Last day in Bali, need l say more???

Slept soundly due to the alcohol we had on board l suppose. Woke early which was s shame though. Bit of a b***** but was a tad anxious about getting all our last minute shopping done l think. Had an early breaky at 8:30am and it was so lovely. We told the staff it was our last days and we shared hugs and took photos with them. The staff here are exceptional. For such a big resort, it feels so personal and the staff are always friendly. They love the girls and most even remember all our names! Amazing people...

After breaky we took to the streets one last ime down Poppies Lane to get our last minute bargains. I got my wooden Buddha carving and also the girls and l haggles the guy for some beaded bracelets and fake Ray Ban sunnies. By my end of time in Bali l can say that l have this haggling down pat now. Whatever they offer l halve, or most times quarter, it. If they say no, l walk away, and nearly 100% of the time they accept my price. God l was a sucker at the start of the trip that's for sure!! Marty got a few more Bintang singlets whoch would make the total 5, cause 5 aren't enough right?!

After our shipping spree we went and got our complimentary Hard Rock Hotel photo done. The guys were awesome! Made a bit of a booboo when went in as didn't see the fine print that you had to get the photo done 24hrs prior to leaving. Here we were asking for it to be done 12 hours before flying out! In Oz they would have said stiff s*** l reckon, but here, they bent over backwards and got it done. We felt like rock stars out front possibg in front of the Hard Rock sign. He photographer would shout out the moves or position to get into and we just did it, no matter how much we looks like idiots. The girls loved it, think Marty did too.,...

We then headed upstairs to pack our stuff up, lucky we brought another bag for all the shopping we had done. Unfortunately my back was still giving me grief so l headed off for a last minute massage while Marty and the girls chilled out in the room. At the massage place l was looking forward to the same as yesterday but scores a beafier Balinese woman who massaged well but also complained about not getting paid much and wanted me to tip her. Was hard to relax with this in my ear for the hour. Felt bad for her but also knew she was trying to get as much money out of me also. The massage was coming to an end and l felt like my back was less tight when all of a sudden she was straddling me on butt and massaging my back and arms, which felt great. But then she grabbed my arms and pulled me up arching my back when a felt a huge pain. Bloody hell is all l thought, my back wasn't this bad when l came in two days ago, now l was paining everywhere! s***, s***, s***.. Apparently it is part of Thai massage, which isn't what l asked for but got anyway.

I waddled up the road back to HRH noticing half way back that my dress was inside out. At this point l didn't care, all l wanted to do was get back to the room and sit down. I thankfully made it up the hill and back to the room. Marty was devastated when he saw me waddling in, l tried to put a brave face on as l didn't want him to worry too much. Of all days to have a crook back when we have to fly home...

We had arranged to spend the arvo with Narelle, Damien and kids so headed off to meet them down the street. I walked briskly but had taken some pain killers so hopefully they would kick in. We met up and strolled down the street stopping at some shops then stopped for a final "first". Everyone but the blokes decided to have a crack. We paid $50,000 rupiah each and sat on a padded bench surrounding a fish tank where we stuck our feet in for, get this, for a "fish foot spa". It's huge over here. It's where you put your feet in this tank and small fish nibble at your dead skin. The kids screamed and eventually got less frightening. I too screamed a little, at first it felt like small electric currents going thru your feet. Totally gross and cool at the same time!

We made it back to HRH with glistening fresh feet and got changed in our batters for our last arvo at the pool. Had a late lunch at the cafe and had a delicious last nasi goreng :( The girls got heavily into the pool games and this time Meg won a medal. She was so shocked, think she built herself up for disappointment. She got up on the podium with a grin from ear to ear getting her photo taken for the Hall of Fame board. All the staff were dressed up in costume and one bloke, Mr B as he was knwn to the kids, was dressed up like a turtle with these reidculous hug sunnies on, Meg loved him! We left the pool around 5:30pm and said our goodbyes to our buddies Narelle, Damien, Jackson and Sienna. We had a shower to freshen up and get ready for the airport. Luckily our resort deal was stay worked out that it was cheaper to pay for 14, even though we stayed 13 nights. This way we can check out whenever we want which was fantastic. We strolled down to across the road to Kuta beach to watch a sunset, which we hadn't had much time to do. Unfortunately it was hazy which made it a pretty ordinary sunset to photograph. Still, a sunset is always great to watch. It kind of reminded me of the sunsets at Mindle Beach markets in Darwin how the sun turns deep orange and rolls behind the sea in the horizon. The girls got bored and so joined in with the locals game of beach volley ball. Always making friends these two!! We decided we were too stuffed from our late lunch for a full dinner so headed to Flapjacks for one last feast of fluffy pancakes and gelato, yummy!!!

We made our last trek up the hill to Hard Rock Hotel and got our bags organized for our airport pickup. The bag boy was so cool, he let the girls get on the luggage carrier and rode them down to the foyer. As we checked out we were given a bill for $4,000,000 rupiah. Breath people's, it's only $400 AUS which was less than we thought seeing we'd booked a few drinks and meals up throughout the thirteen night stay. Sadly we waved goodbye to HRH, but reassured everyone we would be back. The drive to he airport went smooth and quick. Although nervous a little with the check in again, it all went smooth thru customs and we had to wait around for about an hour before we could board the plane. My back was aching severely so l layed on the lino floor and read my kindle, along with the girls who did some coloring in. This airport is so far behind the Western world, but it is good that the architecture reflects the culture that is Bali. The airport is so quiet compared to even Darwin, so it was good to feel relaxed without the hussle and bussle of noise leaving Bali.

Thankfully, the flights were on time, we were boarded at 11:30pm. The girls were so well behaved, especially seeing it was so late. Bye bye Bali!!! Next stop, Darwin and pick the car and van up to drive to Edith Falls with having no sleep for 24 hours....don't know if this is a good idea or not???

I have to reflect a little at the end of this blog about our time in Bali. I believe this trip is teaching us all so much. The more we see and learn, the more we appreciate what we have. I am so grateful to have witnessed Balinese culture. The Balinese are generally wonderful people, always smiling and happy, even with their living conditions being third world. I appreciate how fortunate we have things in Australia and the freedom we have to do what we do traveling. Our time in Bali has been filled with "firsts" and we will never forget. We lived like royalty, drank like fish and ate like pigs for two weeks. Our waistlines have grown but so too has our minds. I would love to learn more about Buddhism, from what I've seen, it looks like a belief l could absorb to help me personally. I will never take for granted our freedom and our life again, if anything, Bali has made me more humble and want to live life more. Marty and l have never had such a fun holiday ever as a couple, led alone as family. This holiday was filled with love, laughter, happiness and overall, amazing experiences. We are all saddened to leave, the girls wanting to stay forever they reckon, but it definitely won't be the last time the Beeson's set foot in Bali that's for sure!!!

Now time to continue our Australian adventures......

Bell Xxx