Bali
Nusa Lembongan
I am WEEKS behind on my blogging so am going to try my best to remember not only what we did, but HOW we did… i.e., what was going through my mind / those small but wonderful moments that make up a day / the little details. I have, thankfully, been keeping a separate spreadsheet on which we plan out (very roughly) our time in a new place, so that helps in revisiting our days in previous places. So here goes…
We flew to Denpasar late in the afternoon, so we got to Bali late. Thankfully a friend in Bali had arranged an airport pick-up for us so that part, at least, was seamless. We arrived at our hotel at nearly midnight Aussie-time (the time our bodies were used to) to a very friendly welcome from hotel staff, a refreshing welcome drink and cold towelette, and the tying-on of blessing bracelets of twisted red, white and black string. Also to the knowledge that although we had booked a room for two adults and two children, we had a room with one king bed and one single cot, without the ability to add another. Too exhausted to deal, we accepted that evening and thought we would request a different set-up later… which of course we did not (so, spent the week with Grace in the cot and Kieran in between Sean and I in the big bed, lol).
For those of you who know me well, you will know I do not handle being tired well… at.all. I had a minor meltdown that night knowing I was heading off on a ladies’ weekend very early the next morning and would have to unpack our big bags and repack a smaller weekend bag, all while functioning on very few (tired) braincells. Somehow got through it, un- and re-packed, and gratefully fell into bed, but not before messaging Bali friends re: whether tap water was ok to brush teeth with. The answer: a very strong and resounding NO!
Early the next morning I awoke in better spirits and got a car to the Port to meet up with a dear friend whom I’ve known since 9th grade, as well as six of her friends, for a 40th birthday celebration. We took a ‘fast boat’ (quick, but with seats made for people with legs much shorter than mine!) across pristine aqua waters to Nusa Lembongan which was just as idyllic as all the Travel + Leisure magazines make it out to be. We had the Beach House at Lago rented for our mighty crew of eight which was one of the dreamiest spots I’ve ever laid eyes on, let alone stayed at.
Three days on Lembongan were filled with lovely friends new and old, dragonfruit-laden breakfasts, swims in the bay and cold dips in the ice pool, fresh seafood, iced coffees and poolside margaritas, dolphins leaping in the waves, a high-jump off a cocktail pontoon’s diving board (and the requisite seawater up my nose), one heavenly body scrub at Spring Spa, and an epic 40th cocktail and dinner celebration for one of my oldest friends. Turning 40 myself in a few short weeks, it was rather special to be there with this amazing group of strong, confident, gorgeous, successful women reflecting on what life has brought each of us; the ups and the downs and the surprises and U-turns and places we both did and didn’t think we would be at this time in our lives.
By the time Sunday midday rolled around, I was exhausted in the best way. I desperately needed some quiet solo time whilst also being excited to see Sean and the kids again. I plugged into my audiobook on the boat ride back and was woefully withdrawn with my driver on the way back from the Port to our hotel. It was so, so enriching to be amongst friends again after the last number of months, and then so good to be back with my family at the end of it as well. Such swings of sociability! I’m grateful to have had the opportunity of that weekend.
Love,
Caley
Nusa Dua
Upon arriving back at the hotel late Sunday afternoon, I was promptly greeted by my family who had done just fine without me for three days. They proudly showed me around the grounds, with Kieran highlighting the kids’ club where he proceeded to spend the next few days (video games having something to do with that decision, for sure…) and Grace telling me about the cat that showed up most evenings when everyone gathered on the main patio for drinks and snacks.
Our hotel was located on the eastern shore of Nusa Dua. When we were booking our location in Bali, we looked at Canggu and Pererenan quite a bit (those being the locations my friend and her friends live) but ultimately decided on a bit more of a resort vibe for our time in Indo, as we know by now that we need space for the kids to roam and play, pool and/or beach for us all to chill, and walkable spaces. It was definitely a trade-off… we didn’t see as much of the “real Bali” in our resort setting but were able to relax with the kids a bit more than if we were in some of the less-walkable neighbourhoods we had looked at. Luckily, my good friend was centred in Canggu and we spent a day in that neighbourhood (meeting her dogs, swimming in her pool, and having lunch at the very cute Milk & Madu Café).
One thing I very much loved about Nusa Dua was the breakfast that was served each morning at our hotel. It had everything from western crowd-pleasers like waffles, pancakes and toast, to eggs many ways, to a salad bar, to yogurts and cereals and bircher muesli, to Indonesian soups, rice dishes, and fish curries. There was also always a selection of “jamu juices” which I had to google on my first morning there. Jamus are traditional Indonesian medicinal drinks made from any number of herbs, roots, flowers, fruits, leaves, seeds and barks. In 2023, UNESCO declared Jamu Wellness Culture as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity! I haven’t seen jamu’s influence make its way across to our little part of the world yet, but I’m here for it when it does.
On to Singapore next, but bye for now,
Caley