Friday , it's what I class as our last really full day, even though our flight isn't until 11pm on Saturday night. So we intend to have a really busy one, and get as much shopping done as we can, so as we may have a bit of a rest before departure. We now seem to be over our ailments and looking forward to a good couple of days. My favourite time of the day is here, it's breakfast, I have made myself look beautiful in the bathroom... amazing what masks you can buy from those stalls, and it's off to see the fruit selection
There is an abundance of passion fruit this morning, a great big bowl full of them, there is a new hand of bananas just waiting to be attacked, and the multi coloured melon selection is there with paw paw , pineapple and mixed fruit salad. But first, and , for the penultimate time, I take the requisite 2 slices of wholemeal and pop in the toaster. The French were there in force, but they must have got to their tables early, as most of them had almost finished breakfast by the time I took my first swig of tea. I was a little bit upset... the woman that I had thought was winking at me just had a nervous twitch, and in a flash, my illusions were shattered. I was also glad at this juncture that the Ireland vs France World Cup qualifier had not taken place, I would have had to enquire as to how it felt to belong to a nation of cheats. So, confrontation was avoided by the FIFA World Cup schedule, and it had worked in well with my holiday timetable
Ibu Omelette was certainly on form this morning, we swapped a few jokes, for a couple of yokes, and they were perfection on my toast. I made a moat of baked beans, and topped the eggs with some crispy bacon... drizzled with a good slug of HP sauce... ahhh...what a great start to the day
Without more ado, we alight from our table, and we almost seem the last to do so, the place is deserted, so we head off to our room to collect a few things, and we head off to Kuta. Bluebird taxis have been plentiful and easy to acquire since we have been here, and this morning was no exception. We ask the driver to drop us at Bemo Corner, and 85,000 rupiah later, we are there. Our first port of call is Bagus tailor to pick up the 4 pairs of work pants that Mrs W ordered back on Monday. We find our way passed many aggressive shop owners , and some less aggressive touts for timeshare and massages. We arrive at Bagus tailor , and she is presented with the workmanship that we have been accustomed to. She tries one pair on, and, as they are all the same , except for varying styles... she is very happy with her purchase. We tell him we will be back in March and will come give him some more business. So, that's one thing out of the way, and we head back towards Kuta square. We decide a coffee would be nice....next stop Gloria Jeans... but it turned out not to be... A Polo shop is spotted and Mrs W wants to treat herself to a hat and a couple of blouses for work... me ? I just want a coffee
We reach the salvation of GJ's , and head straight upstairs to the aircon and comfy chairs. We order a couple of coffees and I send some emails from the free terminals that are in situ.We spent quite a while in here cooling down and watching the world go by. I spied many bogans from my lofty perch, but they all seemed to be headed in the direction of the Stadium Bar..funny that. We chat and while away an hour, and we decide that this has been our best trip to Bali so far, and that it just keeps on getting better and better. We always say next year we will go to Vietnam, Malaysia , or New Zealand... we never do, and we know that Bali will be our main destination for a good few years yet. Long service leave will dictate a different holiday when that occurs, and a European trek is on the cards. That means I will have to be on my guard, as I will see many Germans, French and those astute Italians and Spanish. I have already decide don role reversal, and when I go to France, I will be getting up at 5am, and putting towels on their loungers....let's see how they like it!!
Anyway, we leave GJ's and having had a good day market shopping for workmates etc we get a taxi back to the Novotel and enjoy a late couple of hours by the Crocokiss pool , and have a beer and a cocktail ..(I had the beer) I remark that Mrs W has not had many massages since she has been here, and should have one this evening before dinner. She concurs.
Dinner this evening is back at Laguna Garden, and armed with my laptop, we walk up the street, and when we get there, I go straight to bar, whilst Mrs W goes for a nice foot massage and some reflexology. I take advantage of the free Wi-Fi and catch up with world news and all things sport. The light has faded very quickly this evening, and its looks like a storm is heading our way
We decide to stay here for dinner and order a ‘Mekibung'... now, I know this sounds like some sort of cure for the Eartha Kitt's, but, it is in fact a compendium of flavours all presented in banana leaf 'boxes'. Replete with steamed rice and four beautiful satays on lemon grass sticks it was delicious, and for the princely sum of 115,000 rupiah... you can't go wrong can you? I particularly enjoyed the fish in coconut sauce and the nice spiced chicken compartments. We took heaps of photographs tonight, and lots of The Tree, Laguna Garden, Casanova and general street shots
So time to go back to the Novotel and start packing. Always a bit of a downer this is, but hey, we'll be back again in 4 months so be happy!! We then start to guess how much our cases weigh as we have heard they are quite strict on the way back to Aussie. I cram as much as I can, and some of the heavier objects in my hand luggage, I think we will be ok ...we will just have to see
Ready for bed, and my mobile phone receives a message. It is from my eldest daughter in the UK, and the message is to tell me that her Auntie had just passed away in hospital. She had suffered badly with lung cancer for the past 4 years, and the end had been sudden. So at the ripe old age of 46 , my ex-wife's sister is taken . I call my ex to offer my condolences. What a bad end to the day, and I say to Mrs W that we don't know just how lucky we are .......
Tune in Tomorrow for the final instalment - The last day and journey home...(thank you for reading)