Seminyak

Same same but different. Selamat ulang tahun Bobby (happy birthday, 74!). Walking, swimming, then we hit the spa. Manicure, pedicure, facial, massage, skin scrub etc. Costs about $10 hour for whatever so it's important we help the local economy.
Then it's off for the birthday dinner. We squish the 8 of us into 7 seats, this is bonding at it's best but nicer than taking 2 cars as we should. It's the 4pm traffic jam so we slowly head north. Past huge hotels and tiny houses, past glass fronted shops and shacks selling coke bottles full of petrol, past western restaurants and kaki lima (literally 5 legs, a man pushing a 3 legged cart from which he serves his speciality of maybe sate or noodle soup). In between all the intermingled buildings are rice paddies and cows grazing, not a bit of land is wasted. The road is narrow but there are trucks and buses and hundreds of motorbikes, often carrying mum dad and 2 or 3 kids.
Finally we arrive at Echo Beach. There are a few market stalls and cafes set up on the beachfront and of course sellers wandering along with goods piled on their heads and up their arms. We have a drink or 2 to toast the birthday boy, eat beautiful fresh seafood and soak up the serenity.
Kay has requested a birthday cake and out it comes complete with candle and serenading staff. Shame there's only one slice...! Tidak apa apa, guess that's just another Bali miscommunication and we soon order more dessert for us all. Bob is pretty chuffed with his night out, and even more so when we hand over his gift - a voucher for a day out with us all next week, including a downhill bike ride. Watch out Bali!!