Hi again. Well as you may have seen we'd been pretty busy. This particular day I went AWOL and booked into Secret Garden Spa on Legian for the works. Don't know what everyone else was doing just needed some time out Bali style.
Had the massage, body scrub, yoghurt thingy moisture rub, flower petal bath, facial , maincure and pedicure. Ahhhhhh that's better. I opted out of the cream bath for a shampoo and blow dry instead. Man that was good. Whole lot was about 240.000rp and took three hours.
I was in a hurry now as I had an afternoon outing planned for the group. Traffic was jammed up bad had no choice had to get a motorbike transport. Wahooooo! Back to Hard Rock in no time. Was murder on the new hair style though especially the helmet.
Ketut was sick so I had to get 3 more transports sorted. I just walked across to the beach and yelled TRARNSPOTTT! and quick as a flash I had it sorted and at a great price.
We met at 3.30 and headed for GWK cultural park. This was great but I wish I'd had more time to look around. Next we went to Uluwhatu for the Sunset fire dance (kecak) and of course to see the most spectaular unmissable views around. I'd like to go there alone and spend more time enjoying the views - we were a bit hurried trying to get a good spot for the dance. Much activity in the actual Temple as it was a full moon.
We ended up in the front row which was great for the kids. The Kecak dance is really fantastic. Some thought the hour was too long but for me it was just right. I definitely would have preferred to have viewed it from the comfort of a bean bag but never mind. Great array of costumes - won't say too much about it but I'd go again.
My only conflict here was that the dance is on during the sunset so you can't watch both. As most will know there are monkeys there with quite the reputation for naughtiness and this was demonstrated well. Not on our group but we witnessed a few alterfications.
Next day it was time for the younger tougher set to go to Waterbom park while we did some serious shopping. Mataharis was having a big sale so we went to town. We actullay went to the Kuta Square one and the one at Gallleria out on the Bypass road. We got some wonderful bargains. The prices were great in the first place but then had a further 30 - 60% knocked off. This even applied to many of the cosmetic counters so I cleaned up for my Husband on Calvin Klein after shaves and got them all in gift sets as well. We ahd Ketut's Matahari Card which gets him points that he caneventually claim a gift with. Man last time we calculated we'd put over 7 million rp on it. It was a real trick locating the card every time you eanted to pay for soemthing. Thank God for mobiles. We hope he gets something nice out of it. He genuinely thought we were kidding when we said about 7 million. He'll see. One family bought all new luggage just as an example of expenditure that day.
While at that Galleria I bought a polar fleece balnket with Scooby Doo on it. It measures about 1.5m x 2m and was only 31.000rp. Wasn't sure who I'd bought it for as I thought the kids would think it was too baby. No - not at all. They now fight over it. I went back to get another one a few days later but that stall had packed and gone - spewing.
My Husabnd's 40th was upon us and he'd been in the dark about where we would go. It was a very dignified affair at the wonderful KORIE'S in Poppies II. Our group scrubbed up and we went and feasted and enjoyed a lovely meal and a goofy present giving ceremony. It semmed so expensive compared to all our cheap eats but in fact was a quarter of the price of what you'd pay at home. Of course you'd never find anywhere as nice at home. The food was so good one in the group photographed every plate. We weren't to touch it until the photo had been taken, this included the drinks and garlic bread.
I've not mentioned too much before about restaurants due to the fact that I had a comprehensive list of places listed but didn't get to most. We found ourselves stuck on a few near the hotel and eating a little more spontaneously. Here's a quick list.
Tree house in Poppies one - Cheap and great
Kububku """"""" - cut above cheap but a fantastic
Fat Yogis """""" - """"""""""""" nice for a change
Farjars Gang Ronta - super cheap - food just OK
The Teras Jln Legian - Very nice setting and menu - costs more
Ketupat """""" - Worth a visit - bit pricey but special
Benny's Baech side Legian - a friendly cheap cafe in a great spot
Fantastic place with tree house near Benny's - one of my best meals and at Sunset truly divine. Wouldn't you think I'd remeber the name. Right next door to the Sand Restaurant.
We ate at heap of places these are just a few. I'm big on an afternoon coffee and pancake or a juice stop so we stoppped at many. I'm ashamed to say that I walked past the Indo national a few times but couldn't get my timing right to stop in. Have to save something for next time.
Tomorrow I'll tell you about the volcano climb and the prison visit thenI'll be done. Hope you're all still enjoying this. There's always so many more details I think of but I'll just have to enjoy them over the Bali coffeee I'm about to make - Yep brought some of that home to. Think I might light some incense and play my Legong CD. Man I miss the place.
Happy Travels