It was apparent to us even at the airport in Adelaide that one of our party was travelling with a medical issue.
Matt suffered from colitis occasionally and maybe had bouts once or twice a year.
Four days before we left for Bali,Matt had a re-occurence and although he was uncomfortable,didn't worry about it too much as it usually only lasted for 4 or 5 days and he thought it would clear up in time for his holiday.He was taking prescribed medication.
After 2 days in Ubud,things had not improved and he was actually starting to feel worse. He had ventured out with us yesterday at the markets but wasn't feeling too flash,and had left us early at Cinta Grill last night to go back to the hotel.
DAY TWO
Because of Matt's state,the kids had postponed their white-water rafting until tomorrow and decided to do the Monkey Forest instead. Matt decided he wouldn't come with us and stayed at the hotel. Each couple had a mobile phone so we were all contactable.We left one with Matt in case he needed us.
I always liked going to the Monkey Forest even though I didn't like the unpredictability of those pesky little macaques. I like that 'forest floor' musty,jungle smell and that feeling of walking under massive trees perhaps hundreds of years old,paired with that slightly nervous feeling that I was walking into the monkey enclosure at the Adelaide Zoo and that I was going to get ambushed at any second. Bianca was no different and was as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.Her eyes were darting everywhere as we ventured further along the pathways into this dense forest. We didn't take any peanuts or bananas as that was inviting trouble but took great delight in watching the cheeky monkeys jump all over shrieking Japanese girls looking for the bananas they were concealing in their pockets.
In our last trip to the Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest in 2004,a large alpha male took a shine to wife, grabbed her leg and wouldn't let go until we came up with the ransom of a bag of peanuts...and quickly.Each time the forest attendant came within six feet to coax him away with a stick.the beast would put on a very aggressive display of long sharp teeth. Wife nearly fainted with fright (but remained perfectly still) as I nervously circled her snapping madly with my camera waiting for that perfect shot that was going to take prime position enlarged on the front cover of my Bali 2004 photo album.
This visit however went without incident and we all emerged unscathed,much to Bianca's relief.
I'd forgotten how fierce the midday Bali sun could get as we struggled up Monkey Forest Road.We stopped at 3 Monkeys and had a bite and more than a few drinks out the back overlooking some small inner suburban rice paddy.The cool breeze that swept through was most welcome as we planned tonight's dinner venue.
Bintangs 18k,bruschette miste 35k,nasi goreng 38k,sate ayam 46k all plus 15%.
That evening as we were getting ready for dinner we got about an hour of beautiful,tropical rain. The fireflies came out and put on a lovely display darting around the rice paddies in front of our balcony.
Then the whole of Ubud went completely black.
Minutes later,generators kicked in at Tegal Sari but Greenfields was still in darkness...and then Tegal Sari went dark.
"Great" said wife,with hairstraightener in hand, and half straight hair.
I thought I'd better ring Cafe des Artistes and make sure they were still going to be cooking tonight.
"No problem,but have to eat next to candle" was their reply.
CAFE DES ARTISTES
Lovely setting under an open pavillion with romantic tables (made even more so with the candles) scattered amongst the surrounding garden.
The food was just lovely but we could hardly see what we were eating,so we took photos (not supplied) for later viewing.
Equil,large Bintang,Pate des Ardennes entree (fabulous),garlic prawn main,baby back ribs (fantastic) and crepes suzette...Rp333,500 for 2 including 15%...and another highly recommended eatery.
Matt joined us that evening but as he had no appetite, simply pushed his food around the plate.
We were starting to get more than a little concerned.