Ahh, Nusa Dua. Far from the madding crowd and sadly too far away from good shops. Traffic is horrendous from Nusa Dua to Kuta. It can take a 30 min drive almost an hour in heavy traffic especially during peak hours. Shopping in Kuta's just fabulous. So many shops, so little time! Kids cannot match my shopping stamina (few people can). My appetite for shopping is well, insatiable and legendary according to some people. I once won the trifecta for most purchases - dresses, shoes and bags all in one day in Noosa. Dresses, shoes, bags, incense holders, sterling silver, wooden penises (!), funky hip flasks, cool helmets that look like something from Hell Boy or some violent computer game, sarongs, fancy Zippos, you name it, they've got it all. I have to say though this being my 8th or 9th time in Bali, I'm a lot more conservative and fussy. Not going too crazy this time. From the wonderful colourful shops at Kuta to the faraway Ramayana Shopping Centre, in Denpasar, where the airport is situated. Almost 30 mins' drive away to check out a guitar for his royal highness, my teenage son who tested out a few foot pedals for his bass guitar. Interesting local shopping centre. Caters to the local market. Not exactly fashion forward but prices are very reasonable.
My fringe was getting a little too long. Didn't get time to trim it before we left Sydney. Popped into random hairdresser at said Ramayana shopping centre. Big mistake. Blunt scissors (ouch!) & poor hairdressing skills - two of the very skills you hope your hairdresser does not possess. Double whammy. He was more interested in chatting me up (ugh!) - make that triple whammy. Went back to hotel with uneven fringe. It only cost me $2. Unfortunately for me, it also looked like a A$2 job. In the words of a modern teenager: I look like a retard (no offence)!
Redemption in the form of mushrooms! Who would have thought! Great distraction from lousy haircut. One floor down from hairdresser. Fast food mushrooms. Champignon, button, enoki and fried broccoli! Enoki mushrooms - tres delicious with special chilli. Yummm.
With shopping out of the way, Princess and I dropped off our shopping bags and headed to Bali Collection, a seven-year old mini shopping and entertainment hotspot right next door to the Hotel. Made our way to our favourite spa. Reasonably priced and friendly, strong masseurs. We chose the 1.5 hours Shirodara treatment. Full body massage and ayurveda-like treatment where warm oil is dispensed in a gentle flow over one's third eye centre through a gadget pictured below. The strangest feeling at first but a little tickly but very relaxing afterwards. What to do with the copious amount of oil over one's head and hair? Avocado cream bath accompanied by the most wonderful head massage ever. I was not imagining it but our hair felt luscious and shiny the next day. Not a trace of oily scalp. About A$50 each. It was worth every penny.
Yummy teppanyaki dinner was another lovely redemption. Our room rate includes breakfast as well as three themed dinners choosing from: teppanyaki (unlimited), sushi buffet, seafood buffet and tempura buffet. Also included in the room rate are 7 two course dinners at two other in-house restaurants. Can't get over the great value. A$2,000 per person. Flight, accommodation and meals. In addition to that, you get met the moment you step off your flight to an awaiting guide who then assists you with immigration, customs and suitcases. And there's more! Price also includes a personal driver and guide for 8 hours to take you anywhere you want in Bali. This is a value that's hard to beat. Google myholidaycentre.com.au for more details. Great deals for other Asian destinations as well.
After bonding over a game of table soccer, chess, jigsaw puzzle and our nightly round of pool, it was time to call it a night. Big day out tomorrow. We've booked our driver for some fun out to see some other parts of Bali tomorrow. Till then, nitey-nite.
...abroadin5inchheels
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