Stupidly, l think, we had arranged another jam packed day today. We woke all slightly b*****ed from yesterday and slowly got ready for our water sports day. We got picked up by our driver, "Dicky" (who we all called "Diddy" for the first half of the day as that's what we thought his name was lol), and made our way through Kuta and Semiyake down to Nusa Dua. After we arrived we all started getting excited about the day ahead. We all got out and Dicky led us over to the seating area where we were greeted by a Balinese guy to start our negotiations for the proposed activities. After a short time the price was agreed at $260 AUS all up which included parasailing, a donut ride behind a speed boat, glass boat ride out to the snorkeling and a tour out at Turtle Island. Sadly the Turtle Island is the one l didn't want to go to, there are two in Bali and l had read bad reviews about this one.
After the price was settled and we had signed off on any liability if anything happened we were all hurried away to get out snorkels and life jackets. Then we were taken over to the launch site of the parasailing. Before we knew it Meg was launched in the air with her tandem buddy. It all happened so quickly, so glad we heard squeals of laughter and excitement as we hadn't really worded her up much. Can't believe they took Meg first, but in any case she had a ball and Dicky took some happy snaps for us. Within a few minutes she was landing back on ground with the biggest smile on her face. By the time she was unhooked and she was telling us she wanted to go again, and before we knew it, Boo was up in the air with her tandem. Again we heard screams of excitement, and we watched in awe of our amazing girl up in the air, at some points looking like a tiny dot in the sky! I was next, and l was going solo. It was all going so quickly that it was hard to take everything in. While l was trying to watch Boo they were giving me instructions on how to land and what color rope to pull. My head was a tad fuzzy with everything going on, and in a few seconds after Boo landed l was strapped in and told to run. No time for nerves, l ran as fast as l could, praying l would get up in the air. OMG, what an awesome feeling being lifted up in the air and feeling weightless and on top of the world. Apparently everyone in Bali heard my squeals!!! I tried to slow my head down and embrace this experience and the beautiful view l had up there. It was truly spectacular with the torquise ocean and the lush fields surrounding it and then the colorful parachutes up on the air with all the other tourists parasailing. Before l knew it my time was over and rope were yelling at me to pull the blue rope to straighten up for the landing. I had to use all my upper body strength to pull that bloody rope, and l now know how little strength l have!! I must say my landing was more gracious than l could have imagined, pretty happy really. Whilst l tried to slow try adrenaline down, l encouraged Marty as he took his run up, leaving his thongs on!!! Think his low voiced squeal was as loud as mine!! Lol. As l watched him up in he air floating around the coast line l just remember thinking how great a life we have now. Don't have to tell you how much we loved parasailing, just wish it was longer. After Marty skidded to a holt with his thomgs on, they unhooked him and we were scurried over to the donut for out ride. It was all feeling so quick, l suppose hats how they get so may people thru in a day. Luckily the donut ride was a little longer and we had time to be in the moment. We all laughed in thrill every time we were lept up in the air over a wave. The girls had a blast, think they could have done it all day of given the chance. Next we loaded all our snorkel gear into the glass bottom boat and headed out to the snorkel site. Unfortunately the ocean was a little rough and Meg was pretty scared, and seeing Marty didn't have any prescription snorkels and was a tad blind without his glasses, they stayed on the boat. Boo and l swam over to the man made coral site, truthfully l wasn't feeling that this was the safest expedition to be taking my seven year old daughter on. There were heaps of boats going past, causing waves and rougher than expected swimming conditions. Lucky Boo was a strong swimmer and a pro at snorkeling. Was all worth it when we reached the one area that had heaps of colorful fish schools. Floating hand in hand on top of the ocean we some thru our snorkel totally understanding each others words. Even though l had been hoping for better snorkeling on our first time ever doing this, we had to embrace what we had. Boo and l floated around watching the wonders of this life under the sea for at least 45 minutes, before we we called back to the boat. Our tour guide guy had been swimming around in the ocean checking the underneath of the boat without any goggles or anything. My only thought was how my eyes would sting if l did that! Anyway, after we climbed aboard, we travelled around the coast line to Turtle Island. The way he parked the boat was pure skill! We were greeted by an Indonesian bloke who hurried us over to the sea turtles. They were huge and magnificent creatures. Sadly there living conditions were less than desirable with concrete pens that were on the waters edge. The guides picked them up brought them up to the sand area, occasionally scooping water onto their shells. We were told the turtles were 80-100 years old. All my life l had wanted to get close to these creatures, totally amazing. Again, we had no time to embrace the experience as we were scurried over to the other concrete pens that had a number of smaller and younger turtles in it. We got the usual tourist pics but inside my heart and guts were aching. Felt horrible that we had paid money to see this, left me feeling like we had supported this entrapment of beautiful wild animals. I questioned he guy on he humanity of there living conditions and told me the turtles were treated well and every three months they were released back into the ocean, where another batch were brought in. Tried to sell the idea of awareness, but l was slowly coming less nieve with the way the Balinese brain worked with making money. We were led to the snake pen where the guy grabbed out a snake and before we knew it Meg and Boo were wrapped in this huge slobbering pythan. Again, like the rest of the activities this morning, it was all a bit rushed. Lucky we had no money, other than the $10,000 compulsory rupiah we had to donate to the turtle fund, and as soon as the guy knew we weren't stopping for food or drink, he left us alone and we stopped to enjoy the turtles by ourselves. After a little, we got back on the boat and made our way back with that being the end of our water sports morning. It felt all too quick, and in fact for what we did it probably was, with it all being over in 2.5 hours. Oh well, live and learn, next time we will snorkel out on the other islands where it is best. We all still had a fabulous morning, again ticking off bucket list firsts with parasailing and snorkeling. So proud of our adventurous girls!
