7 Days in Bali

Since our trip to Thailand & Malaysia exactly one year ago was such a great one, we had planned to do it again this year (in fact we had decided on making it an annual thing although the purchase of Jayco Hawk might put a dampener on that). As it turned out, mum & dad and Neesha and Lyndon were also up for an Asian holiday so it only made sense that we all met up somewhere together. Bali was that place, specifically South Kuta. We stayed at the Dynasty Hotel - a beachfront hotel with a fabulous buffet breakfast (Simon rated it as the best he's ever had - this is quite an accolade), huge swimming pool with slide and famed twice-daily happy hour.

Here are a few of the holiday's snaps...

Giles getting straight into some pool action...

Giles gets a bonus pedicure...

This is how Cal does a family holiday ... earphones!!!

Little Baby Preston was so adorable! He watched on silently but happily (and made the girls feel better about their fat rolls!)

The hotel's fantastic slide!!

Happy Hour!!! Poolside or pool bar...

Giles and Cooper were fascinated by the small parcels of 'treats' that were around for them to play with/eat in the entrances to the all the shops. More than one of these ended up in the back of a toy truck...

Uluwatu - is there a place more stunning? This was the view from the restaurant where we had lunch.

We had to pay a guide to accompany us to ward off the evil monkeys! It was money well spent, whilst we were there a monkey stole someone's glasses and another took off with a mobile phone!

The gang at the temple at Uluwatu in our obligatory Hindu sarongs.

Jimbaran Bay fishing village

Waterbom Park - these rides look tame on the photos but in reality they were downright terrifying!!

Giles flees his paparazzi... Again, the combination of blond curls and blue eyes made Giles quite a hit.

Giles ready to check out!!

Hello Winter

We were only away for 8 short days but when we got back from our holiday winter was officially here and it has made Melbourne a completely different city. The trees have shed their leaves all over the place (consequently I keep thinking it is autumn - these poor European trees must get really confused by life in Oz), the air is crisper and the nights are absolutely freezing!

I have a question though, how on earth did we get to June already? I feel like I'm only just getting started for this year and yet it's nearly half way done! Sigh...

Giles calls this the Tomato but I think of it as the Hangover machine. After 1 minute in this vile invention, all I want to do is lay in the fetal position on the ground to make the nausea and mind numbing dizziness go away (not unlike after the 2009 office Christmas party). Unfortunately for me, Giles enjoys this one the most and takes great pleasure in steering it around with me as his passenger.

Tip of the day...

The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up - Mark Twain

This one can be difficult to apply when the person you are trying to cheer up, in order to cheer yourself up, screams "Go! Go Away!" at you. Evidently, 2 year olds are really just teeny versions of a grumpy teenagers, minus zits and greasy hair. This can be quite amusing in itself though. You have to laugh at the sheer gall of someone who, mere moments after undergoing the indignification of having you clean up their nether regions for a nappy change, can look you in the eye and tell you to 'go out' of their room. I had intentions of being a Mary Poppins type mother who could bring joy to her child & household with the gift of song, but Giles does not enjoy my singing, in fact, he clamps a hand over my mouth and says 'Quiet'. Boo hoo!

To be fair, I should point out that Giles does tell me he 'luffs' me quite often and does seek only me to be his dancing partner when he hears a song he likes. And he loves to pose for my endless photo-taking. So, on balance, we make for a good pair. Either way he can always bring a smile to my face.

Little Black Indian

Credit for this shot goes to Jan (Nana) Howard. The Indian head dress was made using the feathers which Giles likes collecting on our morning walks to childcare.