April 15
After breakfast we had a 12:50 flight to Bali. Toni and Vishnu picked us up for the hour and a half to get to the airport. (not as much traffic at this hour compared to when we arrived) Toni of course talked the entire drive and gave us a history lecture. Honestly, we would have preferred a quiet ride as we were passing villages and rice fields that were very interesting. He saw us taking photos of the rice fields so of course he brings out photos for us to look at to explain the process of rice growing. Even when he saw us pull out our cell phones ignoring him, he kept talking. Greg leaned over and said, maybe he has CDs for sale. Yikes!
After finding our gate we went in search of lunch. We found a place and the first 2 things we ordered they were out of. She points to the few things they have. We ordered a beef dish and a chicken dish. We stopped for ice cream, and I hit the craft shop and got a magnet that said Java.
We arrived at 3:10 and were met by Emon and taken to Goya Boutique Resort in the town of Ubud. Goya Boutique Resort - Authentic Experience of Ubud (goyaboutiqueresorts.com) The hotel was unassuming from the street, but it was beautiful from the long beautifully planted walkway to the back where the pool & restaurant and bar was, and the rooms were huge and very nice. It was a good choice for our long stay here.
Emon said he would pick us up later for an included dinner. Jason at China Highlights had set up some included meals for us since he had told us that all meals at the Jungle Inn were included, and they weren’t. I pushed back to Jason when we booked the trip, that their website clearly stated only breakfast was included and the lunch on the all-day hike, but he insisted they were included. We, of course, ended up paying the tab which we figured we would. The meals were inexpensive at the Jungle Inn but everything on Bali was more expensive, so we got the better end of the deal.
Dinner was at Café Lotus, and it had a culture show (that we hadn’t paid to see so we were in the back), but it was a lovely setting, and the meal was very good. It was a set menu with Chicken Soup, Fish cooked in a banana leaf, and banana fritters with strawberry ice cream. Emon ate with us, and we talked about our 8 days together. He is an energetic and kind young man and we found out that before and after our tours he would do airport pickups. (we aren't close to the airport so he must never sleep) Always smiling.
Back at the hotel he told us the time to meet for our tour of Holy Spring of Tampaksiring, Tegalalang Rice Fields, Tirta Empul Temple & Elephant Cave.
For larger photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/1HpzwpGXhGUxweRA8
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