Not quite JB and thought I had better write before the memories fade.
Travelled from Adelaide on Virgin, myself (mum) and two sons with their fiancées (one couple had their wedding during the trip) and two friends - the young ones all being late 20's. The trip was my second for the year after a very wet January one and was my 8th. The 'kids' had been between 0 and 4 times before, one newbie included. The wedding was added to an already planned holiday after an engagement in May and was a very beautiful and happy day.
Having a group meant I had lots of kilos of luggage to fill as we work on just using our carry on and only snorkelling gear goes in the big cases - the rest is for me to fill with gifts and clothing for our Indonesian friends and stuff for the people and school at the rubbish dump. Taking in approx 150 kilos was great and we had no trouble bringing home almost the same amount.
We had talked for many months about the order of things upon arrival - as you often do when anticipation takes over. The race to the pool was abandoned and after a quick check in to our regular hotel (Bumi Ayu at Sanur) we headed to Mona Lisa for dinner and it was just as good as remembered and we returned a number of times.
A stroll to Hardy's supermarket for supplies and after a moment of silence that the hot dog stand was really gone (as I had told them in January)we had a look at all 3 floors of giftware, clothing, phone cards, food etc. Love the $20 bikinis and $1 magnums.
Weather was a little cooler than we often find but pleasant. first morning was my usual sunrise beach walk and we all met to have breaky at the hotel, we don't get it included as we like to try different places and the hotel one is quite ok.
Having stayed at the Bumi a number of times we have gotten to know many of the staff and the lovely receptionist, Wayan, told us that her daughter Cinta had died suddenly and unexpectantly in April aged 5 it was terribly sad.
Three of us headed into Denpasar to the Australian consulate to meet with the wedding planner's assistants and to do the paperwork for the upcoming wedding. It was interesting to go through quite a lot of security checks - even having our hands swabbed.(Not in regard to the wedding, just the consulate's security procedures) Paperwork didn't take long and we could then feel relaxed about the arrangements for the following week.
We picked up the rest of the group and travelled into Kuta and to Alta Moda for fabric shopping (it is one of my favourite things to do in Bali, getting clothes made.) I bought a lovely lamp at Centro which took up most of my carry on bag space and I haven't got round to changing the plug yet so I can enjoy it. I think I'm over my love affair with Breadtalk's bread and butter puddings - maybe it's time for a new favourite.
We all met up on the beach for a beer and I was a little shocked to see a very young monkey with some European girls on the beach - apparently it lives with them. When I met up with the kids they had seen another one spending the day at the beach also.
Bennos Beach Cafe for dinner (Yes kids Bonsai is really closed!) The ribs won a few fans here. Catch ups with some of our local friends and some strolling along the beach path to end our first full day.
Next day was shopping at Tootsies for fixed price clothing, bags and sunnies, fish spa at Hardy's and more catch ups with friends - news of a wedding and another two friends with babies on the way. Took Sara's (forumite) idea and bought the new Bali street directory for my driver from the book shop near Hardys.
Dinner was at Sunrise which is quite far North along the beach path near where the boats leave for Lembongan Island. A number of the meals were great and others ok. The Reggae band was good.
Very happy to have a massage at Ayu Spa with Wayan next day and the girls had pedicures and haircuts and we booked our wedding day requirements.
The kids remembered a BBQ place they liked but as with a number of places we found the liquor license was gone and things quite different.
I took some old scrabble tiles to my jeweller shop friend for him to make into necklace charms - he always says "very good seller, Jan, is this popular in Australia and it's tricky to explain the context of the game and using bits of it for jewellery - they look great and he finally kept me a J.
Lazer Bar on Tamblingan was popular with the kids - casual, two for one drinks often and bands they enjoyed for a bit of fun.One night I met up with the group with our 16 year old Balinese friend and a tourist grabbed me to dance so I did - Dewi later told me my kids asked her if I had been drinking to which she seriously replied "No, mum only had cake"
Long enough for one post - wedding, dolphins, zoo, Tulumben snorkelling, Echo Beach, rubbish dump village visit, and St Regis reports later.
Jan