Villa Pantai, it's Been a Pleasure!

What a pleasant day this has been, as we wrap up our time in Bali. I'm not sure how it happened, but we managed to get sunburned today, our last day. I thought we were home free. The afternoon sun didn't feel as intense as it has, and maybe the repeated swims in the pools took care of every last drop of sunscreen. Aloe Vera is gel is very nice. We're fine. Nothing serious. Dinner tonight was delicious and festive. Even in our short amount of time here we have made friends, and they gave us a nice send-off. No one is a stranger here. Even with the send-off, we are all meeting for breakfast. And we won't have to rush, because we made sure we don't have an early flight. This vacation has been pure fantasy. No, I mean it---really. It's been a dream. As hard as it will be to leave this all behind, we are looking forward to getting back and to catch up with Cool and j so all four of us can share stories about our big trips. Wow, what are the odds that all four of us would be gone on exciting vacations at the same time?

Tomorrow: Bali Bye!

Playing Tourist in Tabanan

This has been a good day to explore. We had a list of places we wanted to see, and we found a delightful taxi driver who got us exactly where we wanted to go. I said it before, the international feel of Bali is highly palpable. Our taxi driver, for instance, speaks Japanese with an Australian accent but clearly understands our English. We are back at Villa Pantai now with plenty of daylight hours left to fully enjoy the pool and catch a few rays because this is going to be it as far as getting a tan is concerned. Tomorrow morning we will pack after breakfast and begin the journey home, saying goodbye to this beautiful island we don't ever want to forget. All too soon, though, it will seem like we have never been to Bali. Imagine.

A Tale of Two Beaches

The top picture is of the beach in Sanur, where we spent the first half of our stay here in Bali. The lower picture is of the beach here in Tabanan where we are now until we leave to go home. Sanur is definitely a place for tourists, but Tabanan, not so much. There is still plenty to do. After our time at the Day Spa here at Villa Pantai---massages, thanks to their expert team of Balinese Massage Therapists---we went out and toured the Pura Tanah Lot Temple and even had time to browse a local museum before dinner this evening. We love how international Bali feels. Where else can you find a single menu with at least five different cuisines (all of them delicious)? And since this is a fantasy trip, let me just say that tonight we dined on sushi.

A Home Away From Home---And Then Some!

This is my room. Elletu's is the same except for the colors and artwork. Our rooms are on either side of the lush courtyard you can see right outside my door. We spent the morning by the pool, and this afternoon, what else? Off to the spa after lunch! We leave for home day after tomorrow, and we need to soak up as much of this luxury as we can while we can. Blessed Bali.....this trip has been so good for our tired bodies and brains. Elletu tells me I look ten years younger. I reminded her that I am $10,000 poorer.

Hello Tabanan!

Goodbye villa at Fairmont Sanur Beach, hello Villa Pantai at Ketapang Estate in Tabanan! Look what greeted us when we arrived at this idyllic place on Bali's southwestern coast. Locals call it 'Bali's best-kept secret,' and for good reason: It's not easy to find. Accessible by tiny roads that cut through rice paddies and cross rickety wooden bridges, the remote hotel, made up of eight villas, is surrounded by lush jungle and a very private beach. Rooms start at $570. Do you think we reserved the least expensive villa? No way! On our way to check in now. Restful day ahead. This pool looks like fun. Darn, we have to share it with others!!!

We're Going to Graduate!

This is where we have taken our cooking classes and where dinner will be tonight. I thought we would sleep in this morning, but instead we woke up early, took a morning dip in the pool, and then off to the spa for massages, hair and make-up. We are well-groomed for our final cooking class. We leave in a few minutes, after having enjoyed a light lunch of a small rice bowl and fresh fruit delivered to us by Wayan and served in our open-air cabana. The air is fresh and fragrant today...and so are we! Wayan brought us each a gorgeous fresh flower lei to wear today! From what we understand, this is a custom for the final cooking class, and tonight our teacher/chef is preparing a sumptuous meal just for his students. This should be a delightful afternoon and evening, and Elletu and I are primed for it. We leave our villa tomorrow for another hotel and more adventures. We just wish we could take Wayan with us! He has been super-attentive but not hovering, always anxious to please but not overbearing.

Tomorrow: Villa Aloha!

We're Going to School!

We're going to school---cooking school, that is. We signed up for two days of classes, and today was our first class. This was my creation, and the teacher praised me for my colorful arrangement. I will be honest: I would be more interested if we were in Italy, as Italian food is so yummy and something I would love to fix at home. But we learned much today and met some other tourists from around the world, so that was fun. We enjoyed each other's company so much, we all decided to go out to dinner together this evening and our teacher came along. After dinner Elletu and I came back to our villa and luxuriated in our own private pool. It is so warm tonight, and with the lights on in the pool the scene was just so amazingly beautiful, magical really. We both went to our rooms, I showered but she bathed, and I think sleep is going to feel so good. It was a full day, and I'm tired. We are sleeping in tomorrow as long as we want. Our cooking class isn't until 1 P.M. While it is great to go off and do things, we appreciate any amount of time we have just hanging around our villa, and Wayan brings us anything we want. I loved the wine he delivered to us while we were swimming tonight, red for me, white for Elletu. And the chocolates he leaves on our pillows each night are melt-in-your-mouth treats beyond belief. I pretend they are five calories each. Fat chance!!!!

We hear Cool and her husband are home from Tahiti. I hope they had as wonderful a time there as we are having here. And j should return about the time we do. I hope so, because her birthday is just days away and we need to CELEBRATE. She sent me a picture of her on Route 66 during this long trip she and her husband have taken. In April she and I both leave Route 66. I wonder if there is a Route 67?

Well, it is 1 A.M. No wonder I'm tired. Sweet dreams from Bali!