Thanks for the positive responses. The shop that seems to interest everyone, ie. bedcovers, is about three shops up from Murneys warung near the champhuan (excuse the spelling) bridge. Can't miss it as the covers hang up in the front winow, and, it is worth a stop at Murneys for a snack or two.
Sunday morning.. just couldn't face another breakfast at the hotel so off we travelled in search of food. Walked towards monkey forest then turned left. Nothing open yet or so we thought. Then... Hello.. you come inside and look please. Well what are three girls to do? L was instantly excited. M and I thought "here we go!" L loves all things old or beaded and here in front of her was the beaded basket shop to end them all. After much fawning over these objects of beauty, several largish baskets were chosen as well as beaded placemats and a variety of beaded odds and sods. My word we made that shop lady happy and got very special morning price to boot. After being slapped with the money, thanked and blessed we travelled further along until we came to an ATM. Thank god because we had all been wiped clean of money to induge L's early morning frenzy. By this time my stomache thought my throat had been cut and still nothing appeared to be open. Now M and I love walking girls but these baskets were becoming VERY heavy and as resident pack horses we were ready to drop when out of the blue came Bali Cares. What a gem. Very small cafe that is non profit, uses local produce as well as selling locally made goods. All proceeds go directly back into the community, and the food was splendid to put it mildly. The resident chickens made an appearance for photos...yes I admit to it, also an animal junkie.
Fat and full of energy again we were off in search of the unbeatable bargain.
Let me tell you that having four children made L's bladder not what it used to be and looking for a toilet at that hour on Sunday morning was a challenge in itself. But find one we did. L seemed to take an extra long time to pee which caused us to worry a bit as L was very concerned for her personal safety where hygeine was concerned. The look on her face was priceless when she finally appeared and for those of you that have experienced asian toilets you will know why.Unfortunately no camera available when you need one. M and I fell about laughing while L frantically cleaned her hands with a bottle of disinfectant that she carried everywhere. No bali belly for that girl!
After wandering the markets some more and aquiring two more large beautiful paintings we wandered off to casa luna for sustinance. My goodness those cakes looked good and a bit of a sit with a view helped to soothe our now puffy feet. It was really hot...go figure!
Off again past shops and a nice walk through a shaded area until we popped out at Wayans shop. M and I made friends with Gusti and his wife Wayan about six years ago. When the bombings happened their lives were not so good as few tourists came to Ubud. We started to import small amounts of silver jewelery to sell in the markets here as they are proud people and would not accept help from us unless we did business with them. They have a household of ten people to feed so things got a bit rough. We have sent small amounts of money ever since but lost contact about 18 months ago. What a joy to walk back into their lives, and be recieved like family. We felt extremely blessed and overjoyed to find the recent addition to their family in the form of an adorable little girl with the biggest brown eyes on earth.
After we left we walked back to casa luna where we indulged in more culinary delights... happiness makes you hungry you know. By now these beaded baskets were becoming extremely heavy so no more walking. Back to the hotel for a rest and a pedicure which made me laugh hysterically due to the fact that I am ticklish. Armed now with our new colouful toe nails and pleasantly scented tootsies we were ready to tackle the Dirty Duck.
Holy Moly that is without doubt the biggest restaurant I have ever been in, and possibly the most beautiful (with maybe the exception of The Spirit House on Sunny coast)and the food wasn't too shabby either. We were placed in an outdoor cabana style section which we shared with a young Japanese couple. One had to climb into this area and I must say that graceful was not a word that could have been used to describe we three girls as we grunted and groaned our way to our seats. Thin people those Japanese, so it will be of no surprise that we were totally in awe of the amount of food ordered and presumabley eaten by them in what could only be described as a food marathon.
Feeling a little sad now though as this would be our last night in Ubud. Oh and I forgot somewhere in amongst all this we managed a GREAT massage at Eves complete with the scrub and flower bath! Woo hoo this is living..