Trip Report for 04/11 to 21/11 . This was our 16th visit to Bali since 1988. (a)
Juliette and Bob Brownfield. - Part 1. Arrival and Wedding.
FLIGHT UP: On a Qantas 737 'Cattle Truck' was not comfortable.The three year old in front who spent the whole 3 hours either looking over the back of her seat or screaming 'Momma!!'. Momma was asleep and took no notice. It improved a little when the lady sitting beside us noted that the whole of row 10, the escape row immediately behind us was unoccupied and shifted there for the rest of the trip. We landed early in spite of being stacked over Lombok for about 10 minutes due to 'congestion'.
IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS: What a schomozle!! Two 747's had arrived ahead of us and the immigration hall was queued back to the stairs. We had never seen it like this. And not all the booths were manned. You know the two arch ways between immigration and baggage pick up –well the first arch was crowded so I went through the second to find I had bi-passed the newly installed arrival xray! An official waved me on – no problem! Customs was overrun and were just waving people through and collecting paper as it was offered. The whole process took about 45 minutes. We were clear at approx. 3.30. GEDE ARIANA, our friend and driver, was not there to meet us. We rang him the night before and suggested we grab a cab, as we knew he had a program. He insisted on picking us up but said he may be a little late. 5 minutes later as I was reaching for my mobile to see if it still worked on ‘international roam' Gede arrived.
BESAKIH BEACH RESORT: We went immediately to the hotel. Greeted by Wayan Johny at the front desk 'Welcome Home'. Then taken to same room we used the previous two years by the same room attendant – Artur. Bowl of fruit and bottle of brem in room. On third visit you are considered a regular resident! The sun being well and truly over the yard arm it was Bintang time so we went to Kalamantan Restaurant to renew aqaintances and pick up on the gossip. We had dinner there with Gede and then an early night.
THE WEDDING PARTY FROM UK : As some of you may recall two years ago we met up with Sue and Roger, Sue's parents, Graham and Chris and friends Terry and Liz. We met Sue via the Forum when we were recommending Gede's services. On that visit Sue and Roger became engaged and have come back this year to be married.
Same six of two years ago (Terry and Liz were married in UK earlier this year) + 10 other friends and rellies including 2 children! Of those One from Singapore, 3 from Perth where they had recently migrated. They had arrived two days before us so we all met up at Kalamantan on Sunday evening 5. We had pre-warned Bob Kendall that the 'British were coming.' ( That always frightens Americans) He had already been invaded by them so had a good idea of how much Bintang to chill! At the dinner a subcommittee ( Juliette, Graham, Chris, chaired by Gede) was formed to plan the wedding reception. The ceremony had already been arranged for the GBB.
THE WEDDING CEREMONY: I, being a mere male, will not wax on too much about the wedding and things like 'what everyone wore'. I will attempt to get JPB to comment on this.
Suffice to say it was a wonderful impressive experience.
It was held in the open in the Grand Bali Beach grounds. The mother of the bride, arrived with the Groom. She looked stunning –if there is a duchess of Wiltshire it was she. The Groom, imposing form in white tux. The rest of the lot from the UK including the attendants, Liz and Terry, had dressed in Bali formal. Of course Gede and his wife Yeoman were in formal but JPB and I were conventional. The Bride arrived across the lawns with her dad escorted by Balanese dancers to the accompyment of the Gamelan. A little different to the traditional ‘Here comes the Bride' . Sue, beautiful in a trained gown with a medieval theme. Graham in blue waistcoat with P of W feathers of Welsh national style.
The religious ceremony beautifully conducted by a Christian Protestant minister and then the Civil bit tastefully done by two Government officials – who put to the couple much the same questions and challenges as the minister. And then 'By the powers vested in me I now declare you Husband and Wife under Indonesian Law' banged a gravel and that was it. Then the Champers was opened to the accompaniment of Gamelan and dancers.
An exciting part was when Liz's bodice started to disassemble. Gede, the expert, jumped to assist and pulled a pin that seemed to make it worse! With Nyoman's help they managed to save Liz from total exposure - to comments like 'Trying to go traditional ancient Balanese Liz?' and 'Hey, the brides maids usually leave it to nearer the end of the reception to get their gear off!!' Liz seemed to be the least concerned.
THE WEDDING RECEPTION: Held at Panjur Restaurant , Sanur.. A very happy party, started early and didn't go too late. Liz managed to keep her gear on!!