Bali - Oct/Nov '23
Ostensibly this trip was an opportunity to catch up with Pratiwi's family, most of whom we hadn't seen since Thailand & Indonesia, Mar '15. Bali was the chosen spot for this reunion, and while I wasn't really looking forward to the long trip from Europe (much further than from Australia) can't really complain about having to spend 2+ weeks in paradise.
As you can imagine, much merriment ensued. But while westerners might think this means plenty of boozy nights, in fact the Asian equivalent appears to involve feasting on all manner of food. For us, foods that are very hard to come by in France so all the better.
Sure, there were trips to the beach, mountains, temples and even couple of snorkeling excursions but always we came home to a feast of some kind. Gotta say, I got behind this wholeheartedly and had a blast.
Sunday 15 October 2023
Obligatory 'time to kill in an airport' shots. This is Toulouse - I don't mind it here TBH. Nice sun & shadows.
Sunday 15 October 2023
First long haul flight in 8 years! Started well with apperos & dinner, although you know how these things go... 
Monday 16 October 2023
Sitting on the floor of an airport lounge at 1:15am... and they say there's no glamour in flying these days
Monday 16 October 2023
Almost there... feeling remarkably chipper despite 30 hours without sleep!
Monday 16 October 2023
Hot & humid out so why bother changing? Satay/tempe/fried chicken (where's my rice?!) & Bintang. Welcome to Bali!
Tuesday 17 October 2023
Morning stroll at Sanur Beach. Few clues we're in Bali - cos going on voices here you'd think it was 'straya mate!
Tuesday 17 October 2023
Away from touristy seafront cafes: lunch of 'nasi campur bali' (rice, egg, chicken, veggies & sambal) Nom! 
Tuesday 17 October 2023
Family dinner at Warung Blanjong. Waaay too fancy to call itself a warung TBH but great food so we'll let them off
Wednesday 18 October 2023
Sunrise jog along Sanur beach. I'm not really a runner, but if you're gonna do it guess there are worse spots!
Wednesday 18 October 2023
Breakfast treats from beach side food cart & warung. Chicken bun & roll then pork satay, soup & sambal. Hit the spot!
Wednesday 18 October 2023
Coconut eating squirrels next to Sanur beach. Despite it being a super touristy spot they're still very timid. Awww.
Wednesday 18 October 2023
After breakie by the beach... picked up a few more dishes to take home for an early lunch. Holiday theme emerging?
Wednesday 18 October 2023
In the area to meet friends so would be rude not to. Sunset selfie on Kuta beach. Beautiful but busier than it looks!
Wednesday 18 October 2023
When girls meet up in a mall... left to wonder aimlessly At least this place is photogenic. Especially at dusk!
Thursday 19 October 2023
Lunch of fried chicken, soup & salad from Ayam Goreng Suharti + babi guling (pork) from second random local warung.
Thursday 19 October 2023
Sunset stroll along Sanur beachfront, mostly to enjoy the pretty lights on hotels & restaurants. Ooooh... sparkly! 
Friday 20 October 2023
Today's lunch: more babi guling & satay from another resto. 3 different pork nibbles. Many tropical fruits to finish.
Friday 20 October 2023
Just hanging around at the beach... 
... sorry...
Friday 20 October 2023
This evening's stroll by the beach. Despite the haze think that's Mount Agung visible in the distance (almost 50km!).
Friday 20 October 2023
Sanur beach sunset. Shame this is the wrong side of the island for sunset pictures!... 
Friday 20 October 2023
... erm... what was that? Sanur is the wrong side of the island for sunset pictures? Beg to differ!
Friday 20 October 2023
More of Pratiwi's family joined us today... any excuse for a feast, right? Huge takeaway from Wong Solo. Nom!
Saturday 21 October 2023
Today's sunrise amble along Sanur beachfront. Could almost get used to this... if I hadn't injured my foot... doh!
Saturday 21 October 2023
Simple lunch from noodle takeaway chain Bakmi GM. Very filling, especially after last night! No more eating today...
