What I did on my holidays
Day 4 - 25 April

We set off for Bali in the morning, happy in the knowledge that we had only carry-on luggage, truly the best way to fly. But we were on the same flight as one of CK's aunts, who lives in Denpasar, so we had to wait for her cases at the tiny luggage carousel when we got there anyway.
Still, never mind. We met up with the attached uncle (whom I'd met at our wedding reception) and a cousin or two, and had lunch at a restaurant near Kuta before heading to the hotel.

Kuta is the famous surfing and boozy Aussie holiday area, about ten minutes' walk from where we stayed, the Legian Paradiso. Pretty nice, actually. The room was spartan but the grounds were quite lovely, all colonial architecture (built in the 1990s), palm trees and a swimming pool with a bar in it - you know the ones whe you swim up to the bar, and they have seats in the water.
We immediately decided that, at some point before we went back, we had to have a cocktail there.



The hotel

Having checked in we went for a wander westward down some narrow streets to the beach, and I texted my contact for the local capoeira group. Having decided we probably wouldn't go that evening, I had a large meal at an okay-quality Brazilian restaurant.
This was a mistake, as the reply was enthusiastic - we have class tonight, come along! In two minds, I said we'd need a lift. Apparently this was no problem.
So we went back to the hotel and I got all my gear, CK being unable to join in due to an ankle injury.

Little did I realise that our lift would turn up in the form of two motorbikes. And so we went to the class down bumpy narrow roads, the wind in my hair etc etc. Did I mention I had never been on a motorbike before? My driver noticed at one point - "are you shaking?"

Still, now I have been on one, and I can see the attraction. CK and I have decided that next time we go to Bali we'll have to hire one instead of a car a driver (about which more anon). Of course, first I have to have a go on the family scooter in Jakarta to learn how to ride one.

Capoeira was with Escola Zungu, taught by Graduado Noko. Good class, although I'd eaten way too much to do any good. Also, if anything it's hotter in Bali than Hong Kong, although less humid.
After class we hung out with the Zungu-ites at a juice stand nearby, before taking a taxi home.

Well, I'm 30.


It happened on Saturday. I'm in my thirties and there's no going back now.
Mind you, my mum said that her thirties were some of the best years of her life, when she phoned to say happy birthday. Apparently it was when "people finally acknowledged I might have some opinions". So there's that.
It would perhaps have been more comforting if she hadn't kicked off with "it is funny to think how... no, not how old you are. I mean to think of your age." Thanks, Mum.

It's also possible she mainly enjoyed her thirties because the 80s were mankind's golden era.

Being now an old guy, I celebrated in a relatively sedate fashion. Went out for dinner at Ivan the Kozak with the wife. Met up with some friends and watched the FA Cup final while sitting in a leather armchair. Went to a bar and drank something that was on fire. You know.

What I did on my holidays

Day three, 24 April

Up early for Mass at St Yohannes Bosco.
In the afternoon we met up with a bunch of CK's schoolfriends at an overpriced steak restaurant in Grand Indonesia mall, an overpriced shopping centre. Nice, though.

Then back home to pack for Bali... 

What I did on my holidays.

Day Two.
23 April

We awoke rather late on account of having stayed up too late the night before.
Shortly before noon we repaired to Mangga Dua mall, where we got haircuts. CK had a 'hair spa'.
While this was going on I received an upper-body massage in the adjacent seat from a woman with extraordinarily powerful thumbs.
We then had to return home rather sooner than expected, as CK's dad had got back and it's important to say hello. He'd been at a funeral or something.
In the evening a family excursion was had to a sushi restaurant in Kelapa Gading.

Yes, I know this holiday diary is going anywhere so far, but it does get better. Probably.
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What I did on my holidays, April 2011

Day One.

22 April.
We got the 4.30pm China Airlines flight from Hong Kong to Jakarta. The trip was uneventful. I watched a couple of films, although I now can't remember which. Airborne reading matter: "An International Episode" by Henry James.
On arrival in Jakarta, we were picked up by CK's brother and sister and went straight to the family home.
Invited out "for a quick coffee", at about 11pm, we ended up staying up far too late, as this turned out to involve driving to a number of locations picking up some friends before spending about 2 hours sitting in a 24hour McCafe. On the plus side, someone had a newly-acquired iPad 2 so I got to have a play on the new Garageband software.