Yesterday was perfection... sitting poolside, gazing through lush greenery as gentle waves break upon the distant reef. Deep blue water glistening under the heat of a tropical sun, as a light breeze sends rare white puffs of cotton candy drifting across a sky of perfect blue.
I know that sounds stupidly poetic, but the weather yesterday was absolutely stunning, and I am now completely convinced that Bali for me is a luxury beachside resort with sparkling pools, cabana boys, cocktails delivered at the lift of a finger, and the knowledge that you have to do nothing except indulge your every whim.
I'm sorry if anyone disagrees, but while I love the people, and the culture is amazing... I love Bali for its lazy poolside days, and the ability to indulge in a level of luxury that I would never be able to afford at home.
So yesterday we indulged! Mum, Auntie, Uncle and Hubby caught the free shuttle bus from outside the hotel to Bali Collection... and Master 2, Master 14 and I headed straight to the front pool where we grabbed a couple of lounge chairs (plenty available at 9am!), and spent the morning swimming.
Mums, Aunts and Uncles, and Hubby dearest returned, bearing bags full of purchases.... And to my horror they had brought two of the most difficult to pack items ever invented. Beautiful, delicate and ever so fragile kites for the two boys.
My bags are full to overflowing, and I have no idea how I'm going to get these home without destroying something! But I'll manage somehow.... (...)
So with Master 2 requesting 'home' and a nap, we headed back to our room in the afternoon, flopped around for a few hours, and made the momentous decision that our group was going to split up for dinner that evening.
I didn't want to leave the hotel, and had decided that indulging in the offered hotel buffet would suit us quite nicely. Mum, Auntie and Uncle are more budget conscious (because they went shopping all day!! Hehehe), so found themselves a restaurant outside the hotel bounds.
The hotel food was lovely, and I have no complaints. Though at around $30 per head plus drinks it was easily the most expensive meal we have eaten since our arrival.
The Novotel has entertainment scheduled each evening, and last night was a cabaret show. The first half was (quite frankly) a bit lacklustre, with the dancers looking poorly rehearsed and a bit lost. I don't know, maybe it was a new routine for them, not to worry though, it was still entertaining and Master 2 was enjoying the show.
So much so in fact, that when the show stopped for a 10 minute break, and a small group of musicians began playing to fill the gap, Master 2 leapt up in front of the hotel guests, and began prancing, pouting and dancing himself across the walkway with much swinging of hips, skipping of feet and broad gesture of arm.
A lot of laughter and clapping, with another young boy quickly getting into the act, followed. I admit to indulging in a proud mum moment as the pair did a better job of keeping us entertained than the group of dancers who had worked so hard before hand.
The young boys were ushered back to their seats, and the show began again. Well, it was far far better. The energy levels had risen dramatically, the music was more entertaining and the crowd very quickly started clapping along, and really getting into the show. It was definitely worth watching, and Master 14 being dragged up onto the stage to dance with one of the lovely ladies will no doubt be a highlight of his life for some time.
After a flurry of photographs, lots of applause, and the exit of the dancers, we returned to our suite, settled the kids in front of the tv, or in bed, and relaxed.
A truly lovely day!
Which brings me to this morning.... Our final full day in paradise. Today I have to pack (again!), relax poolside for as long as possible, and send hubby to pick up the laundry we have had done at the laundry across the road. 59k for 37 pieces, is just... wow! Then tonight, a sunset dinner cruise.
I hope you all have a wonderful day... I'm sure I will!
xxx
BaliDaze
P.S. Free wifi at Novotel is really hard to connect to, sorry for the patchy reporting!