We are leaving Legain tomorrow and are heading to a small island called Nusa Lombogan, 30 minutes ofshore from the south of Bali. The surf is supposed to be the best and the beach golden...a bit quieter than Kuta which is very touristy....! Heaven!
I am not sure if there will be any internet connection....so until the next time...

Love to all XXX

Crazy screaming Squirrel..

Ahhhhh, the crazy screaming squirrel! Im not quite sure as to the race of this creature apart from it looks quaintly like a squirrel, but i do know that if you have one of these outside your window, you will NOT sleep, NOR will you rest! They screech and hurl as if they were being tortured.... except that they're playing and jumping between trees! Typical Balian wildlife.....that can STAY in Bali!   haha

The internet connection is not that great here, so photos are not that easy to add... Shall add as soon as possible!

XXX


I am officially the BBB
(Best Bargainer in Bali......).

OK, so i am supposed to be living it low and on the cheap but when you see things like this, and at the price they are, it is impossible to refuse.
I set off to the local market in double sixth street up in Seminyak, to find a silver pendant for my charm knecklace and a silver bracelet for my collection. I found both, however.... I also ended up buying a beautiful coral bracelet (Mummy you would love it!), a long silver chain knecklace (practically given to me), an elegant python skin clutch bag (ok not necessary), and my favorite... a pair of green python skin ballerinas....(yes yes i know but i have an excuse....the designer was this lovely italian lady who opened up her shop 7 years ago. Everything is Italian/indonesian; the indonesian materials and charm with the italian elegance......impossible to resist!)

Problem: I cannot wear the ballet shoes here in Bali as my feet have slightly swollen with the heat..... Never mind...I'll wait! :p

Colonial Feeling

Colonial Feel...

Yesterday evening, Yann and I ate at an amazing restaurant not far from our hotel, which was designed and decorated around the colinisation and old Indonesia. Whites, creams, beautiful funriture (yes mummy, your kind of bench/sofas) in brushed worn wood and beautiful low chandelier type hanging lighting. All the servers wore white like the colonials did and the food.....was delicious! Their presentation was divine...see photo!
Eating well in Indonesia is not an expensive deal, you can eat quite happily for 45, 000 rp which is approxamativly 3 euros. If you want to eat cheaper, you can of course but it is nice to change from rice from time to time.

There was also a live Indonesian band playing for every individual table. As they made their way towards us Yann later told me that he had had 3 things going through his head:

1. Make a divertion by throwing his plate (..and his mini bbq) at the serveur to burn him alive and avoid the avancing troops...
2. Make a run for it and leave me with the addition... and the loss of hearing..
3 or Stay

Not being brave enough for the first option and knowing that the second would cost him his life, he, fortunatly, chose the third!

This indonesian band played things like Johnny Cash and... James Brown... and Lewis Armstrong and.....How do you not feel the crazy, unbearable, uncontrolable laughter start to take over you when 4 little indonesian men, in pink and blue floral shirts, trousers attached up over their bellies, and hair cuts "à la Beatles" sourround your table and start screaming at the top of their voices "aaaaaaarrrrrrrrgh feeeeeel Goood !"
The whole restaurant turned around and stared, while Yann and I sat trying to hold off the giggles!
I think James Brown must have turned in his grave.....at least 5 times!

BURNT ROAST BEEF

The temperature here is like an oven. Even when it rains (and IT'S the rainy season here) or when it's night, the heat does not give way and some nights are unbearable. We are sleeping with silk sleeping liners but even these stick to your skin and keep sleep at bay!
Simply stepping outside reduces your tshirt into a sponge and you look like you have just had a bucket of water thrown over you!!

The water is also extremely warm, which takes some time getting used to......(ahem....hehehe) unfortunatly the sea anywhere near Kuta or Legian and the more populated areas, is extremely polluted and you cannot swim a couple of metres without saying hello to a plastic bag or a bottle.

The balineses however are not as affected as your random tourist...you would understand if you saw them walking around in jeans, long armed jumpers and scarfs under a 45° sun.....One woman told me after i asked if she was hot, that she wanted to have white skin like me, that no one wanted dark skin.... I found this ironic as i looked around at all the europeans on their sundecks...!

I myself, being a good old Roast beef, was very careful and only spent 15 minutes (WITH SUN CREAM) trying to learn to surf and am now sitting with 1st degree burns! NOT BLOODY FAIR! I had to sit under the shower to calm the burning feeling of my already very hot skin......!!! (not much sleep for little old me)

P.S I add that one day after, and my skin is already tanning..... not so British after all!! :p

 

 

Missions Accomplished!
1. Yann's new Surf board is now standing proudly next to the bed...
2. I really wanted to find a wacky multi coloured bikini however after much searching I found a pretty black and white Volcam bikini ... Gorgeous!
3. We reserved at the Spa today, so while waiting we squipped off to the beach, almost burning our little toes on the way. The water although quite dirty, was as hot as bath water! It is such a priviledge to be able to swim whenever you want, the water being warm enough to stay in and enjoy!

Must do.....Go to a Spa in Bali

Although you are proposed massages at every street corner, finding a luxurious Spa that is not expensive is a bit more difficult.
Yann and I chose Mentari Bali Spa in Jl Padma Utara, a couple of streets from our hotel. The women that work there are charming and are excellent at what they do.

Sandat Bali Package (2 hours)

• Traditional Massage 1 hour (An amazing traditional massage for relaxation with acupressure and stretching, leaving your body feeling refreshed and rejuvunated...)

• Body Scrub (The lulur is enhanced with the softness of Mangir (paste) combined with a blend of traditional spices and roots rubbed onto your body to exfoliate your skin. Smelt like lavender and.....home.)

• Yoghurt Body Splash (A delicious mixture of yoghurt and milk to strengthen and moisturize your skin...My favorite bit!)

• Flower Bath (Ooooo the flower bath! Washing yourself amoung flower petals.....who wouldn't...??)

• Ginger Tea (A perfect finsh to a heavenly 2 hours....)

Tip: Do not be embarrassed by the nappy like pants you have to wear....They are kind of sexy after a while!!

Bali

Bali is like being in a sauna.....ALL the time!
As you walk along the many busteling streets, you will be proposed massages, pedicures, sunglasses, t-shirts, everything you could possibly imagine. You have to be very willfull to refuse all these tempting smiling faces..

We are staying in a little hotel in Legian next to Kuta, at 2 minutes from the beach. Last night we had the most delicious dinner, Grilled sea food (squid, giant prawns and snapper)... Mouth waterly good! The bar/restaurant is owned by an Australian who has been out here for 7 years now and is charming! He always makes an effort to come round to each table and have a chat. Good business man!

Today's Tasks....

1. Find surf board for Yann.
2. Buy Bikini!
3.Enjoy beach...
4. and as always here, eat well.....

Bon appetit

p.s Shall write again this evening with photos