4.4.2026 – Day 2 – The Girls International Whirlwind Restaurant Tour. Jan. 2026:Melbourne to Bali.

Alarm at 4am. Erghhhh! Ready, packed and downstairs to meet Suzie and Hayley. I was happy with a solid 6 hours sleep.

Airport check in was quiet and things went pretty smoothly. Except, take a tip from me – DO listen to the man who says to empty pockets at the scanner. I had to go back and put my hanky in its own tray and being a slow learner I had to also go back again and put my lip balm into its own tray too – when did the scanner get that fussy? Anyway third time lucky I got a green light and collected 3 trays of stuff. 🤪

Got some duty free drinks for Bali. Two bottles to leave for Keith in the Villa and one each of gin and bubbles for us.

Found the Marhaba lounge and had first Breaky. It’s still early and real Breaky goodies were still being laid out.

Had a little trouble finding the gate in the new layout. Odd gates on one side and our Gate 6 was around the other side. Messed with our heads that they weren’t in numerical order.

This is where Business Class really kicks in. Short boarding line for BC. (Note the green line).

Then onto the plane, settled in and stored bits and pieces within easy reach. Taxiing started on time and we lifted off Aussie soil chasing the Jetstar flight at 7:19.

There was quite a queue for take off. Jetstar in front and 2 x Virgin aircraft behind us.

Doesn’t matter how many times I fly there is always a buzz of excitement as the engine noise builds, sits you back against the seat and the bumps of the tarmac give way to nothing under the wheels and a new adventure awaits. Quickly into the clouds with a brief view of a smudged city skyline in the distance.

Slightly turbulent flight. Enjoyed a movie ‘Blinded by the Light’ along with Breaky.

Flying over Australia fascinates me – I reckon I spotted the Grampians early on, then later the desert country out near Alice Springs. The birds eye view shows the surface full of cracks and swales and clay pans and water courses. What’s really amazing is how accurately our First Nations artists capture this – and without the aid of flying over it to envisage their end product.

Very cool views as we flew over WA and crossed the coast near Broome. 

Then it was over the sea and time to read and chill before we were offered a light lunch and approached the islands of Indonesia and landed at Denpasar. We sailed through passport check and customs declaration. (No wonder people smuggle stuff in!!!)

An interesting drive through the various Villages – Legian, Kuta, etc to Seminyak where Wayan did a sterling job of negotiating the small van through a maze of tiny streets and lanes. We encountered a large truck also negotiating the same skinny lanes – he did an amazing 13 point turn to get around a corner.

Arrived at Villa Vanissa and were greeted by our host Mira and several staff. Mira prepared a lovely Lemon, ginger and lemongrass lemonade for us and after a chat with Mira we had a tour of our four bedroom villa. Very nice too. Then we settled in. Bron and I had a swim – the water was just right – no goosebumps at all, but a relief from the heat.

Then we ventured out to the local Bintang Supermarket- wending our way through the little lanes. Grabbed some essentials – water, fruit, chips, beer, tonic, chocolate etc. it was hectic in the supermarket- but boy are things cheap. Two beers -$4.00, 3 bananas 79c.

Back home for a glass or two of Bubbles and some chips, before another swim, shower and downtime before dinner.

Then a quick early birthday wish for Aunty Sue. With all the music and staff singing with a yummy little coffee semi fredo that we shared.

Back on the bikes and home to V. Vanissa to get to bed. It’s been a long day up at 4am and it’s now 1:30am Aus time, 10:30 Bali time.