DAY 8
This morning our friend Nyoman (from Nirvana Restaurant) picked us up to take us to his new house in Keroboken. Last time we saw it, it wasn't finished but now it is completed and they are very proud of what they have achieved. It really is spacious and modern. We are so happy for them as they have worked really hard. Nyoman's wife Luk used to work in a boutique but is kept busy now washing the linen for the restaurant.
We had lunch at Passagard, Turkish restaurant, in Dyana Pura St. The food was average but largely due to not being sure what to order. However the owner was wandering in and out of the reestaurant and not once did he look at a customer or offer a smile which I thought was a bit off putting.
Dinner was once again at our favourite UN's in Poppies Lane. Some friends were going home tomorrow so they wanted to catch up with the staff one more time before home. Always a good meal here and excellent service. On the way home we got a taxi drive that didn't know where to go which became obvious when we sailed past Dyana Pura. If we hadn't being paying attention we could have finished up in Tabanan!!! Because he couldn't speak English and I only have a limited Indonesian it became a system of me touching his left shoulder to turn left and right shoulder to turn right. After many more kilometres than needed we arrived in front of our hotel, only to have him stall the motor right in the middle of a huge puddle. Luckily the security guards came out and pushed him until he could get it started again.
DAY 9
Walked up JL Raya looking for Haveli shop. Finally found it and hummed and hahed at the lovely table settings etc. However they didn't have the right colour for my home. Probably just as well judging by the prices. We had lunch at Mannekepis which was very pleasant sitting on the verandah watching people walking by looking all hot and bothered.
Dinner was at Mozzerella in Padma St. They were packed out so we were seated at a table with another 2 couples who were also not together. It turned out to be nice meeting new people and chatting. Food was very nice and their creme brulee was delightful.
DAY 10
This was a huge walking day - what do they say about mad dogs and Englishmen going out in the noon day sun??? Hmm we started at the ebach end of Double 6 as I wanted to check out a jewellery shop. Of course it was closer to JL Legian end but no matter, looked at all the interesting shops along the way and even bought 2 watches. Then we walked down JL Legian until we turned up Rum Jungle Rd, then into Padma Utara, Padma St and up the beach road till we got to Lanai where we stopped to have lunch. Lanai has the most delicious spaghetti bolg. We checked out Niksoma Hotel as we have booked there for February and we were impressed with what we saw.
Because it was raining hard tonight we ate closer to home at Panterei Greek Restaurant. The ambience of this restaurant is lovely and the food is always great.
DAY 11
Today we went to Tiara Dewata department store in Denpasar. I always buy my Martha Tiller here, some toys for the grandies and some clothes. From there we go to Ramayana where I am in heaven at the sight of all those shoes. Ted always wants to know why I buy so many when I only have 2 feet and 7 days in a week - what do men know!!! After Ramayana we went to Carrefour where we bought a floor mat and fancy bowl for Nyoman's new house. We also bought joggers for our daughters, more toys for the grandies, books and a painting. The painting is a combie van with a surfboard etc - really nice for the ensuite.
Tonight we went to one of our fabourite restaurants, Sorisso in JL Drupadi. I don't like to bag restaurants but unfortunately it has lost its way. They advertise they are Italian but the menu has been changed and there is not much Italian on it at all. There was no-one else there which should have warned us perhaps. We both had different meals but were both off colour all night and the next day. Both our meal choices appeared to have been reheated and not freshly cooked. I wouldn't be surprised if this one undergoes a revamp in the near future.
DAY 12
We caught a taxi up to Manto's in Pettingetit planning on having lunch there but because we weren't on top of the world and it was extremely hot we decided to go back to the hotel after having one drink. Later in the day we ventured over to Carla Spa where Ted had a massage and I had a facial, haircut and we both had the fish spa. Feeling rejuvenated we went to ME'NU for lunch which was lovely. For dinner we went to Bestest Cafe for a light snack.
DAY 13
Today our driver took us to Ubud to Ibu Oka 2 so that we could all try suckling pig. Wow this was fabulous, I am so glad we did it finally. For the special meal it was only 30,000rp and it consisted of a bit of everything from the pig as well as rice and vegies. Very filling too.
We spent the afternoon lazing in the pool or reading etc. Went to Nirvana for dinner again so that we could give Nyoman his present as our holiday is drawing to an end.
DAY 14
Shopping day today in Kuta/Legian. Stocked up on dvd's and the obligatory singles, etc. Went to Sita Fashions and bought some gorgeous parrots and a kookaburra metal art for our patio fence. I always manage to find something new here. We had lunch at Blue Skyz again and drinks at Pub Bagus, both great spots to watch the world go by. Dinner was again at UN's so we could say goodbye to our friends.
DAY 15
Ted, being a Collingwood supporter, had a new tattoo of a magpie done at Mr Dolphin near the art markets. While he was having that done I went shopping. Bought some nice watches at a shop next door to the stadium, an Aussie Flag dress for Australia Day, some cushion covers, placemats and table runner from the markets, Scholl sandals from Sogo and scarves and key rings from Bagus watches.
We had lunch at Coco's in Discovery which was quite disappointing after hearing some good reports. I felt the food was too plasticky and very McDonaldish!!!
After lunch we went back to Seminyak to Carla Spa where we had wonderful foot and leg massage, fish spa, pedicure. Following this we went next door to the new espresso bar and had a totally decadent icecream sundae.
We saved our last dinner for La Sal, Spanish restaurant on JL Drupadi. La Sal is expensive but still cheaper than back here. The setting outside is gorgeous but because it looked like rain we were sat inside. Luckily as about 8.30 it absolutely poured down. One poor man had the lovely job of standing to one side holding an umbrella for any lady who wanted to go to the toilet as it was flooded down the little path. I had garlic prawns done in truffle oil and it was superb. Then I tried the Waygu beef medallions and it was melt in your mouth stuff. Ted had Spanish meatballs for entree and twice cooked shoulder of lamb for main. The cocktails here are yummy as well as their raspberry margaritas. We normally walk back to the hotel as it is only 200 metres down the lane but because of the rain we thought we would take a taxi. The taxi driver wanted 200,000rp for that short distance and when we offered to pay him 50,000rp he wouldn't come down in price so we started walking. It must have looked funny 4 people walking in the rain with a taxi crawling along behind tooting his horn, yelling out different prices every couple of minutes. By the time he had come down to our price we were outside our hotel so we just waved and went inside and he drove off with no fare. Price of greed!!!!
Next morning we woke to find it still raining and the hotel grounds were awash with water everywhere. Our driver decided to take us to the airport earlier than planned incase of traffic holdups due to the flooding at Sunset Rd intersection. Luckily he did as we were stuck for quite a long time.
In all we only had a couple of meals that were not acceptable and that happens anywhere. Holidays take so long to get here and then they flash by at a rate of knots. We are now counting down until we can go again. I think it is mainly the wonderful smiling people that have made their way into my heart that keeps me returning year after year. We feel so priveledged to have been accepted into their families without hesitation and I always look forward to their letters, text messages, etc which keep me smiling until we are face to face again.
Thanks for reading my ramblings, it might not be very interesting to you guys but it helped me to relive and remember the time we had in beautiful Bali.
Regards Jeanne