G'day Guys
Well, it finally happened. Rae and I had what would prove to be our best ever weekend in Bali.
Now, I know that's a big statement after all the trips we've had, but to finally turn up and see the sign that simply stated, ‘Welcome to Crackers Bar and Crappatorium' was actually one of the most emotional moments we've ever had.
It may seem strange to many people that high emotion and a toilet block go hand in hand, but those that have been caught short in the middle of our favourite Island will understand ;-)
I'll start back with where we headed off with some very close mates and take you through our weekend.
The Cast; Rae, Baby Sienna and Myself. Our good mates Steve(Stroppy) and Sue (Shoppy), Gav and Fi (Shoppy2) their kids Tyler (Tudge) and Casey (Boombie)
We've all been mates since Noah was in short pants but don't get to see each other as often as we should, and they all jumped at the chance to come up for the opening of the CB&G.
The trip was booked before Oct 1st and Gav and Fi had a moment where young Boombie was a bit stressed about going after the events of that day. It was quite understandable as she is only nine but after a few days at school her mates were all quite excited about her going and she decided that Mum and Dad should take her.
After Boombie made that decision we had a final eating and drinking practice session and left each other looking very much forward to the Airport.
I told the boys that I reckoned we should have a bourbon at about 6.30am after we had checked in and gone through immigration as I hadn't travelled with mates and done that sort of thing for many years. They agreed. So as they sipped quietly on their coffees at about 6.25 am I slipped up to the bar and bought the first round.
Shoppy and Shoppy2 gave me rather strange looks, the boys were surprised that I'd followed through, and Rae was spewin' that I didn't get her one ;-)
I got her in the next round though, just ‘cause I love her ;-)
The flight was great, the kids loved it, and the Bintang was warmish canned crap that we pretended was lovely because we knew we weren't that far from a good one.
If ya don't practise ya won't stay in the A team ;-)
We finally landed in Bali because that's where the plane was going. Coincidentally, so were we.
It made the rest of the day so much easier.
Immigration, VOA, Customs, Overpaying the Porters.....all to easy really. But, like a homing pigeon that's been away from the nest too long I just couldn't wait to get out through that last set of doors.
Finally through, there was no better feeling than giving my mate Wayan Ruda a firm handshake followed by a bloody big hug. We've developed a bloody good relationship over the last 4-5 years and I ring him quite regularly.
The crew followed us out to the vehicles Wayan had waiting and our customary esky full of icy cold Bintang. Wayan and his cobbers carefully packed all our luggage away and the Wayan produced the esky with great pride and somewhat of a flourish.
Unfortunately the esky handle chose the moment of his flourish to break and send the esky to the ground with a resounding thump followed by the tinkling of broken glass on the inside.
He gave me a look of absolute horror to which I simply replied ‘I either need to buy a new esky....or get a new driver' He gave that a moment of deep contemplation before realising that the luggage he had just packed away already contained a new esky.
His quick return to a smile and a punch in my arm made me understand that our connection was still there, and still very strong. ;-)
God I love him.
Off to the Hotel
We were staying at the new Losari Hotel in Garlic Lane. The choice was made by myself for the entire group due to a few different factors, not least of which was most other hotels in that area being heavily booked at the time. Obviously most of those booking levels changed, but I felt that the place was in a great spot and well worthy of a go.
I won't go into details now, but in a seperate report I'll give the details of the Losari from a Couples and Family point of view.
Moving on. We checked in without any fuss and very quickly made an effort to test out the hotel restaurant. They passed with flying colours.
We soon found ourselves out on a wander that ended at Sammi and Suzies not long before sunset. I introduced my mates from home to my mates from all over and met a few new mates myself. I really do love what these internet forums have done to improve our trips to Bali. It's not just about getting great information on Bali, we really have made some great friends. ;-)
Not long after Sundown we were merrily making our way back to the Losari for an ‘apparently' early night to prepare for our Bar opening the following day.
Early became not quite so early, which soon turned to ‘What is that strange light in the East' but thankfully I had scarpered before that.
I think it was my ‘Louis Armstrong' impersonation that caused them to send me to bed. Maybe they just don't love me ;-(
Tomorrow I'll tell you about our Bar Opening, or at least all that I recall from photo's and video jolting my memory.
CBE
Cracker ;-)