{"id":1754,"date":"2011-07-27T17:53:33","date_gmt":"2011-07-27T09:53:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mayl.id.au\/?page_id=1754"},"modified":"2017-08-17T21:35:21","modified_gmt":"2017-08-17T13:35:21","slug":"bali-pg-6","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mayl.id.au\/?page_id=1754","title":{"rendered":"Bali Pg 6"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sat 16th<\/sup><\/p>\n

I had hoped to wake early so that I could go and wait for the sun to come up and take some sunrise-over-the-ocean pictures.\u00a0 *This* is what we cannot do from home!\u00a0 Basically, except for some strange promontories around the place, it\u2019s a 4,000 km drive to see the sun come up over the ocean for us.\u00a0 I tried to wriggle a little bit as I got out of the bed in the hope David would join me.\u00a0 He had been warned I had this in mind and had seemed fairly willing and did indeed wake up.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t thump him, promise!<\/p>\n

There was a little light coming around the curtains but we\u2019d timed it perfectly for getting to the beach.\u00a0 Everything was dull and unexciting when we got there but the colours got richer as the sun rose.\u00a0 I took a whole whack of photos (70, I just checked) but this one is definitely my favourite.<\/p>\n

\"Beautiful

Beautiful Ocean Sunrise<\/p><\/div>\n

And I took this photo for fun because of the length of our shadows which made me laugh.<\/p>\n

\"Long

Long Legs<\/p><\/div>\n

After this we didn\u2019t feel like going back to bed and it was still a long wait until breakfast so we decided to walk down to the blowhole from Anita\u2019s map.\u00a0 She\u2019d given it to us after dinner last night.\u00a0 It was a nice walk along the flat paved path going south and very interesting to see that we were passing resort after resort.\u00a0 We were comparing the look of their facilities as we went.\u00a0 Even the way the beaches were equipped was quite different and the beach narrowed significantly (in the ocean to path direction) once we got away from Club Med.\u00a0 All of the other resorts also had a much narrower share of the beach too.\u00a0 In the width of the beach left to right while looking at the ocean.<\/p>\n

One resort had a sign with a red outline of a man running and the words \u2018tsunami escape route\u2019 written below.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t need to see that!<\/p>\n

After seeing all manner of beach chairs, day beds and massage hut setups along the way we came to a little police hut and the path ran into a fence, very literally.\u00a0 We had to turn left and walk along sand and could see the coast curve around to our left to meet with a little attached island.\u00a0 At high tide it would only just be cut off from the mainland but the narrow stretch of sand would probably still be high enough that you could paddle across ankle deep.\u00a0 At this low tide we were fine.\u00a0 The island had a temple area in the middle of it and people were carrying trays of things towards it.\u00a0 It was the Yellow Cloth Day celebration day so we skirted to the left and kept out of their way.\u00a0 We did find the blow hole without too much trouble but the tide was well out and the hole wasn\u2019t blowing so we explored a little but then returned the way we had come.\u00a0 A few of the people said hello kindly as we passed by.\u00a0 Security staff at every resort had been equally as friendly.\u00a0 The return journey had nothing to report and the round trip would have been about 3 kms for a guess.<\/p>\n

Breakfast!\u00a0 Hard-earned for once and we enjoyed it.\u00a0 We were also seated by the greeters in a special area that we had presumed was for executive guests.\u00a0 We found out later it was the quiet dining area with no children allowed.\u00a0 No wonder they\u2019d not let us in there before!\u00a0 The d\u00e9cor here was different and I loved the way the lamp shades reflected in the glass that protected a Buddha statue.\u00a0 There were a smattering of tables with bar-height stools around them throughout the dining rooms and here was one in front of the Buddha \u2013 which you stand no hope of seeing because of the reflections.\u00a0 In the centre of this small room was a massive round table that seated 12 (I think it was) in incredibly high-backed wooden thrones rather than chairs.\u00a0 David was stacking our used plates to be helpful but accidentally dropped one on the floor and it smashed noisily into a million pieces.\u00a0 Quiet room?\u00a0 Not now!!!<\/p>\n

\"Lampshades

Lampshades & Reflections<\/p><\/div>\n

After this we decided to go to the quiet pool once more.\u00a0 Ahhh, this certainly is the life.\u00a0 We must have stayed quite a while, although admittedly breakfast and lunch were served fairly close together, but other than a nice shower the next thing was lunch.<\/p>\n

There were 2 highlights to lunch but I suppose the first thing was a pastry somethingoranother that David had picked up.\u00a0 He took a bite, looked inside and called in an echoey voice \u201cHelloooooo in there!\u201d which made me laugh.\u00a0 There was not much filling!<\/p>\n

