Last full day in Kuta

Today was our last full day in Kuta and we still haven't seen the beach, this morning was also the first time I woke up Bali time, by the time we were all ready it was 10am. Because cafe Koko had promised soymilk we went there, unfortunately they still didn't have it. Mali was back at the hotel waiting for her laundry to get back so Rui and I walked to Rice Paddy cafe, one that was advertised on trip advisor. I'm so glad we did, their coffee was great and so was their dragonfruit bowl and vegan pizza. Rice Paddy was so ambient that when I looked at my fitbit 2 hours had gone by!

Mali had a few errands to run, so Ru and I walked towards the hotel to pick up her charger. On the way I stopped at a fixed price store as I hate bartering, I successfully found two tops and a necklace, I even gave her a first sale of the day tip. At the next store I got Bernie a Spring Chickens present - as her nuptials are impending this week!!!!

A quick stop at the hotel to drop off the purchases and we were on our way to Kuta beach, or so I thought.....  Ruaela needed some art supplies and had located a distributor so the plan was to catch a Bluebird to this joint, buy a few things then relax on the beach. What actually happened was....

After strolling for about 5 minutes towards the main strip we saw a Warung with cumi cumi (grilled squid, marinated on tamarind), we had decided not to eat for a few hours but cancelled that decision very quickly as these are one of my favorite foods. We went in, it was a real locals warung with no menus or prices. We probably completely overpaid but we shared a $6 plate. It was the best food we'd had on our trip. It was spiced to the intensity that my family is used to, after a few pictures with the sweet little cook we were once again on our way to catch that elusive bluebird!

A few metres down the road we saw a massage parlour that didn't look seedy but was very cheap, I asked if they dyed eyebrows they answered in the affirmative so in we went. We ordered off the menu, a creme bath for Ruaela ( conditioning treatment), eyebrows for me, we looked at the prices, hmmm $3.50 for a foot massage, yep lock in two of those and might as well add in a $5.50 haircut for me. It was a great investment $23 for lovely pampering, we had our backs and shoulders done while another lady did our feet. Finally we were on our way to the art supply shop, we hailed the first Bluebird that drove down the alley and clambered in. We had quite a pleasant conversation with the driver who told me that I should get Bahasa lessons so we don't get ripped off, eventhough he tried to haggle me for a princely sum if he waited for us at the art suppliers. I politely declined his exorbitant offer and in we went, Ruaela was in a tiz there was so much she needed, and the prices for European well know art supplies were at least a third of the Aussie price. She spent every cent she had, and then some!

Ruaela was desperate for a coffee and wifi session but I held firm, my fitbit still had 3000 steps to go before I reached my target. Promises were made and upheld, we hit target near the Bali Bakery, it was obviously a sign! Now I have been super strict on myself this year with my food intake and have avoided processed food, fried food and sugar, however I had to have cake for my birthday!

It was difficult to choose, we settled on a thin slice of chocolate souffle torte and a bacon and cheese brioche tartlet. I was very constrained and had a third of each. The actual blowout on this trip for me would probably be all the fried tofu and tempeh I've had and the amount of highly spiced , chicken, meat and fish. I've been healthy but because of the variety and nostalgia for my mother's cooking I have had bits and pieces all over the place. At home I've been having a coffee and sugarplum every morning before gym and then a no carb, salady protein lunch, oh well I am not going to be hard on myself for falling off the wagon as I will get back into routine in two days.

When we left the bakery we thought we'd walk as it was only 19 minutes back to the hotel. I had brought my umbrella for the afternoon showers but Ruaela had forgotten hers. We tried to walk under as much cover as possible but it was getting increasingly slippery. As I started to cross the road I slid out on some mud, my umbrella and phone were flung on the road as I landed on my backside,  luckily the car turning the corner stopped. I got up gingerly and hobbled to Ru, my toes were bleeding and I was feeling sore in the right ankle. We only had 13mins to go but defeatedly I hailed a Bluebird. This man didn't haggle and cleverly got us there through the side streets, so I gave him a tip and we clambered up the stairs. We collected Mali who had been studying and the girls came back to my room to relax while I ran a bath and once full I lay in the bubbles and chatted to Eric via Skype.

It was creeping up to 7pm and we'd planned that on the last night we'd go out for dinner, have birthday cocktails and listen to live music. Ruaela had seen a place she was determined to go to but was distracted on the way, so we went to  place called Stakz which was really aimed at tourists wanting Aussie food. Our meal was not memorable but they gave us a little complimentary cocktail and appetizer and the service was spot on.

A dvd bootlegger came along and showed us his wares, we firmly declined, then both girls said that they felt sorry for him and that we should spend 10 bucks, so I went down the street  and called him, they ended up getting 3 each. They are all on Netflix but people are so poor here. He also started to offer us Valium and other prescription drugs but I sent him on his merry way.

The next vendor pranced about in front of us with a cylindrical speaker which changed colour to the beat, we politely declined. Next he whipped out a taser, some backpacker mucho men begged to be tasered, hahaha I'm sure they regreted that decision. The hawker pulled more items out of his garbage bag, we kept saying, " No, no, no!" until he pulled out a battery operated little pony, both the girl's went wild. Ruaela miraculously found some money (I hope it wasn't the airport shuttle bus fare I gave them when at the hotel) and they each secured their own pony. He showed them how to tether it to a suction capped pole so that it could cavort and neigh on the table.

Very happy now, the girls chose a very pretty flowery looking place which belonged to the Dragon Palace and ordered another round of cocktails and raced their ponies up and down the sofa as we were the only customers. Although amused, I wanted to go next door as the Indo coverband was awesome, they were songing a Red Hot Chili peppers song and as I'd been to see the Peppers in Melbourne a fortnight ago, I demanded to go and enjoy the show. 

I sat on a soda water for the 2 hours we were there but tipped the equivalent of a few more cocktails, the girls did both, they tipped and had more cocktails. We sat right up the front and sang our little hearts out, they had a female guest singer who was absolutely incredible. When they'd sung their last song the girls exchanged insta account details and we were off. It was quite a short walk home,  they had a running race I kept up the rear as that's totally not my idea of a good way to end my night.
Once back in my room I was too hyped up to sleep so I just lay there recounting the action packed day!