Y rock to Bali.

[GarrettM]

So that was our somewhat surprise trip to Bali. A vast improvement on the 2010 version it must be said.

Would I do it again. I think so.

While the flights weren't anything to write home about they got us there and back safely which is always welcome.

The hotel has everything you need for kids of any age, and I can't imagine wanting to look for different properties if we go back. None of them have guitars for a start. Perhaps a late 2025/early 2026 return will be in order.

We're doing Singapore in two months (with kids!) through Scoot so I'll see how the two carriers compare. From memory the Scoot 787 is a little squeezier, but I think I prefer their operation overall. We'll see. That trip will be Mr5's - or Turdboy as he's become known - first plane experience so it may be an eye-opener for all involved.

After that I need to turn my attention to MrsGM's 40th in February. Sadly my idea of surprising her with a visit to The Chocolate Museum is looking highly unlikely unless my Saturday lotto ticket defies the odds. Cross your fingers.

 

[Denali]

Mr Denali had me looking up the hotel to find the guitar listing

 

[GarrettM]

Did I not put that link in?
Guitars

 

[Pushka]

Mr Denali had me looking up the hotel to find the guitar listing

I told you to keep him out of it. Now look what you've done.

 

[GarrettM]

I told you to keep him out of it. Now look what you've done.

Did I mention the recording studio and Rock Royalty experience?

You could do separate rooms?

 

[Denali]

Did I mention the recording studio and Rock Royalty experience?

You could do separate rooms?

Don't think you mentioned the recording studio

 

[SOPOOR]

One of the big selling points of the Hard Rock is their "Sound of Your Stay" option, which lets you book a guitar for 24 hours or so. They also have a "Rock Royalty" package which goes further but that's beyond us.
But a guitar in the room sounds just dandy, so after our lunch board I arranged it with the services desk. It's a $300 refundable deposit, and you get a pick of a bunch of old Mexican-made Fenders (which are fine), a multi-fx board, and of course headphones to minimise disruption to others.
I asked for, and received, a re-issued 1972 telecaster custom. Very similar to something I would like to eventually buy.

APOLOGIES IN ADVANCE FOR THE SINGLET AND SHORTS PIC

View attachment 404276

And after a little floor-based noodling we headed out for a walk because MrsGM was keen to see a man about a turtle.
The Hard Rock is just around the corner from the Bali Sea Turtle Society and she was hoping to see some babies released.
Turns out we timed it quite well.

View attachment 404277View attachment 404278

These are olive ridley sea turtles, which are quite common. On this day they were releasing 79 of them, to mark the 79th anniversary of Indonesian independence which was to be officially celebrated on the 17th of August.

I got a few long videos, but they are very long and not easy to post here. Little buggers are quite cute though.
Anyway that took us through the afternoon and then back to the hotel to prepare for dinner, and the first little setback of our short trip.

I have been to bali 9 or so times.
The first 2 or 3 times they had those release the turtle events.
I particpated in one of them

And im not ashamed to say, i teared up releasing it.

But the following years it seemed to have cancelled and the projecy abandoned (or so i was told),
Glad they brought it back

 

[Flyfrequently]

Thanks for a great read @GarrettM
Glad you and +1 enjoyed your short break

 

[Pushka]

I have been to bali 9 or so times.
The first 2 or 3 times they had those release the turtle events.
I particpated in one of them

And im not ashamed to say, i teared up releasing it.

But the following years it seemed to have cancelled and the projecy abandoned (or so i was told),
Glad they brought it back

They released turtles from Sanur this July.