Hello all...
Well as usual reality bites hard after a trip to paradise and for me this has been harder than usual - just had way too much fun!!!
Flew the horror Gold Coast Sydney link with Virgin and Garuda - no more of that as of December - Yay!!! - but all went to schedule so no real complaints.
In Bali I used the new Bali Concierge which was nice but I felt a bit frustrated not being out with the hoardes in the queues as is the normal start to it all. They got my bags though and had me out well and truly ahead of the pack so all good.
Taxi to Niksoma. Quick unpack - money changer then Kenko massage in Jalan Padma to panel beat me back into shape. Down to Sammy and Suzies Ahhhhh! Quick dinner at Seaside then bed.
Day 2 running around - phone card - bibs and bobs of shopping- spray tan at the new spray tan place just opposite Bali Deli - Awesome. So much better than the rubbish one I have on now that has me orange at the wrists and ankles. Met with Inmyblood and then later back to Sammy and suzies.
Had a few drinks and cigs with the crew but had promised the kids Poppies 1 to see some friends and more shopping so dragged my as yet unshowered sticky sandy grotty spray tanned self there. Had dinner at Treehouse and was full house. Lo and behold a total hotty rolls up on a motor bike and as are no seats asks to sit with me. Long story short - very romantinc story though - we're now quite the item back in our homeland. He lives in Brisbane and is a Bali junky and in same industry as me so in total shock really!!!!! Fancy meeting someone in a restauarant with two kids and looking as I did. Gotta love that place. Only took 16 trips to meet someone but has been worth the wait.
Didn't see him again for 6 days as I went to Lembongan and he went on a surf boat tour all over the place. Day 3 picked up my 10 friends in from Melbourne and strait to the scoot boats at Sanur to cross to Lemobongan. Stayed in 3 Villas at Lembongan Island Beach Villas - had a ball. First night up to 3.30 drinking green and blue somethings with the owner - woman - who was shouting to keep everyone happy as her group was a in house as well. Best to keep everyone drunk so no-one complains about the Michael jackson concert we had. Very fun.
Snorkelling, surfing, mototr biking - eating napping - lots of photos - wonderful place. From the balcony the view is so awesome that I never once looked at the telly. Just constantly changing. Is a great place to chill out as ther is not really any worthwhile shopping so good preparation for Bali. Had three days here
Scooted back to Bali to Sienna Villas where we had the 4 bedroom and a three bedroom. Here we had an absolute blast. Had 6 kids with us so fantastic for them as such big frounds and pool. Like your own resort. Each morning they make a wonderful brekky and set the table beautifully and the constant attention to the pool and garden is just fantastic.
Each day here we had visitors, massage ladies, a silver guy form Celuk who brough half of celuk with him. We spent over 8 mill accorss the group as he will not come for under 1 mill worth of shopping. His pricning and quality just insane. All fixed price and really rock bottom. He was happy - so are we still.
We also had an Optik guy come in and sort glasses for a few - that cracked me up. Also the H man with DVD's a few times. A printer for Business cards - it was grand central station every morning but gotta love that shop at home service.
We had a surprise 25 year wedding vow renewal ceremony here. The groom knew nothing of it. Was just a beautiful beautiful afternoon and evening. I organised it with Sienna and had gamelan musicians and two gorgeous little Balinese flower girls and of course the flags, candles and floweres as only they can do. We went to the beach for ye olde sunset photos and was just a treat with horses and some guys doing martial arts training. Was heaps going on for the photos. Back at the villa a feast. Partied until the wee hours and yes with some very good music (80's) we were dancing on the tables. that got rid of the kids quick smart.
So out and about most days doing bits an pieces. Had a dinner at Bali Garden right at the beach end in a sectioned off lounge area I had reserved. This was great as the kids played on the beach until sunset - more great photos - and then we had a surprisingly very good meal and cheap..... I drank a number of very nice cocktails and the boys and I certainly ate up a storm - I paid for one other lady who had hooked me up with the silver guy and all up 300.000rp - so not even $40 for 4 of us. The food and beverage at bali Garden since they've finished the grounds is truly impressive.
The first timers I had with me were loving it and it's always such a laugh to watch them sink or swim. The first night of actual shopping when we got back to Bali we had dinner at Seaside and then walked along the beachfront cut through Padma and into Garlic lane. Was going to be a 5 minute quick look no shopping - by the end of the lane we literally hailed a bus. One of those big colourful jobbies that has the locals in every afternoon. Claasic outing - very loud music on that bus and good too!! Garlice Lane did well out of my crew that night. Couldn't stop them.
Next installment - Hard Rock, Bali Safari Park, Ear infections BIMC and more.
Happy Travels
Nicno