Sorted out everything we had to take that friends had given ie an assortment of toiletries, clothes new and used, firstaid supplies,stationary,toys etc which probably consisted of about 50 kgs luckily the airline had given us a waiver for some extra luggage.
Picked up by Made and headed off to Panti Asuhan Salam in Tabanan which is around 1 and 1/2 hrs away along with all the shopping we had done the day before at Makros that had been left in the car overnight.Just Hannah came along this time as my husband was having a quiet day with the humidity killing him no doubt hanging out under the aircon..
Up the narrow bumpy laneway into the orphanage found things to be fairly qiuet but it was because the directors were out for the day with a few of the younger kids somewhere. The lady who im not sure of her name who helps with the cooking etc was there and got to see her baby girl thats now about 7 months and very cute. Slowly all the other kids appeared from their rooms as not expecting us. They are always very quiet but helps to have Made there to break the ice and translate as no-one seems to have fluent english, well not enough for an involved conversation. The kids all helped to unload the car im sure which theyre most grateful for especially have a few treats to break their usual rice and green veg diet.
Bought out the photos which i always have done to enlargement size and this is always the highlight of the visit to give them the photos of themselves from the last visit.
this time i asked if theyd like me to do individual photos which ill take back to them in sept. first were apprehensive but then were really excited, they seemed to pick out their 1 or 2 best friends to pose with. Some of the older kids wanted the photos separately so managed i think to take everyones picture but havent had them developed yet so hopefully will all be ok. Had a look around the grounds again this time and seemed alittle more run down or untidy than or previous visits. As usual the cooking area extremely basic esp when having to cook for over 50.
always good for my 7 yr old to come as it gives her more insight into their life and she always manages to befriend a few of the girls while were there.
Unfortunately the kids werent able to have any of the snacks wed also bought as the Gusti wasnt there and as its just one of the unwritten rules they would have had to wait till later. As i also had some extra cash left over from what everyone had given managed to also give that which is always greatly appreciated.
On arrival back to the hotel had a text message from friends wed met the year before and who once again were staying at the Patra so decided to walk down there to have a swim.
I must say after staying at the both the Dynasty and Patra would probably choose the Patra next time. The grounds are absolutely beautiful and the pool areas great much quieter than the Dynasty especially with the views straight out to the ocean. Anyway our friends had upgraded to a 2 bedroom villa which if youve got a BIG bank accounts great.Had a tour through the villa very nice..huge lounge/dining with a bedroom either side both with their own bathrooms you could have had a party in. Thes villas looked out onto their own villa pool area. Definately recommend if you dont mind being a bit further from the shops and like more personal service and less noise etc would definately recommend the Patra.
Shortly after the rain clouds start coming over and within 5 mins the deluge starts right when we are walking across to the rest so all make an entrance like drowned rats for dinner.,but no problem had a nice dinner and great to catch up withe others who absolutely love Bali as well. Their kids now tend to go and play with the other local kids just on the bit of land next door and when they return to Bali always heaps of people waiting to see them.
Didnt have a big drinking session even though could have settled in with a few more coctails as we had an early start in th morning as we had booked a 3 bedroom house at Amed about 3 and 1/2 hrs away to try somewhere different..and get back to the real Bali..