Switching cars

Even though we went to bed early, we still slept until breakfast. It has been lovely having it delivered to the villa, a new thing for me in travel!

Our next delivery was our masseuses, the last major element of our honeymoon package. They set up the bed and quickly transformed it into a massage space.  It was overall good!  The language barrier was pretty high, so I wasn't able to communicate low pressure and extra oil/lotion.  Ow! Does translate well though!

We had just enough time to take the unicorn around for a spin in the pool!  After that we had to finish packing and head out!!

The car did not have AC. This was quite a let down as we knew we'd be in the car for minimum 3 hours. The driver said the owner told him he couldn't bring the car in for maintenance and that he should just take us. Luckily for us, much of the trip was in the hills. Unfortunately, we did not realize that there may be more than just the AC wrong with the car when the driver said it needed maintenance.

We had asked our driver if he wouldnt mind stopping at a water temple on the way. He was our same driver from yesterday who knew we did not make it to Tanah Lot. He also suggested we stop at a Luwak coffee place. They gave us a full tour of the garden, had some built in #selfie spots" and even got some chocolate coffee and a berry tea(mangosteen?).

Before the temple he brought us to a spot for lunch. It was super expensive(the cost of the whole trip) and was at best mediocre.  And they didn't take card. We chose to still eat here, wiping ourselves of almost all our cash. We stopped by a few ATM's but they didnt seem to work. One said my bank declined it. And there were a few guys who seemed to be going in and out, which made me nervous about scams. I got a little worked up due to NO cash and paranoia.

We pushed off getting cash until later and luckily our driver helped us pay. The temple was exactly what I needed to calm down and also exactly what I wanted it to be. We got great pictures and got to walk around a great beauty of a temple on a mountain lake!!

After the temple, we tried another spot for an ATM but to no avail.  It seemed the driver gave up and said he needed instructions and was hoping my google maps would tell him.  It turns out he has never driven this way before.  We were passing some beautiful scenery; lakes, fields but all of a sudden the roads got more hilly, windy, up and down.  Our car seemed to stall on the top of a smaller hill. Our driver was able to get us down pretty quickly. Joe put on his seatbelt.  I followed suit.  A bit later it stalls again. This time the hill is much steeper and more dangerous. I start to panic and ask if we should get out. He doesn't answer.   He gets us back, and we are in someone's driveway. A car rides by with a lovinadriver website advertised on the back. He stops. We get out immediately, and he puts cinder behind the tire. They speak for a bit and then this new guy drives the van back and forth a few times. All seems fine. Then, the driver, apologizing tries to explain that the breaks need maintenance and that this new guy will be driving us to our next hotel.

Still feeling pretty scared, we get in.  He seems much more confident and skilled and is better able to explain to us what is going on. We agree to go with him on a tour so thankful that he saved us.

Our hotel, is really just 2 rooms.  There is a top floor that the owners live in. There is also an amazing infinity pool and cold jacuzzi overlooking the ocean. There is a lovely older couple from OZ who is in the other room and we got a bit of time to chat. It's been a while since we met fellow travelers (they are part time bali part time OZ) and it was just so nice to feel safe and at our hotel!  We also were able to have the women working the hotel make us a Balanese dish of chicken curry with rice, greens and a few other items. It may be our first Balinese meal of the trip!!