Surprise trip to Bali, September 20-23, 2007

Ever the romantic, even after 27 years of marriage, Pat (along with his Admin, Erica, at the FPG Plant) planned a surprise get-away long weekend to Bali after the September FPG Board meeting in KL. I had been informed of this trip for some months but hadn't really given much thought as to where we would be going! I knew only to pack summer-weather clothes and beach wear! I needed my passport, so I knew we weren't staying in Malaysia! Where were we off to now?!? We boarded a late afternoon flight to Denpasar, on the island of Bali, Indonesia, and arrived about 3 hours later! We spent three nights at the beautiful Grand Hyatt Bali at the southern tip of the island in Nusa Dua. There was much security getting into this area of prime hotels and more security (airport style) just to enter the Hyatt itself. Bali was taking no chances at another bombing incident to scare away the tourists.















The front entrance to the hotel with its beautiful koi ponds and fountains, breezy in the open air.














Typical gardens with colourful bougainvillea and various types of palms along the hotel's many pathways. It was so quiet, we wondered if the hotel was quite empty that weekend, until we learned that capacity was about 90%. Where was everyone?!?















This was our view from the breakfast table in the Regency Club lounge

A pretty bird behind us kept us entertained as guests threw bread crusts to the koi!















The beach in front of the hotel looks out to pounding surf, Hawaii-style, without the surfers!














We treated ourselves to a couple of wonderful relaxing treatments in the hotel's premium spa. What a delightful calming place!

On Day 2, Friday, we hired a driver to take us to the John Hardy Jewellry Factory in central Bali, near the town of Ubud, where a former P&G colleague of Pat's from Brockville, Ontario, is now Chief Operations Officer. Jeremy invited us to lunch at 1 p.m. when all the staff sit together and enjoy freshly prepared food in their kitchen and guests are introduced to the group at long tables placed end-to-end under colourful canopies! What a feast we enjoyed! Above one of the chefs is stir-frying noodles in a huge wok.















Grilled spicy fish wrapped in banana leaves

Jeremy and Pat at lunch-we enjoyed the most delicious fresh salad from vegetables grown on the Hardy property, tended to by the staff. All the food consumed on site is organic from rice to vegetables to the animals raised for meat. It just doesn't get any fresher!

Jeremy gave us the guided tour of the factory-this will be a future showroom possibly or more factory space. Note the interesting construction out of huge bamboo trees.

After lunch while Jeremy was at a budget meeting, we spent some time in their showroom and picked out some jewellry to buy. You can see their collection at: http://www.johnhardy.com/
It is sold in the US at Sak's Fifth Aveune and at Nieman Marcus...in case you are wondering!

On Day 3, Saturday, we organized a diving trip to the NE coast of the island, passing some interesting scenery along the way...lush and green with a volcanic mountain in the distance...
















Overlooking flooded padi fields...
















Then note the change of landscape as we neared the beach on the NE side of the island-you'd think we were in Southern California (with another volcanic mountain in the background)!

The diving beach-all rocks, not a grain of sand! Pat dove on a wreck just a few metres offshore. I snorkelled by myself close to shore and saw the most beautiful large bright blue starfish! We sat on little raised platforms under the trees to enjoy our picnic lunch brought from the hotel.

The locals carry diving equipment to and from the car park for a small fee-look how they balance the tanks on top of their heads with only a little towel to protect them! It was very hot and dry along the path and we were eager to drive back south again to the lush gardens of the Hyatt. We were there such a short time that we really didn't have time to see very much of Bali or even explore the hotel grounds! In fact, we didn't even stick our toes into the sea...imagine! We'll just have to go back again...

Jumpa lagi...