It’s 1am and I hear a loud bang and crash from the bathroom, thinking Boston had fallen down or hurt herself I jumped out of bed, only to find that the cover off one of the lights had come off and knocked over some toiletries and perfume bottle. I returned to bed to notice Boston was fast asleep, completely obliviously to the early morning fright I’d had. But it takes me a little while to find myself back asleep, with my adrenaline and heart racing.
I wake up to the sound of an American preacher telling me to repent, it’s not a bad dream but just the Sunday morning television program running on the channel that was left on from the night before where I had fallen asleep watching a documentary on a drug smuggler. Such contrasting shows on one channel.
I decide that seeing as though I am awake I will head out for a walk, after a quick look out the window, the sun is shining and looking fabulous. It’s about 7am now so the world is definitely waking up.
I decide to mix it up a bit and head a different direction. Rather than head up towards Seminyak, I go toward Kuta a little along the walkway and a little along the beach. It’s so nice to know my way around, so I can just head out and always know how to get back home again. Being geographically challenged, this is a rare treat. I pass a beach bar sign that gives me a chuckle. The Tiger Itchy Bum Bar. The locals here really know how to name themselves to be remembered.

The beach and water is surprisingly clean from pollution. It’s obviously no Terrigal Beach, but this beach has been known to carry a lot of rubbish if the wind or sea is different, and washes up everywhere. I see a number of westerners along the beach today with plastic bags picking up some rubbish though. I wonder whether they are ex-pats or just tourists wanting to do their part? I didn’t stop to ask this time around. But I do stop to admire the beautiful silhouette the sun is creating behind some of the hotels that line the beach front.

I make my way to do a bit of a loop around familiar roads to make my way back to the hotel, so when I am not far I message the girls, but not before eating a passing bug. Seems all the huffing and puffing from the heat and exercise have meant I’ve left my mouth wide open for an unwanted passenger. Despite nearly choking, I manage to evict the tenant and finish my message to see if the girls are ready for breakfast. Seems they are so we arrange to meet up in the restaurant downstairs.
Seems we have become creatures of habit, having the luxury of the same table each morning, however today is a exception. I give the girls the forewarning and Jamei instantly says “kick them off’. She isn’t joking, but of course we just choose another place to have breakfast. We are in no hurry today at all.
I am loving the ever changing ‘breakfast of the day’, so I order it again. Our waiter takes our orders and we wait for our food to arrive. I giggle when my breakfast is served, as it seems it has come with both broccoli and salad. Not common breakfast items, but we are in Bali so there is nothing off limits any time of the day really.

While at breakfast I message my new friends Bec and Mick to see how their last couple of days have been. I know they are headed to a new location in a couple of days and were hoping to catch up before we all headed our separate directions. They’ve managed to fit in a ridiculous amount of food, including a cooking class which I hope to squeeze in next time. I don’t think I’ll make it this time around. We organise to catch up at a coffee shop that we all haven’t tried yet, but keen to. So we arrange to meet at Mugshot Coffee after breakfast.
I head down when I know they’re on their way, and we meet out the front. I opt to wait in the sunshine on the kerbside, sitting on the gutter, just like a local. They pull in and are grateful to me, this is because I’ve managed to save the spot for them to park the scooter. We chat over coffee and very much enjoy the cold washer we are given on arrival too. What a nice touch. The coffee is great too, served by an Aussie at the counter, its obvious that she knows what we are used to back home.
Bec, Mick and I chat away about the upcoming days here in Bali, and life, and really just everything to be honest. They’re such an awesome couple. I am so glad that I met them. We chat a little about the day ahead and potentially catching up for sunset drinks. We part ways and I head back to see what the girls are up to.
Seems they have found themselves back up to the rooftop pool for some sun time and relaxation. I let them know that I am heading out for a wander, and will be back before lunch. They are keen to slowly tan over the time here. Sunscreened up of course, but the sun is hiding behind the clouds today.

