Day 9 already sigh !
So much running around to do today, we rang Made and have arranged for him to drive to to various places, all quite local but too many and too far to walk.
First stop Bali Cyber Cafe to tell Haaris all about the lastest situation at the orphanage and our visit, he was very interested to hear all and happy that things there were improving slowly. He had most of the engineering programs for John, all except one, so we added that to our list.Next stop was to a place just down the road that makes life size American Indian statues. We fell in love with these a few days ago so decided that as our shop in Oz is called Trade-N-Post and our logo is an American Indian, we should get one to stand outside the shop. The price was pretty good $98au, plus $10 for headdress, but then we had to investigate the cargo.
On we went to get cargo costs from a place in Jl Singosari, quoted about $170 per cubic metre, which didn't seem too bad as we could fill in the spaces in crate with bamboo wind-chimes and mobiles that we wanted to get. On to Bali stones to check out their costs, hmm it was quite a bit more ! So we decide to give the other cargo a try.
On to Jl Legian to pick up wind chimes and mirror mobiles then back to Cargo place to give to them to include in crate. After a few hours of running around all is arranged and paid for, fingers crossed that crate arrives ok.
Off to collect laundry, which wasn't ready, bali time I guess, haha.
That done we decided to go over to Sanur for lunch, we had tried to contact Bloody Ron as we said we would drop in for a bintang but couldn't get hold of him on phone, and as I could not remember his address we decided to visit his mate Pete at Hotel Senia instead. Made found the place ok and chatted to Pete who told us that Ron was having a drink with some other formites, so decided to just have some lunch there and head back. Lunch was very nice and quite cheap. It is a very small hotel, with obviously lots of Aussie customers, some being long term residents. They have a massive plasma screen and had advertised all the AFL etc coming on.
Back to hotel, said our goodbyes to Made and assured him that we would call him next time we were in Bali, he is a great bloke.
Time for a drink at Sam's bar before getting ready for dinner, introduced our new made friends to Indonational tonight. Kerry had gone off on hols, leaving Milton to look after the place. John had grilled seafood, I had chille concarne, yum. Lydia had a huge chicken shnitzel and Malcolm chicken noodles, all was said to be delicious.
Day 10- Our last day. I was determined that we would do nothing too strenuous today and enjoy most of it on the beach, just watching the world go by and chatting.
We did have pick up sarong dresses from Ketut in Legian and go for fitting at Bali Brumby, so we hopped into a taxi to Ketut. Was very happy with what she had for me, 2 afl sarong dresses and a skirt.
Into another taxi to Bali Brumby for a fitting of my suit, I had taken a much loved suit for Putu to copy that I had grown too big for. The suit unfortunately wasn't ready, so it was arranged that he would and bring to hotel at 3pm, I was a bit concerned as we were leaving the hotel by 10am the next morning but he assured me all would be ok, as if it didn't fit there would be still time to alter it.
Then we had a stroll to the Art Market to pick up a few things I had ordered. I found Nyoman no 111 and Wayan no 97 to be fixed price like Ketut in Legian, Wayan was particularly good, 20.000 for t.shirts etc.
Off we went to enjoy a few hours of relaxation in front of our hotel chatting to all the lovely people who work on the beach. Had my nails redone, John had a manicure and his garden weeded, haha.
Turtles were being released back into the sea at 4pm and we had put our names done to be involved. 3pm, no sign of Putu, 4pm, still no sign of Putu. We went a little further along the beach to join the throng of people to get ready for releasing the turtles. Lots of pomp and circumstance going on but eventually we got to all line up and release them about 5pm, all 420 of them.
As we walked back to hotel we met Putu. Uh Oh, guess what, the top didn't fit, it was too small. Again Putu didn't stress and said he would sort it out and come to the hotel at 10pm with it fixed, hmmm.
Couldn't resist Bamboo Corner again, the black rice pudding was calling me. We had a lovely meal, all 3 courses for very little cost and a great farewell dinner.
Back at hotel waiting for Putu, he sent his brother with the top and didn't I know it, WAS STILL TOO SMALL. What a disappointment, I was worried all along that he was leaving it a bit late for the fitting, being the day before we left. Anyway it was decided that I be given the top and not be charged, I had already paid 100.000 deposit for the suit, which consisted of skirt and top. Oh well, I learned that if I have something made again in the future I will insist that fittings be done well before our leaving date.
General comments.
Weather was great, seems like June is a good time to visit.
People there as lovely as ever, some are really struggling and don't sell anything for sometimes days at a time. It seems that the biggest problem for them is the cost of ceremonies that keep getting bigger all the time, and of course there are so many ceremonies to be performed, as in wedding, birth, death, religious etc.
I didn't haggle for goods as hard as I have done before, lets face it we get things very cheap over there and so what if someone makes a dollar extra.
We mostly changed money at the hotel, they were offering 7.3 compared to 7.5 on the street and it was just so much easier to do it there.
The beach renovations have reached Centro Discovery and just a little beyond.
We used raspberry juice, travelan, aquium and antibacterial wet ones , when we remembered, it was a bit hit and miss, however we never got sick so something must have worked a treat.
I loved every minute of this holiday and am already thinking of our next visit.
Cheers
Maureen