We stepped out of our driver’s car and experienced something we hadn’t experienced – here or back home – since last winter.
Cool air.
Yes, on this island close to the equator we actually felt a little underdressed.
We were less than two hours from our villa in Seminyak but seemingly a million miles from the beach and bars.
Dewa – our driver who you absolutely should book if ever coming to Bali – had asked us if we wanted to see the volcano. And I’m so glad we did.
He dropped us at the front of one of the restaurants that line this road. All are positioned to maximise the view of the volcano and surrounding lakes.
And what a view it was.
Until it disappeared under a cloak of mist five minutes after we sat down to eat.
The food on offer was a Balinese buffet – about $AU8 per person. This pleased everyone greatly. Took the rest of family approximately 2.2 minutes to fill their plates with fried rice, satay sticks, fried noodles and a stack more.
When we’d had our fill, especially of the dessert bar {hello sticky black rice with berries}, we realised that mist was there to stay.
Time to head back down through Ubud, where we’d earlier stopped to visit the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary.
Just the drive and getting a passing glimpse of village life was something else. Rice fields, roadside fruit stalls, kids walking home from school, young girls balancing their books on their head … I needed to see this, this everyday Balinese life.
But back to that monkey stop. Number two son was not keen, and by not keen I mean crapping itself.
Number one son, however, happily took on the monkey feeding for our collective photographic benefit.
This is one I’m sure he’ll treasure forever.
Oh, and I may have succumbed to a little silver purchase on the way up to Ubud. You know, because I was there and they gave us free water 
Will share it with you soon.
Editor’s note: I’m on holidays this week with my family. I’ll be popping in here most days with postcards from Bali. Regular Styling You programming will resume next week.
Want more? 13 tips for travelling for travelling to Bali if you’re a newbie
