In Reply to: JBR - return visit after 10 years! posted by Sama Sama on Tuesday, 29. March 2011 at 19:13 Bali Time:
Love the Padma.
I stayed there once on my first visit to Bali back in 2000 (this year will be my ninth trip) and stayed in one of those deluxe chalets close to the pool. I remember being blown away by the fantastic ambience of the hotel and the whole 'resort feel', and I remember the sounds and smells that went with a light tropical shower of rain in the early evening sitting on my balcony.
I remember a lovely young man called Wenden who was a valet out the front. He would organise transport and help with our luggage. He was just the nicest chap with the biggest smile and wondered if he still worked at the Padma.
I kept in contact with him and his family for a while and would send him a Xmas card and 'pop in' to see him whenever I was in Bali, but alas have lost touch as I now tend to stay only in Ubud and Sanur.
When I was staying at the Ramada Bintang in Tuban he even brought his wife and two children after work one evening and waited for me in the lobby for over an hour just to see me.
What lovely people the Balinese are.
If you saw him, I'd be interested to know.