Thought I'd do this now as I'm back to 7 straight shifts on thursday.
Not happy about being home after 2 beautiful weeks doing as little as possible. Did the Syd/Darwin/Denpasar route going over with Jetstar and couldn't fault it. Bought my Duty Free in Darwin and had a couple of those little Baileys between Darwin and Bali,also filled my water bottle with another litre of Baileys leaving the empty in the Ladies loo! Saved approx $100 each, which paid for the most welcome VIP on arrival. I had checked flight stats & 4 planes arrived within a short time of each other so we felt it was money well spent. Sailed through customs with a cursory blink by the customs guy ( with my 4 litres of merlot and extra baileys safe in my case!)
Stayed at the Melasti in Legion this time and felt it was good value for money. Rooms a little musty at first but ok after a good airing. The ground floor superior pool view rooms are a good size and incl table and lounge chairs and a little veranda. Breakie was included in price and was fine! The big pool was OK but got a bit warm in the afternoons (it was either from the sun or the pool bar hogs??)
I loved being so close to the beach and managed most mornings to do the 'walk' along with so many other early risers. Lots of dogs on the beach this time of day but happy to play with each other and not bother anyone. Locals throwing nets to fish, and children spending time with their family. Watching the sun rise and the beach come to life each day is a beautiful Bali experience for me.
Ate far too much and now need to say hello again to my bag of shakes! Ate at mostly little joints like yogji and il Monde in padma ultara, and tom yum and basil leaves in kuta (Still do the best green curries in Bali). Also ate at Zanzibar and Mozzarella and Kuta steakhouses. Can't say I had a bad meal while away. Great cocktails at Oc_ean for happy hour as well with friends. Found the coldest Bintang in Bali (sorry Bagus Pub) but the Logi supermarket in Padma Ultara has the bottles in a freezer and they are perfect temp!(and good price) Sat outside here and was entertained by a few of the street children. They are really beautiful kids who have a story to tell when you get past the BS. We had a party one day with them and watching them go in and choose their own drinks was priceless. I'm now the owner of so many rope bracelets but feel special when I look at them and remember!
Finally met 'Bloodyron' who is delightful! Thanks for the hospitality and the bintangs, and the SBV is a lovely, peaceful retreat! Also met Imagem to give her a pile of dressings and medicines for a fundraiser she helping with. (Glad to get rid of the crutches !!) Spent several hours at Sanur beach with her and 2 other ladies from the BCF. Had a catch up with some of the BTF's on 8th march at S&S. WHERE were you Wharfie????? We had plans for you and you went and spoiled them(...) It was great to meet Hoolz and Mama Jo who are delightful people and Smudge who is one selfless person! The privledge was mine!! And to all the other forum folk there thanks for the funny night at mozzarella after S&S.
By the way I will post the picture of a sun-tanned Hoolz doing a bit of tightrope walking as soon as I find my camera - a sight to behold I can assure you! And Dennis C mounting a bike after a few cold ones!!
Had a few occasions to visit my shrine to the cats in the AFL room at the KTH and hope I can add to it after September (...). My friends loved their slushie frozen vodka's!
The only rotten thing on this holiday was the young son of my friend catching most probably Dengue Fever. He came down really sick with fevers, sweats, purpuric rash on body and headache. Also had v & d and became so dehydrated that his mother went to the doctor at the Bintang supermarket and with a bit of convincing came back with IV fluids, line, cannula etc. (I now believe you can buy anything in Bali LOL, for 85000 Rupiah got the lot) Never thought I'd play the nurse in Bali but there I was cannulating and rehydrating in the hotel room. The cleaner didn't really know what to make of it but took off quick after a good look. Anyway what a difference some fluids made, and we were able to get him home OK without the ordeal of a hospital visit. There were a lot of mosquitos around, it rained on / off intermittently although I'm one of the lucky ones they just don't bite!
Did a bit of shopping towards the end when the text messages started arriving with requests for DVD's, Sunnies, T-shirts etc. Had 2 leather jackets made with one of them nothing like the picture I gave them, but they had a nice one in shop stock so took that instead ( cost $100 each), had 4 pairs of leather shoes made at $25 each and bought a pile of stuff at Geneva. Won't go into the details about my episode with the toilet here, suffice to say always remember to take your own paper. However, I now know what the hose is for in the toilets!!! (don't say a word Hoolz).
Good flight home on A330 direct to Sydney but feel jetlagged today! I have the liver transplant team waiting my return to work on thurs! Now on the lookout for cheap flights in November. Enough!!!