Saturday 21 October 2023
Just as I said "No more eating" Pratiwi's niece arrived with 4 boxes of Kartika Sari pisang bollen. Oh, go on then
Sunday 22 October 2023
Snorkeling at Blue Lagoon, Bali. Very pleasantly surprised by quality of the site. Sorry, no U/W pics though. Doh!
Sunday 22 October 2023
Wonderful lunch at Warong Legong. As I joked: would you like some fried chicken with your chilli? Superbly spicy!
Sunday 22 October 2023
Sea turtle conservation project in Sanur. When eggs are found in unsafe location they are hatched here then released.
Sunday 22 October 2023
After that lunch feast let's have a light dinner... said no-one ever on this trip!! Fish, noodles, rice & chicken.
Monday 23 October 2023
Road trip! No, I'm not driving (our chauffeur on the left). Kind of a shame 'cos traffic in Bali seems like fun!
Monday 23 October 2023
Visit to Dewa Putu Toris Gallery. Many beautiful/stunning paintings. Tempting, but couldn't justify taking one home.
Monday 23 October 2023
Obligatory visit to kopi luwak degustation. I prefer the hot chocolate & tea TBH. Coffee fans seem impressed though.
Monday 23 October 2023
Hanging wicker seats seem to be all over Bali. One of us looks happier with a tacky tourist pic than the other?
Monday 23 October 2023
Lunch at Grand Puncak Sari, Kintamani. Breathtaking views + as much as you can eat = spent quite some time here!
Monday 23 October 2023
Short meander around Tegallalang rice terrace. Steep as you'd imagine. Hot. Humid. Sweaty. But well worth the effort.
Monday 23 October 2023
Remember our all you can eat lunch? No, nobody here does either! Small supper I was just given. Best noodles ever!
Tuesday 24 October 2023
Was told we'd be gift shopping with Pratiwi's brother & sister today. So why am I in a bakery? Rhetorical question
Tuesday 24 October 2023
In Pia Eiji actually buying gifts! & 'trying' samples (had them before ) Pastry with chocolate filling. Super yum!
Tuesday 24 October 2023
Krisna Oleh Oleh - a very large gift shop in Denpasar. Bit touristy, but I do like this Barong at the entrance.
Tuesday 24 October 2023
Watching Suwardi siblings order takeaway is hilarious For them it's: Serious? Exciting? Pensive? All the above?
Tuesday 24 October 2023
Last dinner with Meli, Dody & Sam. Been a great week but go our separate ways tomorrow. Happy & sad at the same time.
Wednesday 25 October 2023
Taman Ujung water palace. Super beautiful. Was a lovely cooling breeze in the pavilion's shade. That's good design!
Wednesday 25 October 2023
Very pleasant setting for lunch but food toned down for tourists. Guess we can't always eat by the roadside though
Wednesday 25 October 2023
Seafront digs for couple of days. Welcome drinks by the pool. Room overlooking their tropical garden. Not bad at all!
Wednesday 25 October 2023
Erm... bag count seems to have doubled since we arrived in Bali. Hope this isn't going to be an issue going home!
Wednesday 25 October 2023
Couple of guys rock fishing at sunset on one end of the beach we're staying on.
Wednesday 25 October 2023
Small pause in our food extravaganza: instant noodles for supper. Someone is still excited to try these though!
Thursday 26 October 2023
Sunrise on the beach. No-one else around. Best time of the day for sure!
Thursday 26 October 2023
Sunrise walk, ocean swim, breakie, short rest, very nice snorkeling right by the hotel & now... time to chill. Phew!
Thursday 26 October 2023
When bar down the road has 'sunset view' in it's name not hard to decide where you'll be having sundowners Cheers!
Thursday 26 October 2023
Warung Sabar: seafood so good that instead of ordering dessert after the main we asked for an entree of fish cakes!
Friday 27 October 2023
Breakfast has been pretty good here. Moving on today but must admit it's nice to wake by the ocean once in a while.
Friday 27 October 2023
Rice paddies viewed from the road. Locals tell us it's been very dry this season so amazed things are still so green.