\"Empty

Empty Hollows<\/p><\/div>\n

Then he went to get us a cuppa each \u2013 coffee for him and tea for me.\u00a0 It\u2019s all my fault you see.\u00a0 He seemed longer than usual and when he got back he had \u2018that look\u2019 on his face.\u00a0 It seems that he\u2019d put his mug under the coffee machine and pressed the button, then turned away to make my tea.\u00a0 When he looked back there was coffee pouring everywhere!\u00a0 He turned to the lady behind him in the queue and said \u201cOh!\u00a0 It\u2019s never done that before!\u201d\u00a0 And as he went to remove the mug he realised he\u2019d put it in upside down.\u00a0 You\u2019d be right.\u00a0 The bottom of a mug doesn\u2019t *quite* have the same capacity as the top!!!<\/p>\n

\"Which

Which Way Up?<\/p><\/div>\n

Here\u2019s the grubby bottom of his mug, which he still used.\u00a0 He said that the Kitchen Rescue Team arrived promptly to clear up his mess, which was no surprise, they were really attentive and good at their jobs.<\/p>\n

Now he went and got 2 plates with some assorted dessert items on them and we both happened to pick up the same shaped piece from our plates and take a bite. \u00a0One bite, look at one another meaningfully without more chewing, and start laughing.\u00a0 It was just cold wet nothing.\u00a0 David ate the rest of his and I put mine down on my plate but, really, why bother making something so totally tasteless?\u00a0 A couple of the other little snippets (all desserts were in tiny portions which was lovely because you could try them all) weren\u2019t bad.<\/p>\n

David had mentioned something about a lady in a short dress earlier so I pointed behind him and said \u201cIs that the lady in the short skirt?\u201d\u00a0 As he turned I put my tasteless thing on his plate and he turned back saying \u201cNo.\u201d\u00a0 Completely unaware that I\u2019d just done to him exactly what he tries on me a hundred times a day.\u00a0 It took him ages to realise but then he did a wonderful double-take and made me laugh so much.\u00a0 Between that and his tale of the coffee pouring everywhere I really lost it.\u00a0 A waiter came towards us with a tray held aloft on his shoulder and I imagined picking up the offending watery bricklet and lobbing it onto the tray so he wouldn\u2019t see where it had come from and saying silently in an aloof voice \u201cPlease remove this offending object pronto!\u201d\u00a0 But I was laughing too hard to be able to tell David what had amused me still more.<\/p>\n

I did settle down in the end and we made a hasty escape before I disgraced us further and we decided to go and get a beach chair.\u00a0 There were only single chairs left but we dragged 2 of them together under an umbrella and lounged around for a while.<\/p>\n

\"Lounging

Lounging Once Again<\/p><\/div>\n

All this was so tiring that I decided on having a nap back in the room and you know that David read his book.<\/p>\n

I really wanted to go to the volcano tomorrow and apparently there is a crater lake with a restaurant on the other side to the volcano and it\u2019s a beautiful view to have while you eat but the thought of having to retravel the same busy route we\u2019d already done twice \u2013 and this time go further – with probably no toilet stop in a 3-hour journey just didn\u2019t appeal.\u00a0 David seemed even less keen than I was or I probably would have chosen do it anyway.\u00a0 I can\u2019t see us going back to Bali again so we\u2019ll never get another chance.\u00a0 The cost of the car and driver for the day was equivalent to AU$50.\u00a0 Amazing value even when we gave a tip on top of that.<\/p>\n

So we knew that we were going to be in the resort until Tuesday when we went home and decided to go and play the putt putt green.\u00a0 It kept us occupied and we played holes 1 to 6 and then 6 to 1.\u00a0 I got a hole in one just as a man was walking past to see and cheer for me but David won the first round by about 5 shots and the second by about 2 I think \u2013 we\u2019d stopped scoring by then.\u00a0 After that we just wandered around aimlessly and at peace; very happy.<\/p>\n

Actually, this would be a good chance to mention the kites everywhere because I have not done that yet and they definitely need a mention.\u00a0 Whenever you looked at the sky there were kites up there.\u00a0 To start with I\u2019d thought it was children (attached at the ground end of the string, not the sky end!) but we came to realise that the kites must have been tied because they remained in the same spot for many hours.\u00a0 Some were really large and there were 2 above the beach this afternoon.\u00a0 The largest was making an amazing almost drumming noise from the way the wind was flapping its tails.\u00a0 The smaller had a higher sound that was not quite so loud.\u00a0 At one point, out near the batik shop (shudder! LOL) I could see 7 kites in the air, it was amazing!\u00a0 Moh had told us that some stay up there for months but they all come down during August because the wind stops in September.\u00a0 Wow!\u00a0 There really wasn\u2019t much wind down at ground level but there was obviously a steady stream of it not far above!<\/p>\n

