First, they decorated the area between the salt water pool and the Villa with a combination of crepe paper streamers and traditional Balinese decorations made from young coconut leaves.
Can you see the archway?
Tables had balloons with both Happy Birthday and "Selamat Datang" - Indonesian for "Welcome!"
You can see the staff were relaxing. (And this is a better view of that archway!)
We had a great time playing in the pool (yes, that's my back) - recorded pop music, volley balls,
and mattress floats.
At sunset, I went in to change and came out to find that the setting had changed! Candle light now surrounded the pool.
Of course there was a cake - beautiful!
I had requested catering in the form of "nasi campur" (literally "mixed rice" - the Indonesian "blue plate special") so that the kitchen staff could join the party. What I actually got was "bebek betutu", the Balinese smoked spiced steamed duck - delicious.And I got presents - totally unexpected! I had just wanted a party so we could play together.
The packages were beautifully wrapped and practical: sandalwood folding fans and cotton face cloths (I still sweat a lot), a new handbag (my pink-striped one is getting tired), and chocolates (yes, I’m still addicted).
Am I still loving living in Ubud, Bali? You bet!!
