Dunno how well this will turn out, but here's my best shot. My wife & I decided to spend My 74th birthday 5th March & our first wedding anniversary which was two days after in Bali. We learnt that the Carolia charity here in Mandurah wanted someone going to Bali to take some clothes over. We met them and decided to help, we are so pleased we did as we were able to take three suitcases plus our own as it was arranged with Garuda for us to have altold forty Kgs each. But the best came next, we found that we could sponser a little girl in Bali. After a really good flight we arrived, & to my suprise there were absolutely no hastles, bearing in mind this was my first trip to Bali.We were met as was arranged by the Charity to be met by their driver who took us to the Barong hotel (more about this later) then he took the cases to be locked in & stored for when the charity rep: arrived. Having met the lovely Leanne, manageress of the Barong, Dewi Sri & the Ida hotels at the travel expo held at Fremantle, we mentioned it was our first anniversary & belated honeymoon, she promised an upgrade, well what a suprise when we saw our room, a large family room Queen size bed and two singles plus well furnished with Large wardrobes and a lounge Plus more, (our friends were green with envy). Our first two days were resting & getting to know our surroundings, then came Sunday as arranged for the same driver to take us to Candi Dasa Cottages to meet Bambang who was to take us to meet an 11year old girl for us to sponser. On our way up to Candi Dasa we stopped off at Marco's to buy a load of food for a poor family also three parcels for three children aged Boy16 girl 14 & girl 11. Our wonderfull driver was able to shop for the family as he knew what the food was they eat. We bought enough food to last them a long time. When we got to the Candi Dasa hotel we were given much needed cold face towels and a beautiful cold drinks before Bambang (a real nice frreindly & thoughtful Chap) who took us to the village where we met this very poor family.It was raining so hard Yet the family was there at our car armed with Umbrellas to usher us down to their home, when I saw it I felt a lump come in my throat & I had to fight the tear trying to force it's way from my eye, & me a seventy four year old man who thought I had seen it all.
Our little 11 yr old gave us a hug then we gave tne parents the food, we didn't see the other Two children but left their parcels with the mother. After many Photo's & many thanks & hugs I was able to press some money into the Mothers hand & told her that it was for her to spend on herself. Our Girls birthday comes up on April 30, & with the help of others we have been able to get her a good new bicycle to arrive on that day. Boy we would love to see her face when she gets it. We then took our leave & headed off back to Kuta & the Barong At this point I have to say Our child cost for one year who is in grade 6, is only$125-00 which pays for her school fees,school uniform, travel expenses & snacks those in high school or college can be up to $175-00 per year. We did have a great time at the Barong where the staff were so good & friendly however time has caught up & i'll have to continue at a later date.TBC