{"id":2697,"date":"2012-03-18T07:55:29","date_gmt":"2012-03-18T14:55:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/silenceoftheclams.com\/blog\/?p=2697"},"modified":"2021-01-29T22:53:56","modified_gmt":"2021-01-30T05:53:56","slug":"my-bali-birthday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/silenceoftheclams.com\/blog\/2012\/03\/my-bali-birthday\/","title":{"rendered":"My Bali Birthday"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>As you know, I was invited to spend my birthday at a lovely villa in Bali.<\/p>\n

After a 23 hour journey, including layover in Taipei, I arrived to this lush, green island<\/em> and was welcomed by my son and his family. Except for 9 month old Aysia, who burst into tears as soon as she saw me.<\/p>\n

We’ve spent a lot of time relaxing in the pool<\/em> and in the house, talking, a little time sightseeing, and have been enjoying every minute. I love this opportunity to reconnect with my sweet family. And I’ve been taking a lot of photos for future posts.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>You’d think that just being <\/em>in Bali, relaxing at a villa where all the meals are fresh prepared, all my needs are attended to, a gorgeous pool outside my door and a glorious view of the valley would be enough of a birthday gift, wouldn’t you.<\/p>\n

What more could you ask for?<\/em>

\"\"<\/a>I was given the honor of selecting our meals for the day (prepared by the wonderful cook, Ketut)<\/em>. We had a delicious black rice porridge for breakfast, along with fresh fruit. For lunch, a tasty pasta primavera. For dinner, chicken curry.<\/p>\n

I spent some time in the pool, a little time online, and after lunch enjoyed a 90 minute massage<\/em> on the patio. One of the best massages I’ve ever had, and cost only $22.50.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Little did I know that while I was enjoying my massage, the family and household staff were busily preparing for my surprise birthday celebration<\/em>.<\/p>\n

I walked back into the house to find fresh flowers lining every step<\/em>, woven coconut leaf decorations hung everywhere, a huge bouquet of fresh tuberose<\/em> on the table, and furniture pushed back against the walls.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/div>\n

What could it mean???<\/strong><\/p>\n

We decided to take advantage of the open space to dance! Aysia appropriately chose my birthday to warm up enough to let me hold her<\/em> \ud83d\ude42 as we sang and danced around the room to Natasha Bedingfield’s “Unwritten.” We’re good friends again now (though mommy is still her favorite, of course).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>After dinner, Ketut brought out my birthday cake and the family sang.<\/p>\n

Yes, it was as delicious as it looks<\/em>.<\/p>\n

And just as delicious was the home-made passion fruit ice cream<\/em> with kiwi fruit. Pure heaven.<\/p>\n

While I was enjoying the view of the candles reflecting in the swimming pool, Brandon came to tell me that my guests were arriving.<\/p>\n

Guests??? <\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00c2\u00a0<\/div>\n

I walked into the living room to discover at least 30 young Balinese children <\/em> from the neighborhood politely sitting on the floor, and an array of ornate instruments opposite them under the hanging decorations.<\/p>\n

I had no idea what was coming next.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>While we waited, Aysia delighted the children<\/em> by crawling toward them and then smiling and clapping for them. She, in turn, was just as delighted that they clapped and smiled back at her.<\/p>\n

Soon it was time for the performance to begin…. and I learned that Brandon & Jennifer had arranged for a Balinese theatre\/dance company to come entertain us<\/em> with traditional Balinese dances. (Isn’t he an amazing son?)
<\/em>
Barong, Baris, Pendet Flower and Cendrawasih (Bird of Paradise) Dances, accompanied by the Gamelan… I think the video will tell the story best….<\/p>\n