My daughter and I spoilt ourselves to a Royal Bali Package at the green Garden Spa & Resort in Tuban. They will pick you up from your hotel and bring you back wich is included in the price.
We had 2 1/2 hours of luxury. Last year I was pampered in one of the cottage type rooms but this year we had a room which was fabulous as well. The cost was 242,000 rp. which included:
a welcome drink - fruit juice.
You then get taken down to the room and if you haven't got your bathers, they give you a pair of disposable knickers and a sarong. You go in the Sauna, then spa, then sauna and spa. You can spend as much or as little time as you like. You then go back to the room which is beautiful, clean etc. They then give you a foot and leg wash from this clay bowl which is full of flower petals. You then lay down on the massage table, with your face facing down, through the hole and you are looking at another bowl of floating flowers. They give you a fabulous massage. There is music in the background and it is so peaceful. Even though my daughter was on the other bed next to me, the girls did not speak to each other. It was so peaceful. They then give you an exfoliant scrub, facial and then wash the scrub off with a type of milk. After all this luxury, you then go into the beautiful marbled bathroom which has a 2 person spa bath which is covered in flower petals again and you just soak in that for about 15 minutes. I haven't had a bath with my daughter for about25 years!! It was heaven and would thoroughly recommend it and well worth the money. You are then given a ginger tea and some bikkies.
Another cheaper bit of luxury we had was at a Salon called Salon Made which is in the laneway that goes off Melasti Street where the Legian Garden Restaurant is on the corner. It is a fair way down that laneway before it joins on to the laneway where the Bounty is.
For 20,000 rp. we had a hair treatment and neck and shoulder massage. another day we had a facial and neck and shoulder massage. That also was 20,000 rp. The facial was great and our skin felt wonderful after. My friend had her hair cut for 14,000 rp.!!
Well after weeks and weeks of making cakes, raffles, swap meeting, we raised about $1,000 and giving it all away was the best part to see all the smiles on their faces. We also had 12 cases of clothes etc.
Jati Too Orphanage: We made up over 70 packages of sweets, books,toothbrushes and gave them to the children. The youngest was an adorable little girl called Kiki who was 18 months old. They all look happy enough and healthy enough but how these poor kids live was heartbreaking. 2 sleep in a single bed and 4 in a double. Bedding is horrible and the kitchen is undescribable. There was a huge pot of soup which lasts 1 week (out of the fridge). They just keep boiling it. The Director has great plans for the Orphanage, wants to build a gym and a swimming pool, but relies on donations. We went back a second time and took 50 kg. rice and donated $50.The children loved us, held our hands and all waved us goodbye. I had to wipe the tears from my eyes. I just wish I could have done more, but as I said they seem to be happy so anyone wanting to visit an orphanage, there are all ages. We also took 2 cases of clothing which they really appreciated.
Our driver Ketut took us to a village. First we went to Macro and bought 5 kgs. rice (20 lots of) noodles, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, washing powder. The poorest came up first and we handed out the bundles of goodies. Then the whole village found out and we hand crowds around us. The 2 cases of clothing went in 2 minutes flat and we had a big bag of reading glasses. Was that funny watching them put on a pair screw up their face (which was saying, that is all blurry) then they would pick up another pair and that pair was good and they would have a big smile as if to say yes that is better). The kids all got pencils and books. We felt like celebrities, them shaking our hands and waving us goodbye. It was such a good feeling to make someone happy.
Sangla Hospital: We had arranged with a doctor to meet us at the emergency department at 9 a.m. and then she took us to the Maternity Section and we handed out 12 packs consisting of baby clothes, bunny rugs, singlets, soap, toothbrushes, shampoo and a soft toy. We went around and photographing Mum and her new baby and gave them where we could pink or blue bundle. That was great too. The doctor showed us the Emergency Room where all the Bomb victims were taken.
Part 3 to follow. Hope this hasn't been too boring