A Very Happy Birthday in Bali

Sleeping in for an international flight, is not a good feeling.  A 30 second shower, dirty hair, disorganised, very tired and slightly hungover, is how I left Brisbane.

Unable to have breakfast, due to lack of time, my good friend Greg and I decided to eat at the airport.  Of course this is always a mistake and I would never recommend it - well not at Brisbane International and particularly at Aromas.  When I order runny eggs and get something that resembles a tennis ball, when I am tired and hungry, doesn't put me in a good mood.

This Egg Ain't Running Anywhere!

Greg put up with my rantings, filled out my immigration card and waved me off down the escalators.

Even at this point, as I entered the 'sterile zone' of the airport, it still hadn't sunk in, that I was treating myself to a short break in Bali to celebrate, what was, shall we say, a significant birthday.

I always hope, that when I fly on my birthday, someone will check my passport, notice it is the same date as today and kindly upgrade me.  This of course,  didn't happen but I had paid extra for an exit row and was grateful of the leg room.

A delayed flight and grid lock traffic from Denpasar meant that I missed the planned sun set over the beach at Ku De Ta.  

Some part of me wanted to tell the driver to move into the other lane, it was moving faster.  However, now I was on Bali time and that means, it happens when it happens.

Upon realising this, I relaxed,  caught some glimpses of the beautiful ever changing red sky,  in between breaks of buildings and even although I had friends waiting to take me out and show me their sunset, I had no control over this and that was, a strange, but  good feeling.  It was time to relax.

My friends had organised a beautiful table, with a view to die for,  unexpected presents, and great company, welcomed!

We drank, we dined, we chatted.  It was surreal, only hours earlier I was wingeing about hard fried eggs and now I was treated to a sumptuous feast, many more drinks and great conversation.

After dinner we moved, closer to the beach.  Salesmen were throwing gadgets, high into the sky, that arced up and then fell slowly, like fireworks.   The view was amazing.  The surf, lit up,  white and frothy, blue lights falling from the sky, as if they were falling stars, we should wish upon, people lazing about in either chairs, or lying back looking at the stars in lounges.  Phew... breath ... Bali time.

From a hectic week of work, a disorganised and cranky departure, not worrying about my dirty hair. By this time it was pulled up into a ponytail, after a short remark and elastic bands were produced.

I was now chatting and laughing with familiar faces, drinking wine and cocktails, feeling the cool breeze from the sea and feeling totally relaxed.

Well, that is how a birthday should be, isn't it?

So, it cannot go un-said.  A special thank you, for letting me gate-crash a long planned holiday.  Where I turned up, at the last minute and was treated like a Balinese Princess.  You know who you are, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  And kisses to your bottom!