I had not intended to go anywhere these holidays as I had already been to Bali 4 times last year, twice this year and Europe in March. I had some serious housework to do. BUT my hubby was off to Singapore and KL and said 'you might as well go'. I needed a tooth fixed, my daughter said she wouldn't mind getting a tan so off we went.
The Sunday flight (second day of the school holidays) was almost full so we decided to go on the Saturday via Melbourne. Now I knew Sydney was in some sort of Footy Grand Final with someone else. What I didn't know was that it was in Melbourne (who'd have thought?). 2 weeks prior to departure the flights to Melb and then to Bali had over 50 seats. When I checked 3 days before the Melb one was over booked. PANIC! I bought a back up ticket to Perth in case we missed the Melb one. But it meant sitting in Perth airport for 7 hours. A quick chat to Tuberose and our back up plan was set. Tubes offered to pick us up and go to her place to watch the Grand Final (Perth was playing too ???). LOL
Then drop us back. Thanks Tubes for the offer.
After 4 hours sleep (I always pack at the last minute) we got up at 3am. Well we got on the full Melb flight and had plenty of spare seats to Bali. There was a guy on the Melb flight looking for an extra ticket for the Grand Final. He was going straight to the stadium to try to buy one. I asked how much it would cost. He said he hoped he could get one for $500 but was willing to pay $1000. I couldn't imagine paying $1000 for a couple of hours entertainment although I know it's more than that to some people.
Arrived at 12.20. Booked Matahari Bungalows through Mida (last minute of course). I couldn't find her so rang her. Met her in front of the taxi stand and we headed off. Checked in to a deluxe room (that's all that was left). I was disappointed with the room. Apparently the same as a standard but with a fridge. She offered to take us somewhere else but I said no. She said ring her if we want to change tomorrow. She was very helpful. I got over it and it wasn't bad or anything I just expected more from deluxe. As a package this is a great hotel (it works out much cheaper). I would recommend it. The pool is lovely. Staff very nice and the garden is nice also. I was in room 48 which was on the second floor. The best rooms to get (deluxe) would be 38-45. These are on the bottom level with the verandah going straight onto the grassed area then to the pool.
Went to Optic Melawai to order glasses for my husband's brother. Every time I go someone wants glasses. He had frames and I had his script. Multi focals were $110 or $75 depending on materials (they are $250+ here) for lenses only. Amber (daughter having a free holiday) bought a pair of glasses with straight lenses for $56. Very nice. This shop is closing next week and will operate out of the Discovery Plaza store only.
Went to Bali Garden Hotel for a get together for the OTHER forum. They have a get together every September. There were heaps of people with a fantastic buffet dinner. Most people tended to talk to those they knew so only got top meet a few people. I had met a couple before. It was a good night but we left early as we had been up since 1am Bali time and after only 4 hours sleep.
Breakfast is a buffet. There was cut pawpaw, pineapple, watermelon and honeydew melon, bread for toast, little cake things, then the alternate each day noodles and pancakes, rice and egg and tomato jaffles. If you want eggs you have to pay extra.
Amber has a bad cold and cough so was a bit tired. Most days we shopped and visited people , swam in the afternoons. Amber had a sleep a few afternoons.
Went to S&S and chatted to Smudge and a few others. Went to my friends new house behind Indo National for a while. It has just been built and it's lovely. She has been living in one room with a tiny bathroom. This is like a unit with a loungeroom and everything. Very nice.
I'm not going to do a day by day as I'm sure you don't care what I had for breakfast or whether I was tired and had a rest. I'll just list some places we visited, things we bought and restaurants (of course).
Have to do some work now. So I'll post the rest soon.