Flew out of Adelaide on July 7th for my 7th trip to Bali, this time a solo experience, adult kids saving to come back next year.
Interesting at the airport when it was suggested I change from via Sydney to via Perth as some passengers were going to be 'bumped' due to high fuel need! While I weighed up the possibility of an overnight in Sydney vs the loss of a strawberry filled Krispy Creme donut experience I was told that several people had volunteered to go via Perth.Relief. Short lived though as Sydney airport was down to one runway due to high winds and we did aerial work for an hour or so! Didn't even get the donut!
Two seats to myself and quickest ever through voa and immigration (30 mins from landing) so things were looking up.
Stayed at Bumi Ayu Bungalows at Sanur for the fourth time and I find the price, accommodation,location, friendly staff and the relative quiet of the place suits me perfectly. It is also popular with my kids and their partners who are in their twenties.
A lot of my time in recent trips revolves around friendships made previously and with sponsored students and their families. People have become like another part of our family and as many forumites enjoy, another dimension is added to travel and life.
Dumped my gear at the hotel and straight to Mona Lisa (one of my favourite restaurants) for a prawn and avocado salad with freshly cooked and still warm prawns and a delicious mango juice. I did repeat this meal a number of times till I'd gotten over the craving for it. However a bit of disappointment that the creme brulee had been off the menu for two months due to a problem with the supply of the special cream - I did offer to scour the island and the manager tried (probably due to my regular requests) but it never turned up. A plug for the forum here - I went through the archives and found a couple of brulees to try, and not too bad either. I don't usually bother with desserts, must be something to do with the holiday mood.
Next stop was the family of a teenage girl whom my kids befriended in a laneway a couple of years ago - several months after that chance meeting I was back in Bali and found her at my kid's request and started their support of her education - we now look forward to spending time with that family and their neighbours.
The little sister greeted me like a long lost friend and as she was just about to turn 3 I was quite surprised at her affection, I guess she had heard good things and knew Muma Jan was ok. The previous year we had a big party at the hotel for her second birthday and while she enjoyed it she was a little shy.
A visit to my jewellery shop guys elicited a warning that there had been a couple of bag snatches from guys on scooters and I guess that explained the police driving down Tamblingan a couple of times each night.I never felt nervous, even walking alone at night but it is always a given to me to be aware of personal safety and possessions.
Last year I took a lot of scrabble tiles to the guys and suggested that they would make good initials pendants - apparently they had been a good seller.
Hardys supermarket with a lift - wow. Revamped and definitely many items cheaper than last year. Phone card on 3rd floor and quite cheap to call landlines at home. Fish spa got several visits. The most amusing sign to me was the one at the supermarket that had " Animal needs, pet foods and expat requirements" in the same aisle.
Dropped photos of a friend's baby to Mercy photo shop to be put onto canvas - I get some done each year and they are excellent. Choosing a 30x40cm size means they can be stretched at home over a $6 artists frame from a cheap shop (these frames have stretchers in the corners).
I guess I like to hit the ground running because I didn't land till 4pm and the first day was now ending with a swim and a drink with some new friends at the hotel.
So many plans to look forward to - friends, dolphins, massage, food, tailoring, cycling, diving, walking, swimming and as always in Bali - the thought of unexpected highlights.
Jan