High Breaky
On the Friday morning I went with two friends for a breakfast at Biku as we had enjoyed high tea there previously. A new experience awaited us - High Breakfast. It was great. Consisted of fresh fruit salad with a dollop of yougurt, omelette triangles, small sausages, grilled tomato, small pancake with smoked salmon, date scone, plain scone, cream and jam and tea/coffee. While each item wasn't huge the total amount was a generous meal.Rp 85.000.
Fabric and a treasure trove
On the way to Alta Moda for a 2nd round of fabric shopping we stopped at Toko Central (my 1st visit) what a treasure trove. Crystals, ribbons, beads, sequins, jewellery making bits, lace trims and one of the great finds of the trip - frangipani flower clips at amazingly low prices. Bought 100's of clips amd elastics in numerous styles, sizes and colours for myself and family and friends. eg a dozen large ones for approx $5 Aus. The problem came with packing them as they come in bulky, plastice trays and are a little fragile to be carelessly packed. Also got some samples of silver shells that may be useful for an upcoming family wedding. All got home ok.
Alta Moda
Love this place.Sale still on but not as crowded so managed to buy a dozen or so more fabrics. I like non-iron, lace and silk but there is a huge range.
I had a lovely evening with two of my local families coming for dinner at the hotel. As they had all been sleeping at various places due to their flooded homes they were in the mood for a nice meal.
I started Saturday with a quick swim and breaky at Lilla's followed by a visit to the shoe tailor - I had a fave pair copied in 3 different colours and they are great. (Full Collection on Tamblingan)
Orchid Farm
I had been wanting to visit here for years and it is lovely. Got some great pics also. Located at Sanur with entry I think at rp100,00 with family prices also. Probably it's best suited to keen gardeners or orchid lovers. One fat civet in a cage and a small cafe as well as orchid products for sale. One can purchase a bottle containing about 20 baby plants which can be brought in to Australia. I got a roll on orchid scent perfume. I had hoped to purchase 2 plants for a friend and I to locate at our hotel (as it's our home regularly) but had to go to another location and they are now sitting happily in a tree adjacent the pool. We might add on each trip to the beautiful garden.
Took my teen friend to the Porch Cafe (Tamblingan) for a milkshake and cake - she was horrified that people would put carrot in a cake but came round after tasting it and giving it 2nd place to chocolate.
In the evening I had two, young local couples and one baby come for tea at my hotel. I met the boys as they gardened at one of the beachfont hotels a couple of years ago. They have both since moved up the job ladder but one is currently a stay at home dad as the mother in law baby sitter is ill. Last year I learnt fried chisken was their favourite food (probably Bali style) but KFC was not in their price range so I ordered a delivery and we had a lovely evening. Always some funny situations when my Indonesian is a little limited and matches their English but over the last few trips we are finding communicating getting easier.
Kept myself awake most of the night with an exciting book and then too scared to sleep!
My friend D came for a swim (she is trying to learn and is always amazed at the tiny Aussies who swim like fish)
My driver Wayan invited me to his home to meet his family which was a wonderful experience. His younger son had been born without a rectum and had an emergency colostomy as a newborn and then many months later at the end of last year, a repair surgery. As you can imagine the costs were high and I joined two other women from different states in going home and fundraising to meet the debt. The lunch was delicious and would rival a cafe (Wayan warned me his wife wasn't a good cook) and seeing the baby so well was amazing.
Into Discovery Mall Bread talk for the much craved Bread and butter puddings - using croissant bread makes them so delicious and there they were coming hot out of the oven!!
Bamboo Shoots Cooking School at Sanur
This was a great experience, starting with a look at the local produce market and then breaky at the venue and then into the cooking. We made 6 different items and the class loved the finished products as well as learning along the way. Well run, good value and my kids are keen to do it in July.
Cheers
Jan