Dad, Trevor and I spent 17 days in Bali.
A new bus load of trainees arrived one day. It was amazing to see their confidence improve day by day. They started with little confidence to speak English but improved daily. The bus must have been the oldest bus on the island with a head sized crack and shattering across the vision of the driver and some panels were almost rusted off. I guess it passed its road worthy as the horn still worked.
We decided to try a new tailor. I enquired at Kings Tailor but they wouldn't budge under 400,000rp for mens trousers. I called into Olga tailor opposite SW. We spoke to Eric and decided to try them for copy trousers for Trevor and Dad. They cost 250,000rp each and were copied perfectly, out of Italian lightweight wool. I had a skirt and top made out of the suiting material I'd bought on Java and kebaya. I had some ideas but Eric encouraged me to change for all of the right reasons. All turned out nicely. I will use them again. Cost 150,000rp each and they supplied lining. We were fortunate to have placed our orders when we did as tailors were returning to their villages for the end of Ramadan.
Dad wanted some sandals, like all of the other fellows were wearing and easy to get on and off at home. We walked around to Jocelyne and easy to find a few choices in size 43. Dad wore the sandals every day from then on. I guess I can replace his sandals every year or so else he will have to return with us each year, and why not!
We like to patronise Lisa who works in the shoe shop out front of SW (maybe 5 shops to the left). A couple of years ago, Trevor and I visited her village in Munti Guning. Her and Made have Putu who is 4 years and Kadek, 5 months. They live in a rented small room in Kuta and usually a boy in the ‘compound' cares for the children so both parents can work in Legian. Lisa gives good massages and I think does the best painted nails. This year she painted like flashes, like bamboo, in white, black and silver on my nails and they looked lovely. Shame they cant last until I next return to Bali as my toe nails do. I get her to create flowers and coat with clear polich. I usually have some of the flowers showing when I next return to Bali.
Lisa mentioned Putu was ready for her first kebaya and sarong etc for ceremonies, so we offered to take her to the early morning market and we would buy for her. Lisa arrived at 7am and we piled into the car. Lisa chose a gorgeous little outfit with sash and other bits and pieces, a new purse and a new sarong for herself. She was thrilled, then insisted on carrying all of our bags of fruit etc. Dad wasn't comfortable allowing this little girl to carry our goods but we whispered to him that she needed to help us as we had helped her and her family.
We visited a few Apotecs, outside Bintang S/M, Guardian in Jl Melasti and outside Carrefour. Bioplacenton seemed to help Dads legs (made with pigs placenta and aids cell regrowth), Acyclovir for cold sores, Mylanta packs and Panadol cold and flu (seem to help dry up your nose when symptoms of a cold first appear. Hope the ingredients are as safe as those made to Australia, to our high standards.)
I had decided to get replacement lens for my rimless multifocal reading glasses. Will I, wont I, I couldn't decide? One trip down to the Bintang S/M, Trevor spotted Mr Honeyman at his pole in the driveway. When he mentioned to Mr Honeyman that I was interested in glasses, he offered to come back to our hotel immediately! Can you believe it, I couldn't find where and if I had packed my glasses. Bugger. (By the way, did you know that Mr Honeyman used to sell honey on the beach, which is why he got the nickname. His real name is Lalu and he is from Lombok). I decided to order a new pair of transitional, multi focal glasses using my recent prescription for home. They cost around $300, were delivered about 5 days later, much cheaper than home and I am very pleased with the frames I chose and the end product. When I was unpacking at home, I did find the rimless glasses popped in a side pocket., Oh well, next time.
I bought duty free at the Denpasar airport and had to collect the bottles at the gate. Prices seemed much more reasonable than Melbourne. (That reminds me, Sue looked at perfume at duty free in Melbourne and found prices way higher than available in stores and chemists. A girl came up to serve her and she remarked on the high prices. The girl told her that perfume sales are low these days and they will meet any price outside the airport. Good to know!) Guess who forgot to collesct the duty free at the gate. Bugger, not so cheap afterall. We caught the 10.30pm Pacific Blue flight and arrived in Melbourne by 5.45am on Fathers Day morning. Pacific Blue don't give you anything on the flight, not even a sip of water. A small bottle of water cost au$3.
We had breakfast with my daughter, son in law and GRAND DAUGHTER, then later lunch with more family. There had been a storm the night before and our street was closed to traffic and a large gum tree had fallen across the road. We also had a 20m or so gum down from our yard across the back fence and power was out for 24 hours.
All booked for March/April and August/September next year.