Have been back home about 2 weeks now and have finally found my desk under all the paperwork that was waitng for me. Once again we had a fantastic holiday, we have been going to Bali almost every year since our son was 6 years old, he is now 16 and 6ft2( saer's name is pronounced the same as the Indonesian word for 'me' so when he introduces himself we often get a little bit of the 'Who's on first base' effect). Can be very funny, the Balinese think it's hilarious. Met up with heaps of old friends and made lots more. This year we stayed at Green Garden Hotel and have to say we were very happy with every thing about it( thanks to forumites who reccommended it). Flight over was with Qantas, and there was 120 spare seats, on the way home 3 weeks later there were 60 spare. We had beautiful weather every day and the first week we did all the usual things, checked out a few restaurants that we heard about on the forum. One in particular was Atmophere Restaurant on the beach next to Discovery. Booked for 5.30 so we could watch the sunset while having drinks on the day beds,you really knew you were in paradise. Our special favourites have to be The Balcony and Blue Fin and they certainly didn't dissapoint us this year! One day in particular that I want to share, was the day we met our sponsor child, Kadek. This was arranged by Helen Flavel through her Foundation, and would have to be one of the most humbling and beautiful days we have ever spent in Bali. Helen had arranged for our driver Made, to pick us up from the hotel at 8am. I really wasn't looking forward to the 31/2 hour drive and expected to doze most of the way, however Made was so entertaining and the scenery was so beautiful I really didn't want to miss any of it. Just over an hour into our trip we came to the village of Pucang, the views were stunning, we walked across the road to Pucang Indah Reasaurant. There we sat in the open air section of the restaurant and ordered tea and coffee. The view was so lovely and sitting there with my pot of Liptons, everything was peaceful and beautiful. I was actually having heart palpatations, I was so happy. We checked out the rooms and promised ouselves next visit we would definately stay a few nights. About an hour later we were back on the winding road onward to Singaraja. We have been this way before (to Lovina) but many years ago. We passed the small market gardens of vegetables, corn, cabbages, tomatoes, cucumbers all neatly laid out and tended. Then past what Saer called the 'predator forest' tall cedar trees with lush vegetation underneath all shrouded with mist. Beautiful and a little scarey. Up and up through winding village roads to the top of the mountain, then the drive down the other side. We finally arrived at the Helen flavel Learning Centre at about 12.30. There to meet us was Dewi, who runs the centre and John, her helper. We were shown through the centre then into a class of about 15 students who were studying English. They were delightful, each had written down a question or two that they wanted to ask us about Australia. Then they told us a little about their families and what they wanted to be when they finish their schooling (Judging by how many want to be teachers, I think Dewi and John are a very good example to them). Dewi told us that visits like ours really motivated the students to learn English. We were all very impressed with their attitude and eagerness to learn. Next on to our Sponsor childs village to meet her and her family, accompanied by Dewi, John and driver made. First a stop at the local market where we bought food for the family. Hubby was a little concerned we may offend the family (particularly the father) by taking food, but Dewi assured us that the Balinese custom of family helping those in need would not offend. After loading up enough rice, beans, spices, dried fish, coffee etc etc to last 1 to 2 months (about $75) we moved on to some clothing, we bought each member of the family an outfit and I added a sheet set as I had read on the forum this was something that was always appreciated. Then some treats (lollies etc ) for the children and off to the family home, I was so excited. We were driven down a dirt road with tobacco fields either side, we stopped at the top of a narrow dirt track and the boys started to unload the van. Dewi and I started to walk down the dusty track to the house when Kadek's mother and father came out of one of the fields where they were working. They were both so happy and smiling, I could tell Kadek's mother was excited as she kept laughing and smiling as she led us to her house. At the house Kadek was waiting for us, she was so shy and I think a little embarrassed at all the attention. We were then introduced to Kadek's younger sister, about 8 and brother about 6 years. We gave them the clothes and lollies ( lollies were shared with the neighbouring children who had all appeared). Then Kadek showed us inside her house. One main room dominated by a double bed ( no sheets on the thin mattress, so glad I bought them) and a smaller room off to the side. This smaller room was Kadek's bedroom, it was dark, no windows, brick walls and cobblestone floor. The only thing on the floor was an empty fertiliser bag, I looked at John and he nodded and said "yes, that is what Kadek sleeps on, but the family are very proud that they have these walls for Kadek as she had previously slept outside". I could not speak. We then walked outside and Kadek's mother showed us the kitchen, a detatched bark shack with a dirt floor. Some chickens in a bamboo cage on the floor, an open fireplace with 2 old pots and 2 benches, outside a crude morter and pestle and off to the side a pen holding a small black pig. There was water from a tap outside the kitchen. We went back to the porch outside the house and a neighbour brought over 2 coconuts which he cut open with a machete, then Kadeks mother proudly bought out of the house a cardboard box containing 6 glass tumblers and handed them out filled with fresh coconut juice. God, I was so scared one of us would drop a glass which was so obviously only used on special occasions. We all talked and laughed with Dewi and John translating for us. We told them we would be back next March and asked if we could visit again. Dewi told us Kadek's father was very happy and had already worked out how many months that would be! Kadek's sleeping arrangements really bothered me and I spoke to Dewi about it, she said they simply had no money for a mattress. I asked if it would be OK for us to buy a mattress for her and Dewi said "yes, that would be a good gift". We left some rupiah for the mattress with Dewi, so I hope Kadek now sleeps a little more comfortably. Kadek's family have so little, yet seem very happy, I think there is a lesson in that for all of us, it was truely humbling. Helen, if you are reading this, Thank you and God bless you and Dewi and John and all those who look out for these lovely people. "There but for the grace of God........." Back into the van for our long trip home, short stop at Crackers Bar and Grill ( just had to check out the toilets and yes, they are amazing), Then on to Pucang Indah where we stopped for a late lunch/ early dinner at about 4pm. Made joined us, as none of us had eaten since breakfast we were all very hungry. Owners David and Moira joined us for a drink (what a great couple and living the dream) a couple more bintangs then back in the van, it was now 7pm, poor Made! We arrived back in Kuta at about 8.30pm. We had such a wonderful day, my best ever in Bali in over 10 years, big call I know, but true. We had many other fantastic experiences this trip, the Elephant ride with dideki and co, breakfast at La Luciolas, white water rafting, babi guling and what can beat sitting on the beach under a tree with a cold bintang, corn on the cob, boiled peanuts and our favourite girls, Darwin, Hot Dog, Billabong etc to entertain us! Can't wait for next March to see them all again. Hope this hasn't been too long and drawn out, it's my first ever JBR so please be gentle! Cheers, Sharon.