I’m a veteran of water parks and water slides from way back.
One of my earliest water slide experiences re-opened recently after many years.
This particular slide near where I now live follows the contour of a steep hill. Back in the day, urban myths abounded of people actually getting so much “air” on one particular bend that they ended up out of the slide long before they reached the splash pool.
I never did see this for my own eyes but I remember being mighty scared as a 13-year-old negotiating that bend.
Since then I’ve grown up and now have a family of very keen water park goers so it was inevitable that Bali’s Waterbom Park would be high on our list of things to do this week.
What I didn’t think would be so inevitable was my absolute enjoyment of this family day out.
Now, some would say this was because of the park’s beautiful tropical gardens. And they’d be partly correct.
Others would say, it was because of how efficiently the park is run. And they’d be partly correct {wrist bands that you load up with cash and scan for food and drinks? Genius}.
Others again … those in the know … would say it was because you can hire out your own cabana for the day and play princesses watching the water park world go buy while sipping on a cocktail or two. They’d also be partly correct.
Me? It’s definitely a little bit of all of the above plus the added bonus of being able to sneak in a beauty and relaxation treatment with Miss SY while the boys tackled some of the slides.
A little reflexology massage? Don’t mind if I do …
A little warning about the next treatment … the next photo is not for people who have a thing about seeing photos of people’s feet. It’s of my feet. Specifically hundreds of little Garra Rufa fish nibbling on the dead skin cells on my feet.
For the sum of about $AU7.50 I got to give those little suckers their best meal all day. Probably all week. I could tell they were happy because Miss SY had her feet in the same tank but they were more interested in the quality of dead skin on mine. Maybe it’s the equivalent of a better wine vintage?
Whatever it was I was surprised to find that it didn’t tickle past the initial feet dunking and for the rest of the 20 minutes if I didn’t look at the fish it really just felt like my feet were in one of those foot spas … you know the ones? You probably have one gathering dust in your cupboard right now. From Mother’s Day 2001. Oops, that’s just me, isn’t it?
Biggest surprise of the day? Mr SY and Mr 17 decided to opt for a little fishy treatment too.
Such baby-smooth feet deserved to be taken out for sunset drinks and a little bite to eat, don’t they?
So it was back to the villa for a quick change and off to another bar that we were told we just had to visit – Ku De Ta. I’m a follower, that’s for sure and I’m glad that I am because this was another of those special places I’ll never forget. I’m also glad that Mrs Woog texted me while I was enjoying my first drink to say I had to order the lobster and pork gyoza. She’s a top friend like that. Always thinking of others’ enjoyment.
I told you there’d be kaftans a-plenty on this trip and this one from i Allure* was happily being blown in the wind {thank goodness for those magical slip dresses underneath}. I’m working some $8 earrings from Collette too. Not that you’d see them for the wind either. But they did their best to distract from the dodgy holiday hair.
And as the sun set below that big band of cloud and the horizon, I do believe Bali cast just a little more magic upon us.
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.
* This kaftan was gifted to me for editorial consideration in accordance with my disclosure policy.
Want more? 13 tips for travelling for travelling to Bali if you’re a newbie
