Today was supposed to be a trip up the mountain to Ubud but a last minute change meant that we are headed to Bali Safari. A zoo based theme park. I’ve organized Peri-Good to be our driver for the day knowing the amazing Rocky isn’t available (the reason why we’ve switched out the day).
I grab an early coffee and chat to my mum back home. The girls haven’t quite surfaced yet. We have decided to meet up for breakfast at about 8am so we can meet our driver at 9.
Boston opts for pancakes today and Jamei and I have the breakfast of the day. An eggs benny with fruits and museli.

While Jamei and I grab snacks for the day, Boston pops upstairs to get herself ready. We find some chips and sushi and pay, the shop assistant is cheeky and tries to keep the change.
I make one more stop to grab a coffee at a new coffee shop, which is also a bar and a barbers. So diverse!

Just around the corner the man I know who sells SIM cards is there so I organize to grab one so I can have access to the Internet while out and about. There’s so much WiFi available everywhere of course. But it’s always handy to be able to check information on the go.
I head back and find the Peri-good has arrived and the girls are there waiting with him. We head off for our day at Bali Safari.

While we travel along I learn more Bahasa and hear about so many different things here in Bali. We tell Peri about our day yesterday and when he hears about Jameis planned tattoo he tells us that now over here tattoo places are being more regulated. With the increase in tourism the government decided to ensure that there’s less risk for infections and health issues.
We have plenty of time to chat as there is so much traffic, and we pass what feels like millions of scooters. One in particular gets my attention as I see an iPhone stuck to the side mirror. I always love the quirky things I see here.

We weave through a business district and I see a lady with a massive basket being balanced on her head. I ask Peri what is she selling. He says she’s selling door to door snacks to the offices. Indonesian food truck.
We also pass by a large playground and oval with kids everywhere. There’s a number of different uniforms. Peri tells us that it’s a meeting place where the kids can do extra curricular activities. We learn that there are Hindu schools and ‘normal’ schools.
I then catch a glimpse of some school transportation. It reminded me of my childhood as it was basically kids piled into the back of a ute.

We finally arrive at Bali Safari and Peri tells us to get the staff to call him when we’re done. The sea of drivers and cars in the car park makes it easy to understand why this is necessary. Not many people drive themselves to places around here.
We know there’s much to see so we head up immediately. Bai Safari in lots of ways is like many other animal theme parks. But we enjoy our time and our close encounters. Including me being part of the elephant conservation show (please hold your jokes) and Niluh the 10 year old urangutan who held onto my leg and wouldn’t let go. Super cute.

We stopped for lunch in the restaurant that overlooks the lion, meerkat and hippo enclosures. The food was incredible. I’m always amazed at what you can get for your money.

The day is long, and humid, and we decide to head out but not before a couple of extra photo opportunities. I’ve learnt that I like things symmetrical so it’s great that the handiwork of Indonesian sculptors obliges.

We get home in better time than it took to get there. The girls are tired and hot and keen for a dip and a massage.
We farewell Peri and Boston heads for the poolside, and Jamei and I go out for a massage.
I have a chuckle as I overhear the staff telling Jamei that she has a nice bottom and asks her if she goes to the gym. They’re so cute.
Looking and feeling quite relaxed at the end of our massage, we sidled over to a restaurant that Jamei had pointed out earlier and thought we check out the menu for another time.
We were quickly sucked in by a happy hour special where all cocktails were 45000 rupiah ($4.50). We were told by an Aussie couple sitting up overlooking the road that they’d recommend the espresso martini. This was the beginning of the end.

We chat for a bit and introduce ourselves. Bec and Mick from Tweed heads become our new friends quickly. Bec is a flight attendant and Mick works in handling, but an ex-cop. We get along instantly and have a bit of banter with some local street sellers. I do a bit of bargaining for Jamei and pick up a speaker and some Beats headphones.
We then get a message Boston and tell her we are coming to grab her for dinner and return to Chapter 2 Restaurant. The staff mind our seats and it’s not long before we are back with our new found friends.
The conversation is easy, and I’ve switched to Long Island Iced Teas. The night consists of chatting, eating, drinking and enjoying the live music duo. I even got to sing a little with them.

The girls head home before me, but it’s not long before they start to pack up around us and ask us to settle our bills. Bec and I exchange contacts to make sure we are able to stay in touch. Both here and back in Australia.
Time to get some sleep for a day up at Ubud and the girls meeting the wonderful Rocky for the first time.