5 weeks went by in some ways quickly and in some ways it seemed just to float along!
Started in Sanur with a Newbie friend staying as usual at SBVs. Great group of people as always and much laughter. I do however have one complaint about SBVs. It's about the Big Red Esky. I mean when I say "big esky" I am thinking something along the lines of the one in which the two men were found adrift North of Australia. Well on closer inspection the BRE is just not that big. I think you could just about fit one fisherman in it if he was fairly small boned and then you would definitely have to take out the ice and the beer. I know "The Medium sized Red Esky" just doesn't have the same ring and it is possible I am being a tad pedantic but it is misrepresentation....
Hello to everyone who shared our stay at SBVs. Helga is happily staying with John in Perth and says "Hi", at least I think that's what she said. Her English is truly awefull still. In fact she hardly says a word which John reckons is an inestimable quality in a woman.
After SBVs we moved on to Secret Garden Inn and Brian and John had a great time however my stay was marred a little by losing my voice. (big bonus for everyone else of course). Off to see the Doctor and then followed a macabre version of the old lady who swallowed a spider to catch a fly. I swallowed the antibiotics to cure the throat infection. I swallowed the anti nausea meds to cure the nausea caused by the antibiotics and swallowed the antihistamines to cure the allergy which threatened to block my air way and may have been caused by either of the above but my money is on the antibiotics. Had a bit of a tantrum and stopped taking the lot. I know naughty naughty must finish the course of antibiotics but being able to breath is such a lovely little luxury. (in my case some would not agree)
Things looked up from then on. I mentioned our stay in Su's Prince Cottages previously while we were still there. We will be trying one of the cute little cottages at the back next time. We have the one right next to the pool. It has a little kitchen (not likely to use that!)and a lounge area and a nice little porch. Brian wonders if it may be a bit dark compared with the rooms at the front so we will see. We moved on to Grand Kumala which we always like but it is quite hard to get in for any length of time unless you book way way ahead which is how we ended up at Su's Prince for 3 nights. After we have stayed in the cute little cottage I guess we will know which one we prefer and at least will have a fall back mode either way.
Ate a lot at Jadi Cafe as always (opposite Hotel Kumala). Still seriously good food in simple surroundings. We think it is the best Indonesian food in the area even including the beachfront restaurants. As I have said before if you want fast food it is not for you. Everything is cooked from scratch for each order. Her beer and soft drinks are cold and you can BYO wine while you wait for your meal. Ibu Sri is just a brilliant cook. Jadi is becoming very popular with a lot of repeat custom.
Good flight both ways with Air Asia. No complaints whatsoever. Very diligent in notifying of small flight time changes both by phone and email.