2½ weeks in Paradise.
Desperately in need of some serious chill-out after six months of barely controlled chaos at work. Because of this, in the end had one hour to pack and yes it can be done, tho the LoML had organised her packing earlier. Ushered through immigration on to Jetstar via the aircrew/diplomatic gate (sensible official speeding up the process). Ushered off Jetstar through imigrasi via the aircrew/diplomatic gate (canny official picking up a few dollars in addition to VoA). First out of Ngurah Rai and into the Kijang of a beaming Agung, all happy to see each other again, and whisked straight up to Ubud's Hotel Tjampuhan, no problem with a midnight check-in. A soothingly vegetative week there - hasn't changed in the 20 years since we last stayed there; enjoyed it but probably elsewhere next time. 3 days at Life in Amed and then 10 days unbooked. Outdoor bathrooms all the rage in Lean and as we walked from Life to Blue Moon, we could look down into someone's at the end of Lean beach and admire their porcelain. Met a pommy pair who had stayed at Puri Dajuma near Medewi. Now we'd considered this (thanks Filo) but were deterred by the rate of 114 Euros a night. No, said Paul, check balidothotelsdotcom, so we did and got it for US$71. Had two nights at this wonderful place on Medewi cape - wish it had been longer (will be next time) in between a night at Kusnadi in Legian (standard room Au$36 a bit ordinary; superior OK but unavailable) and a couple at Puri Bambu in Jimbaran (US$45, nice room, fair pool, a bit back from the beach).
Shopping. It has been said that for men, shopping is a problem to be solved as efficiently as possible, whereas for women, it is a mystical experience to be savoured in depth. Evidence from this forum suggests that there are three types of men in regards to this issue. Those who enjoy the experience and also shop and do the housework. The only known example is dennisc and I'm not sure that I believe him. Those who believe their contribution is best made from a distance, on a seat, with several Bintangs. And those who realise that our presence is inescapably required for carrying, paying and making appreciative comments about things in which we have absolutely no interest. For hours. I'm trying to forget those two-and-a-half days. But the subsequent sex was good so I must have been convincing.
Other highlights. The Balinese, as ever. Laid back Amed, Beatiful Puri Dajumi. The Bintangs. Sails at Lean - worth it just for the view - and the food's very good. The full-on blowout at Mozaic in Ubud: 6-course degustation menu with paired wines, with champagne to start. Food and wines ranged from good to superb but not quite as consistently excellent as the reputation and price would indicate. Café Warisan in Seminyak was outstanding. Why do we obsess over food when traveling? Casa Luna in Ubud was good as ever but I thought Indus and Murni's were a little off the boil.
Back via Jetstar with the 5 a.m wake-up for breakfast. Ushered through customs via the slowest queue and, after declaring all the wooden items, last out of Sydney Airport.