Left bloodyron's little piece of bliss early for the short drive back to the hustle & bustle of Kuta.
Looked around for a room & ended up at La Walon next door to Masa Inn. The walk-in rate (after hubby bargained) was far less than that on the brochure - Rp235K double & Rp210K single (inc taxes & a basic brekky which I didn't have) and single I was to be the next day. The very cheap price may've had something to do with building works going on on one corner but there was very little noise & it was interesting sitting on the balcony watching the work progress. Very big room with 55 channel TV, 3/4 size fridge, good storage, extremely efficient aircon & hot water. Door at the back to allow air flow with views down into a Balinese family's backyard - interesting. Nice staff. Big pool. There are cheaper rooms without aircon & more expensive ones, including family suites. Would happily stay there again.
Last day with D before he returns to his surfing mecca. A light lunch at Poppies (saving room for a pig-out at Un's for dinner). My papaya boat with prawns, avocado, mango & mushrooms (Rp52K) was pretty good & even better after I stole some tangy hot dressing from D's Thai beef salad (he wasn't impressed - too much beef & not enough salad).
Had a pedicure - loved it. Picked up glasses - OK.
I haven't mentioned that at Un's you are given an icy cold hand towel on arrival as well as a small frozen margarita (arak based & yummo) and an amuse bouche of a chicken perkedel with 3 sauces swirled around. We both ordered the snapper - it's a thick piece of fish covered in very thin crisp potato "scales" on a bed of potato mash with a delightful sauce. I always have it. (D had previously had the pork fillet medallions which were excellent). Cream Catalan for us both and hubby also had a panacotta, the piggy. Sated, we waddled back home. With beers & 2 frozen margaritas it was less than Rp350K - a bargain.
D's flight didn't leave til the afternoon. Went to pick up ring but not ready. Next to Centro to make an appointment to have my hair done at Johnny Andrean - appointment not necessary (but when I went there in the arvo it was chockers - best to go there in the morning - opens at 10am). Then to Kuta Galleria to check out Dr Rudy & make an appointment - again, no luck - open from noon til 8pm. Bought donuts from J Co & WOW - best donuts ever, way better than Krispy Cream. Stocked up on Breadtalk too.
After seeing D off, I felt sad & lonely & in the need of pampering so went back to the hairdresser. Nice, good & cheap. Colour & cut for Rp156K (had quoted more but I'd had the roots done 3 weeks earlier). The head massage was so good that I asked the gorgeous young guy who did it to marry me (he declined, sadly). Best cut I've had for many a yonk. Highly recommend this place. I think it's part of a chain - like Maurice Mead here in Perth.
Took more things to Janoko Tailor for copying & was extra careful about fabric this time. Six items all in linen for Rp730K. I was pleased with the result 4 days later. This time I dealt with a guy around mid to late 30s who was more interested & cluey than the much younger guy I saw originally. ADVICE go there around 10 in the morning - it gets very busy later.
Went to Animale Factory Outlet. Although I usually buy up big there nothing much took my fancy this time. Apart from a necklace & shoes I only bought one top, which I loved. Wore it out that night & being a slob I got some food on it, so back in the hotel I washed it in cold water, on hanger to dry. In the morning it looked smaller - and it was. The top that had fitted loosely didn't fit at all. Back to Animale Factory. The owner was there & I guess she'd heard it all before (in which case why does she still continue selling inferior fabric?). Readily changed my size 1 for a size 3. Rinsed it in cold water & again it shrunk hugely. So back yet again - got a size 5 - huge on me - and by this time I really couldn't face going back yet again if it shrunk, so didn't bother washing it - it's in the huge pile of things to be washed in my laundry here. ADVICE - if you buy crinkly fabric clothes from Animale with the brand Tara Vao wash them before you leave. Oh & BTW, Animale factory is moving in September to Jl Raya Seminyak next to Bintang Supermarket.
For my 5 days alone I mainly just shopped & ate but every day there was another installment of the ring saga which became so stressful that I was having trouble sleeping. Made an appointment with Dr Rudy by email, had my teeth cleaned by a very gentle lady there (Rp400K) & was quoted Rp8 million/tooth for implants which are only done at the surgery in Denpasar.
I bought several pearl things from Wallace Pearls in Jl Pantai - incredibly cheap & well worth a visit. Great gifts as no one at home will believe you've paid so little for something so classy.
On my last night I returned to Un's & had a half serve of the Quatro Pasta (Rp39K). Three sorts of ravioli - 2 of each with different fillings (chicken, bolognaise, spinach) & each with a different sauce with a pile of 6 gnocchi in the centre. Excellent. I also ordered garlic bread but couldn't eat it - yummo but too much. My fave Cream Catalane (a Spanish creme brulee with a slight tang) to finish & I was very happy. I have always felt comfortable eating alone there.
Ate a lot at Bamboo Corner because the food is good value, it was close (so if I needed to go to the loo, I could just dash back to the hotel (dunno what the loo there is like now but it was well below par last trip) & I didn't feel awkward being alone. The internet place directly across is very good. Spent some time strolling around Seminyak, checking out the very different shops there. Love the funky but expensive end of town.
I took antiseptic hand wipes & we used them always before eating.
The 2am flight home was horrid. It's still a too recent vile memory to describe without trauma but suffice it to say that I was there very early, figured I'd have enough time to check in then relax in the Premier Lounge. By the time I'd checked in there was only an hour til boarding.
Reflections next.