Friday 27 October 2023
The former palace of Tirta Gangga, now a beautiful water garden of fountains, statues & ponds brimming with huge koi.
Friday 27 October 2023
Today's view from the road, Mt Agung in the distance. Wish it was always this quiet!
Friday 27 October 2023
Pura Agung Besakih, the largest & most important Balinese Hindu temple complex. Lots of activity & very interesting.
Friday 27 October 2023
Didn't have high hopes for eating by Besakih temple (tourist spot) but super yum, esp. the chicken fritter things!
Friday 27 October 2023
Welcome drinks at Tapa Agung View. Tasty purple fruit juice thing. Guess you can kind of see Mt Agung behind us
Saturday 28 October 2023
Sunrise from our balcony this morning. No clouds hiding Mt Agung now!
Saturday 28 October 2023
Tonnes of chilli. Fruit, flowers, incense & more. Crazy traffic passing through it all. Welcome to a Balinese market.
Saturday 28 October 2023
Wait a second, where there's a market isn't there, FOOD!? So many choices but martabak pandan keju susu the best!
Sunday 29 October 2023
Too cloudy for mountain views this morning, although not saying that's bad! Beautiful & misty here after sun up too.
Sunday 29 October 2023
The breakfast has been pretty good here, esp. their Asian selection: congee, noodles, dumplings, cassava cake & more!
Sunday 29 October 2023
Lunch at Babi Guling Pande Egi. Went through 3 pigs in the 90 mins we were here! Sooo good & so cheap. Super nom!
Sunday 29 October 2023
Full of roast pork, think we're done. Then heard this stall famed for fried bananas. Have to find out why, right?
Sunday 29 October 2023
Stopped by Murni's Warung for 'a couple of drinks'. Ordered bowl of black rice pudding. Yeah, sounds about right!
Sunday 29 October 2023
More welcome fruit cocktails Hotel gardens behind camera are beautiful, but lighting won't work to show that. Doh!
Sunday 29 October 2023
Just wondering around reminiscing... special memories
Monday 30 October 2023
Ermmmmmmmm... might be some big trees around here!! #GiantLeaf
Monday 30 October 2023
The hotel's Forest Trail walk, & back past spa & farm. Lovely breeze down by the river but still need to cool off...
Monday 30 October 2023
... need to cool off you say? Luckily there's an infinity pool overlooking rainforest for that!
Monday 30 October 2023
Afternoon tea... some tasty Asian nibbles, fruit shots and as much chocolate cake as you can eat. Yum!
Monday 30 October 2023
Dinner and a show. Take your photo with the cast. Isn't that what old people do?! Oh dear!
Tuesday 31 October 2023
Finally a hotel with a gym! An hour each morning probably not enough - as you will see - but this is a holiday!
Tuesday 31 October 2023
Need to cool off after the gym? Luckily there's an infinity pool by the river for that!
Tuesday 31 October 2023
Five star hotel breakie. Oh my! Small selection from 2 mornings here. Yes, was much more I didn't photograph! Nom!
Tuesday 31 October 2023
Back by the coast... sunset stroll and pre-dinner drinks on Jimbaran beach.
Tuesday 31 October 2023
Seafood dinner on Jimbaran beach. Surprisingly not super hungry so ordered platter for one only & shared. Was plenty!
Wednesday 1 November 2023
Final day here. Boooooooo! Day of relaxation starting with a leisurely stroll on the beach.
Wednesday 1 November 2023
Last sunset of this trip. Although no dinner on the beach this evening as we have to head to the airport soon. So...
Wednesday 1 November 2023
Dinner before heading to airport. This roadside warung had the best BBQ chicken! Ginger tea from cart nextdoor. Nom!
Thursday 2 November 2023
Wondering deliriously around Doha airport. Taking a selfie with this bear seems to be the done thing, so, erm, Ok
Thursday 2 November 2023
Do you think we'll beat the tail end of Storm Ciaran to Toulouse? Looks like its gonna be tight!
Thursday 2 November 2023
Looking bit spaced out after long flight & pots of coffee for the slow drive home. Probably need to sleep for a week!
