walking off the biggest meal I've had yet, bed around 11pm.
Wednesday 25th July
Well today is our last day at the Puri Raja and I must say I have enjoyed the stay, the staff are great and always have time for a chat, I nicknamed the Concierge at the restaurant Jerry as he reminded me a bit of Jerry Lewis and was always trying to crack jokes, he was the only one who got them but a lot of fun nonetheless.
As we paid our account on checkout we paid for the next trip in December, we have a wedding to attend so will be back 2-16 December and most of our party are staying at the Puri Raja.
In a Taxi and off to the Ramayana for the next 9 nights, Check in was great, it was like coming home as we have stayed here on numerous occasions and are on first name basis with almost everyone. Our usual room 241 was waiting with a beautiful fresh fruit platter and a lovely arrangement of flowers.
Unpacked and off to Sammy's bar at Kuta beach to catch up with our other friends to organize arrangements for tonite at Legends for Christmas in July.
Legends was all decked out with decorations, Xmas tree and the like, father Christmas even attended and all the young ladies sat on his knee (bet he loved that) didn't ask us oldies, he doesn't know what he missed out on!!!
We had a fabulous night lots of BTF friends joined us and I think all up we had about 20 in our party and party we did, I took along the Champers, that was flowing, Tony sang Ross and I a song and afterwards had to skull a Rubber Duck, Wow!! What a feat, I believe it has about 7 or so white spirits and juices in it, it tasted great but I just know I will pay for this tomorrow. We all had the food and I have to say it was pretty ordinary but by the time I ate I didn't care anything would have tasted great.
The floor show was a bit of fun as it is always and meant to be fun, Elvis passes around roses to the ladies, makes us feel special since Santa left us out!
To all my new BTF friends Thanks for making our anniversary celebrations a success, The tilts, Belas, Mr & Mrs Dennisc, Balibec and Rissa_m, I hope we all cross paths again..
I don't know what time we got home but I think we shared a taxi with The Tilts, Denise and Alan, I know I slept well.....and wasn't sick
Thursday 26th July
Well today is our 38th wedding anniversary but the way I feel there will be no celebrating today, late breakfast and back to bed, got up at midday still feeling like I had been run over by a roller coaster.
Pulled myself together and took my DVD list to Sakura, always great service and fabulous staff, right across the road from the stadium.
Then we headed off to Sammy,s at Kuta as that is the meeting place for all our gang, a few other headaches were apparent so I don't feel so bad, I now just look bad or so they all said, most of them hadn't looked in the mirror yet either!!!
Decided we would all go to Rumours for dinner in Seminyak so arranged to meet at Sammy's by 6pm and take Taxi's.
Back to the hotel for shower and spruce up and just as we were about to leave a knock on the door, the hotel presented us with a beautiful arrangement of flowers and a cake inscribed ‘Happy Anniveries' Ms Brennan....what about Ross? Oh well the thought was beautiful and we took the cake along to the restaurant for sweets.
We had just our family and friends tonite, 14 of us in total, the atmosphere, ambience, service and food was faultless, I can recommend the Potato (Shepherds) Pie. Total cost for everyone with drinks including Imported Red & White Wine was 450.000rp each couple which I thought was excellent value, I had only one drink an Illusion..still feeling a bit off!!
Hula Club for the late show, the girls were all over Ross, You know the other night it seemed funny as he lapped it up all in the spirit of things, tonite I seem embarrassed by it all, do you think that was because I was sober and hadn't had my Club drink?
Home by midnight, I really need this sleep.....
Friday 27th July
Managed to enjoy breakfast this morning, no hangover and I must say the brekky at Ramayana is fabulous, a buffet fit for a feast and your eggs are cooked as you wish.
Today we are doing the trip to Carrefour as everyone from BTF have raved over it, I agree it is great but its not like you can just purchase a new Teli or fridge and pop it in your hand luggage. A lot of the shops are still vacant and are preparing for opening but all in all you can get the same stuff at Discovery or Matahari, I did manage to get some Roxy leather purses on sale for my granddaughters and a nice pair of gold sandals from the dept store, probably wont bother going again, except maybe to get that translator that Dennisc got but that's all. I have to say I was a little disappointed.
Neil, Annette, Des and Annie all left this morning, will miss our afternoon drinks at Sammy's in Kuta.
Went to the S&S bar at Legian this afternoon to meet with audinary for her arranged drinks. Alan and Denise (Tilts)arrive, Mr & Mrs Dennisc arrive, 4.30 no audinary, had she forgotten her own drinks meet and greet, but aud finally arrived with hubby and 2 boys totally unfazed by time, her hubby said he thought she did well getting there only 40 mins late, I asked for a note, ha ha then all had a few club Bintangs with other members. Audinary's kids were having temporary tats put on, quite large ones at that, I did warn them about these but were quite confident that it was okay as the kids had had them before. As I found out the next day from Dennis that the kids had a reaction almost immediately, so aud if you are ready this I hope everything faired out well for them, poor little darlings.
We left to go for a quick shower and then to Papa's for dinner, I just love this place right on the beachfront, the ambience, the waves breaking in the background, the beautiful music that was being played by the resident band was enchanting, the staff made you feel welcome and the food well that is superb.
Tony is pretty crook with the flu and Maddy has to visit the loo regularly, but everyone had a great time, I ordered A special Papa's coffee for Linnett and Denise, what a blast it is a special ritual that is performed by the concierge guaranteed to have everyone in fits of laughter except those who are partaking, if you are there do yourself a favor and order one but it must be done at the table, I'm not going to say any more or I will give it away, just try it, it's only about 45000 each.
Pappa's is a little pricey and our bill was 1.4 million for 5 adults and 3 children including drinks, entrée's, main and some sweets plus the coffee.
I always say you get what you pay for and at Pappa's you get that little extra.
Missed seeing my beloved Eagles but heard they won easily so called into the Stadium for a nightcap on the way home with the Tilts.
When I was at the S&S bar I purchased 20 pair on sunglasses from a young lad for 15000 a pair, just thought I would let you know, great price.
Well that's another few days done, am I boring you yet? Next few days tomorrow..untill then happy reading