Spring break 2022, and what to do, what to do? International travel? Nope, too complicated. Remote domestic surfing resort? Nope, too risky? Bali with friends? YES PLEASE!
Laura found the perfect villa for us all in Canggu for her family, our family and Alice's family too. Sadly, Mark had to work so Alice would be a single mom for the week.
Sunday morning and off we go-
First stop- Don Juan's for lunch, and a game of chess-
Laura found the perfect villa. Actually 2 villas on 1 property that connected with this beautiful walkway-
Our livingroom-
Our outdoor shower-
All the doors were jaw dropping gorgous-
Triplets in our Indonesian moo-moo dresses-
Relaxing mornings-
Breakfast at the kids table-
Monday morning the other adults set off early to go golf, while I 'babysat" the 7 kids. I think I had the better day to be honest!
The kids wanted to head to the beach, so off we go- less than a 5 minute walk. But, you have to duck as you walk by this gigantic tree-
And watch out for all the giant piles of random cow poop in the street-
Ah, there she is-
The kids quickly headed into the water, and i found a chair. Eeewww, and sand!
The kids had a blast just body surfing out there together-
Then we walked to lunch, which I made screen free and they reluctantly all played a game together, which turned out to be a blast. Always!
The kids love to swim in the rain. You know what is even more fun than that? Jumping into the pool with an unbrella and trying to fly like Mary Poppins. Man they were having so much fun. Yes, the umbrella did get busted. Yes, the babysitter should have stopped these shenanigans, but she did not.
Each night it seemed we always had a few kids who didn't want to come to dinner with us, so the staff would cook for them and set the table lovingly-
Each night we went to the beach for sunset, which is my favorite part of the day.
What's our crew looking at?
A Michael Jackson imitator, of course!
Golf day-
They said it was gorgeous, but brutally hot. The only part I was jealous about was that they stopped off for my favorite spicy margarita on the way home and I didn't get one!
Many of our friends were also staying close by, and one night Katrice planned drinks and dinner for us all to meet up. Jenny and her daughter Elise had just got to town and were staying at the hotel next to our villa, so she got to come along with us-
Sunset drinks, or "sundowners" at The Double Six- Laura, Jenny, Amanda, me, Katrice & Alice-
This seating area was surrounded by water-
Guys turn- Shane, Brian and Matt
Sadly, Eric was home in Jakarta with a sick kid, Mark was at work and Luke arrived in Bali with dengue fever.
Laura and Brian almost matched-
Who forgot their masks?
Who took their roadie cup into the restaurant?
Amazing dinner at The Plantation Grill-
The king-
My goodness was it funny when Laura realized she practically matched the wallpaper while we were waiting for the elevator-
Many nights we all opted to stay in and have the staff cook for us. I was delighted when they made one long table for us all instead of separating the kids from us-
The smells were delicious while they cooked!
Don't want to wash and style your hair today? The spa services in Bali are so cheap that you can just have them do it for you! My blowout-
The girls braids-
Our surfers were usually out the door by 6am. One morning I walked down to the beach to watch them surf and while on the shore taking pics, a giant, sandy wave got me- all the way up to my elbow. Brian captured my disgust perfectly-
Our fav beach spot-
Downtime-
Oh goodness, it is the little purple cup again!
One morning we were on the beach and I saw a Caucasian couple strolling by, which you notice, and glanced down at his shirt which said Fordham, and I thought "that's the university that Julie's daughter goes to..." and then it hit me- it WAS Julie & Ryan! They were also in Bali, celebrating her birthday- which was today. Ryan had just flown in from Manilla the night before. We'd just been texting actually! So i started loudly singing "happy birthday" which caught her attention and she quickly realized it was me. Then our whole crew started singing, as did the guys at the surf shops behind us. It was quite amazing!
Sunset-
Brian captured this of Jenny & Elise-
Did you wonder above why there was cow poop in the street on the way to the beach? This is why-
Yup, cows on the street, sidewalk, anywhere they want.
Afternoon poolside fun and games-
Brian and I snuck away for a lunch date to an amazing mediterranean restaurant (Ona) together -
This is relaxed, hipster, Bali Brian-
Mom time at the spa-
And Brian was Fun Dad and took the kids bouldering-
Brian found a cool British Pub for dinner one night. Major fail- because they ran out of fish and chips while he was ordering! But they did have a fun shuffleboard table-
Sunset sushi at Ji, which was all around amazing-
On our final day there, we channeled our inner fun moms and took the kids to the WaterBom waterpark-
They loved it. And actually, so did I. I rode a couple slides and was just so impressed with how clean, safe and orderly everything was. Plus, low food and gazebo prices. Everyone else had the same idea- we saw so many embassy families, neighbors and JIS families too. In fact, Macy's principal challenged her to ride the steepest slide there- and she accepted. And boasted about it all day!
After the waterpark, we went to the Pandora Escape room, which has become a little tradition while in Bali with the Kirkhams.
Alice and Laura did the escape room with the kids, while I was the "keeper of the stuff." Hey, it's a big job, someone has to do it.
Final dinner at Santanera, a new latin tapas restaurant a local friend told us about-
And it was incredible!
On St Patricks Day, Brian planned for us to brunch at La Brisa, a beach front restaurant that is a fun time for all!
Julie & Ryan joined us-
So thankful that those two sweet boys above became buddies here. And that their dads randomly met golfing one day. And that Laura and I became fast friends. And that she introduced me to Alice, which just kicked Macy & Georgia's friendship into overdrive. And now we all travel together, and so well! Another spring break together to remember...
Alice & Laura headed out on Saturday morning, but we were not leaving until the afternoon. So Macy and I snuck off to the spa one last time. We came back and Brian said that he and Macy were going out for 45 minutes together, for a surprise for me. What the heck???
When they came back, they brought me a cup of ice cream. Brian passed it to me, and I said thank you. But Macy's face was ready to explode with what, I did not know. A secret? Laughter? What was it? Something in the ice cream? I passed it back to Brian. He then passed it to me again, and I was just confused. He strategically placed the ice cream in his hand another way and said "Look at my finger!"
A TATOO!
I almost died.
Back in April or May 2002, shortly after we met, Brian told me that when he got married in the future, he would tattoo a wedding band on his finger, as he could not fly wearing a wedding band. We have been married over 19 years now, and still no tattoo'd wedding band. It's come up several times over the years, but he is just too afraid of needles. Until now!
What a giant surprise this was. Macy loved going with him too. Tate, sadly chose not to go with him, and I think regretted it after he found out what the surprise was. Because it's not every day you get to go with your dad to get a surprise tattoo for your mom.
Oh what a memory.
Always sad to leave Bali and have a fun vacation end, but especially during a torrential rainstorm that lasts hours and hours and you have to wear a trashbag to stay dry in the car even-
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