FEB 23

FEB. 23 THURSDAY

Where do I begin (sounds like a song to me) to tell you about our fantastic day. We docked a little late
due to a lot of ship traffic in the port of Benoa, Bali. We got off almost as soon as we docked to find our
private taxi driver that Elaine had arranged for to show us around. Wen we found him we had to go through
a gate that had at least 200 cab drivers and people wanting us to go with them or buy something from them
even though they said it was for free. Right, nothing in Bali is free. Elaine asked how mch he was charging
us before we got in the minivan. He gave some outrageous number in rupees and she asked how much in
U.S. dollars and he said 48.00. He was planning on drivng us around for 7 hours and that 48 was for all of
us, not per person. How amazing is that!!!! He had to pay for parking where ever we went so that had to be
about 10.00 for the day. I don't know how they make a living with those prices.
We went to a batik factory, a wood carving place,a monkey park (which was great), a silver factory,
2 temples (one where we had to put sarongs around our waist with a sash), a big city called Ubud where
we were going to stay for an hour but Elaine was finished looking at the stores so it was cut short (for
which we were thankful) and also the terraced rice patties before heading back to the ship.
Let me tell you there are millions of motorcycles (everyone has at least one) and they run around cars
like crazy. You couldn't pay me to drive here. What I'm not saying is it was brutally hot here today. I was
sweating so much the water ran down my forehead right onto my glasses. No matter where we got out
of the van, it was HOT!!! The driver was really good, spoke English okay and when we got back to the ship
we each gave him 15.00. Believe me when I tell you it was worth 48 per person as the cruise line was
charging 99.00 for much less sightseeing.
We got back to the ship just in time to go for dinner which was a very good veal chop. Did I mention
that the assistant waiter cuts our food for us since we can't do it. The show tonight was excellent--the best
one yet. It was a singer from Australia named Janine Reed and she could really belt out those songs.
It's time for bed as it's already past 11 and we have to turn the clocks ahead (are you ready for this)
90 minutes tonight. Isn't that odd?
Tomorrow is a sea day so at least we can sleep as late as we want. If we make it to 8:30 it will be
a miracle.
Hope this finds everyone well as we are finding more ailments every day.