Today was Phil's birthday and our last full day. Our program consisted of a meeting with the pearl seller and not much else. We had a long, late breakfast and then headed down to the bale on the beach. This is a large cushioned space that we can all chill out and enjoy the views of the beach. Mohammed was there with his back pack of pearls. Rosie and Phil had seen him earlier on the beach and told him what we were interested in so he was all ready. We girls draped ourselves in pearls, deciding which suited best while the boys lounged around, giving their opinions. Mike gave the unofficial, no guarantees approval and negotiations began. Mahomed played the game and we paid the money. It was more than we had paid the day before, but apparently these are "saltwater, not freshwater, much better". Up to this point Linda hadn't been trying or buying but then decided to and it all began again, with Kim sealing the deal just to get it over.
While we were buying Ernie, one of our lovely waitresses, came down with an esky of drinks in case we were feeling parched with all our slothful behaviour
. Mahomed took some soft drinks home for his kids to have that evening, once the day's fasting finished. We read, slept, swam in the ocean and chilled. Rosie really wanted to use the phone to order drinks at the bale (just because she could) so called Ernie to bring us some gin and tonics. She was happy to oblige and we were suitably refreshed, draped in pearls sitting in our bale in paradise.
We adjourned to the pool and set up some photos to remember this amazing holiday. We had a lot of laughs. Linda was wandering around in the pool with her i pad trying to capture the beautiful palm trees. We were waiting for her to drop it, somehow it survived. And suddenly it was 2.30 and Ernie was asking if we were ever going to have lunch. More amazing food and time to say goodbye to Ernie who won't be on tomorrow. She has been a lot of fun and responded to our every whim.
The girls had a special number to prepare for Phil's birthday celebrations so we disappeared among the palms on the lawn to practice - a rewrite of Copacabana
. We think we are pretty good!
Phil was keen to head down to a hotel along the beach for a drink so we headed off, letting Ida know where we were going. It was a pleasant short walk and we were directed to the bar. The Hotel Tugu looks quite pretty but this bar was creepy. There were fabric light shade things with skull and crossbones on and tea towel bits hanging down the sides, terracotta heads lined up along a shelf and the meanest looking Shiva looking down over the bar. Despite the weirdness, we had a couple of nice drinks and lots of laughs. Ken and Linda went to have a look around the hotel and came back very enthusiastic about the quirky art and facilities.
It was getting dark so we headed back, stopping to take a group photo on the beach. When we got back Gusti was missing - he had taken the car to pick us up. Preparations for dinner were well under way so we showered (the girls did, the boys just lolled about in the pool) and headed to the beach side part of the property.
The staff outdid themselves this time
. The setting was so beautiful, a bamboo canopy with fairy lights and decorations. We were seated and a delicious seafood feast was set before us. Once we had finished eating the "Festival of Phil" began. Gusti called him up and dressed him in a traditional costume before blindfolding and playing a game with him. Gusti also changed into his outfit and while Phil was blind folded his throne was brought out. They had spent the day decorating a chair, weaving a throne with a happy birthday banner. He was brought to the chair and then Gusti did a Balinese dance to present the birthday cake, all the staff joined in as we sang happy birthday. Once the candles were out we lit sparklers and then our fireworks began. We had ordered bigger and better for this evening. Soooo cool!
The staff all sat on the lawn with instruments and sang a song of good luck and then a few more numbers, before a finale wishing us the best to farewell us from Anandita. I'm not sure we want to leave this place.
Eventually we headed back to the main pavilion - party central - and we sang our song to Phil and Rosie sang a couple of songs, all while Phil sat front and centre on his throne.
More dancing, singing and the boys playing pool. The girls went to bed and left the boys to it. At some time in the early hours of the morning they went to bed after another fun-filled day.
Happy Birthday Mr Phil
Saturday, July 19, 2014
North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
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2025-02-11