Last day Seawalker and guess what more chilling - 24 February 2008

Bali map showing whereabouts for the day

The holiday has seemed to have flown by, and here we are waking up for the last time in Bali. A note had been left in the room yesterday advising that we had to be out of the rooms by 10.30 – although we thought we had them booked until 12! We both awoke and started to finish the packing, getting the room ready. Anita and I had a long discussion and decided that although we had a few rooms that we could use until we left tonight (or so we thought) that we would get a room for the day if possible.

We went and had our final breakfast – seemed a touch sad but we decided that as today was going to be a long one we needed to start it right.

The luggage packed, and a quick trip to the kids' room – and everyone is almost ready. I go to reception and pay the bill – which was very reasonable given that lots had been put on the room and that the kids had done similar! I enquire about a room, and after a discussion with the manager and a certain amount of dis-belief that someone would want a room that they would not sleep in – we are given another room. We then transfer all the cases from our room and the kids', into the new room. We decide to keep it reasonably quiet – mentioning it only to few select people.

We go and sit around the pool, but suddenly Andy is all alert. Seems like he left his shaving gear in his room, and we have now passed over the keys to the hotel. He wants some support, so I go to reception and ask for them back, saying that we have left some things in the room. The receptionist is quite happy to hand over the key, and we get to the room, and remove said articles.

Doreen enjoying the Seawalker

One thing I forgot is that Lauren and Denise were going riding this morning, and a few of the non-divers were going to have a go at the Seawalker. The Seawalker is like scuba diving, without the tanks, and a fish bowl on your head. Nanny had tried to get Granddad to do it, but he was having none of it, so it was Nanny, Cathy, Mandy and her two kids, and Maria that were to have "the experience of a lifetime". Andy and Mike decided to join in sort of – following the boat, and taking their masks, so that they could get close.

    

Maria, Mandy, Little Matt and Ben on the Seawalker

I don't know much about the Seawalker – only that everyone that did it loved it. Apparently they gave you food which attracted the fish, so that you could view them – up close and personal! I am sure that Lauren would have done it – but she so desperately wanted to go horse riding (well she was almost two weeks without a horse!). When she and Denise returned they both seemed to have enjoyed it big time!

The Seawalker crew returned at a similar time, all also very enthused over their experience. Nanny kept on at Granddad telling what a wonderful experience he had missed. We sat around the pool chilling and laughing, and letting the day slowly pass us by. We let people that we wanted to know about the new room, know about the room, so that they had somewhere to put their bags – but most dropped their bags at reception.

Carol, Cathy and Emma by the pool....

Everyone seems very relaxed – the holiday has made a difference to most of us. Lunch time arrives and the kids go and grab some food – but most of us just want to sit and chill. Given that we leave the hotel at midnight tonight – and then have 30 hours plus travelling seems like a good idea to grab a rest while you can. Anita is off on one last buying spree – and even Shamu makes a last appearance, before he is deflated, and put into the bags. It's a tight squeeze getting everything in the bags – although truthfully it's a close run thing. My mind was going back to Florida last year where we had to buy a new case. I was not so sure that we could by one here as easily, and that we could get away with it on our luggage allowance! Indeed would we be able to find one at very short notice! Umm interesting..

Su and John have to leave their room, so their baggage joins ours and the Selby's in our room. So in truth we would not have had anywhere to change and shower had we not got into this room!

The ladies are going to the spa again tonight – so off they go, and we are left to our own devices. I am desperately trying to finish my book so that it will be one less thing to take with us, but with all everyone else around it is becoming harder and harder.

The girls return from the spa looking like a million dollars (no not all green and wrinkly!) far from it. We take it in turns to go to our room and have showers, and get ready, as we are going to have dinner down the beach at a nice restaurant called Donalds – which had had good reviews on the internet. It takes us maybe a hour for everyone to get ready, but then we are walking down the beach, and find the restaurant. Virtually everyone in the WFSAC party decided to go – so there is a lot of us. They manage to find us two largish tables – quite close together. First one table orders, and the ours – the second one. Drinks arrive, and everyone is chatting. Then table two's food comes out, and is consumed. Unfortunately table one's has been forgotten! They quickly sort out the mess, and table one is feed too. We are in no rush today, so take our time over the meal, which is on the list of the best meals we have had – well in my opinion anyway!

Once everyone is fed and watered, we head back towards the Puri Santrian, although everyone seems a little lethargic, it doesn't take us long. For the last time we head back to the bar area, and take over. The talk has become a touch subdued. I think primarily because no-one really wants the holiday to end – and especially that no-one is looking forward to the journey home!

11 o'clock arrives – and we head back to the room to get the bags. They are all moved to reception, and the coach arrives. As before the bags are taken by a separate van and it heads off first – as we board the coach. The journey to the airport is not too long, and we are off and bags grabbed – and into the lounge.

Bali map - we're leaving - booo hoooo!!!