As details of our Bali holiday are fading as rapidly as the dye in my sarongs I'd best record what I can.
Monday - we had teed up with Norman (Norm!! ala 'Cheers'(forgive us we are of a generation reared by the sitcom)) and 'Putu' to drive us -Me, Kerry and the Dunny's around for the day 700,000Rp - that's like $13 each..great for a day's outing we all thought (8:45-5:30)and they threw in a esky with ice so the guys were all happy with a quick stop off to stock up on Bintangs which 'Norm' obviously felt an important part of the service providing corkage with his trusty bottle opener (had himself a bit of a moment at one stage when he thought he'd left it behind in the jewellry store where it was used often...girls and shiny things just go together.. agreed!?)
'Norm' himself was worth every cent , he's verrrry funny, entertaining, friendly, interesting and has a gift for accents and mimicing the various nationalities he deals with. I nearly choked on my chewy when walking along Jl Legian a couple of days later when one of 'Norm's' impersonations was personified in a tall Scottish man who was being offered a watch and exclaimed "You've got to be dreamin' mon!".
The plan for the day was 'Ubud' with stop-off's on the way. The Barong dance was first and I became a fan on the spot ending up with a painting and a carving by days end (couldn't resist hanging one of these ugly little suckers near our door to ward off evil).
Next stop sarongs - the making and buying of. We stopped at Celuk for jewellery - (oops, feel myself falling into a 'Homer Simpson' type slavering coma mess "mmmmmmmmmjewellry" at the mere mention) got some great earrings of various designs which 'Kerry' and I haven't stopped wearing great quality.
Mas for carvings - I found I didn't care to negotiate here as you see how much actual time and skill goes into these masterpieces. The young 'Dewa' (who is soon to go uni. in Perth..so I was getting a good Aussie price) was working on a piece with Dolphins(the helpers)and Eagles(the protectors) made from this magnificent trunk from a 100's + Frangipani tree that had grown and subsequently died next to a temple! 'Dewa's" uncle was our guide and seemed a wonderful gentle man who loves to talk of 'Oz' as he has been invited to demonstrate his skills at many shows/exhibitions all over from Melb. to Kalgoorlie! Amazing generation after generation of wonderful carvings to be seen.
Had a great lunch at a restaurant of 'Norm's' choosing (as on reflection everything was) overlooking rice paddies with a wonderful cool breeze. We invited 'Norm" to join us whilst 'Putu' preferred to shoot a couple of games of pool somewhere behind the scenes. Food was good with most of us opting for the 'crispy duck' which came out looking very true to name and delish and though they didn't offer Frozen Marg's they made a fantastic fresh squeezed lemon squash 9/10.
Time was up by then and we didn't get to visit a temple and were a little disappointed that the route we took was the "back way" and not the scenic route and no actual 'Ubud/Monkey Forest rd'.But we actually didn't specify these things either (though I did particularly want to try 'Ibu Oka' as recom. on the forum but was talked out of it by 'Norm' who had already made other plans I think)...so next time!
Got back to LBH and the "magic fridge" felt like we were farewelling a long time friend with hugs all round from 'Norm'. Then off to change, swim, drink cocktails, relax, watch the sunset, change again and wander out into the night for shopping, drinking and dinnig...god I miss the place!
We were eating at a little place recommended by a friend of a friend (always hmmm worthy in my book..you know, he said it was really cheap but good)it was virtually opposite the LBH...and fell well short hmmmmm, can't remember the name either which is probably just as well... some opted for icecreams from the Circle K whilst others opted for cocktails at 'Sheppy's' for a nithtcap.
Made a deal to finish these JBR's before the duty free ran out and the nail polish came off...bottles are empty and toes are looking a bit chipped!!
Cheers!