JBR Weekend in Busselton
Well, another trip to Bali has come and gone for Rae and I.
Once again it was immensely enjoyable and full of wonderful surprises with a few twists and turns that kept us on our toes.
It was just a short 5 day weekend trip so, as always, I will keep our account brief and to the point ;-)
It started out with a white lie so large that we began to wonder if we could ever rationalise it. Then we realised that we were lying to our kids and they could be bought, so the pressure eased somewhat ;-). The reason for the lie was innocent enough, my parents were going to Bali and we decided to head up and surprise them for the weekend. We also wanted to visit David and Moira up at Pacung now that they have settled back into Bali and help the staff to welcome them home. This all meant that we couldn't tell the kids as they would probably, innocently enough, spill the beans to Nanna and Grandad.
The next problem became how to tell the babysitter (My Cousin) and not have the secret out through a back door. Simple in the end really, lie and tell them all that we are going to Busselton for the weekend. So we did.
The night before leaving we finally came clean with the kids and admitted we were going to Bali for the weekend...man were they dirty on us...until they started placing orders and went into a Bali stuff frenzy. You've never seen guilt lists so long in your life. They played us hard and almost won ;-)
We finally escaped from our extortionate children and headed for Perth to wait out the night at Mum and Dads place before going to the airport. We had decided to drive ourselves in and leave the car in the car park for 5 days rather than use taxis. It turned out to be quite cheap at $40 for the whole time we were gone which was about 2/3 the price of a taxi and much more convenient.
Once at the airport we took ourselves straight through to the flight deck and ordered brekkie. Whilst we were eating I noticed the flight crew boarding and saw that the pilot and engineer were having a heated discussion. The pilot was saying something about the tests on a recently fitted engine needing completion and making a circling motion with his arm. This left the engineer shaking his head vigorously and quite obviously disagreeing with the pilot's point of view.
All too soon we were racing down the tarmac and lifting off. It was at this point that things took a bit of a turn for us. The pilot came over the intercom as we climbed and announced that we would be doing some in-flight tests on a recently fitted engine. He asked that we remain seated and secure all loose objects for the next twenty minutes as he was going to barrel roll the aircraft a number of times. This brought a few tight faced grins around the cabin, but before we could have a say he was into a left hand turn that soon become a full roll with G- forces pinning us all to our seats. It was a little bit uncomfortable but was soon over.
We were still in a climb at this stage so pressure changes along with G-forces had combined to make a few people reach for the paper bags in front of them. A couple left it a little late.
Nobody had really had time to settle from our experience when the Pilot suddenly threw us into a right hand barrel roll. This brought a barrage of retching right around the cabin with not enough bags to go around. I knew right there and then I would have to get my own Bintangs on this flight, I reckoned brekkie was probably gonna be self serve too.
The hosties were still trapped in there seats with everyone else at this point and obviously could not relay to the Pilot the problems he had caused. One of the ladies released her seat belt and started for the cabin door just as the Pilot threw it over to the left again. She made a lunge for her seat and somehow managed to keep a deathlike hold on it until the third roll was completed.
If anyone has believed any of the Bullsh*t above so far then that is your own silly fault.;-0
We had a lovely flight . The plane went up, the plane flew straight and level, the plane flew down and landed.
The baby slept beautifully all the way...thanks for asking.;-)
Our mate Wayan Ruda once more greeted us at Ngurah Rai. Wayan was excited to see us and could not wait to have a cuddle of little Sienna. At one stage I thought I would have to drive, as he was engrossed in gooing and gaaing and making her smile. Rae and I quickly found ourselves checking the esky in the back of Wayan's car and, true to form, he had stocked it with Binnies and ice...what a guy;-)
He eventually gave Sienna back to her Mum and drove us towards the Bali Rani to surprise Mum and Dad. It was wishful thinking on my part that mum wouldn't be out shopping in the middle of the day, but it was worth a shot.
When we found they were out we asked the staff not to mention we had been and headed off towards the Bali Ayu in Seminyak. We had read a few reviews about this little place but still had no real idea what to expect.
Turning into Jln Petitenget was a pleasant surprise. It had a feel of a more 1980's Bali to me. No kerbing on large stretches of the road, rice paddies and farmland between the buildings and happy smiling faces without boxes of watches to thrust under your nose. Without even seeing the hotel the area already had won us over.
The hotel itself is a little surprising. First glance from the road gives you that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. I had been warned of this though and knew it would get better...and it did.
The property itself is only about 20 meters wide but is about 200 long. It has a small path down the left hand side from which you enter into the courtyard you share with your upstairs neighbour.
We were initially put into a suite, as our standard room was not ready. These are a wonderful size with King Bed, seperate sitting/kitchenette area and semi open-air bathroom. I would quite happily spend a much longer time in rooms like these.
The pool itself was not huge but certainly adequate for the amount of people staying at the property. Unfortunately there was no swim up bar, but if you ask nicely the staff will wander your drink over to you ;-)
Soon after arriving at the Bali Ayu David and Moira turned up to have a welcome drink with us. They were down from their hotel in the mountains at Pacung to put the finishing touches on their Villa in Kerobokan that they are about to start renting to holidaymakers. They had their hotel manager Wayan Astawa with them which was a great surprise for us to see him again. Wayan has not only become a great friend but has also earned our great respect for they way he handled David and Moira's hotel and restaurant during their long absence. He certainly proved a few of the knockers wrong.;-)
After a few cold ones had been upended they headed for the hills again, leaving us to relax around the pool and chat with some of the neighbours. This was followed by a great feed of Nasi Goreng, Mie goreng and Mixed Sate at the pool bar. Great way to start a holiday.
Before long it was back into the mix down Kuta way to catch up with my very surprised parents and have a feed and a few beers at the Green Garden Restaurant.
We hadn't been there before and quite enjoyed it. Lovely food, good service and cold beer. Just what the doctor ordered.
Dinner was walked off down Jln Kartika until it was time to make our way back to the peace and serenity of Seminyak.
Sitting with a nightcap on the front porch we decided that we liked the area very much. No traffic noises could be heard, just a few frogs in the distance and the occasional gecko chiming in with his point of view.
Slumber soon beckoned as a long day caught up with us.
Aaaaa an uninterrupted sleep... haven't had one of those for a while ;-)
CBE
Cracker, Rae and Sienna