Bali Marvellous News!

After a mammoth travel session I awoke the next morning to a chorus of duck calls and rooster crows. Bloody hell they can make some noise! Waking in our crisp white sheets, spotlessly clean and tastefully decorated room was bliss, but at twice our budget we planned to leave and find cheaper lodgings elsewhere. However, I was not going to give up my first taste of hot water in almost three weeks, so whilst Blakey snored I ran a bath.

Unfortunately the bath was cold. Oh dear. I had a very shallow dip in that strange way where to submerge each new body part is a challenge and leads to a sharp intake of breath, though after a few minutes it was bearable. waking sleeping beauty with a kiss he was disappointed to hear of the water situation, though moments later he emerged from the bathroom with a mixture of pleasure and pity on his face, he had just run a hot bath.

As I packed the last few items Blakey headed down the street to check availability elsewhere, though returned sooner than anticipated. The owner had offered accommodation here at a greatly reduced price as business was slow. Still over our budget we decided to finish our Asia run in style and settled for our luxury pad. In the morning light the view from our balcony of rice paddies interspersed with palms trees, the swimming pool right next to our room and gentle sounds of running water and birds (they stop making such a racket at more civilised hours!) it seemed we had found a slice of paradise and were instantly growing attached to Bali.

After a delicious and reviving breakfast we headed for a stroll around town, planning to save anything more strenuous for when we had fully recharged our batteries. Ubud is another creative and artistic community, we walked through shops and market stalls full of interesting masks and figures, batik prints and handmade jewellery. The most blissful aspect was that no-one was pushing their stock on us and we were able to browse at our own pace. Dotted along the roads were picturesque gateways and shrines often guarded by a pair of gargoyle-like animal figures with animated faces and intricately carved designs. the whole town had an interesting and utterly relaxing vibe, which when combined with the golden sunshine led to pure contentment.

By mid-afternoon, just as we were about to head in search of food we stopped at a shop selling batik materials where the saleswoman recommended we buy a sarong and go to the temple festival that evening. She explained that we must wear them, and though sceptical she gave us a good price so we both left with new skirts in hand. Spying a tourist information point we decided to gather a few more facts and were thrilled to find it was not a sales tactic but real advice. We were going to a festival that evening and the dress code was mandatory- thank you that woman!

After a delicious and slightly extravagant meal in yet another picturesque setting surrounded by tropical plants in a shady garden we decided to spend the last couple of hours of the afternoon on our balcony. A pot of coffee, diary writing, picture viewing and suduko. Perfect!

Feeling refreshed and taking ages to get ready we headed to the nearby temple to witness the festival. We followed women carrying huge platters of fruit balanced with grace and poise on their heads to the temple where we entered to find a true community vibe. With everyone dressed in temple costume the children looked particularly adorable as they raced around with big grins on their faces and the air of excitement that comes with such a large gathering. As the proceedings started the sense of family further increased when flowers used for prayers were put into the hair of the devotee and parents pulled a petal for themselves and placed the flower in the hair of children too young to maketheiur own offerings. The musky smell of incense wafted through the breeze and exotic music chimed through the air. Throughout the ceremony a man in an elaborate costume and mask made animated chants towards the temples and a group of women performed a religious dance involving lots of hip wiggling and waist twisting.

Walking back hand in hand we both reflected on how lucky we have been to experience so much in the last 3 months. I'm sorry to both our mums for saying this, but we also discussed where we would like to return or visit next time and have already started planning a future trip. As Blakey was peckish we headed to the luxury restaurant from earlier, now bathed in romantic candle light. We shared a delicious cheese platter and I had a very nice glass of red wine- my first out here, and couldn't help thinking how much Danni would have enjoyed the evening.

The starlit stroll back through the rice paddies with the chorus of birds was the perfect end to the perfect day and we sat on our balcony to finish it off. Blakey left to go and find something to drink as the cool breeze gently soothed after a warm day in the sun. I waited for what seemed like ages for him when he returned without drinks but gave me a huge kiss. Shaking, he said he had just made a call to my Dad and I knew what was coming next. Both of us giggling, nervous and excited, he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife, presenting me with a beautiful ring. Neither of us were able to talk ass we hugged and shook but I eventually managed to croak yes as he placed the ring on my finger! Amazing!


Blakey then really did head for something to drink and I tried to call my mum. It was nearly midnight here so about 4pm at home, though she often manages to answer her phone at work. She didn't, so when Blakey returned we called his Mum and my wife (she deserves to know we're getting a new husband!) and left about 15 missed calls on my mum's phone! We drank our way through a bottle of red wine, giddy before we even started, and just to make the whole thing utterly perfect (verging on cliche, but in this case it seems appropriate!) Blakey saw a shooting star- how's that for a good omen?!

At 2 am local time we eventually spoke to my mum, though the missed calls and my Dad's shifty excitable nature had given her a pretty big clue as to what might be about to happen. My siblings' reactions were better, Bryony's response being "Why?" Shocked she would even ask I repeated what I had said and she gasped and laughed. She thought I had said I was getting "worried"! Tara assumed I was drunk and calling so squealed extremely loudly when she realised!

Tummy's still flipping we couldn't wait for morning to put the news on Facebook and let everyone know. Eventually we managed to calm ourselves. Without the wine we may never have slept!!