Before I head off for a walk around the area, I drop off my washing. Here they can do it by weight and I get nearly 2kgs of washing done for 37500 rupiah (AU$3.75). I have been known on past trips to bring dirty clothes with me, so I didn’t have to worry about doing it before I left. Should be ready before dinner, so off I head on a walk.
It’s very warm out, and I enjoy the sun on my skin. It seriously does something to my mood that I can’t explain. I am heading up along Jalan Legian (Jalan technically means walk, but in this context it’s like Street). It has shops and also is the location of Bintang supermarket. The shops around here are all much the same, and I am not on the hunt for anything in particular so I just stroll past on my way to Bintang. I love experiencing the supermarket in any country, and in Bali is no exception.
I walk though the bakery looking for a sweet treat, but come across what is half a loaf of bread, but without the crusts. Obviously there are so many different things here, definitely catering to both tourists and locals alike.

It seems I have been walking for nearly an hour and it’s close to lunch time. I message home to see if the girls want to meet me down by the water for bite to eat. Seems that with all that laying around, they’ve worked up an appetite. So I get them to meet me at a familiar spot closer to the water so we can take the last lot of the walk together to the restaurant.
It’s such a nice location, with shade, a balcony and a lovely breeze. We get a seat with a view only interrupted by power lines.

Our lunch spot is at Lanai restaurant. This has been a regular stop for me since coming to Bali many years ago. We all enjoy our food, and for this lunch I opt for some traditional Balinese cuisine. I have mostly had more western food since arriving, so I just thought that it was time. We haven’t any real plans for the afternoon but knowing that tomorrow is a day of snorkeling and boating, I thought I would get myself my hair braided. Having long hair has made it very warm for me here, so I thought that I would get it braided off my face, and Jamei was keen for a pedicure. So we all walked back to our hotel, and dropped Boston off and headed to the salon.
Seems the person braiding my hair needs a step ladder to be able to braid my hair properly, because she is too short. I giggle as she stands so high above my head.

We finish and I attempt to get a head start on the blog for today before we head to meet Mick and Bec for sunset drinks. Where has today disappared to? I pop out to pick up the laundry and it’s all perfectly packed, pressed and folded in plastic ready for me to take it away. I always chuckle when you have to walk down the street with your underwear and bras on the top of the pile for all to see. I have spared you the view and flipped it over.

We head on down to the beach, and it’s pretty overcast and looking unlikely that there wil be a nice sunset but as always I am forever hopeful.
We find Bec and Mick and settle in. La Plancha has absolutely gorgeous colorful chairs and decor. The perfect backdrop for what ends up being an incredible sunset.

We enjoy our drinks and chat away. We all comment how cool it’s been to meet each other and make an executive decision to continue the night at a restaurant once we’ve finished our drinks.

the girls jump on the bike with Mick and Bec and I walk along the beach. It’s not that far at all, and the girls have enjoyed the short ride. Jamei covered the parking cost (20cents).
Dinner choices at some places here can be so difficult on account of the amount of options there are. Tonight’s restaurant is no exception. I’ve again decided on a traditional Indonesian dish Soto Ayam. Essentially chicken noodle soup.

Its time to retire knowing we all have 7am starts. The girls head off first and I hang around for a short time to farewell our new friends. It’s been a cracking day, so much for a rest day. But another wonderful day in paradise.
I head back to the hotel to blog which is entertaining as I find a seat next to a guy and a girl who clearly have met over here. One is American the other European , and their conversation moves from travel to not wanting to go home. She is trying to convince him to come along and have a massage so they can spend some more time together and not have to call it a night just yet. I’m not sure he was picking up the signs. I left before them so I wonder what ended up happening there.
It’s so nice to jump into bed, I can hardy keep my eyes open. I double check alarms and it’s not long before I’m fast asleep.
I am so excited about tomorrow. A day on the boat.