Our first full day

We had a good nights sleep waking around eight and opened the wooden shutters to an overcast and windy day. The view from our window was of coconut trees, the pool and ocean beyond that.  After some time chilling we went for breakfast, which was really nice.  We had a mixed fruit platter, pastries with coconut jam and papaya jam.  Helen had buttermilk pancakes with banana and sugarcane butter, I opted for the Balinese open omelette with chicken and ginger.

After a mooch around the grounds and likening the dark skies to those we saw in Scotland last year, we headed up to the main road.

Our very first sighting was that of a cow tied up at the side of the road who was very nosey and had it not been tied up, we're pretty certain it would have headed our way. Even taking a photo was too worrying for us! The next minute we were being stopped by a local guy on a moped offering us a trip wherever we wanted on the island. Yes a moped!! He clearly had more optimism than we had- how on earth the three of us would have fitted on there neither of us could possibly imagine. Fortunately, we said no thank you and he said "maybe tomorrow?"  Hhhmmmm......maybe not. So we managed to grab a photo of a Balinese statue (not a wooden carving like Chris said about our welcome gift yesterday) with the usual religious offerings and headed back down to safety away from cows and mopeds. 

We then headed off to have some rest and relaxation by the pool.  It was still quite overcast but the clouds were dispersing. The view from the sun beds was tropical and it was nice not to feel too hot.

 
Later on in the afternoon we had afternoon tea Balinese style, with tea made from lemongrass, ginger and cinnamon sweetened with honey and lime, served with two types of sweet rice cakes. If herbal tea was as tasty back home I could get quite used to it. 

 This evening we ate in the hotel restaurant Seasalt. We opted for the Megibung which is a traditional menu served at feasts and includes food typical of East Bali.

 

Megibung

Nasi Kuning
 Turmeric flavoured rice
Tum Be Pasih
Fresh snapper chopped with ginger chili, lemongrass and tamarind, wrapped in “See” leaf and steamed 
Lawar Ayam Kacang Panjang
Snake beans and poached chicken with ‘Bumbu Bali’ and fried shallots
Urab Campur Nangka
Young jackfruit, green papaya and red bean with spice dressed with a fragrant coconut sauce 
Ares Be Bebek
Fragrant braised duck, lime leaf, galangal, turmeric and banana stem
Sate Asem Be Siap
Chicken marinated in Balinese spice grilled on bamboo skewers
Sate Lilit Languan
Finely chopped trevally, lime leaf, fried shallot and coconut wrapped on bambu sticks
Es Puter
Local sorbet of coconut, green bean and jack fruit 

It was divine!!  Helen's favourite dish was the snake beans and mine was the sate lilit languan

The meal was accompanied by Balinese musicians which completed the atmosphere. Oh and Balinese wine which was surprisingly good!! 

And for once we were able to eat a meal whilst on holiday without the famous words "I'M TOO HOT"!!  Yes, the pleasant temperature made for an all round satisfying evening! 

Tomorrow is about culture-not a mention of food anywhere!