I forgot to mention whilst in Ubud I took myself along to my favourite spa, Verona. 1hr. Balinese massage with fruit & ginger after. Rp.60,000.Verona seems to be very busy now,so it pays to book. I noticed a new open room for couples massage. Looked nice from what I could see.Website:www.veronaspa.com
Still in Ubud we asked the wood carver at Tegal sari if he could cut our wood hoop into 2 more pieces. Great discussion on how it was going to be rejoined back home because it has to fit back together and it will then be a smaller ring. We said we will worry about that when we get home. We left it with him, went back next day to find the hoop exactly how we left it. Not cut at all....lol Never mind, off to Lovina with hoop intact.
Arrived at Aditya beach resort, Lovina. Lovely peaceful relaxing place to stay. I booked over the internet through www.indo.com We had a deluxe sea view cottage #146 Cost Aust.$26 per person, per night. We could sit on our porch looking out to sea or make use of the many gazebos situated on the lawn area in front of our cottage watching the hawkers, fishing boats going about their daily activities. Nice. The pool was nice and the dining room served good food. I will post photos soon.
Next day off to the Helen Flavel learning centre. We paid for our regular driver from Kuta to stay 2 nights in a homestay so we could use him all the time. We didn't want the hassle of negotiating prices all the time. This was the best thing we did. More later. What can I say about the great work the learning centre is doing. We met Sukadana and John. A group of children were waiting paitently for their lesson. Their lesson today was to ask us questions in English! A bit overwhelming to start but it was great fun. The girls were better than the boys....lol I had to keep reminding hubby to speak in english not Indonesian,( as he tends to do)....lol
Next off to our sponsor child Gede's(14yrs old) school with helper John. The school had a meeting so no school. Off to Gedes home to say hello and deliver presents. Back pack with pens, books, cap, t-shirt etc. This family is so poor, its so sad but we are happy we can do our bit by sponsoring Gede. John, (from the learning centre) is fabulous with the family explaining all about the sponsorship. He said the visits gives him an opportunity to check on the families, maiking sure they are ok..
Next off to the market to purchase food for the family, rice, spices, cooking oil etc. Gede needed school shoes so we bought 2 pair. Our driver Artana explained to us he has a long way to walk to school and shoes don't last long. He then explained to Gede he needs to wear one pair of shoes for a few days then wash them while wearing the other pair, then repeat the washing. A big thank you to Helen for the opportunity to give something back to the place we love, Bali.
Next day heading back to Kuta. On the way our driver Artana took us to his village to meet his parents. 1hr drive on from Lovina inland a bit. Lovely people, showing us around their house and the family coffee plantation, which also grows other fruits and spices. Its great to get into the farming areas to experience to 'real' bali. We shared a cup of tea, fruit and biscuits. We left with a bag of Salak Fruit. (I think that's what he called it) I had never tried this fruit before but is now one of my favourites. (can we purchase this fruit in Adelaide?)
We mentioned to Artana about our hoop(mosquito net) problem and in 5 minutes his father had cut the wood and supplied piping to join it back together.lol Easy as that when you have someone to speak the language for you. You should see it, it looks fabulous in my bali bedroom with bed cover and 4 pillow slips I purchased from a shop in Kuta art market. I can lay in my bali bedroom with bali music playing, incense burning dreaming of my next trip to paradise!...lol
Next, hard rock hotel & more.....