Wednesday the 28th. + Thursday the 29th.
Day 1 + 2
A much anticipated trip!!
It was first talked about at Xmas when I was in the process of organizing Mine and Rob's May trip to celebrate our anniversary.
The Hari's copped a look at the fantastic accommodation available at a reduced price tag compared to Oz (they had just honeymooned on the Barrier reef)and their 1st. anniversary plans had the Bali wheels turning.
Time to fade out again and enter Bali time!
This trips cast of characters - Me and the youngin's Luke (eldest son), Darien (youngest) and The Hari's (also in their 20's) .
Geri and Shaz from our earlier May trip also booked for this period as they had fallen hard for the place also and wanted to bedazzle Geri's daughter Sarah as they knew she would love it (which she did).
They were heading for Ubud whilst we were spending a week in Seminyak villa's then we were all on to Sanur.
With a little bit of fast talking (and cunning) I wrangled an extra 4 nights at the end of the trip for myself.
My boys were to do the old switcharoo with my husband at the Adelaide airport on their return (as he couldn't make it the whole trip).
He and I were heading to Candidasa to chill out, fish, swim and snorkel. Whilst the boys were to keep the home fires burning.
With Shell Hari being very much a girl after my own heart when it comes to details and research there were daily text messages in Indonesian for the months prior (thanks to a very handy translator app.) Banyak dan Banyak Bayi!!
I thought I would be climbing the walls during the 2 days prior to our leaving. I had waved Geri and Co. off on the Sunday and The Hari's had arrived at a Sydney hotel in anticipation of their early morning Monday flight. We weren't due to leave until Wednesday.
Everything was cool though, I had plenty of packing and organizing to keep me occupied and all of Tuesday was spent checking my email half hourly between jobs, wondering how The Hari's were liking their introduction to Bali and praying they were loving it as I had been singing it's praises for sooooo long.
I needn't of worried.... they loved it right from the start (they made me so proud) taking to it like pro's. Apparently it didn't take them long to switch into relax mode which they needed big time.
On the morning of our departure it was cold and wet in Adelaide. I got a kick out of watching the boys when we picked them up, making their way to the car with the blustery rain whipping around them, dressed in their shorts and thongs ...already in Bali Bali mode Baby!
Luke worked his charms on the 'Virgin' girl and we scored the exit row..oh yea loving it already!
He warned me not to moggles our good luck with all my high spirits but I wouldn't listen and whooped it up anyway. A visit to duty free saw me beaming more (a special thanks to the very switched on and capable shop assistant there).
Daz spotted a school friend that happened to be on the same flight as us...and after some brekky and magazine shopping we settled in for an hours delay.
Quick flight once on board, with lots of little ones on it and good service.
It became apparent that Luke was emitting some sort of luuurv pheromone on the day, as the male steward showed more than a little interest too...hehe. He seemed a great guy who had obvious gag reflex issues when it came to vomit (there was a poor little guy seated near us that didn't have a great flight). The crew were very efficient and rallied to help and clean. Daz slept the whole way which is the norm.
he is probably out of harms way there.
Waiting to leave the plane in that "everybodys standing and waiting to get off of this god damn sardine tin moment" some little cuties seated just in front of us were standing on the seats screaming " Bali, Bali, Bali, Bali we are here Yooohoooo "... I looked at my sons and they said in unison "No Don't" my head was singing the same thing....Bali Bali Bali we're here WooooooHoooooooo....I just beamed. After all, no need to embarass them with my excited, carefree Bali ways just yet. I had 10 days for that :0)
Out of the airport in record time 15mins. tops, Wow! And that's with a bus from the aircraft to terminal and lending a hand to 2 groups of travellers in a quandary over the VOA and the porters (hitting my stride early thanks to a little experience and forum advice ).
Traffic from the airport was a shocker but with our accom airport transport there were no drama's finding our little oasis tucked in a gang off of Eat st......HEAVEN. I have not stopped thinking about returning to this gem of a place.
I'm very sorry to say it will remain unnamed as they already boast 91% occupancy and I would like to return myself, so 'MUM' is the word.
The Hari's had arrived 2 days prior and were staying at the Alam Kul Kul in Legian (and loved it).
They had checked out in the morning and had entrusted their luggage with our "Main Man Jack" aka 'Jacky Gorgeous' who we met a few years ago now whilst using his tour services to the Safari Park.
I am happy to say all our Bali converts feel the same way about him now and they all had a wonderful day at the Safari Park with Jack's help on the day of our arrival day.
We were still spinning around like giddy girls (and boys) at the joys we were beholding at 'Mum's' when Jack delivered The Hari's.
There was some catching up, swimming, chilling, a snooker game an information session which I alone attended, on how things opened, shut, locked and operated which I found hard to concentrate on.
You know how it goes 'Oh look at that awesome :- lamp ..statue .. flower .. smile .. bug ...offering... leaf.. and what is that smell wafting around me that wants me to break into a downward dog (yoga pose) not to mention this loving, peaceful feeling that is washing over me that makes me feel like .......I've come home!!!
We had a reservation at 'Chandi' that night just a weaving, jumping, hey hey look out ! stroll away from the Villa.
Thanks to ilab's restaurant review a jug of Caprioska was ordered as soon as our bums hit the seats.
The food was lovely and we all shared a couple of the antipasto platters .... though I did have a hmmmm I'm not feeling so great moment that first night when my duck dish arrived. Too much excitement and sitting maybe. Definitely no reflection on the food.
We just chilled for a while in and around the pool when we returned.
Oh those warm swimmable Bali nights.
I was asleep before my head hit the lamp lit, turned down, bug free, beautifully mosquito netted pillow.
The fairies had been whilst we were out and had transformed the room, I loved it...majorly!
