i've just returned from three weeks at the ida hotel which is quite nice with lovely staff and in a great location. i love the pool and jacuzzi there. I flew through perth from adelaide this time. i did the usual things and had a wonderful time. i managed to catch up with maria nitri who is a natural healer as i rang her last time but she'd lost her phone so i couldn't contact her. she rides around on her small pink bicycle and luckily a friend saw her and she contacted me at the hotel. maria doesn't do the usual massage and this time she slathered me in a concoction of kencur which is a type of root according to google and looks a bit like galangal. it's used in cooking and as a medicine. maria wanted to give me some to bring home but i don't think she got it when i said customs might not let me bring it into oz. i'll ask around and see if i can get it here. according to maria it's good for arthritis, blood circulation and wait for it ... cellulite. she slathered the stuff on me and it felt deliciously warm while she worked on each part of me. my skin tingled and believe it or not afterwards i felt 20 years younger and my skin was baby soft (i won't say how old i am but dry skin is a bit of a problem for me). maria comes to the hotel and charges 60.000 for one hour and 100.000 for two hours but nearly always goes over time. this is starting to sound like an unpaid advertisement. she's the most interesting woman and has had a very difficult and challenging life, we have lovely chats whilst she works about lots of stuff and between us manage to sort out the world's problems if only temporarily. she is a very spiritual person and has a sixth sense and prays and meditates every day. i'm very glad to have caught up with her and now have her email addy so i can keep in touch. i also went to a local massage lady from madura at her home and she does traditional massage too. this time she used a coin on my sore bits and it felt great. sounds strange though. bali is worth going to if only for the massages, not to mention shopping, sightseeing, the food, the wonderful people and did i mention the shopping? i finally found yutz restaurant and enjoyed my steak there. i can't wait for vb to start their direct flights from adelaide and although i haven't booked yet i'll look into it soon. If you need info about the ida just ask. I stayed in room 135 in the corner and it was more than adequate. i got some interesting and very itchy bits on my leg and arm, perhaps cane mites. i also got some cajuput oil which i've read about on here so hopefully it will help with the sore knees.