From Hong Kong to Bali!

This is the view that greeted me as I awoke from sleeping an unknown number of hours from Los Angeles to Hong Kong.

Cathay Pacific airlines is seriously one of the nicest airlines I’ve ever been on….my back doesn’t hurt! My leg doesn’t hurt! The seats in coach had great lumbar support --- and I DID sleep.

A view of part of Hong Kong as we were descending --

I know this pic is blurry, but I also think that Cathay Pacific has the most exotically beautiful flight attendants EVER! When the whole crew came marching towards our gate en masse – we were instantly aware of the power of the color RED!

I sat bulkhead with no window on my way from Hong Kong to Bali….worked on hexies and slept on and off. Somehow it felt like that 4.5 hour flight was LONGER than the 14 hour LAX to Hong Kong leg.

We are checked into our hotel in Nua Dua ---We are staying at the Melia Resort, and I honestly have never stayed at a more beautiful place! Sew Many Places has done a great job at having all of this arranged for us, including a special dinner tonight. I’m stuffed to the gills as I write this before heading to bed.

After arriving in Denpasar, we deplaned only to find ourselves in one long line after another. First – to pay for our visa ticket (($25 per person, US funds, not bad!)) and then wait in ANOTHER long line to go through the customs area. I think the whole process took about an hour and a half.

After this, we wound our way to baggage claim, and then out to meet our guide, Mawa who was waiting for us! He herded us all onto the bus, and off we went!

Toto, we are DEFINITLY not in Kansas anymore!

This statue is enormous, and I got this shot through the window while at a traffic light.

We got in to our hotel about 5:30pm ---by the time we got checked into our rooms it was 6pm –and dinner was at 7pm. We hadn’t seen a bed for over 36 hours ---but this place is PARADISE!

And as tired as I am…..I’m going to show you the room pics, and then head to bed. Tomorrow our batik factory day starts at 8:30am when we meet up with Mawa again in the lobby of the hotel.. I promise I’ll get MORE photos –I can hardly keep my eyes open as it is.

Upon entering my room I spy paradise beckoning!

((That’s my lei from the airport on the bed. Frangipani flowers…yummy!))

My bed from another angle….canopy with tassels! Perfection!

My balcony looks out over the pool that meanders around like a lagoon --- or is it a Moat?!

There are gardens for exploring and a path that leads to the ocean ----

But first….it’s dream time!