First JBR so please bear with me. Just returned from 12 wonderful days in Bali. Went with two girlfriends, one I have been travelling with for more than twenty years (M) and the other one having her first trip overseas. Went via Singapore, as we all know, still no direct flights from Briz. Flights were great. God bless Singapore airlines, always run to schedule. Still makes for long travel time though. left at 11.45 pm and arrived in Bali next day Bali time 12.30 pm. No more 6 hours and you're there! Then travelled to beautiful Ubud. Arrived about 2.30. Began our stay at the Champlung Sari Hotel. We stayed there two trips ago and although it is very old and the breakfast is terrible, we still love it. The rooms are huge, The bathrooms are unique in a very pleasant way and the monkeys surround the place and make for some hillarious moments that money just can't buy. Bali virgin (L) falling asleep on her feet so spent the afternoon near the hotel and around the pool. M and I watched as the monkeys jumped from trees and ran across the wall behind the pool while L snored on the day bed. I thought one might just drop right on top of her so like the true friend that I am I had the camera ready! Wandered over to Coffee and Silver for dinner and there began our food fest. Yum oh!
Friday. Breakfast at hotel. walked Monkey forest road and breathed in Bali. So good it makes me goosey! Stopped for drinks anywhere we fancied, shopped our little hearts out and chatted to the locals. Lunch at one of our many old faves, The Indus. I want my ashes scatttered in the garden there so I can smell the food forever. Walked back across the bridge to the little shops where we buy the most wonderful bedcovers. They are like huge handpainted sarongs and cover my very tall queen bed and reach the floor without a seam anywhere. Have never spotted them anyplace else,cost around AU $40. I am still using the ones I bought ten years ago for the same price, and wash them constantly. Booked Murney"s for dinner...Oh yum. In bed by 8 like the true party animals we are!
Saturday. Sukawati markets. If you haven't been there girls, trust me, you need to do it, especially if you love to go market shopping. L was very overwhelmed by the place and after a few very hot hours of playing inside we took her back to ubud. Not before we purchased a wooden elephant and two wooden critters that thankfully pulled apart for packing. Another one of those nervous airport exits coming. Lunch at three monkeys. Lived up to its rep food wise but I have to say that the description of the view read before we arrived made me giggle. Lush rice paddies..Well yes there were rice paddies and if you kept your eyes forward that was great, but look to the side where in typical Bali style you see the back of the neighbours house complete with all the bits of stuff chucked out over the last ten years. No airs and graces here, it is as it is like it or not. I like it. Had to drop L off at the hotel suffering from heatstroke. Ya just can't tell people that ya have to drink LOTS of water. M and I pottered around the close shops and found a sensational painting that we both loved lucky there were two (what's new)Big abstact elephants. A must have in my new house. Also fell in love with a pair of traditional puppets. Spectacular! Gone all arty this time. Dinner at Ubud Inn oo ah.. best chicken sate ever served on your own mini bbq.
Partied on till 9pm.
More to come