Well we where up early and our driver Made picked us up for the trip to Taro. We drove through many small towns where everyone built stone sculptures, was really interesting to see and amazing they are all just left inthe front year but no one steals them. As we got closaer to ubud region we saw many timber sculptures working in their sheds on the side of the road also many rice terraces. They where cutting the rice and drying on tarps right on the side of the road. Was really intertesting for the kid to see how the white stuff we buy in packets is grown and harvested. Kids where excited. There only experience in seeing an elephant is from behind the fences at Taronga zoo, which of course we love but just differnt beiung able ot get up close and personal at Taro.
We arrived safely and checked in at desk for our pre booked visit and elephant safari. Some people would say expensive but what we got for $136USD was something money can't buy in Australia.
First up we fed the adult elephant, had some photo's and gave them a pat. Then there was an elephant show which I wasn't expecting at all. The elephants made a train, walked the plank, shot some hoops and even a hoola hope got a work out. The we got to take our elephant safari. My daughter went with dad and me and my son boreded the second elephant. The guides sat at front on elephants neck. They where just hugh and moved slowly but gracefully. The safari ride is through a set track through the bush. We saw lots of birds and cows and passed through land which appeared to part of a local village. My daughter was all smiles and my son relaxed once he realised he wasn't going to fall off. We stopped along the way for photo's. The ride went for about 30-40 minutes. At the end they elephants walked into the water to cool down, we had more photo's and then back to the on off platform.
We then headed over to see the baby elephants. The keeper encouraged the new baby Risky to come over. WOW we all got pat Risky, shake trunk and then keeper gave us some food, maybe chopped up turnips or something like that and the baby elephant took the food from our hand with his trunk and out it in his mouth. The other 2 baby elephants also came over and joined in. Their mums where close buy in the same pen. We spent about 15 minutes patting all the baby elephants and they where just so happy to hang by the fence with us. I still can't beleive we got to do that. My kids were all smiles. We didn't book for lunch there as I had made other plans so a quick visit to the gift shop as the kids wanted something to rememeber the day and then we left Taro. Made was waiting and took us to Cafe Wyan in ubud for lunch. WOW, hubby recons that the nasi gorang there was the best of the trip. The chilli sambal was fantastic, I had to say the same about my nasi campur. The setting was fantastic, Staff lovely. On the way out hubby come out of toilets and has taken a photo as the toilet has a big bath full or flower petals and a little fountain. Not something you see everyday at a restaurant. I could tell he was getting used to the idea of Bali. Everything he saw he would say driving Bali style, toilets bali style, scaffolding bali style.... by the end of the trip even our driver Made would point something out Bali style.
We had a quick stop at the ubud markets but they where just so big didn't know where to start. we grabbed some cushion covers and a table runner. Daughter bought some more frangipani hair clips...how many can one girl need. We wanted to look at some paintings but the kids had really had enough and it was pretty humid so we decided to call it a day. We headed back to town, stopped at indographics to pick up a banner I had ordered and then back to the hotel, just in time for happy hour and a swim. We had an easy dinner at the hotel and a few more binnies before calling it a night. Must say hotel was pretty peaceful. Great family hotel never seemed crowded.
Next day, Thursday, was my 40th. I didn't wnat a party so that is why I decided to go to Bali for the big day. We decided to have a pool day and chillout. I had bought the kids some blow up tubes and balls at carefour so they played the day away. The hotel also had boogie boards for the kids to use and some volley ball nets and balls etc. We ordered some lovely club sandwiches for lunch and I popped across to green garden for a lomi lomi massage, was great at 180,000 for 1.5 hrs. Back to the deck chair for a relax. I had a bootle of wine so the lovely staff bought me a glass and some ice. Nothing was too much trouble.
After a relaxing day in the sun we headed to la lucciolla to watch the sun set and enjoy a great meal. Now my kids had got a bit of sun despite all the sun block. The staff at la luciolla got them a napkin filled with ice to cool down and fussed over them all night. The sercvice was outstanding. Just as I thought I might like something else they where there. Filling glasses and taking care of everything. They even sang happy birthday to me when I got my pudding for dessert and the chef a has written happy birthday in chocolate. Was really nice. All of our meal was delicious and I would recommend for a special occasion. It wasn't cheap by bali standards at about 2,200,000 but we did have a bottle of wine, 2 courses for me and huuby with coffee and the kids had a meal and dessert. After dinner we had a walk along the beach and the kids bought one of those flying led light things to play with on the beach. It was a great day followed by a great night, some thing I will always rememeber. When we arrived back at the hotel there was a birthday cake in our room from the hotel too.
Next day we had a lazy start the wines from night before helped me sleep in. I had to do a bit of work stuff to do so hubby hang out with the kids. After breakfast we dropped them up the street in Tuban so they could get a few more dvd's and they also booked a table at Queens of India for dinner, They got the best table in the house and where excited to tell me they had dinner all arranged. They walked back to hotel and survived. Hubby said it was simple he only went to DVD shops as the price if fixed and the rest of the way home he said no thank you.
Made drove me to my appointments to arrange a few things for my business back home. When I returned kids had had a great time swimming had fanta at the pool bar and hard rock ice cream at the hotels own ice cream bar.
We walked along beach path and cut through one of the big hotels to get to Queens of India. Food was lovely. I had eaten their last year and again was not dissapounted. The samosa's where so good we ordered a second lot. Nice cold beer and watched the world go by. Dinner was baout 450,000 with a few drinks we ordered 4 entree 2 mains and 3 rice. My daiughter had spotted the horses and carriages in the street earlier and was desperate to get one home. We had bought our apples from our hotel room as a treat for the horses. Negotiated 60,000 for a 5 minute trip, too expensive I know compared to a taxi but we where on holidays and wanted the kids to try all these special things. Also thing are worth what you are willing to pay and we where more than happy. So along we went, in the night all the cars and lights in our horse drawn buggy back to the hotel. The kids loved it and of course had to get a few snap shots for the holiday diary.
Hope you are enjoying the read, more to come tomorrow.