\"Butterfly

Butterfly Kite<\/p><\/div>\n

Here\u2019s a butterfly shaped kite above and a galleon shaped one below.\u00a0 I really loved these galleons, they were so brightly coloured!\u00a0 We could have bought one from right here on our own beach \u2013 that was the other cry other than if we wanted a massage or a dress.\u00a0 And I\u2019d have dearly loved to buy 4 of these kites but they had wooden struts so we couldn\u2019t bring them home!<\/p>\n

\"Galleon

Galleon Colours<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Galleon

Galleon High with Distant Friends<\/p><\/div>\n

When it was time for dinner the greeter took us to the right, around past the tea and coffee facilities \u2013 My!\u00a0 What a clean floor they have!!! \u2013 and into a part of the restaurant that we had not even seen, never mind sat in.\u00a0 It really was a huge area!\u00a0 We were outside on a verandah and could see another massive area through some windows.\u00a0 It seems that dinner attracts quite a crowd and they have to open all available seating areas.\u00a0 Lunches were always fairly quiet because people would have been out on day trips.<\/p>\n

As we were eating one of the G.O.s came and asked if he could join us.\u00a0 He certainly could, and very welcome!!!\u00a0 At Lindeman Island we\u2019d had one or more G.O. sit with us at most meals and we\u2019d really missed this here.\u00a0 Our new friend was named Grokan, but was mostly called Oman by everyone.\u00a0 He was very, *very* smiley and a gorgeous guy who we both loved instantly.\u00a0 It turns out he was the choreographer for all the shows and he was so interesting to listen to.\u00a0 All too soon he had to go and get ready for the show which was very disappointing.\u00a0 I wanted to keep him all to myself \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

Dinner was served from 7.15pm and the show started at 9.15.\u00a0 Very late for small children but they all seemed to cope!\u00a0 Perhaps planned around the continental timetable with a siesta after lunch for all.<\/p>\n

The show theme was Michael Jackson and was amazing.\u00a0 I guess we were more enthusiastic than before because we\u2019d now met Grokan and felt a connection to what was going on on the stage but it really was a fantastic show.\u00a0 The guy on the left \u2018played\u2019 Michael Jackson and was incredibly good.\u00a0 His name was Popeye and his main job was in the water sports hut!<\/p>\n

\"Michael

Michael Jackson Show<\/p><\/div>\n

Our gorgeous Grokan is centre front in this photo.<\/p>\n

The stage sets and lighting were all really excellent.\u00a0 I guess with 1,000 guests they had a much larger budget here than Lindeman Island to spend on such things.<\/p>\n

Tonight I had a new cocktail and it wasn\u2019t too bad.\u00a0 Sometimes I wish I liked beer and wine like everyone else but I can\u2019t stand either.<\/p>\n

And so to bed after our very early start!\u00a0 Oh, one more thing.\u00a0 I took my best ever photo of the moon on the way back to our room.\u00a0 Not just the yellow hazy blob I\u2019ve achieved in the past, but it has features showing.\u00a0 I was quite pleased with it.<\/p>\n

\"Full

Full Moon from a Balinese Beach<\/p><\/div>\n

Sun 17th<\/sup><\/p>\n

We awoke at 8.30, which we deserved after yesterday\u2019s early start. \u00a0We had an uneventful breakfast and lay on some beach chairs for a while but the tide was high and we decided that this would be our best chance to try the blowhole once more.\u00a0 So off we went along the southern path hoping it would be worth the second trip.\u00a0 This time we had some success.<\/p>\n

Thar she blows!!!\u00a0 You can see the main blow in the centre plus on the right a smaller one that looks like smoke.<\/p>\n

\"Thar

Thar She Blows!<\/p><\/div>\n

Here\u2019s me being, in David\u2019s words, \u2018incredibly brave\u2019.\u00a0 I don\u2019t like heights, nor do I trust cliff edges not to give way but I was indeed very brave LOL<\/p>\n

\"Brave

Brave Explorer<\/p><\/div>\n

Here\u2019s David straddling the blow hole but he was fortunate not to get a drenching from the wrong angle.\u00a0 Imagine explaining that one!!!<\/p>\n

\"Straddling

Straddling the Blow Hole<\/p><\/div>\n

We met another couple who asked us to be in photos with them and their son and then David used their camera to take a picture of their own group for them.\u00a0 They were so friendly!<\/p>\n

