Farewell...for most of us

Friday 7th October 

After the farewell dinner of the previous night it was time to have a last dip in the pool. Kim and Kerryn wallowed around in the pool, and Sue read her book in the sun: all of which was to have dire consequences later when they realised they were a glorious shade of bright pink.

As they discovered it's not a lot of fun being sunburnt in the heat and humidity; although with the help of cold towels, expensive moisturiser, lots of sympathy and plenty of shade they are still smiling.

Enroute to the airport we had a last shopping stop at a large silversmiths where we managed to buy some absolutely necessary items and Jan made sure we will gain a few points in the Best Tourists Awards by purchasing many fridge magnets.

We deposited Sue, Chris, Veronica and Karin at Jogjakarta Airport to catch their flight to Jakarta and home. Then the remaining seven of us whiled away some time at the local airport Hotel before catching a late flight to Denpasar, Tired and frazzled we arrived at the Royal Seminyak Bali resort on the beach at Seminyak after midnight. Despite previous confirmation of a request for a room with three single beds in it, a double bed with one single bed had been provided.When Jenny pointed out that they wouldn't expect two men to share a bed (particularly in a Hindu culture) they realised their mistake and remedied the situation.

Saturday 8th October

I arose early and wandered along the beachfront: white sand, lifeguards with flags, too many Australians.......and plenty of dogs! I did locate the water-sports department but no one seemed interested at breakfast, not surprisingly.
The breakfast selection was amazing but it felt as if we might be sitting in a hotel in Australia as 99% of the guests seemed to be Australian. 

Obviously one of the many huge Hotels who offer holiday packages.  Lots going for it: beautiful gardens, well-kept pools, pleasant rooms and close to the beach. Just too many fellow countrymen for me!

We had a very lovely lunch at Gado Gado overlooking the beach before setting off for the Airport, Had two sorts of pate and terrine for entree....not exactly local cuisine, but very nice. 
 Then it was off to the airport to drop off Thelma so she could return home to Perth..... and then there were six of us left!

Officially this was the start of the Post post conference tour ....or as Jenny calls it - her holiday, as now we have to look after ourselves instead of her looking after us!

Jenny does certainly deserve some relaxation time after all of the work it takes to run the conference and post conference tour. It all runs so smoothly and she manages to remain calm in the face of us all asking a million questions (often because we haven't read the program properly!). 

The joy of staying in superb beautiful resorts and hotels, and being able to visit some of the most amazing sights in Asia - especially Prambatan and Borobudur, along with learning and experiencing some of the culture and enjoying fabulous food , will stay with us a for a long time, I'm sure.   

For the remaining six of us we caught a flight to Lombok - one of those flights where you seem to go up just in time to descend again: very short. 

We are currently ensconced at Qunci Villas for a few days of doing as little as possible. Situated on the beach at Senggigi this is a truly picturesque spot. Local fishermen and surfers to watch whilst lazing around on a sun lounge. A great range of asian food, a happy hour for cocktails and three infinity pools to enjoy. Just ghastly!

We will all return to our former lives at the end of the week but until then I will attempt to put some more photos in all of the blogs! Sorry about the delay! 

Until the next Women and Power Conference I wish you well 

Dianne