JBR 1 - Long...........
Just getting my head around the fact life is back to ‘normal domesticity' and that I can now write about some of the wonderful times we recently experienced.
Firstly I would like to say a huge thank you to so many that shared your tips. They were invaluable and helped us in making decisions on new places to eat, new shops to find & some wonderful massages & treatments. This is my first JBR and I hope I won't bore the pants off you...
We flew Garuda from Sydney on a 10am flight after an overnight at an airport hotel. With Garuda no longer flying out from Brisbane it's a darn nuisance in having the added expense of a domestic flight to Sydney although we did use Amex points for the accommodation.
Last year we took our daughter on her first Bali experience to celebrate her 21st & like us she fell in love with it, had an absolute ball, met up with some younger BTF members at S&S & besides having time with us oldies was still party with others her age.
This year's excuse, if one needs an excuse was to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary so it was just johnnie boy & ‘the bride' as he lovingly & sometimes, not quite so lovingly calls me!
I did the usual (well on the last 3 flights after joining the BTF) and as the plane took off presented him with ‘the file'. This wee package contains many, many pages of hints I've picked up from the forum & with the odd Bintang in his hand it kept him well & truly occupied for most of the trip.
Doing the homework really paid off as some months ago I'd floated the idea of shipping some things back but the idea had been met with uncertainty & scepticism. After reading copies of the emails I had from Balistones & Cathy Sharman he was gung ho! Yippee!
Our first 6 days was spent at the Sofitel & on arrival we were pleasantly surprised to be offered an upgrade from Superior to Deluxe. The superior rooms are all on the RHS from the lobby and overlook beautiful gardens. The deluxe we were shown was on the LHS of the lobby and previously had an ocean view. Not any more! Instead we looked directly onto the rear of a rather huge new hotel which is expected to open before Xmas. Given the room size and convenience to the main pool, beach access and being able to slip in & out of the hotel without walking through the reception area we decided to accept the kind offer & hoped the construction noise wouldn't detract from our enjoyment.
As it turned out it was a great decision. We were up & about for morning beach walks before the ‘chip chipping' started and by the time we were tucked up at night time the workers had long gone.
Breakfast was included and I have to say the Sofitel breakfast is the absolute best we've had in any hotel we've ever stayed at. The variety was enormous with everything so fresh & beautifully presented. On our last morning we were pretty early & as there was only the odd guest around I rushed back to the room grabbed the camera did the Japanese thing and took photos of all the food stations. Had to show why I was returning with those extra kilos on!
Next morning H**** arrv'd and after doing the business & hooking up a DVD player we met up with Major, a great guy who has taken us on day trips and shopping expeditions on previous years.
First stop was to Sanur to Jenny's & Tootsies. I was on the hunt for Tuberose's Prada handbag. No luck but did get the first of many Glitter thongs. Wow, so comfortable with that soft satin bit between the tootsies and only 20.000.
As it was so hot we decided to do the first Bintang of the day at one of the restaurants on the beach and were approached by a chap wanting to take us out on his boat which we politely declined. He hung around for a chat & then asked me how old I was. Now I‘m not know to reply honestly to this question, but this time I did, big mistake. He looked over at JB and said ah, you much younger! My mouth dropped open & johnnie boy cracked up. For the first time in 25 years I realised gravity is showing especially when I got 'hello mumma' during the rest of the hols - bugger, need to add that MT to the list.
Onto Ramayama, got a car load of MT - gotta' fix this problem!
While there we had a yummy late lunch upstairs at the Indo stalls which only cost 14.000 including a juice, amazing.
Next stop was to be Sulewasi Street but it was jam packed with nary a park to find so gave that away until another time.
After our first day Jb & I went on our previously agreed missions. His was to relax poolside reading, hopefully lots of reading, finding ‘the spot' in a shady position, people watching, massage every day or maybe every second day, good food, lots of good food, 1st Bintang at lunch time, no mobile calls, no laptop, no work thoughts just the day to laze about with the biggest decision of the day to make, where to dine that night - occasionally accompany the bride on her mission.
The bride's mission was a tad different. I had that list! I wanted to do lots of walking walking shopping shopping massage massage & of course enjoy some great food. My list included besides the usual, that bloody Prada handbag which I never found though I did find some other beauties and then there was that special 2007 treasure, a spice box.
Last Xmas I received a gift voucher for a cooking class at the Spirit House at Yandina on the Sunshine Coast. I think it was the 5th one I've done at this fabulous place and for those of you who may holiday sometime on the Sunny Coast don't miss the treat of a lunch or dinner at this top Thai restaurant. Anyway on the table in the cooking school they had this dark timber carved box with small sectioned compartments with each compartment containing star anise, cloves, cinnamon sticks, white peppercorns etc. The fragrance from all those spices wafting around was wonderful and I was on the hunt for one just like it.
Tomorrow - working on our respective missions.....