Will continue with the misplaced numbering system or it could get confusing!
Thanks for reading, I find this is quite good therapy to recover from the blues of returning to daily life, work etc, and re live and plan the next adventure, and is nice to share with kindred spirits.
Early start as I am off to Tullumben to complete Padi open water ticket doing three dives above then in the US wreck. It's quite a long drive, but lovely about 2.5hrs, passing through many places I have read and heard about and am considering as destinations, Padang Bai which i did dive at last time, and candidasa.
The diving off Tullamben was nothing short of spectacular, first dive covering many skills learnt in the pool and to 12m and prior to most divers arriving was over and around the wreck which was spectacular with the colourful amazing tropical fish, and the stunning coral and plant life.
Second dive was straight off the beach in front of the Paradise resort, quite a sandy bottom, and to 18m this time, still many amazing varieties of fish, and plant life and a massive barracuda which excited the dive instructor and terrified me a little. Was amazing being responsible for my own safety and equipment, very empowering and adds to the enjoyment, was a thoroughly enjoyable course to do. Used a dive computer on this dive.
Lunch and longer break to ensure plenty of time for 3rd dive
In, around and through the wreck and 18m again, awesome experience, so exhilarating and such an amazing instructor and location to do my ticket. Side note - adventure scuba Dive was amazingly accommodating with changing dates and times as Sam was also getting married in Nusa Penida on the 6th Jan and had to be on the ferry with a bike and camera, not yet sourced at 7am on the 5th so to fit Tullamben in on the 4th was amazing.
Arrived home and Ms17 and boyfriend lazing around my pool, ordering room service and had sent the nanny home, we wandered down to the beach for dinner, still a few fireworks going off randomly, lovely evening together, then they went back to legian and M10 and I went for a leg massage, and I had a pedicure, which he then thought he might like too. Wonderful end to an amazing day.
Day 10 Another early start and M10 back in fine form, and off on our bike tour, postponed a day also due to illness. I went with Celebrity Bike Tours as a recommendation from my brother, they picked us up at 7, we were joined by 4 girls from Finland and another in Ubud also from Perth, Coffee tasting and I purchased a catpoochino, just because I needed to try it, done it never need to have again! Breakfast at the base of Mt Batur then off to the start line. Bikes were in good condition, great brakes, good helmets, roads were rough for the first half, but it's Bali villages so to be expected, it was more a roll than a ride, being mostly down hill, with numerous stops, many cultural lessons, at a temple, cock fight arena, rice paddies, govt residence, was fantastic the ride ending on the outskirts of Ubud at the tour operator Made's home (4 staff all Made!) with lunch prepared by his wife wich was amazing and free bintangs as we all booked direct. Balinese owned and operated and superb customer service and email communication.
Home at 3.30, Nanny came and I went for a 2.5hr body scrub, massage and facial at koa boutique spa which was beautiful, then a banana fritter before going home and insisting on going to the restaurant, rather than room service and for perspective of how crazy room service was, we could step off our doorstep and with one stride we could be seated in the restaurant.
I packed most of our bags as Day 11 started with getting our hair done at 9 and checking out at 10.45 to pick up the teens at 11.30 in Legian M10 argued the hair wash as he had already done this (day 3) and he had been swimming and wet his hair in the bath! For a smart dresser he is such a grott! I offered you was, or some lovely hairdresser wash, he made a smart choice! Wash and blow dry, and I had a wash, straighten and French braid, which meant M10 could also fit in a 30min leg massage, he is starting to settle in to Bali life and thinking maybe we should never go home.
Arrived at Legian village hotel, kids still asleep, Ms 17 ready in 10min, so we left B/f to sort himself out, wandered down garlic lane, wanted a few more pretty leather thongs and sandals from a great little shop with very reasonable prices, got 5 pairs first price 700 000 rup, was so shocked by such a reasonable price we just paid, then went to get some tops, shorts and dresses, fair bit of haggling but got there eventually.
Collected, B/f completed their check out, off to Matahari's as I had done so little shopping had not yet found 1 handbag that I could not live without, so clearly I had not yet looked hard enough.
B/f was dying (hangover) needed panadol and food so he and M10 went for food and instructed if they could not locate us our driver is parked behind Matahari's near GJ's
Matahari's did not disappoint , 4 lovely handbags I simply could not live without, and various other fab items and a lovely pair of bathers.
Shopping done, we were hungry and thirsty, hadn't yet found the boys, had a quick snack, went to the car, our driver successfully babysitting both of them in his a/c car - he is worth every tip we give him.
Off to the Conrad for our last night of unashamed indulgence and luxury.