Planet Trekkers

It feels like we have landed on a new planet. We transferred accommodations yesterday because our quiet Ubud Villa was already booked for the remainder of our stay in Bali and because we also wanted a change in scenery.

About one hour south of Ubud and conveniently located on Jimbaran Bay is our hotel, the Inter-Continental Bali Resort. The entrance gardens and lobby are an impressive sight but nothing compared the idyllic paradise that was waiting for us after check-in.

A half dozen pools with themes ranging from tranquil to invigorating  and multiple areas with lounge chairs on beautifully landscaped gardens are only the beginning. Beyond the gardens is a large smooth swath of sand serving as the shore of the Indian Ocean. There is a gentle slope stretching the full 50 meters and beyond into warm waves, gentle at times and battering tough at others.

When we had enough of the surf, we went back to swim in the main pool. The water is hot like a bath so we sat at the pool-side bar and cooled ourselves with cocktails with names like Bali Hai, Jimbaran Sunset, and fresh fruit juices. Afterwards, we strolled along the beach to enjoy a wonderful sunset and led us to a grilled seafood restaurant where we over-ate thanks to the delicious food clouding our sense of better judgment.

This next part of our vacation has received critical acclaim from Frunty who can be quoted for saying, "Bali is the best" (as he leaps in waves just taller than he) and "This hotel is an awesome resort" (as he runs from pool to pool). Sometimes, it feels like we really have landed on a different planet.

Actually, for hours at a time, the boys have enjoyed rocketing off to their own special zone of fun just for kids aged 4 to 7. They have gone fishing, made crafts and done all sorts of other fun excursion on the hotel grounds. The nanny service has a better name: Planet Trekkers.