A few years back we decided to sponsor a Balinese child called Ade in his initial schooling. Ade lives in the Mengwi region which is in the hills towards Ubud (about 1 - 1.5 hours from Sanur). We have visited Ade and his family at his school and at their family compound on a few occasions in the past (so we aren't complete strangers). Two years ago we took him a new bike and he genuinely cried with joy. Our kids get a new bike for either a birthday or Christmas when they grow out of their current one. I can only make my kids cry with discipline.
Understandably the sponsorship programme which supports over 500 primary school kids encourages local visits but discourages any contact which may risk the integrity of the operation (such as day trips). So I would never encourage such a sojourn to anyone currently sponsoring a young primary school child.
Ade is now 13 years old and on to secondary school which is outside of the programme. When we last saw him we promised to see him again and assist supporting his next level of education.
Anyways we obtained his mothers mobile number and with the help of a nice guy called Ketut (adhoc interpreter) from a restaurant near Peneeda View contact was made. We arranged to take Ade and his best friend Agus to Waterbom for the day. I explained to Ketut that we were concerned he maybe scared. He just laughed and offered for me to take his 12 year old son if it didn't work out.
We were picked up at 7.30am by our driver and friend Scooby Doo. Scooby speaks good English and the kids really like him. Ade and his family don't speak English so Scooby also helped with interpreting.
When we arrived at the family compound we were warmly greeted by all and sundry. We established that Ade and Agus had never been to Kuta. Ade had been to Denpasar once on a school trip. They both could swim and made regular trips to a nearbye river. I didn't know how to explain what they were in for but they seemed very humble, giggly and quietly excited. So we all jumped in Scooby's van and headed for the big smoke. Ade sat in the front with the window down as he sometimes gets sick in cars (as he's not in them much).
Both Ade & Agus stared wide eyed out of the van windows on the trip to Kuta. When we got to Waterbom Park they just followed our lead. Hand signals and smiles were order of the day. I mean kids and waterslides what's not to love.
We decided to throw them straight into the deep-end (so to speak) and they plummeted down the 'macaroni' ride on a double tube. Screams were followed by high fives and excited chatter, .... they were hooked. Scooby later translated that they were 'scared sh!#less' on their first go. The more rides they went on, the more they loosened up, splashing heaps, racing each other and swapping double tube partners with us and our kids.
Lunch was a novelty. I said (through staff) 'order what you like'. They both stuck with Nasi Goreng. Somehow I don't think that Waterbom fare stacks up with traditional cuisine. Both Ade and Agus were extremely polite when their Western Nasi Goreng arrived, bland as hell with fried egg strips on the top ... HAHA, causing some giggles and hushed whispers.
Agus was the more adventurous of the two and egged Ade on to try every ride. They both chickened out on the extremely high single drop. I've only ever done that ride once and from memory it was a colonic experience.
The rest of the afternoon was spent with constant rides and frivolity.
We then ducked across the road to the 'Cold Stone' ice-creamery at the front of the Discovery Shopping Centre. They looked pretty chuffed sitting at the tables watching the busy world go bye chowing down on their gourmet ice creams.
Through Scooby we told them that dinner was their choice. We suggested maybe McDonalds, KFC or a restaurant on the beach. They chose the beach option as they don't get down to the coast.
Off we trotted to 'Sharkeys' at Jimbaran Bay for a seafood feast of crab, prawns, calamari and fish. Scooby joined us of course and we dined like kings as the sun set over the bay. We tried not to stare at the boys and make them feel uncomfortable. I did smile when they didn't know what to do with a napkin and they asked through Scooby if they could eat with their hands.
Thanks to the beach vendors the boys set off some roman candles in the sand and Scooby took us back to Mengwi in his van, all full and content.
Back home both Ade and Agus proudly showed off their Waterbom Park professional photos (in a little sleeve) to their families.
We gave some RP in a brown paper envelope to Ades parents for his education and exchanged more pleasantries. We truly appreciated the trust they gave us in taking the boys out for the day for a totally foreign experience.
Scooby then took us back to Sanur. Our kids were tuckered out and fell asleep in the van. Somehow I don't think Ade and Agus slept much that night.
Coming in Part 3 Lembongan Island