You may recall that in my last post, we had just spent a fun and chilled out week with our friends Jo and Nick. They made it home on time and in one piece despite the Lombok volcano disrupting flights day after day...
A mere week after they went home, Lex (aka my little sis) was due to arrive in Bali to spend a couple of weeks with us - yay!!! Despite Jo and Nick's arrival dramas, I was pretty confident Lex would make it on schedule, having switched her flight from "can't-get-our-shit-together-Jetstar" to "we'll-have-you-there-in-a-jiffy-Garuda".
But it seems the universe didn't want Lex arriving hassle-free, hiding her passport the day before her departure and forcing her to the immigration department to get a priority passport issued!!! The universe can be a cruel
So, a couple of days later than planned, Lex hit the sunny shores of Bali for a now-slightly-less-than 2 week visit!!
Actually, her timing was perfect, as she arrived at the tail end of a couple of construction projects.
A few weeks ago, Phil and I commissioned a Balinese wooden screen for the rather bare balcony of our upstairs apartment. I was a bit nervous about how it would come together, but it turned out beautifully.
And, it was finished on the day Lex arrived:
Breathing some life into the balcony... Can't wait to get a few plants to finish it off.
Balmy sunset...
Incidentally, it's been great to have a longer stint in Bali to make a few changes to the apartments here. We've ordered a new couch which should be arriving any day... I'm super excited to see it!!!
Note: the couch was commissioned directly from a workshop (cos it was half the price) based on a very rough sketch - so pls people, keep your fingers crossed that it looks at least vaguely like what we're imagining...
Also over the past few weeks, all the tiles surrounding the pool have been pulled up and replaced by gorgeous sparkly new tiles. It was a big project, but the results are awesome.
So new and shiny!!
... and speaking of the pool
Pool party!!!
To celebrate the completion of the pool work, Lex, Phil and I asked the fantastic staff (who keep the Beach Melati Apartments running so beautifully) to join us, together with their families for lunch - on us - and a pool party!!
Because the apartment complex is completely empty (thanks to the pool work), we thought it would be the perfect opportunity for the staff and their families to be the first to try out the fancy new pool area with their kids. And a small way for us to thank them for looking after us so well.
It was a really fun day and great to spend time chilling out with the awesome staff and their families.
Look at these adorable munchkins with Wayan
Yuda - there is nothing this man can't fix. This was actually seriously brave, because he can't swim...but he just looks super chill!
Tucking into lunch
Lex obtained an admirer - Dacia - who followed her around all day
To myself, I dedicated the day to my dad, who passed away 5 years ago this November 20th.
He would have loved hanging out with all the guys, meeting their families and especially playing with the kids in the pool. In fact, I think he might have been behind the spirit of the day in the first place. Always thinking of you, dad.
What else??
In the next instalment, adventures with Lex!!
We went to an island - ooh, intriguing, right?? Did we swim with turtles and totally make her holiday? You'll have to check in to find out...
One quick update before I sign off - remember Douglas, our very noisy gecko who moved into our bedroom air conditioner and kept us up with his, frankly creepy, mating call???
A rare shot of Douglas in the 'wild'...
Well, he has moved on!!! No more waking up at midnight to a crooning reptile. Woo hoo!!!
I guess all that effort finally paid off and he found his lady love - awww...
Or else it was Phil smacking the air con unit with a tshirt every time he started up for two days straight?? Either way, I'm sleeping like a lamb!
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