The second night was not good for sleeping, a loud birthday party at a villa on an adjacent property kept me awake and then the frogs! I had no idea they could be that loud and go ALL night, apparently it is mating season as well as raining. Ended up next day buying earplugs, leaving the aircon on for muffling sound and a gin and tonic or two at bedtime, after a few days they quietened except one that was sneaking up the stairs towards my room -removed (gently) and tried on several occasions to move back - obviously he hadn't heard what I wanted to do to any frogs in croaking distance.
Third night I got a wrong number caller in the early hours and then about 8.30am one of those tourism calls (You've won a weeks free accomodation) based on the info of where you stay filled in at immigration. Not happy Jan.
Rain was heavy and no sun for 3 days. I have always visited Bali in the dry season (usually July) and yes I did expect rain but some guests told me in 6 or 7 years of January visits they had never had so much and so constant a rain. I wont go in January again unless I have no alternative time available. The rain changed the possibility or enjoyment of so much of what I like to do, in particular walking for kilometres each day, the bike ride and strolling around shops and markets in the evenings.
I went to Biku for a high tea with a group of friends (had done this in July and it was just as lovely.It was close to booked out. Bought some lovely carved bookmarks and cards at Biku and a large amount of the thin silver metal containers from a place called Tina Shop - round, square and heart shaped boxes in sets of 3, some with candles in, hanging strings of fish, stars etc and magazine boxes - all look great and good prices.
Spent quite a while at Alta Moda, 50% of all fabrics meant the place was extra busy but peristed and made a number of purchases. I have a regular tailor and also tried a new one - details later if wanted.
The homes of two of my local friends were now up to thigh depth so they had to find alternate places to sleep. D came to my hotel to stay and it reminded me of all the things we take for granted.
As she is studying tourism at a senior high school she checked whether the bed was made correctly and commented that the mozie nets looked like it was for a honeymoon.
(The water took several days to go down - I was grumbling about the lack of sleep and rain on my holiday and my friends had much more upsetting things to deal with.)
Frogs quiet this night but the geckos..........
After sending D off to school I went to the Dolphins at Serangan - this was my 5th visit so obviously I like it.
Had a progressive lunch (easy if you are on your own, entree at one place, cocktail somewhere else and so on) which ended at Caramel for creme brulee - theirs are particularly good. Reading a book I had a micro nap which is a new experience for me but the wildlife had been depleting my sleeping hours.
Spent the afternoon doing a little shopping - Tootsie's fixed price shop for wallets, sunnies and sparkly thongs for gifts. Another fabulous massage and dinner at Griya Santrian. I was the sole dinner (snapper Balinese style and a great coconut and pineapple cocktail) and it was lovely at dusk as the rain stopped briefly.
On Thursday I had booked a massage for a friend and a hair spa for myself but cleaning up after the flood delayed my friend so I thought I'd keep one of the appointments and the hair spa was incredibly relaxing and the products used made my hair lovely.
Out into the rain and off to Charming for dinner. This was my first time here and it was a lovely restaurant with great service and food. I even took a photo of one of the mini chairs provided for handbags to sit on. Several complimentary appetisers, Tasmanian salmon and a complimentary shot of orange liqueur made for a great dinner. AS I left a large group arrived and it amused me to see all the teens and almost teens glued to various electronics within a minute of sitting down.
Still to report on - High Breakfast, cooking school, orphanage visit, orchid farm, tailoring, Echo beach and this n that.
Cheers
Jan