Last days in Bali

Another early start as Bill's mission this morning was to walk out to a sandbar at low tide and see how close he could get to an old boat which had been stranded on a reef. He did get very close and was able to have fun with some pictures. He also had the company of some of the local dogs each morning and they made interesting subjects too.

After another yummy pancake at The Cat & Fiddle we were picked up for the last time by Wayan, Josie & Nolan for our final road trip, this time to Candi Dasa. Our first stop along the way was at the Temple of Kerta Gosa, the ancient house of Justice, in Semarapura town. This place was constructed in the 18th century by the highest King of Bali. The ceilings of the Pavillion are decorated with paintings depicting traditional punishment of the lawless action. It is here that you will also find Taman Gili, a building which seems like it's floating because it is intentionally founded in the middle of a fish pond. The Palace is now a musuem but we did not go in here as we still had a way to go.

We arrived some time later at Candi Dasa and found our chosen restaurant busy with a school group. We spent some time admiring the scenery here but soon went in search of some lunch at another place also right on the beach. A very good choice and we thoroughly enjoyed our lunch and the Coconut water with lime juice & ice was really good. Beautiful views of the ocean here and some large rocks off the coast gave some interest to the view. After lunch we drove along to Pandangbai were we watched the Lombok ferry arrive. Lots of boats in this harbour but the most amazing sight was the large motorboat with 6 outboards all in a row. Talk about horsepower.

No detours on the way home gave me time for a quick swim before it time to head out for our last night in Bali. We met Josie & Nolan and went to the Bonsai cafe for pre dinner drinks and I can safely say it was the best Pina Colada I have had in Bali and it looked as good as it tasted too. While here we took a walk through the gardens here which have hundreds of Bonsai plants and many Medals, Certificates and awards that they have won in the past. Very obviously a work of love. After drinks we walked back to the main street where we had dinner at the Wicked Parrot. As always there was a band playing and this one was an Irish band called the Leprechauns. Just imagine Balinese boys, Irish music and requests and I think you have the idea. Their musical ability was very good but their singing was quite comical and as we were sitting right in front of them they entertained us all night begging for requests and did manage most of what the boys asked for. They did sing us one special song when they knew we were Australians - Andy's Song - and he sang and he watched.... The most interesting take on Waltzing Matilda I have ever heard. We had a big night with a great dinner, lots to drink and lots of fun as we remembered all the beautiful places we had been and the many funny things we had seen. And the Rp 900,900 bill at the end was just amazing. A great night out for four people for under $100, where else could you do this. A fitting farewell to a great week.

The following morning, our last, Bill decided that it was time for a sleep in. I wonder if it had anything to do with one of the 16 Bintangs the boys had consumed the night before. We had our last banana pancake at The Cat & Fiddle and then joined Josie & Nolan for one last trip to the shops. We went over to the Galleria Shopping Plaza for some last minute gifts for the kids at home and was just amazed by the size of the place. A very modern shopping centre but very quite that morning so we were able to get in and out quickly. Once home we said our goodbyes to our friends and hope to see them again soon in Darwin. With a late checkout organised there was no need to rush so we headed down to the Beach Club where we had a lovely lunch just watching the world go by Bali style. Bill spent the afternoon organising his photo's in the air con and I spent a couple hours at the pool with a book and a final fruit juice. So hard to know that we had to leave in a few hours. Finally we packed our bags, said goodbye to our little bungalow and after checking out and stowing our bags for a little while we returned to the beach for a final dinner & sunset. It was beautiful.

I would like to say that our final moments in Bali were as much fun as the rest of our trip but anyone having travelled through that airport knows there WILL be challenges before you reach your plane. Ours involved my water. Having been allowed to take it in to the airport through the scanners I thought I was all OK to take it on the plane. Oh no, this has to be the only airport in the world that makes you leave it as you are screened again to board the plane. Even the people who had surrendered it at the front door and purchased it again inside the airport lost it again at this point. A nice little scam I think, perhaps they sell it back to the shops. But what can you do, it's Bali after all, but it did take me a long time to shrug my shoulders and think like that. Rhossie was definitely not happy! We flew home through the night managing to get a few hours dozing in and before we knew it we were landing at Melbourne Airport to 10.9 deg and a miserable day forecast. Welcome home eh. Just one last obstacle to get through, Customs, and like a good girl I declared the little bits I had only to lose my prized Cat Poo coffee. I really thought that as it was processed, powdered & sealed it would be alright but obviously not. Ah well I still have my ginger tea and ginseng tea and Bali Coffee. And thanks to our taxi's prompt arrival at the 'statues' we did not have to stand around in the cold for too long.

So at last my story is done. Our return to Bali was a huge success and we are both so glad that we have some wonderful memories to take the place of last years rather traumatic ones. A huge thank you to Josie & Nolan who showed us places we would never have seen otherwise. Thanks so much for sharing your favourite places with us. We enjoyed every moment of our time with you both.

So now it's back to work on Monday and I'm sure we'll come up with something to do next weekend

until next time.............