Bali Update # 1

Okay - despite the maxitaxi incident (consumer complaint email to follow!)
we managed JUST to get to the airport on time - thanks to one of Mick's
mates! Had booked 1.5 days in advance for a 6.45am pickup....rang at 6.50
to be told it would be there at 7.15 - rang at 7.20 to be told there was no
maxitaxi even on its way for us - f*#kers...Mick's mate then drove to our
house and drove Micks giant van thing with us all in it to the airport - on
Qantas drive - a mere 300m from the airport - Safi projectile vomits over
herself, and Tabba. on footpath at airport - fishing out clean clothes for
both, swearing under my breath and tossing vomit clothes back into Micks van
- where no doubt they will be - some what more disgusting in 2 or so weeks
times!

Okay 'nother note to self - never fly with 3 small children on the same day
one is premenstral and after one is already in a super bad mood from the
above...- never a good combo at the best of times. After an what we will
call 'interesting' flight in which I basically ate nurofen plus like
tictacs, we arrrived at Denpasar airport - got through the Visa on arrival
and to our hotel pretty unscathed physically - emotionally - well lets just
say its a great thing I am studying psychology!!.

Day1 - made it to the day spa - just - had an awesome scrub, massage,
pedicure and flowerbath all for 150k Rp (approx $21). that evening too
exhausted doing nothing - so in true white trash style - taxi-ed it up to
Maccas in kuta to have red fanta + some chocolate BARU (new) Mcflurry thing
- great way none the less to spend my 35th birthday!!!
Day 2 - stayed by the pool all day with Mick and Safi whilst Jasper and
Tabba, Sam and Graham did waterbom park www.waterbom.com to see more. got
a little on the red side of sunburnt on this 5cm strip of skin where my
sunblock ended and my cossies started!! - dinner at IndoNation in Sahadewa
st Legian...noice.
Day 3 - hit the shops with vengence bartering skills...got 5 fairy dresses
for 110k Rp ($14), 4 LV hats (yes one for you Leeny), 1 LV backpack, heaps
of vondutch rip off stuff for Tabba , some clothes for Jasper and Safi.
some of the shopkeepers are heaps greedy starting super high - but I barter
mean - so I can get them, down eventually!! Had dinner at an awesome
warung (little restauranty thing with no tourists in it and it cost for the
seven of us incl drinks , softdrink and Bintangs 70k RP ($10) Also hit
Denpasar - where Mick bought a portable dvd player and last night we got 13
dodgy dvds for 100k RP ($13)Day 4 - we organised with a bemo driver to take us all to Bali bird park to have breakfast with the Mawcaws...heaps good fun and then on the way back -
stopped at Celuk - and bartered furiously for a silver necklace and cross
for Jasper and a silver baby bangle for tabba - paid 100k Rp for both.
($13)Tomorrow is a lazy day doing not much - perhaps a lunchtime bintang!!
Kids are having a great time - Tabba is going so brown - Jasper and Safi -
although sunblocked every hour - are a nice shade of pink. Good thing is
all this swimming, fresh air and sunshine - they are shattered and in bed by
7 or 8pm!!
On the horizon - is a monkey forrest (for the kids -they shit me big time)
oh and instead of lembogan island Mick and i are going to Lovina and Amed
after xmas for a 2 day investigation :0) will send more info when I get a chance.
oh - weather is tops - only furiously rained this afternoon for 1 hour - but
for rainy season - its pretty dry!

Bali is super safe and whilst
security is up all over the place - we still feel quite safe to get out and
about. XMAS day plans are for a picnic at waterbom park folllowed by dinner
at our friends restaurant. OH so far - no runnybum or squatting
toilets...but I am sure I can come up with a story for my next email.