Sofitel Nusa Dua, Bali

Alright, so the Bali posts are coming to an end, finishing with our last night at the Sofitel Nusa Dua (close to the airport).



With access to the executive lounge, which had its own swimming pool (one of the best perks of an exec. lounge I've ever come across!) and an array of on-site restaurants, one of which had the most amazing all-you-can-eat brunch buffet including everything from pizza to fresh seafood to foie gras to ribs - it was a phenomenal way to end the trip with a bang. We snorkelled, swam in the lounge pool, snacked on complimentary afternoon tea and enjoyed complimentary cocktails during Happy Hour, dragged ourselves out of bed before 6am to watch the sunrise, oh, and do you see the size of that bed, by the way? Outrageous. Service was attentive, food was wonderful, the rooms were beautiful (we booked two adjoining ones with our friends), plus our beloved Alila Uluwatu was a short drive away (got a story to tell you about that gecko pictured above). We couldn't have ended this trip any happier.

Okay, the gecko. You see the photo? Did you notice the grasshopper at the bottom? It's like they're having a face-off. So, during our dinner at Alila, we noticed a sweet little grasshopper bouncing around the table. He hopped away and we forgot about him as we continued eating and talking. About twenty minutes later I suddenly glanced up and noticed a generous-sized gecko on the cabana frame. To our horror, we realised the grasshopper had somehow made his way towards the gecko and the two were now facing each other in complete stillness. Cue cries of "Noooo, Jiminy!" and "Run, run away!" But the weirdest thing happened next. Instead of attempting to escape, the grasshopper edged towards the gecko, as if in a hypnotic state, and...you guessed it. In one swift movement, the gecko had his dinner. How bizarre! Nature never fails to fascinate me.