Got back yesterday morning, Brisbane airport was a nightmare to get through, could have turned around and flown back.
We heard of the bombings as we were just about to leave for the airport on 2nd October - Sunday morning. My husbands mother rang us to tell us and when I said we would still be going, as it had already happend she cried and cried. I went and found my husband out at the car and gave him the phone and he repeated exactly what I had said - we would go as it had already happened. Well we discussed it and decided it can happen anywhere so we went.
So glad we did - what a lovely time we had. A return visit as we had been in April this year. Stayed at the Pelangi again, loved it! I know it has had some bad press of late but I could not fault the hotel or the staff. The position on the beach is great, I usually spent too much time at breakfast dreamily watching the goings on. On Saturday they had staff 'Harmony in Pelangi' morning, with all the staff partaking of games on the beach to much amusement of the staff working and guests breakfasting. My husband & I sat down on the steps and watched and when things were wrapping up we got up to leave and I was approached to hand out the prize to the number one staff member, so funny wish we had our camera on hand.
Had leather shoes copied from ones I wore over that were long due to be replaced - thanks for the recommendations for Frenchs Leather. Did an excellent job on copying my shoes, my husband made me leave my old ones in the bin on our return. Very sad I loved those shoes and have worn them for years, just hope my new ones can stand my pace.
Went for a walk down to Kuta on the Monday and the streets were deserted, very sad but by Friday when we walked back down it was nearly back to normal.
Ate at Indo National - great food. Ryoshi at Seminyak - love my Japanese. Gateway of India Seminyak - twice, also love Indian. Lunch at Cafe Moka is always good as well. Bread Talk in Discovery Mall - I wish I had not found out about this place - my husband & I quite like a nice pastry or cake, the choice was amazing and quality fantastic. Lucky we were in Seminyak as I would have been there every day otherwise.
The big question from the Balinese, why did you come when you knew about the bombings and aren't you scared? I would always ask them if they were scared especially restaurant staff, and they would say yes but life goes on, I told them, we think the same - life goes on.
We did a day trip to Ubud, Monkey Forest and to some temples and waterfall - this was a great day out and our guide Gede with his nephew Wayan driving showed us around, it was lovely. Quoted us 300 000 Rph for the day 8.30am - 4.30pm but when we found out how much petrol had increased we gave him another 50 000 to cover it.
Didn't buy much, a few sarongs and some more beaded thongs, also some Reebok aerobic shoes which I will be trying tonight. Need to shift some of those Bintangs and lovely breakfasts. A few DVD's and Cd's as well as a gong. My husband has been after a gong since we went to Vietnam a few years ago and when we went in April I convinced him he really didn't need it. (this was to save my sanity) Well this time he was possesed to buy one - quite funny a few places he went to to ask for the "gong" they thought he wanted a "bong". This had me in hysterics as he quickly would be saying no, no no not "bong" no drugs etc. Thought he was going to get himself in trouble there, but he found one at the Ubud markets. He thought our cat and the one next door would love it. I can tell you our cat took off at breakneck speed, and I left the room. Hopefully the novelty will wear off soon.
Well I will return to Bali, probably not for a few years, have some other travel plans in place for 2006 (France/Spain) and 2007 (India). There are so many places to visit and only 4 weeks annual leave a year but I will be back - I might have to get my new shoes copied again!!!