Just chilling! - 15 February 2008

Bali map showing whereabouts for the day

Surprise, surprise, awake early – even though we were late going to bed – and had very sleep over the last couple of days. Something about being on holibobs and wanting to pack so much in I suppose!

Showers for both of us – and then down to breakfast in the restaurant in the hotel, where we had eaten last night. A fantastic buffet was laid before us – and as we were looking at the cornucopia – oooh a long word – Su and John came in – so we decided to join them. Our room, and theirs as well, are half-board – our kids wasn't! So for us the breakfast was thrown in - and I always find that a good breakfast on holiday means I can survive til late in the day without the need for anything else – just in case.

Breakfast @ the PuriSantrian

Well brekkie was good – eggs, bacon, small hash browns, beans, turkey sausages, toast, loads of fruit drink, and fruit – and sweet plates like you get in America. A reasonable cup of coffee too I hasten to add! While we eat we chat with Su and John – mainly about the possibility of a day trip tomorrow. Su had looked at the brochure (ours still sitting in the bag not reviewed since last night!) that Mahdi gave Mista John yesterday, and there was a trip called Bali Back Road Tour that sounded really great. What might have missed everyone's attention at this point (or maybe Su just ignored the fact) is that the tour was only run Wednesday to Saturday, and we wanted to go on the Sunday. Maybe that's why the tour wasn't exactly how it was written! Having said that I only noticed this whilst I was typing up the diary!
We would get to see parts of Bali, and things there, that you would not normally see. So as we are all interested in this trip – we decide that it would make a good day out – so will mention to the others to see what they think. We also think a day recharging the old batteries around the pool would probably be a very good idea – especially given that in two days we will begin our road trip, having had almost 30 hours travelling yesterday and the day before.

Once breakfast is finished I head back to the room on my own to get the brochure and other bits and bobs, (I thought at the time this might be a mistake) and proceed to get lost – very lost. I do find Paul and Maria – who had arrived before us – and had waited a while for us – before going back to their room and falling asleep! Being out for the count all night! They didn't know where to send me – so I continued going round and round in circles for what seemed like ages – and then finally eureka! I found the two tier building (the only one in the whole complex I might add) and went upstairs – only to find Anita sitting on the doorstep looking a little pissed off! Must admit I can't blame her – at my age I should have known better!

Once again we grab our swim wear – and Anita's diving equipment – and head back to reception for the first of the two meets with the reps. The dive shop rep Simon is already there – and the first thing we do is to part with our Tetley tea bags and Marmite. As does everyone else – so his arms are really full. Has the look of a corner shop – all we need is Arkwright and maybe Grrrranville! . He gives all the divers tags to mark up the equipment so it can go into the right party. On the road trip we will split into two parties – one going round the island clockwise and the other the opposite (I was going to write anti-clockwise but couldn't be bothered). This means that everyone should get some good diving without there being too many people making a mess of it for them. (Mike please take note – more later!).

Everyone has to pay their balances for the diving and the one trip that we had organised though the company – and those paying by credit card had to go back to the shop with him and John has to – because he has to!. Anita goes back, and a few of the others, but before they leave everyone is told about the "Bali Back Road Tour" and while most decide to come with us – some want to go white water rafting instead. I am given the piece of paper with all the details of who's doing what – and told to wait for the Hayes and Jarvis rep.

He arrives on time and it is Mahdi! He goes through a few things - repeating most of what he'd said yesterday – having said that most people hadn't taken anything in – cos we were all quite tired after the long journey. He explained about the black and white checked material around the statues. As this is a Hindu country primarily - they are very pc – so the statues "naughty bits" are covered up! They believe in two types of spirits (no not whisky and rum!) high and low spirits, and most of the religion is based around the opposites. Hence the balck and white checks, rather than any old rag! Anita and the others return – we give Mahdi the list of what we want to do – well the tour and the white water rafting – he gets up and says if we need anything else in the way of trips, days out etc. just ring him – and off he goes, leaving us to our own devices.

