Bali

Arriving in Bali

We travelled to Bali with Jeff's parents for the last four days of their trip to Singapore.  We rented a private villa in Canggu complete with our own pool, two cooks/housekeepers, gardener, daily laundry service and a private driver.  We were spoiled with wonderful service by the staff who catered to our every need.

The outdoor bath and shower were wonderful.

The grounds of the villa were beautiful and we enjoyed daily massages, swimming and relaxing by the pool.

Bali

The majority of Balinese are Hindu (the rest of Indonesia is mostly Muslim).  There are temples and alters everywhere in Bali.  The Hindu's make daily offerings which they place in the alters or on the ground.  A man came twice a day to our villa and placed fresh offerings both on the alter and on the ground.

This temple in Ubud was covered with offerings.

Bali is extremely crowded and it takes a long time to travel around the island due to both the number of motorbikes/cars and the lack of (wide) roads.  Like Vietnam, there are hundreds of motorbikes and   people weaving in and out to get around.  We were driven around in a van, and it was not uncommon to have other cars/motorcycles coming at you head on before getting back in the lane, at the last minute, to avoid a head-on collision.  Again, people in Bali were never upset about the driving conditions and we did not witness one accident.  Amazing!

Motorbikes lined up in front of Seminyak Beach

This is where many of the motorbikes go for petrol.  They either fill up at this station or bring their own plastic water bottle to put the petrol in.  Many of the bottles on this stand are old Vodka bottles.

The shopping in Bali is amazing.  There are so many things to buy at such good prices that we had a hard time deciding.  This lady was selling small toys that she kept in this basket on her head.

Highlights of the trip

• Staff of five women showed up to our Villa and for 100 USD we received: 2 (45 min) foot massages, 2  (45 min) facials, 2  (60 min) body massages, 2 pedicures and 3 mini-massages for the kids.  Unbelievably wonderful and relaxing.  This experience was so amazing and unique that we did it again the next day.

Jeff and Lou getting massages on the daybed was priceless!

The kids loved their massages and bought special oils at the Ubud market the next day and we were all treated to more massages by Jake and Kate.

Papa getting a massage from Jake and Kate.

• While sitting on the beach in Seminyak we were swarmed by peddlers selling their wares.  Although it was uncomfortable to have so many people trying to sell to us, we later learned that we got some good deals and wished that we had bought more!  On the way home Donna said, "That was exhilarating."

Donna trying on Sarongs while others wait to sell her more items.

We were so happy to have Lou and Donna visit us in Singapore and just thrilled that we could travel to Bali together.  Bali was a unique and wonderful experience and we are so glad that we got to share it with them.

Valentines Day Party

Emma hosted a Valentine's Day party in the formal dining room downstairs at our apartments.  She wanted to have a party while Grandma and Papa were here since we will not be together for Easter.  She reserved the room downstairs, created the menu, came up with party games, and made and decorated the cake all by herself.  We all dressed up in our nicest clothes and had a wonderful time celebrating Valentine's day together.

Emma wrote a poem for Papa and made up a trivia game for him.  We all enjoyed playing.

Chingay Parade

We took Grandma and Papa to the Chingay Parade which is Singapore's annual street parade held as part of the Chinese New Year celebration.  The parade opening was amazing with two huge dragons, floats, fireworks, and an assortment of performers representing many different countries and cultures.

Grandma and Papa Visit

We have been having so much fun visiting with grandma and papa and showing them around Singapore.  We have done so much over the week.  Some of the highlights include:  Chinese Gardens, Botanic Gardens, Sentosa Island, Chingay Parade, dinner at the top of the Marina Bay Sands, and the Jurong Bird Park.

Barbecue at the Cabana

Bird Park

Note the bird landing on kate's head.  

Lion Dance

We were treated to a lion dance performance at our apartment today in honor of Chinese New Year.  The lion dance is performed as a ceremony to scare away evil spirits and to bring good fortune and happiness in the new year.  The lion is enacted by two dancers; one controls the head and the other the body.  The lion is accompanied by three musicians playing a large gong, drum, and cymbals.  Lion dances are performed all over during the two-week new year period.

The performances were so beautiful and none of us had ever seen one before.

Gong Xi Fa Cai: Happy Chinese New Year

Today is Chinese New Year and it is the biggest holiday in Singapore.  Many businesses and stores are closed today and tomorrow to celebrate the new year.  The streets and stores are decorated with rabbits, flowers, and mandarin orange trees to celebrate the new year.  This rabbit was the biggest that we have seen and it was at Sentosa Island.

 These trees with little oranges are everywhere and they look very beautiful!  The tangerines/oranges symbolize abundant happiness.

Although the kids enjoyed seeing the giant rabbit, they were much more excited to visit the largest candy store that we have ever seen:  Candilicious!