A trip to Kuta for all was on todays agenda. The boys joined us for a strawberry smoothie at Gloria jeans and a visit to Matahari for some shoes. Following this the executive decision was to leave the ladies to the shopping and head back to the villa for a swim.......via Big Boys Toys....."Just to show Phil the car I am looking at." Yeah right.
Us girls spent a couple of hours in Matahari. I was in my handbag phase...deliberating between several and purchasing all! My offsider was delighted with the wooden beads she found along with great deals on Converse shoes.We had planned to have a good look around Kuta markets but had spent so much time at Matahari. Dee did however manage to find a lovely silver ring to purchase and, as luck would have it, the store personnel produced the matching earrings !Well she couldn't leave them there, could she?
So with a 14 year old teenage offsider in tow we ran the gambit of the markets around Bemo corner. I had to tell her not to point at or say 'look at' things displayed and she soon learnt!! At one point she showed interest in a selfie stick.Every market seller for the next 100 metres chased after her with a selfie stick. She was very stunned and a little intimidated! 'How many you want, you come to my shop cheap price for you.'
I had transitioned from my handbag to my watch phase and was purchasing several "Ice' watches.' Cheap watches are great for work, I always stock up.Too much shopping saw us elect to grab takeaway from Soho for dinner tonight!
Our companions had booked a Whitewater rafting tour and were picked up bright and early. After breakfast at Seminyak café the other half and I headed down Double Six street, my favourite shopping strip and the area we usually stay in. As there has been so much construction in the area I was unsure if my favourite shop for buying clothes still existed. As we kept walking I was sure it had been knocked down and then.......there it was, tucked off the road but closed(Sunday).No matter, it is still there and I can come back!!!
Whilst the old boy chose to head back for some relaxation by the pool I decided to take a walk and explore for a while. I headed to the bottom of Double Six and turned right along the beach.It was lovely to be by myself exploring the old haunts! I walked up Dhyana Pura, things have changed so much since our last visit. I had been informed by another forumite of the transformation of our favourite warung, JP'S, to Frankensteins laboratory. I walked past, recalling all the afternoons we had watched the World go by from the front table. All boarded up with crazy images and doesn't open till 5p.m.So sad.
Back to the villa and then a walk to Seminyak Square and the market. Prices here way less negotiable and higher than in Legian.
Another full day of activities made the thought of going out to dinner just too much. I had picked up a "Hallo" restaurant guide and we opted to try the delivery option for the first time. Mykonos was the restaurant of choice and the order placed. We should've realised from the difficulties in translation with the person on the other end of the phone that this may have been the wrong option. We waited for two hours as the delivery person was confused with the Gang and B'S D's and G'S. Never mind, one of us should have walked the short distance and collected it ourselves. Surprisingly , the food was still hot and very good! Oh well, chalk that one up to experience!
The next day saw us return to Ketuts fixed price as the bartering process had well and truly lost its shine for our newbies. The boys waited patiently in the Garlic Lane restaurant and bar leaving with "Daddy day care" stubby holders as a momento. They then made yet another visit to Big Boys Toys where...to our surprise...NOT,the purchase of a remote control, petrol driven car was made. Due the many visits made it came as no surprise that the old boys support person in this venture had himself purchased a remote control boat! Two very smug fully grown big boys awaited our arrival home that afternoon.
Dinner was at The Boardwalk restaurant at Bali Garden Beach Resort. Such a wonderful meal and a beautiful setting. Barong dancing followed the meal with all invited to participate in the Macarena and Nutbush dancing with staff. A great night was had by all.
A massage to top off the evening at a little spot in Drupadi Street completed another great day.