The next morning I was ready and rearing and woke Daz at 6 so we could go forth on our morning walk and exercise.
We hit a bit of a hurdle though when we found ourselves locked in and barred by the big driveway gate.
I thought it was due to my bad listening skills and the abundance of keys but it was later discovered to be due to foliage interference with the infra-red beam connection thingamy.
We overcame it by scaling the fence..( the whole time I'm thinking WT@#!* I haven't jumped one of these things since when I was a kid and I do believe back then I ended up with grazes, scratches and probably curses for being a girl from my older brother. At least there were no vicious dogs after us this time.)
No blood was spilt and we had a wonderful walk in the misty rain on Seminyak beach.
Breakfast was pre-ordered and cooked by the staff which was great for convenience and oh my god they tried but it's not La Lucciola.
It wasn't easy each day when Iluh brought the breakfast menu around to say we have other plans...but the 16 minute walk to La Lucc where everrrrrryything was perrrrrfecccct. Every meal and beverage wonderful. Service omg. Beachfront, beautiful but more about that later (much more).
The Villa was everything we had hoped it would be and more. The Hari's did have some probs that first morning with a lot of noise from the early morning movements of the Local neighbors with a lot of smoke and dogs barking also, from the other side of their bedroom wall.
That only happened that first pagi though.
As usual I was itching to hit the streets so we all set off to see what we could see with a few stores on my hit list in mind.
Luke was ..you know ...not too keen to shop ..and came a little under protest ...you get that....nobody forced him etc. etc.
We took off down Jl Drupadi with the thought of weaving around to the Bintang supermarket for bits and pieces. Would you believe it!!! The first store we came across was one that Luke found hard to leave (hehehe) . Big (1mx1m) oils on canvas that were reproductions of band concert posters, old sci-fi movie posters etc. They actually had one of the Pearl Jam concert here in Adelaide that had been Luke's first rock concert and I had taken him..coincidence hey! It even had the dates and venue of the Adelaide concert.
The Pearl Jam poster
Luke revisited the store a couple of times ending up with a wish list of 4 but in the end came home without organizing it ...next time!
We got a few things from the Bintang and went for a walk to try and find a jewelry store 'de' I really wanted to revisit as I had got a couple of bracelets from there last trip (one of which has yet to leave my arm).
A friend wanted me to choose one from here for her too. I still haven't seen her to give it to her and though I really hope she likes it I won't have any problems keeping it for myself ..I love it :0) 'de' eluded me for a few days .
Luke was getting antsy so it was decided we'd jump in a cab and check out the Surf brand factory outlets on the bypass rd.
The bluebird we hailed was ok about taking the 5 of us but it was mighty uncomfortable in that traffic jam. We negotiated with the driver to hang around and wait for us. He was a great guy and we chatted a lot with him about Lembongan where he was from. We didn't get much from the stores as Josh (Mr.Hari) began to feel a bit average and we were all ready for a break by then, so we took off back to 'Mum'.
'Mum's' wow this place really was magic, somehow (I never did find out how) by the time our transport got to the gate each time we arrived home, the electric gate was opening for us and one of the smiling staff were waiting to greet us.
The staff had a jug of iced / lime water ready for us and when they heard of Josh's situation one of them took off to get a coconut for him. The top was lopped off and it was served to him with a straw whilst he relaxed in the bale. So considerate. Like living a dream!
Whilst Josh chilled the rest of us went in search of some afternoonsies. I had a frozen margherita in mind and we had enjoyed the strawberry ones on a previous trip at Cafe Bali so back we went.
The drinks were great as was the sushi and this was the first of many Gazpacho's I had this trip from various restaurants.
Unfortunately the service hasn't improved and they are most unfriendly, inattentive and definitely avoid eye contact choosing to congregate in doorways and corners. I actually get the impression they make an effort not to smile. Shame ...the staff can definitely make or break a place.
The guys headed back whilst Shell and I went in search of a pedi/mani . We wandered across the street and after checking out the menu we made dinner reservations at Nirvana. The clincher was that they had live entertainment that night. We ended up in their spa upstairs.
I'm still loving my flowery toes but the girl that did my fingers was unwell and that job was a shocker. I don't think I'd return as I didn't like the atmosphere.
We were all looking forward to dinner. Nirvana was busy and we had an issue early on as the tables were really close together and Shell was getting pushed from behind whenever someone walked past, which was often.
Management sorted this issue quick enough though. The menu is pretty basic with all the old favorites surf and turf, spaghetti etc. and were pretty good. We all enjoyed our meals and the staff are good.
The manager and the owner both made themselves known to us and both apologized for the earlier closeness, which like I said they fixed.
We commended Neil (owner) on his staff and he admitted to 'head hunting' a few from other establishments. Good looks is obviously one of his criteria and one of my son's wouldn't mind doing some head hunting of his own when it comes to one particular cutie, who made him all hot and flustered...and no it wasn't the Fire Dancer !
The owner was telling us it was a brilliant draw card and guaranteed to stop traffic. Apparently he is situated on the wrong side of Eat st. and the 2 restaurants either side of him had closed down in recent times. There are different shows on other nights of the week.
The whole time I was there those mirrors on the wall behind them continued to trick me in the spatial sense. All the tree lights were really effective too.
She did the meet and greet rounds after and I can tell you she didn't have a singe mark on her. I asked her how she managed this and her only explanation was because she loves to do it . I admired her very much as I can't light an incense without burning myself.
A wonderful night all round to conclude our first full day.
What a fantastic way to relive such an amazing holiday! Well done yickadee!
ReplyDeleteGreat, really enjoyed the read :) 11 months to go for me...
ReplyDeleteNice read thanx
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