7th March
Brandon woke up and once again dragged Mason off to the pool. I stayed back and packed up our bags ready for check out. Then it was off to the Tropical Cafe for breakfast. The rain has cleared and it was alot warmer. After we finish we head up to reception to spend some time with Warsi and pay the bill. Our bags are collected and Raceng is there waiting for us in reception. Brandon has taken a big liking to Raceng which is always a good thing and Raceng has 3 children the youngest only a few months older than Brandon so he is no stranger to over the top youngsters. Hugs and Kisses for Warsi and a promise to come back and see her before we leave Bali and we are off. Our first stop is to Kuta Beach to give the suitcase of clothes from the Carolia Charity to the orphanage co-ordinator. We chat to him and find out a bit about his role with the orphanages. Then it is off to Denpasar to Adopta to give Ni-Luh the remaining payment for the order of shirts. I have to say that Raceng is amazed by these beautiful women. This was the first time that he had heard of them. We gave him the info that we knew and while waiting he chats with a few of the men that are working out the side of the premises and gets a bit more info and a better understanding. He then came in a said a quick hello to Ni Luh before making a hasty retreat back to the car. When we get into the car he is clearly moved by what he has found out. He said that he is so happy and comforted for the help that David, Moira and Co have given them. He can't believe that Aussies actually care this much about Bali and its people. He said that he is glad to know that they were not forgotten and they have a chance to build a future even under these terrible circumstances. He promises to keep there details handy and if he ever hears of anyone needing shirts or anything made he will mention them. It is then back in the car and off to Celuk. I am after harmony balls for gifts. We stop at a place that was recommended by a friend - Ketut Pasta. The prices are great and they have a huge range. Bit hard to find the shop. It would be nice if the street numbers ran in order. We ask Raceng if he has any other recommended places but he only know of the ones that pay commission and the prices are inflated. Back in the car and we call in to see the Duck Man. His carvings are beautiful but Brandon is not in the looking mood any more so we head off before he destroys the place. Then it is on to Ubud Village Hotel. When we arrive we are greated by the lovely Dayu. She has a much needed arak and orange waiting for us and a juice for Brandon. Thanks again to Colleen for this hotel recommendation. We offer to pay for the accommodation part up front but she said no hurry and we will sort it at the end. We finish our drink and off to the lovely room. Fantastic having the little courtyard for Brandon to play in and not able to escape. The indoor/outdoor bathroom is nice with a huge sunken bath. We head up for a late lunch then back to the room for Brandons sleep. When he wakes we decide to head out for a walk to get out bearings. It is the first time we have stayed up here and never paid too much attention on day visits. We spot the first of Colleens eating recommendations - Deli Cat. It was packed. There was not one spare seat. Although in saying that it actually only has 5 tables of 6 seats. We decide to have coffee at Tut Macks and then as we are really not that hungry we walk back to the hotel and order dessert for room service.
8th March
Wake up and instantly send a message to Wayan. She is another friend of Colleen who comes to your room to do massages. We have breakfast which is huge and the we head out for another walk. We reach the markets and we are the only tourists there. The shop owners are grabbing at us and pleading for us to look in their shop. Brandon gets a bit scared and wants to be picked up. It is so sad to see. We get a few things and then wander down the road looking for Cafe Des Artistes. We always stop here for lunch on our day trips. It is owned by a Belgium guy and the food is wonderful. I get a message from Wayan to say she will be at the hotel at 4pm. We finish lunch and walk back. Brandon falls asleep straight away which give us a chance to wander back and stop and look at the shops along the way. 4pm comes and I kick Mason and Brandon out to the pool and Wayan arrives. OMG her hands are magic. The hour seems to be over in a matter of minutes. I was totally paralised. Brandon comes back just as she was finishing. He decides that it is his turn. Wayan spends a few minutes giving him a mini massage which he thinks is great. Her prices are so cheap. Once I get myself off the bed and awake we head up to Deli-Cat for dinner. The food was beautiful. The potato salad is a must have. From hearing all the other guests speak they seem to be mostly ex-pats and they are all drinking wines and eating cheese platters. It is so relaxed and casual which totally suits Brandon. He makes friends with the pet cat and sits in the kitchen with the staff playing with the cat. He wasn't happy when we tell him it is time to go. We bribe him with chocolate and drag him out with a promise that we will come back. Across the oval and back to the room to bed.