After this we walked around the little outcrop exploring each path that led to the cliff edges and marvelling at the strong waves as they hit and splashed.\u00a0 Yes, easily amused.<\/p>\n

\"Wave

Wave Climbing the Cliffs<\/p><\/div>\n

\"High

High Splashes<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Look

Look Out David!<\/p><\/div>\n

At every shrine, as I mentioned long ago, were little offerings and one of the cliff tops here was no exception.\u00a0 Here were strewn many small hand-woven baskets that had been full of flowers, leaves and other small trinkets.\u00a0 We had always been very careful not to tread on them but Moh had said it was fine.\u00a0 I guess once they were given then it didn\u2019t matter what happened to them.<\/p>\n

\"Shrine

Shrine Gifts<\/p><\/div>\n

Eventually we\u2019d explored all of the 8 or so pathways and there was nothing left but to go back to the resort for lunch.\u00a0 Oh, I missed out seeing one American man of our age who had 3 bikini-clad and much younger girls with him.\u00a0 Don\u2019t know what he had that David didn\u2019t!\u00a0 And they weren\u2019t really daughter age either.<\/p>\n

Lunch was enjoyed without spilling coffee everywhere or losing it laughing.\u00a0 How decorous we are!!!<\/p>\n

Now what?\u00a0 We decided to go and see if the golf course was quiet enough that we could play without being a nuisance to anyone.\u00a0 I keep mentioning Lindeman Island Club Med on this page but there we\u2019d had to purchase golf balls although we were given the clubs.\u00a0 Here, the hut was open and unmanned with a plentiful supply of golf balls so David took 5 between us \u2013 his pocket would only fit 3 \u2013 and we carried our few clubs loose in our hands.\u00a0 I only took 3.\u00a0 I play golf \u2018well\u2019 enough that I could do just as badly with a blunt stick anyway!\u00a0 And I play left handed so we couldn\u2019t share.<\/p>\n

The course was entirely empty.\u00a0 All holes were nice short 3 pars and we found about another 6 balls as we went around so gathered those up to take back to the hut.\u00a0 We did not lose any balls at all.\u00a0 It was a gorgeous little course.\u00a0 One other couple started to play as we finished our 8th<\/sup> hole.\u00a0 And that\u2019s all there was – 8.\u00a0 We\u2019d seen a couple of gardeners as we went around but they kept out of the way.\u00a0 David had asked me how you yell \u2018Fore!\u2019 in Balinese and I said I guess \u2018Hati hati!\u2019 as that is what it had said on all the road work signs we\u2019d seen.\u00a0 OK sure, that probably meant \u2018Danger\u2019 not \u2018Fore\u2019 but definitely a suitable warning if needed.\u00a0 Or it might mean \u2018Men at Work\u2019 or \u2018Deep Excavation\u2019 but it would sure get some attention!<\/p>\n

After this we were definitely ready for some quiet pool time.\u00a0 It really was lovely and peaceful in there and it amazed me that David enjoyed it so much being the Mr Noisy person that he usually is.\u00a0 And having drinks brought to your pool lounger in your cabana\u2026 well, who\u2019s going to knock that back?\u00a0 The boy that made sure everyone whispered, didn\u2019t do overarm in the pool, and brought out the drinks was such a sweety.\u00a0 Very gentle and peaceful.\u00a0 I suppose the place would do that to you even if you weren\u2019t that way inclined already.<\/p>\n

And after all that exertion I thought it time for a nap LOL\u00a0 Then showers and dinner where we were yet again given a table in the quiet area.\u00a0 Obviously they forgive broken plates.<\/p>\n

The show was \u2018Glee\u2019 which meant nothing to us (as we never watch TV), but the music was good, the costumes were lovely and the dancing amazing.\u00a0 We were sitting rather far back so I did not take any photos.\u00a0 I also chose a new cocktail and really enjoyed it.\u00a0 In fact, I had two.\u00a0 No idea what the alcohol was in it as I did not recognise it but the drink was good.<\/p>\n

And bed once more which is the ideal place to finish this page.\u00a0 Probably only one more page to go now.\u00a0 You\u2019re nearly there!<\/p>\n

Next page\/…<\/a><\/p>\n

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Sat 16th I had hoped to wake early so that I could go and wait for the sun to come up and take some sunrise-over-the-ocean pictures.\u00a0 *This* is what we cannot do from home!\u00a0 Basically, except for some strange promontories … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":1633,"menu_order":6,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1754","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mayl.id.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1754","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mayl.id.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mayl.id.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mayl.id.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mayl.id.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1754"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.mayl.id.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1754\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3913,"href":"https:\/\/www.mayl.id.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1754\/revisions\/3913"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mayl.id.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1633"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mayl.id.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1754"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}