2024 Bali to Tokyo -Day 1 in Paradise

John and I got an early start as I roll over and ask him the time. 4am! Neither one of us was getting back to sleep so up we go and to the gym. John's favorite time to work out...when no one else is there! Treadmill and weights to start us off. The pool of sweat on and around John's treadmill is crazy. How does one man sweat so much? I can say that he is the best-looking man around and his workouts prove that he is definitely fit! I am feeling well today myself and get through my entire workout without one coughing spell. As a matter of fact, as I write this, I have not coughed at all since waking up this morning. I am certainly ready for the cruise!!!

Our room is clean and the water pressure is great! John's big complaint though is the lack of dresser or anywhere really to put our clothes or suitcases. Organization was not their goal when designing these rooms. We hope to ask for a few of these foldout table things to put our suitcases on so that they are not on the floor. We have some protein drinks, shower and get ready for the day at a leisurely pace. No rush as breakfast doesn't open until 7am. I am feeling very relaxed and ready to enjoy our day. John has already found a place for us to book some massages for 180,000 Rp (Rupiah) each. That's just under $12 USD. Not at the resort of course, those were a bit more expensive. 

We get to the buffet at 7am sharp. The resort music is playing, we sit outside at some tables near the pool just under the overhang near the breakfast buffet and enjoy the slight breeze blowing in from the ocean. The Palm trees are swaying, and the birds are singing. I ask for a matcha with oat milk and guess what? The kind little person says he'll be right back! What? Matcha with oat milk in Bali? I am in a dream, right? BTW... I say little person with total respect. Most of the wonderful staff are on the slightly smaller side of the stature scale and the absolute sweetest people. The service and kindness that they bring with them to each task is unlike anything we have experienced in our modest travels. John asks for a coffee, and they ask, cappuccino? He says, "no thank you, just a coffee with cream". They can't help themselves as they bring the drip coffee, but the cream has been frothed as to deliver an elevated experience to drip coffee. No shortcuts here. Another thing, my matcha had a beautiful picture of a leaf on top with the oat milk pour. Wow, just wow!

Breakfast was beautiful. Not a lot of options for someone with my food limitations but I was so pleased to see that literally everything was labeled with (pork, dairy, gluten, nuts, seeds) and any most other allergens so that people could eat wisely without risk. They even had gluten free banana bread and taro bread. the GF taro bread was my favorite, soooo good. 

I am excited to share more of our day this evening as we intend to simply enjoy ourselves with no pressure to do anything specific. Massages and beach club are the only thing really on our schedules so far. The resort has a beach club about 20 minutes away with free shuttles. Signing off for now...