This is not in any particular order (except the beginning and end).
Due to Jetstar being full I had to fly via Darwin. The flight to Bali leaves Darwin an hour before the flight from Sydney arrives so I stayed overnight in Darwin.
I just stayed at a backpacker which was cheap (and not too nasty). I looked around the shops and went to the museum which was very interesting. Flew out that night.
Arrived at 11.roughly and at the hotel (Sri Ratu) at 12.05. The room was nice. In the morning I had a nice breakfast. Waited for the downpour to stop and slid down the lane. The lane was flooded and I didn't want to fall down holes. Visited friends. Booked into Suriwathi from 2nd until the 13th.
Went back next day- no room. They wanted me to pay for deluxe for one night. I said no so I had the deluxe room until 9pm then moved to the superior. Well after being in the deluxe the next day I moved back into the deluxe for the rest of the time. They are very nice.
Over the next 9 days I did a bit of shopping, lazed around the pool, went to the beach, visited friends, ate etc.
I went to visit my sponsor child with a lady from Balichat and her family. We went to her child's school then up to Pacung Indah for a lovely lunch with that gorgeous view. Met the lovely David. Then onto Candi Kuning markets and to Crackers Bar. Bought some pashminas and a dress. On the way back we stopped at my sponsor girls house. Gek's sister starts school in July so I have arranged to sponsor her this year also. The father is a wood carver and he made us a lovely wood carving for our house. It's great to visit and see the girls grow. Next time I'm going to see if they can come to Legian with me and go to the beach etc.
If you are staying anywhere near Jl Padma Utara check which way the traffic is going and how to get back in. It is all dug up and they keep changing the traffic direction on Jl Sahadewa. When I went there from Benoa it said not entry on both ends. Padma was closed off. We had to squeeze in going the wrong way as there was no way in.
Went to Hulu's which is always funny. I took Zoe (Di's niece) and her boyfriend Mitch. They gave Mitch a bit of a hard time but he was a good sport. He was embarrassed though, especially when one of the girls whispered in his ear to take his clothes off. LOL
Went to the dentist (Bali Dental Clinic 911) in Kuta Galleria. Rudy did a great job. I'm petrified of dentists and he fixed my broken tooth with no needle. Only hurt (mildly) a few times. I had a filling removed and the side of the tooth where it broke rebuilt. Cost 450.000. About $100 cheaper than Australia (guessing).
Caught up with friends, went to S&S a few times. Met some nice new people (many teachers of course because of the holidays)
Went to Toko Central and bought beads and pearls. Also got some clips, etc from Bascilica and Almas Enterprises (Jl Padma Utara).
New shop at the bottom of Discovery Plaza is great (where the supermarket used to be).
I had a massage and body scrub at Tapa Spa across from Suriwathi. Both were very good.
I also went to Anggi Nature Spa in Benoa. Jl Pratama No 89. Opposite Club Mirage Hotel, next to Circle K. Lovely ladies. Relaxing music. I had the Warm Stones Massage which was great. I've never had one before. (1 hr) 90.000. I also had an Indian Face Massage (30 min) 35.000 and an Anti Stress Massage (30 min) 35.000 back, neck, shoulders, legs.
Went to Marsha's house (off Double6) to get my nails infilled. One was loose and one was nearly off. She did a great job on the 9 nails but the one had to be pulled off. She doesn't put the nail underneath so made the extension with the acrylic and then put the acrylic on that. I wasn't real happy as it bent down (not straight like the others) but I don't like to complain. Anyway 3 days later it broke off. As I promised my kindy class I'd come back with flowers on my nails I have to wait until Thursday to get it redone (it's only $5).
I obtained a bonus week through my timeshare for Peninsula Resort at Benoa. I stayed there in October and loved it. This time my suite was on the 3rd floor but can't complain. Met some lovely Americans and Aussies. Mainly relaxed by the pool and on the beach. Had a few massages etc. Went to Bualu Markets - Jln. ByPass Ngurah Rai just at the gates to Nusa Dua Parawisata area. I needed to get a couple of gifts. Mostly I got the prices I asked for. Only thing I didn't get was a dress. I got a driver to take me (15.000) and a guy gave me a lift back on his bike (10.000). Apparently there is a shuttle that goes from Benoa which picks up outside the Aston Hotel (next to Peninsular). You could ask in there for times.
I walked along the beach a few mornings. One morning I walked south to Club Med. On the way I noticed the Conrad. They roll up the pool towels and put them on the sunbeds. Well on the way back it was too tempting. I walked to the pool and sat down on one. I had a mini bottle of water from the plane. A few minutes later a waiter came over with a basket with a water (like mine) a wet face washer, a glass and a spray bottle (to spray yourself). He asked if I was staying there. I'm not a good liar so I said 'No sorry'. He said I saw your water. The pool is supposed to be for guests. I said that I was just tired and resting. He talked to me for a while then asked if I wanted a drink. I said a juice. Well I thought 'how much can it be?' Well it was 50.000 ($7). Oh well. Then we talked for half an hour. They mainly have Japanese, Korean and Russians there. I think he just wanted someone to talk to. Lovely guy. I had a swim. U shaped pool with side arms that have sand and a beach. Very nice. The pool in all 1.2meteres deep. In the U is another pool, again 1.2metres. Stops people jumping he said.
They have a lovely A frame church there overlooking the water with a lovely grassed area beside it.
Found out something strange. When the Balinese say someone has drowned don't assume the person is dead. By drowned they mean (was drowning). I was a bit confused when I asked what happened to him (the drowned person) to be told he was OK now. LOL
Left at 12.05 to Darwin. Arrived at 4.00am. Had a swim then a snooze for a few hours. At 11 walked up the road and had the best Ricotta Pancakes ever. 3cm thick with ice-cream and maple syrup and the best cappuccino (most places in Bali just can't seem to get the froth thick).
I found it funny that I got abused for saying I didn't really like it but no-one will tell me one thing to do there. Guess I'll have to do some research on Darwin so I can see what's good about the place.
Left that night for home.
Back to work tomorrow.