Well on the Monday, I had arranged through Agung of the Rotary club in Denpasar to visit the young boy whom we had recently sponsored (thanks Noel). My prearranged driver arrived early and off we went. He gave a an interestin commentaryu as we drove up to Sobangan where the school was. The school was closed for holidays - Galangun(?), but the principla was happy to come out to meet us, show us the school and then we went off to meet the Gede Agung's family in their family compound.
While at the school I took photos, to show my kids, when they whinge about how the computer is too slow, or they haven't got the latest equipment. Gede's class room consisted of a room, with several old wooden tables, and a broken cupboard in the corner. Not a thing was on the walls - no posters, pictures etc. There was an ancient blackboard, and that was it. My suggestion if any of you are visiting schools (this was Sobangan SD3) is that you may like to take laminated posters with alphabets, numbers etc, or pictures of your home country. Also, they said, they are very keen to get some books for the library established by Rotary.
I have never been so popular in all my life as when I produced the Chipa Chups for the loyal following of kids who accompanied us around the school and back to Gede's home. However, on reading the report about the dental program, I may have been better to concentrate on more educational things! However, the toy koalas, and clothes went down a treat. Gede, at 7 was painfully shy, and so endearing. Some of the older choldren were quite outgoing and cheeky!
All in all a great day, which made me feel the effort was well worthwhile. It's good to look beyond the eating, drinking and shopping for a while, and great to see more of the non commercial Bali.
Back to Legian, where I lazed around for the rest of the day.
Tuesday mroning was booked at the spa at the hotel opposite the Bali Hai, (whose name escapes me for the moment) I had the three hour spa treatment for 240,000 plus tax. A great three hours, although spoilt a little by my masseur, treatment lady, being over emphatic about how difficult it would be with no tourists. PLease don't flame me, I know this is true, but after we had discussed it for 15 minutes and then she started again, I couldn't help but think that this was a poorly disguised demand for a hefty tip. Her persistence, to some degree made me less inclined, although I did tip her, about which she did not seem to be be very appreciative. (in contrast to the woman at the same place in July, whom I tipped the same amount)
Tuesday afternoon was spent looking at some other hotels to spent the next 2.5 nights in. Looked at Lokha, which had 50% off, but was still almost $us50 including tax and breakfast. Losari in Garlic seemed very nice, but a bit noisy at night, with the band, but a very good special for 2 nights, 3 days with dinner on one night and two breakfasts for 470,000, including taxes. Rooms seem very nice and a pleasnat small pool area. I ended up stayinmg at the All Seasons because I could get 50% off the special of 290,00 Rp as I am a member of the Accor Hotels club. 2.5 nights, incl tax, but no breakfast was just under $60 Australian. The hotel was fairly empty, and the rooms were pleasnt and in a great location. Plenty of security to give a sense safety.
That's it for now....