Happy birthday to me!
I’m not sure if this makes me a sad old man or an individual – I woke up alone in room 207 of the Sanur Augung hotel, Denpasar, Bali to celebrate completing my 68th orbit of the planet. Lots of happy birthdays popped up on Facebook and LinkedIn, though less than last year. I don’t think quite as many real friends pay much attention to Facebook these days.
No contact from any of my boys so far – I thought that at least Alex would make an effort. But then, I am 7 hours ahead of UK time and they do tend to get up late morning.
I managed to sleep 9 hours last night so that is probably the jetlag done. Had breakfast at the hotel and opted for the ‘Continental’ which turned out to be two pieces of toast cut in triangles, with a pat of butter and some strawberry jam. Not sure which continent they are referring to!
I sat down by the pool reding for a while, well into the Osman Thursday Murder club. Apparently the books are being made into movies with Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren, Celia Imrie and Ben Kingsley. It will be interesting to see how the screen characters match my imagination. I remember watching the first Lord of the Rings movie and feeling my lifelong images of Sam and Frodo were wiped from my memory.
Got into the pool and did twelve lengths this time. A small Indonesian girl had a water gun and decided it would be fun to shoot me when I got close. I’m not sure whether her mother explained to her what ‘Fuck Off’ means. She will live and learn. I noticed that the pool is not used much between 1300 and 1500 – probably locals not to keen in being out in the full sun, which means I now know the best time to get some lengths in!
Didn’t eat much during the day. I notice my feet are still swelling because of the water retention. I am having to try and eke out the medication until I can get a new prescription. They still have not supplied me with my new Insurance card; if I fall badly ill again due to this failure I will be taking legal advice. Imagine travelling around southeast Asia without proof of current medical insurance!
I decided to try another local restaurant just down the road from me. It’s called Betewe – not sure how to pronounce that. That have an electronic sign saying open to 9.30 pm. I went along at 5.45 pm only to be told they would be closing at 6! I pointed to their sign – “That’s only on Monday for Jazz night.”
So back down to KFC for another uninspiring meal.
Tomorrow I will go looking for other local restaurants. I spotted a Chinese one a couple of streets down – go for that tomorrow.
Back at the hotel drinking those big bottles of Bintang…
Happy birthday to me.
Fairy Hanny 