Relaxing

Taking time for a romantic dinner before we leave

We do spend some time relaxing during our vacation!  As part of our "honeymoon" package, we're able to enjoy two hours at the hotel spa. 

Steve gets a lesson in spa treatments. He decides to go for a run and returns 15 minutes before our appointment time.  At this point we should already be at the facility!  He does a fast clean up, and the spa calls to check on us while he's showering.  At least now he knows!  After we arrive and fill out our paperwork (and do other important stuff like pick out our scents for the oil massage) we change into our robes and disposable underwear.  I tell Steve you'll always think you have the underwear on backwards, but if you take it off and turn it around, it will feel the same!  Sure enough, he doesn't think it's on right.  I don't think these things are actually meant to fit anyone.

After our massage, we get a scrub, then a yogurt mask. Steve hates the yogurt. I don't think he'll be trying this at home (or eat the yogurt crumble at breakfast in the morning).  After we rinse that off, we have a flower filled bath.  The entire surface of the large tub is covered with a variety of different colored flowers, and it spells out "I heart U".  So pretty, and we're disappointed we're not able to take a picture.  Then we finish up with time in the steam room, a cool bath, and a hot tub. It's a relaxing way to start the evening!

Next we have a complementary dinner under the stars.  We have a special place all set up for us - here's some close ups. 

Luckily no breeze tonight!

It took some time to position all these flowers so perfectly.

We have six courses of artfully arranged, good food.  It's more of a European theme, but we try some new things, like beetroot sorbet (different, but surprisingly tasty)...

Yummy!

The food coordinates with the tablecloth!

Almost full

 ...and the moon pops out every once and awhile from the clouds.

Bali is known for its spas, so we visit Karsa, one of the top ranked ones on Tripadvisor.  Prices are unbelievable, too - between the two of us we have six hours of services, and it cost $75.  I could do this every day!  It's beautiful here, too.  We choose the outdoor treatment rooms, though I'm worried it'll be too hot.  But the thatched roof and ceiling fan keeps me from sweating.  When you're in the massage beds they have pretty flowers below your face - it's a nice touch.  I decide to try one of the specials, a 30-minute chakras alignment.  It doesn't seem to do anything for me.  I should have had the extra back & neck massage like Steve.  He skips the scrubs and masks this time.

The path leading to the rooms.

Our room - we start with massages.

I wish my phone could catch
all the beautiful colors.

Steve relaxes at the cafe while I finish my appointments.  My last one is a pedicure, and I move to a different facility for it.  There's a beautiful view of the water lily ponds and the moon coming out.

This picture is actually from dinner, but you get the idea
of Steve's version of relaxing!

one of our courses

We have dinner another night at the hotel restaurant, where we are also entertained by several Balinese dancers. This performance doesn't have all the costumes and props like the other one we saw.  Again, I see the relationship with "Bollywood" style dances, along with the Hawaiian hula, and even the Japanese geisha dances. Steve is able to stay awake, unlike when we saw the geishas!  Maybe it's due to our meal - we select an 8-course Indonesian dinner, with accompanying wines. We enjoy trying all sorts of dishes!  The wines come from all around the world - Indonesia doesn't produce a lot of wine. 

picture from the dance

I didn't realize they did so much with their
eyes when they dance - but it's very
conspicuous, even from a distance.

Of course, I spend time in our balé and and the lounge chairs.  In the shade with a light breeze it feels great. I decide to work on my tan (I don't get a lot of sun in Tokyo) and once I move into the light it's very hot.  I'm glad to have the pool to jump in to cool off.  I'm only in the sun for ninety minutes and I put on sunblock, but I still burn a little. It's a strong equatorial sun!

View from our private pool - I will miss this!