I was a tad hungover when I woke up at 6am this morning so went back to bed instead of having my usual foray out to the balcony. Miss 6 woke up before I had the chance for any more shut-eye though (typical!).
After breakfast I headed up the road to change money and have a look amongst the shops. I stopped in at Niluh Djelantik (the shoe store that has the big red slingback stilletto as it's logo). For some reason, even though shoes are my passion, I've never looked in here before. Have passed by many times in a taxi but unless you're staying nearby the 2 stores are not really conveniently located in the heart of the shopping district. Of course I fall in love with a pair of orange & gold sandals displayed in the window. Turns out they don't have them in my size (as is so often the case in Bali - I have size 42 hoofers!) and it's probably just as well as they are EXPENSIVE. RP 1.65 million. They have the same style that I love in kids sizes (also expensive at RP 800,000) but I figure if I can't buy them for myself then at least I can look at Miss 6 wearing them LOL. Think "I'll bring her back later to try them on".
Back to the hotel to pick up Miss 6 for an appointment at the Spa for a manicure for me & mani/pedi for her. We enjoy our girlie time together and she skips back to our room singing "twinkle toes & fancy fingers" over and over (this is the name of the package she had). I'm glad she enjoyed it - I was not that impressed with my manicure - I have a bleeding & mangled thumb cuticle and had to have the polish on 1 hand removed & re-applied as it was thin & patchy. Whilst I have been pretty impressed with the Semara spa as far as the facilities go, I think the therapist you get plays a big part in the service you receive. I will ask for Kadek in future as my Ayurvedic Shirodhara with her was sublime.
We spent a few hours poolside afterwards and then I took Miss 6 out for an icecream & back to Niluh Djelantik to try on THOSE sandals :o)
I'd planned on having some made for her as she has very narrow feet & ankles and it's near impossible to find shoes to fit her in Perth but I have been too slack to organise it yet & now there's no time. The sandals fit her like a glove and although they cost $80, I bought them anyway. I usually have to spend at least that much at home, and end up buying whatever fits even if they are ugly LOL.
On the way back we stop in at Bathe, a shop nearby the hotel which sells bath products - natural moisturisers, body washes, shampoos etc. Miss 6 peeks in the back room where 2 girls are sitting packaging loofahs & they ask her if she wants to help. Next thing I know she is sitting on the floor, putting mini loofahs in cellophane bags & sealing them up with stickers and enjoying every minute of it while I browse in peace. You've really got to love Bali! It's things like this that she remembers for months afterwards and that have her saying "Mummy I wish we were in Bali" :o) Of course after this I have to buy something and walk out with a gorgeous diffuser oil in "Bali Blossom" fragrance & a funky patterned cotton bath mat.
We put all 3 kids in the kids club at 6pm & head out to Jl Laksmana to pick up my birthday necklace from Silver Dragon and then the 4 adults have a child-free dinner at Rumours. I haven't been here for 8 years but the steaks are just as good as I remember. Hubby had a lobster linguine which was SO delicious & Mum 2 had the Black Mushroom steak (and I had food envy yet again!). I had sirloin with black pepper sauce & mash, Dad 2 a 400g Wagyu. We all had dessert - 2 mango crumbles and 2 lime zest creme brulees. YUM YUM YUM, we were all very impressed with the mains & the desserts. plus 4 cocktails, a Coke, 2 waters & a coffee for AU$25 per person. Big thumbs up!!
We catch a taxi back to pick the kids up by 8pm & Mum 2 and I walk over the road to book Biku for afternoon tea on Tues and then to Amo Spa to book a massage for tonight. Amo is fairly new and is a really nice set up - especially the mani/pedi area downstairs. Wish I'd come here this morning instead of the Semara! After we put the kids to bed, we girls head back to Amo at 9pm and I have the "Relax Me" massage which was fantastic (RP 200,000). Highly recommend this place as a mid-range spa - much nicer facilities than the "cheapy" places but not as expensive as the hotel spas.
On the way back to the Semara we pass several drugged/drunk people stumbling from the direction of Potato Head... there is a big dance party on tonight which goes until 3am & as I sit on the balcony & type this HNR I can hear the music as clear as if I'd paid the RP800,000 ticket price LOL. Earlier tonight we all stood on our balcony & watched the very impressive fireworks display that was on before the main act performed. We were pre-warned by the Semara that this event was taking place & they advised that complimentary ear plugs are available from reception (wish they'd offered the same courtesy when they mosquito-fogged at 5.40am on Wednesday LOL)
Thanks for reading if you're still with me after my vodka-induced ramblings :o)