Another stunning sunrise from our balcony at Baleka, which is so well positioned to get to many places, early start for all as we have outing planned for the day with Made our lovely driver. Down for the reunion breakfast with staff and guests and for someone who has a smoke and coffee all the choices are a bonus. Have seen posts of differing reviews of breakfast but all I can say is when you are at home I will come to your place for a week and see whats on the menu every morning.
Arranged for Made to be at hotel at 9 so up we went and her smiling face was there and ready to go. 6 of us (the two alphas are big guys) piled into Made's car with room to spare and off she went.
Well since we were stretching our wings in Bali a bit further I must say Made made me rethink the woman driver thing, she was awesome even pulling alongside a motorbike carrying more freight than an average B Train back home, so we could take some pics of the guy.
Anyway Made got us safely to Bali Safari and Marine park, don't ask me how but she did it.
When we arrived she whisked us up to the counter, she had pre-booked btw so don't ask me how why or where, just get a good driver.
We paid $99 US for the "full" package, now you may say that is expensive, however it ticked all our boxes we got safari hats each so we can look like the "Griswalds" and then a picture with the most gorgeous orangutan before watching a show. Then off to a picture with the white lion then an elephant show, Made with her skills whisked us away and we went for an elephant ride, i must say my poor "Leena" was feeling her full 25 years when she got me back, then off for a lunch, which was average, but perhaps am getting a little fussy now after 4 days.
Then a splash at waterpark before heading off at about 3pm.
You get to pick 1 professional photo in the package and then can pay 150000 for any of the other 2, but of course you can use your own camera for pics, so there are plenty to choose from.
Made wanted pics of us all for her FB page and we took a lot of pics.
Another episode of "whacky racers" on the way back to Baleka and home by about 4.30pm.
Since we aren't using Made for the rest of the trip as her car won't fit the rugby team and all the bags it was goodbye so soon after meeting her.
But Made isn't letting us down cause guess what, her brother in law has a bigger car and he is looking after us for the rest of the trip.
Anyway Made told us how much our day was going to cost and there is no way I could have paid such a ridiculous amount so we paid her another 100000 for her time etc. We also gave her a Koru necklace as our special gift to a lovely lady.
Quick dip in the pool and couple of Bintangs in the bar and wandered off for some tea.
Ate at La Monde 2 Bintangs a milkshake and got wifey a ridiculous Pina Colada cause it's good FB photograph material a pizza Mahi Mahi and chicken and mushroom with rice, garlic bread, 430000, getting the money sorted like a pro now btw. Meal rating average but maybe I was expecting more. The walk home was eventful with plenty of night time bargains and yes my medical problem is still obvious to men who want to sell me remedies.
Wifey is a roll your own smoker and smokes Menthol, now if you are a smoker and smoke menthol rollies you may struggle to find tobacco here, but she is so happy as she has found Esse menthol cigarettes that are as thin as her "racehorses" so thumbs up for her and at $1.75 a pkt who cares.
Quiet night back at room having a coffee with "milk" and not creamer.
Tips so far
Get a driver like Made
The Baleka is a good 3 star place central and staff are friendly, and rooms are clean and serviced daily.
If you first time in Bali pay $99 US for the total package at Bali Safari and Marine Park, you may never do it again.
Most of all don't worry about the small stuff when you come to Bali cause if you want something or left something behind you will get it in Bali.
Quiet day tomorrow, spas massages feed my feet to the fish etc.
Good night Bali.