The one where we arrive in Bali

So in case you didn't know (or aren't on Facebook)...a couple months ago, Jaret said we were going to take a vacation for my birthday.  Then he said it was going to be to Bali!! Now, to be totally honest...I hadn't heard a whole lot of Bali until I came to Australia...but always thought it would be a neat place to visit and my grandma had gone back in the day.  However, it seems to be THE vacation to take when in Australia.  Flights are pretty reasonable and it's only a 3 hour flight from Perth.  So after some research and talking to friends who had visited...we had our trip planned and I would welcome my last year of my 20's in Bali, Indonesia!!
Here is where Bali is on the globe (thank you wikipedia)

As you can see, it's a teeny-tiny little island in Indonesia...and if you look close on the little map in the top right corner...you can see it's just above Australia.

Now as for where we would stay....we thought about doing the all inclusive route...but after some research we discovered that there was a Hilton in the area of the island we wanted to stay.  And thanks to Jaret's many travels...we were able to use reward points!
So bright and early on the 22nd we boarded a plane in Perth and after 3 short hours we were in Bali!  Now, since Bali is pretty close to the equator...it's humid....ike Houston-humid in July.  So I joked that Jaret had brought me to Texas instead :)

As soon as we stepped off the plane...Jaret had already arranged to have someone waiting there for us...fast-tracked us through customs and then out to meet our driver from the hotel and we were ready for some fun in the sun!

We only had about a 20 minute drive to the hotel...but we could tell something immediately.  The way to get around Bali is by motorbike.  EVERYONE was on a motorbike...and they drive crazy!  I don't think I got a good picture of just how many people are on bikes, but I managed to snap a couple.

 

 

 

 



We made it to the hotel...and thanks to Jaret's reward member status...our room was upgraded, so we got a great view!   We got to the hotel about 10a and our room was ready so we didn't have to wait around until check-in time. And the best surprise was that Jaret had arranged for flowers, champagne and a cake to be waiting for me in the room when we arrived!

 



Yeah...I think I'll keep him :)

 

While Jaret opened the champagne...I took pictures of the room.  In the above picture, Jaret is standing on our balcony :)

 

And these are when you looked to the right and the left on our balcony.  The beach & ocean are in the background in the top picture.

 

 

The bathtub...and right behind where I was standing was the shower & toilet.  And yes...there's a window so in case everyone in the room wants to watch you in the bathroom...that can be done!

 

And the rest of the room.  Actually nice & spacious.



 

After a breakfast of champagne & cake (no, we hadn't eaten yet at this point in the day)...we went to explore the hotel.  (I don't know where a lot of these are, the hotel was HUGE, but you get the idea...it's beautiful!)

This pond had a ton of koi fish in it...and they would follow you when you would walk around the pond....obviously in search of food.

 

Scoping out the beach & ocean.

 



 After we walked around for a bit...we needed a nap.  (we had been up since 2a).  But after a quick nap, we were refreshed and got to check out the executive lounge for evening cocktails...check out the size of the cocktail menu!

 

After a couple of cocktails...we walked over to one of the 5 restaurants for dinner.  But first a look at the main pool in the evening time :)

 

 

And our view for dinner on our first night in Bali!!

 

Stay tuned for more adventures!!

The one where we learn to play the didgeridoo

Obviously while we are here, there are a couple of things on the 'Australia Bucket List' we have to check off.  Everyone knows what a didgeridoo is...but honestly I had no clue how to play one.  So when Garriann found a deal for a lesson, I was totally in and then Jaret heard about it and wanted to go too!  This morning, we picked Garriann & Kim up and headed for our lesson.
This is the store that we were to meet at in Fremantle...

 

So, I'm not gonna lie... had a guy in a polo shirt, jeans and combed hair shown up to give us our lesson...I would have been a tad disappointed.  But we were not let down...as this guy walked up to open up the store...

 

We were all allowed to grab any didg (yes that is what we are allowed to call them now) that was in the store to learn on. And some of these were in the 4-digit price range! But we picked one that looked good and were ready to jam.





 

Getting some instructions and then giving it a go.

 

Some of the people in the class.



 

And us at the end of class as total didg pros!!

 

We had an absolute blast learning how to play this crazy instrument (did you know it's hollowed out by termites???)  And everyone had a pretty good sound coming out! (except me, but I'm gonna practice!)  Yes we did buy one (trust me, not one of the 4-digit price range!) and we can't wait to see if practice pays off :)

 

 





The one where we had high tea

As most people know, Australia was once part of the UK and has European influences...blah, blah, blah you can read more on wikipedia if you want the full history...but that means that a lot of places still serve high tea.  Us girls had wanted to go have proper high tea and get dressed up all fancy.  So we found a place that had a great spread...so we put on our best high tea attire and were ready to go!
Here are the little girls ready to enjoy tea time!

Four of the five of us as we go in for tea.

 

My place set for tea

 

Garriann & Grier getting ready to enjoy some scones.

 

Annabelle ready for her 'tea'. (the girls got hot chocolate)

Excited for 'tea'!

 

 



 Yum!

 

Tea food! And yes those who know me and my odd eating habits will be happy to know that I tried everything!

 

 



 

Once we were finished eating... the little girls wanted to go play outside, so we took our tea outside to enjoy the weather....and to take pictures :)

 



Some tea-time guests roaming around.

 

 

We had a wonderful girls' day out at high tea!  And it also started the beginning of the end with Garriann.  Her and her amazing family are leaving in a couple weeks and we will miss them like crazy!







The one where we played at the park

King's Park is one of the big places to see when in Perth.  It's a huge park and absolutely beautiful!  One area has a couple of nice big playgrounds where the kids can run around while the adults can sit and enjoy the day.  We had a couple of great weather weekends, so we decided we should grill out at the park and enjoy it!
Here's a look at our surroundings...

 

This was our set up and some of the crew one weekend...and it did get a bit chilly hence the sweatshirt.

 

And this was our set up and some of the crew the next weekend...



 

The men-folk at the grill cookin' up lunch!

 



And of course these sweet little guys got to run around...and they LOVED this gigantic alligator (or crocodile) statue that they could climb all over.

 

 

The grown-up girls...love them!!

 

So as you could see there is a big pond/lake in the middle of this area of the park...yes keeping the kids out is a little challenge.  But the biggest challenge is keeping the big boys out of it...they had the idea of throwing a football from one side to the other...and both times...it didn't make it on one throw.  So after about an hour of staring and hoping the ball would float towards us...the first weekend, Jaret sacrificed himself to go get the ball.



 

 

And here they are throwing the ball the second weekend... 

Staring at the ball when it didn't make it to the other side. (the ball was eventually retrieved.)

Here is Jaret & Eliana having a deep conversation.

Not really...she just wanted him to spin her!

 

And last but not least, our big man Aydan in the tree!

 

We loved our weekends at the park and of course love getting to hang out with our friends!