Another day in paradise! Woke and headed down for the usual scrumptious buffet breaky. Then it was off to the beach over the road to get the girls hair braided. We had been promising Boo since we arrived, and to be honest, we are sick of the locals hassling is every time we go to the beach for braids and nail painting. So it was time to put a stop to the hassling and make the girls feel like princesses at the same time.
We found 'Bella', a local Balinese lady who we promised we would use for the braids. After bartering her down from $750,000 rupiah for both the girls, braids and finger & toe nail painting, we agreed on $300,000 (that's $30). Bella put her sarong down on the sand and grabbed one of her friends, Madi, who did the same, and the girls got comfy and then the work started. The girls chose their colored beads and colors for their nail polish. It was a beautiful setting overlooking the beach and watching all the locals run their "bars" on the beach. Each "bar" is stocked with soft drink, water and bing tang of course and camping chairs are provided for seating. Meg started off having a fabulous time getting her nails done, loving the painted flowers put on them. Bella did a terrific job branding her hair, seeing its so fine. All was going well until the last 20 mins when Meg decided she'd enough, then the tears started. She whinged and whined but eventually it was done, and surprisingly, it looked really cute. I was expecting it to look a tad lame, but she was so cute. Madi was working away on Boo's hair when she grabbed another lady to help out. Boo's hair being so thick it took a little longer. She looked like she was at a day spa getting her nails done and hair styled. She looked like she belonged there!!! Lol...Once finished she too looked so cute, it actually made her look like her age instead of grown up. Boo have all the ladies a cuddle and we took some pics with them with Meg not wanting to at all, still grumpy. After the beading the girls pranced around like they were It and a bit, they loved it!!
After the braiding we tried to walk around the beach to the markets for Marty to look for a watch but Meg continuously whinged and made it unbearable. So like good parents, we headed back to the Hard Rock Hotel and had a swim. Whilst having lunch we met a worker named One whose brother is a driver. He hooked us up for tomorrow for Nusa Dua waters sports for only $30,000 for the day to drive us. I got on the phone and cancelled Oscar, who was way dearer wanting $30,000 for only 4 hours. With tomorrow organized we headed out for lunch at Kefina's Cafe down poppys lane, which was pretty ordinary, nice just bland. Then we took he girls back to the resort and put them in kids club for the arvo.
Marty and l decided to take a right hand turn and walked up the easy way of Kuta up near Legian way. Was a nice walk until we turned the corner and were to markets! By the end of the two hours l was over the hagglers and bartering with them to the extent that l had a massive headache. But Marty was loving it, pity he haggled too much and missed out on a watch he had been chasing, all for not parting with 50c!! I, on the other hand, haggled a guy down from $750,000 to 200,000 for two pairs of leather shoes! I also came into luck and found the girls two pairs of bikini's each for $60AUS, not too bad l thought. After all he shopping we've done here we will definitely need another bag to go back to Oz!!
After a long walk back, we finally got back to pick to girls up. It's been so nice for us all having our own time out away from one another, Marty and l especially. We all got ready and headed out to our new local restaurant, The Sandbar, for another delicious dinner. Meg was very naughty whining and not finishing her meal so she missed out on desert from Flapjacks. What really sucked was that she really didn't care too much, not a good punishment after all?! On the way home we got sucked in to the saddened eyes of some local boys selling leather bracelets. We've watched them begging people up the streets at night since we got here and have too used them that we will buy some. We tried to explain to Boo why they were begging for money and we think she understood, but probably didn't fully comprehend how poor these people are. So we brought a bundle of 10 for $10,000 rupiah ($1). I still can't believe how happy these people are with the conditions that they live in and try to make money. I'm sure no parent wants there child out on the streets begging for money at night, sure they would want them home at in bed......
All in all a good relaxing day with more insight into this fascinating country, loving it!!!!

Bell Xxx