Still in the first week -
Had to wait at the hotel for the very charming and efficient Helgi of MCshop to deliver my 112 DVD's. As per our e-mails he had not delivered any that would be bad quality. We agreed that some of my order could wait another 10 days so that the good copies would be available. I strongly recomnmend Helgi. So far so very good with all his DVD's. The rest of my group agree.
We then headed toward Melasti markets along Legian but were stopped at the sound of very loud Gamelan music. We were invited into a nearly finished restaurant/bar for a cleansing ceremony. We were told we could eat and drink as much as we liked and it was all on the house. There was a man dreseed in a mask etc doing the scary dance to send away evil spirits. I was loving it but my kids must be evil spirits as they were really scared. It was very dark and the music was super loud so after about 20 mins we left. One in our group waited outside the whole time claiming a dreadful headache - dreadful scardy cat if you ask me. As brief as it was it was a great experience and we now have a very similar mask for me to wear at home when necessary ( Maybe this Saturday nights slumber party ).
At Melasti we were in search of a few stalls that were mentioned on BTF. We found Haryy Butler now known as Dirty Harry and so began our purchasing of Black Market Billabong T-shirts. Man this must be the worst kept secret in Bali. Every second person is wearing one and they are avialable almost everywhere. The going rate is 40.000rp for adult sizes cheaper if you buy more. Kids sizes were harder to find but came down as low as 20.000rp. All in all we got about 40. They have a Billabong swing tag hanging off that tag at the neck line. They are also tagged on the side just above hip line and are printed back and front. There is also Quicksilver Rusty and probably more if you look. Super quality. Just boldly ask if they have balck market stock - it's that easy.
Now the next day was a treat. On hearing us discussing cooking classes Ketut piped up and suggested that his Aunty (actually cousin) did private lessons in her compound at their village in Bakas. Her price was 65.000rp per person. She likes to take only two people a a time but when the arrangements were made she was happy to take four of us for the lesson and my kids were just guests. The trip was about 1.5 hours and was an easy ride with great sights and of course a full commentary. On arriving at the village we got the first look at the orphanage that we would descened upon the following week.
The village was like any other I guess that is out of the tourist area and untouched by any Western influence. In other words superb. We were greeted with beautiful Balinese hospitality and of course a coconut with straw. We had a look around the compound which is very basic compared to others I've seen and of course clicked away like mad with the cameras. Made and her family are just beautiful. My boys were whisked away as Ketut had arranged a soccer game with the local village boys and some orphans. Again I was wondering where my children were and am I OK with this. After about 15mins Ketut returned saying the kids needed me. Panic stations but no disasters - only needed me to bring the cameras to film the action. On walking to the field I saw women and children in the drains bathing and or washing their clothes. Naked kids squealed with delight and posed for photos all the way along the lane. It was all a little surreal. When I found the kids they were playing on a patch of land about the size of a tennis court with a border of jungle on one side and a rice padddy on another. Heaps of men from the village were sitting around watching cheering and clapping and some of the rice paddy workers were walking past. I almost burst into tears. It was quite a moment for me. The kids were having such a fabulous time and man those Balinese kids can play soccer. I'd love to pit them up against a few teams back here and seee them humbled. My sons are the guns on their resepctive teams and they were having rings run around them. Anyway a couple of the most beautiful old relics were trying to speak to me and of course not a word of English in earshot. I gave a pathetic Tidak Bahasa Ma'af which seemed to send us all into sign language. They hadn't seen me take any photos and wanted me to take some of the game. I got Ketut to tell them I had and that I now wanted some of them. This became hilarious as they worked out suitable poses with rice paddy in background, then standing by pushbike etc.
Back to the compound and I was in trouble as I was lagging behind now. We cut and pounded and mortar and pessled and grated our way to culinary heaven. The bench we were working on is probably only 40com off the ground which makes all of this quite a challenge on Western posture. The cookers are at the same height. The difference between this kitchen and most over here has to be seen to be understood. While we were in heaven enjoying the extreme contrast to our own ways I can see how some might be overwhelmed by it. When we first arrived my kids and one teen whispered ther was no chance in hell they were eating anything prepared here. When it was all cooked and they hadn't eaten at this point for seven hours things changed. By the time we had washed hand and sat down at a beautifully set table with this sensational food we all feasted together. Afterwards we made desert and had Balinese tea - a frist for me and I like it. We were then treated to a 45min dance spectacular by the local village girls ranging from about 10 yrs to 14 yrs. No deatil was left to chance. They prepared for about an hour and looked good enough to perform at the palace. Just sensational. After this we went to meet Ketut's Dad in his compund and use the only western toiet in Bakas. They have made a one room with ensuite bed and breakfast deal there. It is glorious. If you want to stay in a compound in a real village off the beaten track this is your chance. I'm sure there are more in Bali but hey I'm telling this story.
The night drew to a close and it was time to go home. All of us were sad to leave but sure to return (and we did). Really a memory created to last a lifetime and are we remebering this cost us $10 Aus each. (OK we made a fairly hefty donation to a box that was for the dnacing girls but this was a free will donation).
It was time to leave Dewi Sri and move across to Hard Rock as the rest of the crew were arriving tonight. So they arrived late after a fairly ordinary Garuda flight where screens were broke, sound didn't work, lights were out and service wsa poor. I was devestated about this as I was the one raving about Garuda. they all coped OK and were glas to be in Bali. Check ins went ok but one family were put in aroom that stunk of vomit. Man it could be smelt 2 metres before you got to the door. It took 24hrs for them to be relocated which impressed no-one. I was stressed agian and felt responsible for picking HR. The main reason I did was because of the great deal we got and the fact I had to cater for 7yrs - 53yrs, first timers, and one with germ issues and a fear of Asia. Of course the one with the germ issues and fear of Aisa copped the vomit room.
The Hard Rock experience overall worked out quite well and most would return there. Meeting for our complimentary brekky each day was a great way to touch base and organise and answer all the questions. I wouldn't stay in the loft wing again as it's too noisy and that's not always the band but the Taiwanese groups. They are door slammers their kids scream all the time and they clip clop with their shoes. Meeeooow aren't I mean. No I'm just reporting what I expereinced and I could say a lot more but won't. The others were in another wing and had no problems. One couple actually slept ino ur room one night when the kids had an all night DVD fest and they were amazed by the noise we were enduring from that group.
I'll sign off here as I'm sure it's more than enough. Much more to report including my husbands 40th.
Happy Travels
Nicno