So on Wednesday we were picked up by our driver and taken to the orphanage at KlungKlung. On the way, we stopped at Cabang Supermarket in Gianyar - so much cheaper than in Kuta! We bought 80 toothbrushes and 30 toothpaste for $15!!! Bought some other bits and pieces and then went on our way.
The message wasn't lost on our 3 boys - thank goodness! The orphanage was well enough presented and Made the headmistress was lovely. however, we went from air conditioned Kuta and car to no air con, very small and basic facilities and i think the boys started to realise how tough life is for these people. However, we were warmly welcomed, our gifts were well received and the boys made friends with some of the kids. I was told before we left for Bali that Made looked after 60 deaf and normal hearing children. She actually looks after 87!
Then we went up to Mara Lodge which was just fantastic. It only cost us $60 more to stay at the lodge than it would have just to get in to the park. Great room, fantastic meals, awesome park - I just love it. the boys played with Leonie the Lion cub on both days. She is only 4 months old as is just gorgeous!! She was wide awake when we went back to see her yesterday morning and took on my 4 year old who thought she was the best!!! The elephants were fantastic. there is a 6 month old baby there at the moment that we spent ages feeding. he was quite frisky and decided to wrestle my hubby (the elephant won and Jason walked away with a sore shoulder!!). By the time we got down to Ron the Orangutan there was a long queue, so we didnt' get to spend much time with him.
Started raining in the evening - a welcome relief. Poured down Thurs morning and it was lovely to walk around in.
Oh yes, the night safari!!! Do it!!!! We were only charged for 4 of us and were taken out in a private vehicle at 6:30pm. Each of us had a bucket of carrots and the zebras know fine what this is all about!! They were not shy at all and before we knew it, we had 4 huge heads stuck through the car windows asking for carrots!! Amazing. There was a little one too who needed a bit of special feeding. Waht an experience! It was so worth the money and I would do it again in a flash.
when we got back to KTH yesterday, the stepson (of course) had developed a middle ear infection. I had read on here that antibiotics were expensive over here, but he had a trip to the clinic, antibiotics, psuedephadrine and ibuprophin - all up $35.
Today we just relaxed a bit more. At that 'middle of the holiday hump' where we all get sick of each other and need to spend a bit of time on our own! I got my hair cut and coloured at johnny Andrea in Bali Mal galleria - $30 for full head of foils, treatment and cut.
Did a bit of shopping, Spiderman watches 25 000, Jimmy Choo purses 80 000, Jimmy Choo handbags 200 000 - 300 000. Did some clothes shopping at the local shops - they are all saying they are very quiet at the moment. The streets don't seem as busy as i was expecting. Ramadan finished this week and lots of visitors for that (mainly Javanese) have now left.
Dinner at Kuta Steakhouse was great. Lovely steak. Boys had prawns, chicken parma, spag bol. All up $40 for 5 of us. Will be going there again!!
I am really tired and can't think of anything else of use, so please ask any questions if you think of anything.