We are staying in Ubud for 3 nights. Lumbung Sari is a small place with only about 8 rooms I think. Hubby looked at it last year as we wanted to stay somewhere in Monkey Forrest Rd this time. Very nice and cozy, nice pool, all male staff, very close to street and central which we loved. Our rooms were good, bathroom really quite big, tv, dvd. Breakfast is included and is reasonable. Very happy here. Our son quickly made friends with staff and guys on the street, He had a lighter which gives you a shock and he made friends with that. They loved it!! The guys would then use it on their friends and got so much fun with it. He loved Ubud the best as he made so many friends here. He knew all the guys all along Monkey Forest Road around our hotel. After we have settled into our rooms we went to Venezia Spa for a massage. My favourite girl Dewa was having a day off so I booked her for Friday. Doreen is not feeling well so she has stayed back for a rest. We then went to the soccer field so Sue and I could have a practice on hubbys scooter. A bit shaky but soon we are doing a few circles and stops and starts. Maybe I think I could hire my own. Walked back down Monkey Forest Road to our favourite Café Wayan for a late lunch. So relaxing with cushions to sit on. Beautiful food and such lovely, friendly staff. Back across the road for a swim and relax for a while. Love being close to everything after the hectic rush of Seminyak and Kuta. I felt myself relax as soon as we arrived at Lumbung Sari. Ate at Kafe Suri tonight about 5 doors down. Two guys singing and playing guitars, good food.
Thursday - one week gone and one to go. Had breakfast by the pool. We hired three extra scooters for us girls. Hubby tested them all and made sure brakes worked. Had to swap a couple for better ones. Went to soccer field for another test drive. Sue dropped hers and said she didn't think she could ride one as she is not confident enough. So stepson took hers (he was pretty happy about that)and Sue went on the back with hubby. Doreen (has her own scooter in Aus)and I (never ridden before) kept ours. I was very shaky and scared but went slowly, slowly, put foot down on road and stopped when necessary. Slowly over intersections and I did get the hang of it. I can't believe I am doing this! My last words before I got on the bike were - Ok I will do it but I will not dinky anyone and take a risk with their life and I will only wear a helmet that does up properly - famous last words?? We decided to go for a ride out of Ubud in the countryside to get the feel of the bikes. Went to the village of the white Heron which is actually not far out at all except we got lost and went the long way around and back and up and around!! Beautiful scenery out there and I can actually ride ok. Back in Ubud we had lunch at Pundi-pundi. Near Tegal Sari - what a lovely restaurant with views across the rice fields. Went and looked in at Tegal Sari rooms all full so could only look around outside. Can see why lots of forumites like to stay there. Hair cream bath at Venezia - love these. Hubby off to dentist again to get his new teeth. Came back looking a million dollars!! Only cost him a few million too. Took stepson to Monkey Forest - he enjoyed that. The girls enjoyed it too - not me so much I'm a bit scared of the monkeys. We did walk in and down to the river - quite nice in there. It feels so old. Back to Cinta Bar for happy hour . After a couple of mojhito's we decide we better eat here too as don't fancy walking anywhere else now. Really friendly staff here and the manager sits with us for a quite a long time chatting away.
Friday
Had breakfast at Kajane across the road this morning. Nice change. I have been up since 5am reading in the bathroom so as not to disturb hubby. I often get up early and go out to the verandah to read or write in my diary. Today was spent shopping, massages and everyone doing their own thing. I had to drop off a box of books to the Ganesh bookshop and had a dilemma on how to get there. In the end a staff member took Sue on his bike and I rode mine. After that I dinkied Sue to the Smile shop and then to markets. I was a bit wobbly and made her get off at intersections but we managed. We all rode out to Murni's warung near the bridge to have a look later in the day. What a different type of place that is! Then checked out Indus for the view. I am really enjoying riding around. Bali is amazing that is all I can say. Jazz Café tonight. Coffee at Cinta bar and home to bed.
Three days in Ubud is simply not long enough. Last time I stayed 6 nights and even that wasn't long enough.
Tomorrow onto Sanur. Havn't been to Sanur for 33 years - wonder if I will like it.