Here goes! Will try not to cry as my memories come back...
Flew into Denpasar late Saturday Sept 4th. Jetst from Melbourne delayed about 45 mins due to technical problem. Once in the air we are advised no immigration cards on board "All passengers will be issued with one on arrival in Denpasar to fill in before clearing customs." Great I think, family of four we are done for. Can see the que now. To our surprise we land, fill in said cards, clear immigration and out to our wonderful Balinese family in about half an hour. This included scanning and lugging of six large bags of clothes and bunny rugs for locals.
Bapak@ Ketut was so excited to see us - especially our girls 5 & 7. Delivered safely to hotel for midnight paddle and into bed for the kiddies. Apologies to the cranky lady across the way who could not weather ten minutes of my young ones quietly wetting their toes after seven hour flight etc.
Next morning we awake to paradise - peeing rain. Did we care?? Not a jot. Off to breakfast. All fed and suitably watered the kids get their togs on and into the pool. This is pretty much how we spent the first week. Eating, swimming, Bintang and lots of fun for the kids.
went into Denpasar to purchase material for kids to have traditional Balinese outfits made. Lani is studying Indonesian at school so Aunty Putu thought this would make a nice Oleh Oleh.
We had a second family arriving on Saturday for their fits trip. We really wanted them to experience the Island of Paradise as we know it so a few tours were in order.
Monday we head off to Safari . Beautiful pics of girls with Orangutung. Took @Bapak @Ketut and family with us had a wonderful day. Waterpark as always was a hit. The new elephant show was popular with young ones also.
Turtle Isl - The kids all loved the boat ride to and fromthe Island. Pics taken with large sea turtles, python also not to mention the bat hanging in the tree. Twenty years since I had been here and I must say fibreglass boat sure is an improvement!
Tannah Lot - The drive out was beautiful. A lot of water on road, many laughs at the scooters flooded or locals with feet in the air as they "power through" the wet. No sunset but an awesome view and Lani experienced her first blessing - priceless. Surprisingly cheap shopping in the market too. Gran even had photo taken with the python.
Saturday night get a call from Bapak Ketut to say ceremony tomorrow you must come. With the girls in their traditional garb we set off early Sunday morning for Denpasar to bless new business. This was the first time my 5 yr old has been to a ceremony. The wonder and awe in her was amazing. We are so lucky to be a part of our Balinese family traditions.
Sunday roast at Barli Aussie and of course some Karaoke and dancing on the bar required. The kids had a ball.
Shopping at @Ketuts made life easy. We also visited @Diannes fixed price but found her rather rude and unhelpful.
Our last week rolls in so we start to eat at as many $Warungs as we can and savour the flavour!
We take balinese nephew to timezon. Mclds and home for a swim. What a great day. How amazing kids are - speak little of the same language but play together easily, laughing and joking. So wonderful to see.
Forgot to say WaterbommPark was great. Go early, no que for slides home before afternoon sun.
Friend arriving during the week had ordered VIP+ VOA. We were laughing saying it only took us half an hour through airport anyway. As legend would have it his VOA dude never turned up and he had to get through on his own. As it was took him very limited time also.
On arriving sadly at airport for our flight home, we decide to try the Dew Lounge. It is being renovated but was still a step up form the cattle call. However late notification to get to the gate saw us almost miss the flight so word of waarning don't rely on staff to advise you make your way to the gate in plenty of time for your flight as the queue was enormous and moving very slowly.
Home again, back at work, cooking and cleaning for the kids and miss Bali already. The beautiful friends we have there, the warm weather and easy going lifestyle are wonderful.
Cheers
Sandy