Sorry this has been so long coming
I've been busy planning my next trip
DAY 5
Today we went to visit the school that our driver's daughter attends.
Well this was amazing, you would have thought we were famous or something.
The children just swarmed us and it was very hard to take pictures. Every time you lifted the camera they would all surge forward to be in the photo.
The school day is divided into 3 and Putu went to the second lot of lessons that commenced at 11am.
Once the class before has left the children from the next class, have to sweep and clean the classroom, before they can start lessons. Our children could learn a lot from these children.
We left our backs of school supplies with the teacher so that she could distribute them at her leisure.
After the school visit Wayan took the kids to Waterbom Park and the adults went shopping.
The kids got themselves into groups of 2 x 16yrs and 2 13yrs and bought a family pass. Then split the cost. We thought that was very clever of them to think of that. Family Pass cost 250,00rp.
Things we bought today included
Oakley sunnies 25,000
Billabong caps 15,000
Billabong wallets 20,000
Billabong board shorts 30,000
All the above are from the Art Markets
Cedar bag 25,000 from Hanni's fixed price shop in the lane behind Rama Beach
Tonight we had dinner at Pantai Cost was 225,000 Sorry I forgot to write what we had in my diary, but the food is very good at Pantai and the sunsets are great.
DAY 6
Today was pampering day.
Carolyn, Lyn and myself had booked into Febris spa for their 'Essence of Bali' package.
This included
Free Shuttle there and back if you are in Kuta
Fruit Drink and cold flannel on arrival
The opportunity to wear these really cool outfits (you will no what I mean if you have had a look at my pics)
Foot soak with warm peppermint bath
Foot Reflexology Session
Neck, shoulder and Hand Massage
Bali cake and Ginger tea
Plus your choice of either
Warm Stone back massage
Or
Scalp and Head Massage treatment (Cream bath)
2 hours of heaven for 180,000 plus tax total 198,000.
All this in the most wonderful setting
The reflexology room has a wall of water and tropical fish tanks.
I would really recommend this place. Plus the guys are cute.
It is owned by Green Garden and it is very new.
You will find it on Jl. Kartika Plaza Tuban
The first time I had the stone massage and I think it was my favourite.
The head massage is good but warm stones win.
Bought some sparkle sandals at Hanni's 20,000
Long Skirt and top 60,000
25kg of rice to take up to our sponsor child 112,000 I know this was more than I should have paid but the hotel organised it for us and it meant we didn't have to carry it anywhere as they loaded it straight into the car for us on the morning we went.
Now dinner tonight was not as expected. We were going to Un's and had been looking forward to this night for a couple of days. We pile into a taxi and off we go. We get up near Discovery plaza and the traffic is not moving very fast at all. Our driver informs us that every time a car wishes to leave the shopping centre they stop all the traffic. Then a taxi heading in the opposite direction pulls along side us and says go back BOMB. With that our driver says nothing but tries to do a U turn on Kartika Plaza with traffic at a stand still in both directions. I inform our friends in the back of what was said and so Hubby jumps out and helps the U turn to take place. We get him to take us back to the hotel and we head over to the S A Cafe to eat and watch the News instead. All phone lines were jammed so we could not even inform Un's but we are sure they realised why we didn't turn up.
One of the families that were holidaying with us had gone to Jimbaran Bay that night for dinner. We were very worried as we could not contact them and they were not staying at our hotel. Turned out they had read my take over pack which suggested eating at the airport end of the Bay. They had dinner and new nothing about a bomb until they got back to bemo corner and had to walk to there hotel because the traffic was not moving, even the taxi driver didn't know what had happened.
We were all very upset for those that were killed and injured. One of the families in our group are from Newcastle and were concerned that they might know some of those involved.
The Balinese were very angry and upset that this had happened to them yet again, some of the staff at S A Cafe were crying as they watched the TV.
Dinner cost 130,000 but I couldn't tell you what anyone ate.
DAY 7
Well first thing this morning the sms's started pouring in. When are you coming home? What can we do this end to get you home?
We just looked at each other and said why would we want to go home, we don't feel unsafe, and so we stayed.
Well on with the holiday
We were picked up at 8.00am for our cruise on the Bounty
We paid Adult $62au and Child $40au
Diving for 45mins was $50au
Last year we did the Bali Hai cruise, they were both good, those who dived last year said it was much better than Bounty, but it is hard to compare the rest of the cruise because the day we went it was extremely rough and all activities got closed. Bounty have a blow up trampoline in the water which meant that everyone at could at least go and have some fun on that. If you were on Bali Hai I'm not sure what you would have done.
Lunch was great and a good time was had by all.
Make sure you look around as the prices really vary.
Shopping tonight was at Hanni's in the back lane
Billabong cotton collared shirts 55,000
Billabong long denim shorts 110,000
Billabong board shorts 30,000
Billabong T shirts 30,000
Polo shirts 30,000
Floral lined gypsy skirt 60,000
Halter neck top 20,000
Sunglasses 25,000
Lace cut out top 60,000
Denim jeans 120,000
Dinner at Lotus Tavern Tuban 285,000
Food was Ok here but not great. They have a novel idea for Nasi Goreng, they serve it in half a pineapple.
This is the only restaurant that we did not tip.
When you get your bill, they list everything, then add tax, then add service charge and then add on their suggested tip putting a grand total at the bottom.
We thought that was a bit sneaky and rude, so we deducted the tip from the total.
If anyone wants the photo link just email me leaving out the no spam.
I'm not allowed to post it on here
Stay tuned for Part 3