I can’t say enough about Jetstar.

I truly love, love, love, them.

I’ve never had a problem internationally, or domestically….

Melbourne to Denpasar was no exception.

Although when we landed and smoke started to come out above the overhead lockers I may have had a moment.

Apparently it’s the humidity -v- air con.

Phew!

Today was not my time to die – particularly not on a runway apparently.

We disembarked onto the tarmac and headed through customs. Among many of my concerns about this trip was the fact that I had tried four times to get a Visa and failed dismally.

Concerned because it would hold us up at the airport. Smithy, who had been successful with her online visa application, was very gracious, displaying great patience and announcing she would go ahead to pick up our luggage while I queued. 

I stood in that queue for 20 minutes, visa was organised in 5 minutes, and then I wandered through the auto gates and spied my luggage going around the carousel.

Turns out that as I wandered, I had passed Smithy.

Even with a Visa she had to line up. To her horror it was in the ‘People with Families, Disabilities and the over 60’s’. 

Note to self. 

Next time I come to Bali I shall get the visa when I arrive.

Much faster. 

Once we both had our luggage we exited out to the beautiful heat and humidity without even a dog sniff.

Easy peasy!  

Our driver was waiting patiently with the lines of other drivers (there must have been 50 of them) to take us the long drive to our resort. 

Two hours due to traffic. 

The roads were total organised chaos, reminiscent of Vietnam (Doug and Annabel 🤣). 

Finally arrived at our resort which is on a very busy road. We both had it in our heads, well due to the resort photos on their website, that the place was out in the nether nethers.

But head down the narrow path and an oasis just opens up. The nether nethers are right there. Next to the busy main road.

It appears that each side of that busy road – did I mention it was busy? – is the same, with a huge gully and an amazing walk on the other side.

Rice paddy fields, beautiful scenery, birds, chickens, and a feel like you are a million miles away from civilisation. 

Our  room for the next 8 nights is a ‘bungalow’ with a little porch out front and an outside bathroom.

It’s a true delight.

Once we dumped our luggage we set off with some vigour and renewed energy, to find food. Thought we would go to The Elephant, highly recommended and purported to be close to us.

Which it was.

But not last night. 

Not when you go left instead of right.

Twas quite the walk for 20 minutes or so before we gave up and popped into a good looking vegetarian friendly restaurant called Karma. 

$30AUD for sweet potato fries, two delicious Nasi Goreng, one cocktail and a mocktail.

I think we all know to whom that one cocktail may have belonged. 

I needed it after the walk up the ‘footpath’. 

Fraught with danger, narrow, full of holes and uneven tiles, twas an old persons (that’s us) nightmare.

There was almost a face plant or two.

You will be pleased to know that I did not resort to my usual colourful language.

I am, after all, at a yoga retreat.

And I have, after all, been practising.

Oh My, Oh Gosh, Oh Golly, My Goodness Me.

It’s all there folks. 

I have it in me to be quite civilised when I choose. 

I’m sure it was a nice surprise for Smithy to see that my gutter mouth hasn’t joined us in Bali.

Not sure how long I can keep it up.

Tomorrow is our first yoga session of course, so I shall be very zen. This new improved version of me, just may well see another day.

Oh look, it’s 9pm and f*$&#!n 28 degrees. 

WTF!

More tomorrow.

Night folks.