Part 2 of the very long JBR...3 mums in Bali.....As I said before it's long but it is also my holiday diary for my memories...read what you like and leave what you don't
I had decided Sunday was a no work day. GF1 had the bike ride on her bucket list so she booked in with Bintang Bike for a ride through Ubud which she really enjoyed. She was on the ride with 2 other couples form 2 other countries. She said the guides English wasn't the best (he was new) nor her companions for the day, so all round it was a funny day of communication. She loved the ride and saw a bit of village life which she loved and some great photo opportunities. She said the meal at the end was lovely.
GF2 had a few things on her bucket list, besides shopping, pat a tiger and hold the orangutan so it's off to the Safari park. GF2, my dad's friend (as dad had no interest in going to a zoo, he grumpy old man t-shirt is looking more likely by the day), me and our trusty driver Made......
We got to the safari park nice and early and headed straight to do the animal photo's, GF2 just loved it and was so excited at the photo's she would have to show her boys when she got home. We then watched the animal education show. I hadn't seen this last time and have to say it was really good. The popped over for the elephant bathing. I was really disappointed, it started at 10.20 and by 10.26 the elephants were gone. Last time I had come there were heaps of carrots to buy and feed them and everyone had time for a pat. It was almost as if they wanted you to book the elephant ride if you wanted to pat an elephant, felt a little ripped off on this one and told GF2 that next time ( if she ever comes to Bali again) she should go to Taro as you can pat them and feed them for ages there.
We did the safari ride and got heaps of pictures and really enjoyed the up-close with a few animals. We didn't want to stay for lunch or the Agung show so we went to meet up with our driver Made. GF2 wanted to stop at the doggie boutique in Seminyak to buy and outfit for her pet rabbit...no I am not joking...And I wanted to stop and have a quick look at a villa that had been recommended to me in Sanur. We stopped at Villa for a quick look, lucky it was empty and I got to see inside. Definitely on the list for next holiday. Then we popped into Hardies as I wanted a few things from the supermarket and also to see what Hardies is about. As so many people mention it on here. Crazy shopper holic GF2 was straight into the ground floor at hardies and dad's friend bought a few sarongs. I came out of Grocery shop with my supplies and headed upstairs with dads friend. We both looked at each other and said at same time don't let GF 2 up here she will never leave. We quickly paid for items we had grabbed, a long sleeve soccer shirt about $3 and a skirt for my daughter about $3 some cute smurf pens 30 cents each, then went down stairs in search of GF2. I informed her that upstairs would be a whole day exercise for her so bets we leave it. I blink and turn around and she is heading up there....The whole of hardies would have heard me yell out if you want to go to that doggie boutique today we have to go......As the escalator dropped her at the top I had no idea if I would see her again......Lucky for us she relented and came down paid for her purchases she had piled up and we escaped.....Off to Seminyak we go. The doggy boutique didn't have much and was very expensive. I did buy a bow tie for my dog ($9) that we are getting next month and she found a few outfits for bunny and some magnets that looked like cakes...not sure what they were about but she successfully spent over $100 in that shop...yes I did say she can shop...Ok finally I say let's get back to the hotel before the sunsets.....
So quick change and we head to Sudras bar on the beach out the front of LBH.....now this is GF2 (OCD hygiene's) first time on the sand in Bali. I did tell her not to bring her whole bag just a bit of money for a drink and if she wants to buy a sarong or something while we relax and watch the sun set. She took about $50 and off we went....Oh just one drink.....I'm not getting a massage, they probably haven't washed their hands all day blah blah blah.... OMG like leading a camel to water.....Within minutes we get the hello from all the girls. Sudras has us fixed up with a binnie for me and Mix max for GF2... Now let the games begin, how much can one person buy at the beach over a drink and a sunset. I get my massage from Fergie, she is so fabulous I wanted to bring her home, look over and GF2 is surrounded by sellers, it is like they can pick her a mile away. She has spent all her money fast, has put stuff away for tomorrow, some things taken on credit and she even had a massage. Her words...'I love Bali this is great I have a drink and a massage and the shops come to me'.....I have created a monster...Needless to say I was left with the drinks bill....Then just before we go another watch seller comes over. She said I have no money left and I have already bought 10 watches. He said 'I know I have been watching you that why I come over!!!! You pay tomorrow'.....LMAO just one of those moments...
