This is the JBR of my much anticipated 'first time on my own' Bali trip for, as a few have put it, A BIG birthday!! I'd planned to fill my days with things i'd never done on previous trips like: taking an elephant safari in Taro, eco cycling, horse riding at sunset, taking a trip up to the orphanage in Tabanan and of course the usual relaxing by the pool and lots of shopping. Sorry if it's a bit long - it should of been longer!!!! I hope you enjoy.
Friday 4th Feb - Arrived at Adelaide airport with 2 lagre suitcases packed with things for the orphanage (my things were in a small carry on bag), now I new they were heavy but nearly died when told they weighed 47kg oops! Qantas were great and let it go through (the plane wasn't full). Arrived in Denpesar at midnight and within 10mins I had got through VOA & customs - I had a couple of bottles of Champagne in one of my suitcase's which was marked with a white cross but not checked.
Saturday 5th Feb - Stayed at the Sari Segara in Jimbaran overnight as I couldn't get into the Royal Bali Beach Club until Saturday; this hotel is directly opposite the beach resturant closest to the airport. Up early for a swim, had a light breakfast and went for my complementry 2 hour spa (all in the package) I recommend this to anyone on their first morning in Bali WOW.......... Booked into the RBBC (our timeshare) by midday, located in Jimbaran opposite the Intercontinental. It was great to see all the familiar faces and to be recognised by them! Relaxed around the pool for a few hours before leaving to meet others formites at S&S's for a drink - I had a map for S&S's that i'd emailed to otheres and then went and left at home....... I spent 2 hours walking up and down the beach looking for 2 caps saying Sammy and Suzie until I finally gave up (very frustrated with myself) and caught a taxi to Ma Jolle for dinner, which I highly recommend, fantastic staff, food and a beautiful sunset. If any of the guys i was supposed to meet read this please except my appologies.
Sunday 6th Feb - Lazed aroud the pool all morning (got to at least look like I've been to Bali). Went in to tuban and had a look through the new Discovery Plaza ordered some perscription sunnies from Optik Seis great Gucci frames - $160 aus, same glasses here are $340 TIP: do this early in your trip, they take a week to make. Bought some great underware upstaires at Centro for my daughter, great quality bra's equivelent to between $7-$10 aus and nickers $1.50 - $3. Went back to the resort for dinner they have a seafood night on - great night, I met some lovely people from Melbourne Rosemary & Bill and Perth Estelle & Lance - Hi Guy's!
Monday 7th Feb - 50 today!!! after the posts on this site about the Blue Point Resort and Spa I thought I'd indulge and have a full day at this place living the life of one of the Jet Set. WOW! WOW! WOW! if you can spare a day to go there you won't be sorry the view is just unbelieveable the infinity pool and view to the expance of the ocean beyond is breathtaking. I just indulged all day and was spoilt by a lovely German man with a bottle of Verve Cliqout (spelling), who had one glass with me and then left me to my day dreaming whilst sipping this great champagne. That night I went out with Rosemary, Bill, Estelle & Lance, we had dinner at Bubba Gumps - fun staff, great food and big drinks (one course is more than enough here). After dinner we walked to the Hard Rock Centre Stage to have a few more cocktails and listen to the live band for a few hours. Thanks to you guys I had a great 50th and I'd like to thank all the formites who sent sms's whether raunchy, funny or warm i loved them all.
Tues 8th Feb - Today is a day I've looked forward to for some time; I've booked with Bali Adventure Tours to go on a morning eco cycling tour and an afternoon elephant safari. I was picked up at 7.40am and we picked up another 4 on the way. It took us about one and a half hours to get to the start point where we were fitted for push bikes and helmets then we were off...... The ride was brilliant and I'd fully recommend this trip for just about anyoneas long as you can ride a bike and don't have back problems (it can be a bit bumpy in parts). It's mostly downhill so you don't need to be the fittest person on the planet. We rode through rice paddies and took narrow lanes through tiny villages were we passed children waving and calling out "hello, hello" and giving high 5's. I followed a BTF tip and took along lollies to give out to the children we passed and was rewarded with the biggest smiles. The scenery was beautiful, you see and experience so much more on a push bike than from sitting in a car. Everything was going great until I rounded a corner and saw a motorbike coming towards me on my side of the road; I swerved to miss it and put my foot down to try and prevent making a complete fool of myself by falling off the bike, (fate had somthing else in mind for me that day). The edge of the road where i happened to put my foot down was worn away, my foot buckled underneath me and I heard a crack; the next thing I remember is laying on the edge of the road in agony.
As this JBR is getting a bit long I'll finish it off tomorrow with a slightly different tilt than the usual, but I believe it's worth telling you about the care, support and efficientcy (spelling?)of the beautiful Balanise people.
Till tomorrow - Linda