9th March
We had arranged for Raceng to pick us up today to head up to Pacung Indah and Crackers Bar. Raceng arrives dressed very smart and on time as always. Brandon runs off from breakfast and over to Raceng. We finish up and off we go. We head off through villages. This would have to have been the bumpiest road I have ever seen and it wins an award for the most potholes. Some how Brandon manages to fall asleep. Finally we are back on a real road and before we know it we are at Pacung Indah. Wow David and Moira - no wonder you love it here. The view is stunning. It amazes me that you are able to leave here and return to oz every now and then. Raceng sees the Adopta sign and makes the connection. We head in for a drink. Wayan comes over to say hello wearing his Aussie t-shirt. He is really sweet. But as our luck would have it David and Moira are in Denpasar for the day. The staff are adorable and Brandon has fun playing with them for a while. People start to arrive for lunch so we jump back in the car and head up to Crackers Bar. We arrive and see the sign but first take a wonder around the markets and pick up a few things. Brandon sees a kite that he wants. The guy says 30,000. Cheeky Brandon says No 20,000. We all laugh. Two and a half and already trying to negotiate a price. The guy agrees with Brandon so he asks Mason for the money. We grab Raceng and into Cracker for a drink or 2. Brandon spots the fish on the way in. Sorry Cracker if they are a little on edge and have dropped a bit of weight. Brandon spent the whole time chasing them up and down the pond in the hope that they would stop and let him catch them. A couple of drinks later and Brandon starts to cause trouble. I head in to the toilets and sit down and get the freight of my life. There is someone sitting right next to me!!!!! Oh no it is just a mirror. But seriously the toilets are WOW - by far the best in Bali and huge. On the way out we stop in at the Adopta shop and get a shirt. By now we are starving hungry so back in the car and back to Pacung Indah for lunch. Raceng declines to join us opting for a quick nap instead. Well the food was beautiful. So fresh and constantly replenished. Brandon loves being able to get up and pick what he wants. But it wasn't long before he had finished picking and was up causing trouble again. Raceng didn't get the sleep he was hoping for. Brandon woke him up and dragged him over to have a look at the fish and the turtle. Some of the staff also join in while we sit and chat to Wayan. We also gave David a call to say hello. Next time I will let you know when we are coming. Although next time we will some up and stay for sure. Then it is back in the car and along the pot holed road and to the hotel. Brandon sleeps all the way. When we get back we all have a swim and then shower and out for dinner. We had decided that we would try another of Colleens recommendations but Brandon gets out the gate of the hotel and starts performing because he wants to go back to Deli Cat. Finally we give in and he wins and it is back to Deli Cat for another lovely meal.
10th March
Brandon has been asking for ages about the monkeys. We have avoided it because of all the horror stories that we heard but we once again give in and walk down to Monkey Forrest. Mason picks up Brandon and we walk in with a few bananas. Surprisingly they are really calm this morning and there are alot of staff working today. Brandon gets excited and all the bananas are gone in seconds. Brandon wants to get down and walk. We warn him to hold hands which he does. We watch them all play and fight and then without warning one of the small monkeys runs up Brandon and on to his head. Well he screams and the keeper yells at the monkey and it jumps down. Brandon then gets Mason to pick him back up. We head out of the forest and walk up the street. Brandon find a little girl to play with. Actually she was over 12 months older than him but half his size. They walk up and down the street holding hands and then Brandon spots some drums. The shop keeper shows him how to hold them and the little girls grabs some drums and they sit at the front of the art gallery banging away. After over half an hour of us standing on the kerb and Brandon playing music (if that is what you call it) we finally convince him to come with us. We jump in a bemo and head back to Cafe Des Artistes for lunch. Brandon falls asleep after lunch so once again we get a nice quite stroll back to the hotel stopping along the way to see what we want to see for a change. After a swim and shower we jump in a bemo and head off to Naughty Nuris for dinner. The food was simple but beautiful. Once again Colleen was right. Brandon loves the casual relaxed atmosphere. We finish our meal and wanted to head to Fly Cafe for desert but Brandon is grumpy so we play it same and head back for our last night in the hotel.
Next.............. Seminyak