Well back to hotel and meet up with GF1 a swim and a drink at the pool bar......See the grumpy old man (dad) who's having a swim and then we are off for a late dinner at Lemongrass Thai......Hot hot hot, now I love hot food but my chilli basil chicken was so hot I need 4 beers to wash it down. Very yummy and fresh. GF 2 got green Thai curry chicken gluten free and GF11 had Thai beef salad all very yummy, plus entrees and extra rice dish....Price all up was 750,000 for 2 courses each, some cocktails and other drinks. All round very happy....
We decide to walk back to hotel, I am so full I need to walk it off...now lucky for the shop keeper he wasn't locked up yet and unlucky for me as GF 2 spotted some vans she wanted for her son. I was really ready for bed and almost fell asleep on the pile of handbags. We advise shop keeper there will be no haggling we have bought Vans for 150,000 and if he is happy with that he has a sale...He agrees, clever man, 8 pairs of Vans later and we are on our way......Back the Padma we have a pj party and watch Bridesmaids 2 on DVD.......Another great day in paradise.....
Monday comes and I am hit with the harsh reality that I still have heaps of work stuff to finalise, after all this was meant to be a work trip. We all go our own way as GF 1 and 2 have shopping they want to do.....GF 2 is definitely ok to shop on her own and knows her way around. I am off to pick up stock from one supplier meet up with another. Sort out some more stuff and package up for DHL to collect. Put some laundry in at Pelangi laundry lovey lady said 30,000 for my 8 items I gave her 50,000... Off to Edelweiss tailor to pick up my dresses and tops made from my knit fabric. All perfect except one top not so great. Paid and on my way. Off to Komang to pick up some stuff, then stop at Tommys for a leather handbag or 3 as I haven't really bought anything for myself....except for the cloths I had made. I buy one large black handbag, a medium red one and a small one to just take cash if going dancing. I get a 10% discount and on my way just under 2 mill. I order daughter a name bracelet. Have to say it was her favourite thing but snapped in half after 3 days...next time I will buy a few spares...
Back to hotel to meet up with the girls and all 3 of us head down to the pool for a swim and drink then off to the beach. GF1 loved it too. She payed some guy to play songs for us on his guitar while we have a beer, sing along, massage, nails painted...Did I mention I love Fergie, I so needed a shoulder massage after carrying all those bags around.....GF 2 pays her debts and collects her watches.......We watch the sun set and chat to the beach sellers. One of the girls had got a silver tree I wanted 200,00 and I ordered some apples and elephants in set of 3 for 150,000, I don't haggle to much as I like the girls and know they only get a small percentage. A good day's effort.....But how is the baggage weight going. I bought 35kgs but starting to wonder and I am definitely concerned about GF2 she has a sea of shopping bags piled high in the room not sure how much it weights but it's looking scary.
As we wonder into Padma we see the Italian buffet set up and ask if they do gluten free food. We are shown a page from the menu of GF choices and decide this is an easy option for dinner. Order GF2 gluten free meal and advise we will be back on an hour. Quick dip and get ready for dinner....
The buffet is huge so many choices. GF1 and I go for the buffet 250,000 each and GF2 is bought her special gluten free meal which she really enjoys. There is a band on and we request a song. Lovely night by candlelight overlooking the beach. Back to buffet, pasta pizza, osso bucco....making myself hungry as I type....I haven't even looked at the dessert yet. The band finished and a quartet comes around to each table singing songs. We ask for brown eyed girl and have a sing along. The what about hotel California but change to hotel Padma....So we are singing along...welcome to the hotel Padma Bali...such a lovely place....Anyone who was there was probably laughing along with us....Made for a fun night. Hit desserts buffet and roll back to bed.....What's not to love....Only 2 days to go and I am already wishing I had stayed longer so I could have a few days just lounging by the pool....