Day 7: S&S !!!
I was really looking forward to our evening on the beach, and spent most of the day shopping with the kids. Walked down to the bomb site and tried to explain to the boys as best I could about the sad events of the Bali bombing. Visited the lovely ladies in Adopta, and made a few purchases. Their sarungs are really good quality and I spent many happy hours lazing by the pool in a particular black and white number I purchased. (Covers the cellulite really well!)
Headed back to our lodgings to prepare for our S&S get together. Had to stop at internet cafe on the way to look up directions and still had no clue except that it was on the beach in front of Bali Mandira. Decided to jump in a cab and the driver took us from one end of Garlic Lane to the other and then pointed down the street and said "Down there". I didn't realize we were so close and felt a bit foolish as I was handing over the taxi fare!
Walked over to a big group of people and stated loudly "Well, this looks like a group of forumites!" at which all the people stared blankly at me. Looks like S&S isn't just a forumite gathering place, as there were a whole group of people there, enjoying the sunset that didn't know what I was talking about. Headed over to a smaller group, where I spied Bali Di, who I had met last year. It was great to catch up with her and her family. I also had the great pleasure of meeting with Frank from WA and his family, Kiwi Carol and her family, Addy of Oz, Jarrah, Nic No and I'm certain I'm forgetting someone.
What a lovely group of people, and it certainly was a trip highlight for me. Thank you, to all who we met there, for a lovely evening. It was a real pleasure to meet you all.
Sitting on the beach in wonderful company, watching the sunset and sipping Bintang, while getting a lovely shoulder massage. It doesn't get any better than that.
My husband had a funny story to tell me when we were leaving. When the lady had finished my massage, she asked if she could massage my husbands shoulders too. I told her to knock herself out, go for it. Well, apparently while she was massaging, she was whispering sweet nothings in his ear the whole time. "You sexy Australian man, I liiiiike you. You come back home with me for jiggy jig!!! i NO charge. I No tell your wifey!!" No wonder he was blushing the whole time. LOL.
Day 8:
GENEVA!!
Like my fellow forumites, I was enraptured with this place, and filled up a trolley within 2 minutes. Their products are just too nice and good value to go past. There was also lots of little knick knacks the kids could spend their money on without having to bargain. I couldn't spend more than 500,000 rp. even though I tried VERY hard. Just a word of warning, some of the stuff I brought there didn't make it back through customs. I declared it all, thinking they might just take the little drum toy, but they also took alot of bowls and a gorgeous fruit basket that I was a little upset about. Apparently the wood was wrapped in banana leaf, and even though it all looked very well treated, they had no intentions of letting us take it through. They also took hacky sacks (sp?) that my kids had brought as apparently they have seeds in them. No great loss, but next time I will know better.
As Dromo mentioned, nobody i spoke to knew where Geneva was or had even heard of it! Next time I'll remember "GENEEEEWA!"
Night time fun:
Drinking with the girls from W.A. at the GVC bar and they twisted my arm to go out with them. Left hubby and the kids doing their thing at the bar and went on my one big night out in Bali.
First stop: Hulu Cafe.
Grabbed a seat at the front and settled in for an hour of laughs. Ended up with a big Balinese drag queen sitting on my lap singing "I wanna be loved by you"! Was great fun, and I played it up in my style, giving him/her a smack on the bum and a kiss on the cheek.
Headed off to the Apache, where we got stuck into the illusions and spent the night giggling at a 50 something hippy chick throwback who had obviously partaken of too many mushrooms!
Off to Paddies for more dancing and Jam Jars (think we spilled more than we drank!) By this stage it was about 3am and we thought we'd give the Bounty a try. Walked in and straight back out again. Just didn't like the feel of the place. Something about it just didn't sit right with me. Took a cab back to GVC and sat up having latte and talking til 4:30 am. Thanks for taking pity on an old mum and dragging me out for an awesome night girls!
Day 9:
My mum and dad arrive for their 3 week holiday and we meet at Pappas for dinner.
GREAT food. Staff very attentive and friendly, very nice to the boys, and made them feel very special. Best draught Bintang in Bali !
Killer prices (especially after being used to prices at Legian Snacks!)
I think the bill was very close to 1, 000, 000 Rp. for 4 adults and three kids. We all had pasta dishes, and hubby had grilled snapper (no entrees or desserts for the adults) Kids had plain icecream for dessert.
It was nice, but as far as value for money goes, I think a little over rated! (I wasn't really complaining though as my dad footed the bill! Onya dad! )
Saw the one and only accident I have ever seen in Bali. A motorbike skidded on some gravel and swerved to miss a car right outside the restaurant while we were eating. We saw him FLY off the bike and land on the road and his bike kept going straight into the side of a van. My father ran to the scene and the guy said he was ok and got back on his bike limping and rode away! The boss from Pappas came out to the staff who were watching and told them in no uncertain terms to get back to work!
Days 10 - 16 to follow soon!
Thanks for reading!
~Shell