Little Matt on shamu in the pool

So once all the "repping stuff" is done we head off towards the pool. There are not many people around so we again take over the bar area and quite a few sunbeds too! The weather is good so everyone is in a laid back mood. All the kids (well 9-23 year olds really) have a great time – especially when Shamu makes an appearance. Just to explain – in case you haven't read my last extravaganza entitled "Return to Florida or Stef's bob-tastic adventure." Shamu was bought on our last holiday – Florida last August. It is a blow up killer whale (or as we prefer to say Orca) – about six feet long that you can ride and play on. It took a lot of people quite some time to inflate it - surprising really given the amount of hot air around the dive club! – but it was worth its weight in gold. When we bought it originally in Florida it came fully inflated – but here we had to huff and puff! Once inflated it became mayhem. All the kids had a go – even some of the adults too! Our Andrew got a game going where you launched yourself off the side of the pool onto Shamu's back – hopefully staying on. Give him his due – he managed it – not many did – until one of the pool boys came over and asked us to stop, cos of health and safety. Health and safety in Bali – I don't believe it I hear you all cry (as we did at the time!). It was decided that as Matt & Carole had a room close to the pool Shamu would stay with them for the holiday. Saves blowing him up every time – and us having to carrying him all the time!

As Anita and I had eaten very well at breakfast we weren't hungry – the kids got some snacks, but no-one had a major meal at this point.

Outside of the resturant @ PuriSantrian

Anita, Lauren, Andrew and I, along with a couple of the others go for a quick walk – out of the hotel complex – turning right where there were a few shops – to get some provisions and sun cream. Some of the others were buying other stuff. We were not gone long – only two or so shops, then back to the hotel, and more sunbathing and reading.

Come the evening and everyone is hungry. About 12 of us decide to go off and find the sister hotel to the Puri Santrian called the Griya Santrian, which Su and John had stayed at last time – because it had a good Italian Restaurant attached to it. So we go to the back of the hotel and turn right along the beach – which is where we (sorry - Su and John) thought the hotel was. An hour later we are still walking – ok it was a nice night – but no sign of it. Passed by a few interesting restaurants – but no joy. We passed an Italian one – but it wasn't the one that they remembered. We suddenly come to the end of the road – well not actually – it does stretch on – but there is nothing around – it appears to be a marsh.

What to do? Everyone is hungry – so we head back to the Italian we had seen before – about ten minutes back. We arrived and can hear music – there is a band! Don't seem to have many tables available – but in true "we rule Bali" tradition (OK I know we've only been here a day or so!) they can't turn away 12 hungry people. Space is made (albeit not a lot of space) and we are sitting down, listening to the band.

They are actually not too bad – and are playing well known middle of the road numbers. They are also taking requests! There are a couple of German women close by – and they want Imagine (John Lennon for you heathens) – which is cordially played – albeit with some strange words inserted. Mind you if I was to try and sing an Indonesian song bet I'd do the same (oh I forgot I do that in English too – Where ever I flay my cat comes to mind! Hehehehe.) It was good and funny anyway – then the "piece de resistance" – someone (not me or Anita though we have seen him live) yelled out Neil Diamond. Well Sweet Caroline has never been so played – especially as they didn't know most of the words so were humming – till a few of us joined in to help. Great night – if only because it relaxed us so much due to the laughter. The band take a break – and then return as the food is coming up. Great pizza and pasta – I really do think that the Italians must have got to Bali first because they can definitely do a good pizza!

The crew in the bar!

All too soon the band are saying goodnight – though the punters keep yelling for more – maybe we should have had a whip round for them – they might have carried on – as it was they played almost half an hour over what they should of. As we left with the music still ringing in our ears – and singing – we headed back towards the hotel. Once there back into the bar for night caps – be it coffee and tea for some – or beer and baccardi for others! All too soon everyone is saying goodnight – well those divers amongst us are off diving tomorrow (did I mention that it was a diving holiday.) so bed seems like a good idea – even though it's already 11.30 at night!