Dicky drove us to a fabulous little place for lunch. We got a table for five expecting Dicky to joins us, but when we turned around he was nowhere to be seen. We didn't take offense as it
Wasn't custom for drivers to eat with their customers. Again, l had the most amazing Indonesian food whole my less than adventurous family stuck to western food. Wish they would explore their taste buds more but you can't force people hey. Meg again played up so l took her to grassy area outside the restaurant for naughty corner time. Just a bit sick of her wasting food, especially when people like our driver can't even eat with us because they can't afford to! When we found Dicky we asked him where he went and we saved a spot for him, but he said that our meal to are different to the Balinese in that they only eat when they're hungry, not by set times. Makes sense hey.....
After lunch Dicky took us up to Uluwatu temple, one of the most visited temples in Bali. We made sure on arrival to put on our sarongs so as not to disrespect their culture. Dicky was so great, he looked after the girls while Marty and l took pictures. He held there hands and helped them up the steps. He was a nice surprise, seeing this side to the Indonesian people. All we've seen so far is the hagglers and money hungry people. Uluwatu temple was still a practicing temple with monks living on site, we just didn't see any. The temple was beautiful, lining the coast and is over 300 years old. Very tranquil and spiritual place, felt calmness here. Again, cheeky monkeys we're present but not in abundance. By the end of our walk Meg saw some monkeys and must have felt brave at the time with her stick. But as they all got closer she squealed with fright and being the supportive mum l am, l pissed myself laughing which made things worse!!!
Last stop for the day was Padang Padang beach. I had heard great things about this place. Dicky dropped us off and told us to head down the stairs and then we walked through this downhill tunnel which came out onto a platform. The beach looked amazing, awesome blue ocean. There were a few visitors here so obviously they had heard too. The girls ran down excitedly to the water, this being the first ocean we had swam in since the cold seas of Tasmania nearly 10 months ago. Apart from the rocks that were on the ocean floor, it was great to swim around and have fun in the ocean together. The grills lives it!! We headed over to a cave on the side of the cliff and explored there for a while. Sadly it was getting a little late in the day and thought of Dicky sitting in the heat so headed back up the steep stairs to the car.
On the drive back to Kuta Dicky talked to us heaps, very inquisitive about out traveling life. I don't know whether he fully understood what a caravan was and he was so surprised that we had so much safe running water to drink in Australia. It is these things that make you appreciate what we have. Dicky answered a lot of our questions about Balinese culture and way of life, very forth coming which humbled us. Can't believe that most people earn only $10 AUS per day, lucky of they earn $300 per month. The rich apparently work mostly for the governments in health or police. Police corruption is very rife still and bribes are taken a lot, especially to get off for traffic offenses. Petrol is only 45c/L, this Martin was jealous about and it was so funny when we told Dicky we were paying $1.80 plus for ours back in Australia!
Finally we got back to Hard Rock around 5pm, a long day had, but great day. We booked Dicky for another day while we're here. We then showered and headed out for dinner, this time trying "Poppies Lane Restaurant". Looked very flash, was very quiet which was good, and the meals were delicious and reasonably priced. Meg being a wally had a funny moment when she went to wipe her face with the napkin off her lap, but instead grabbed the table cloth and began wiping her dirty face. I tell you, we breed class in this family! After a beautiful meal, we stopped off at Flapjacks on the way home. So gonna look like a flapjack by the end of our Bali trip!!! Lol.
What another fantastic day, totally b*****ed. Exciting day tomorrow though, it's Boo's 7th birthday!!! Can't wait.....

Bell Xxx