Christmas day in Bali was a wet one, with torrential rain soaking everyone who ventured out. My gang (alley) is partially flooded as was part of the garden. The atmosphere here in Seminyak was a kind confusing mixture of ‘special event’ and ‘damp reality’.
A couple of Balinese locals wished me Merry Christmas and groups of tourists with poncho / umbrellas explored the shopping areas in Seminyak. Bintang supermarket was a hive of activity as usual, but it was not as if everyone was getting ready to head for a Christmas dinner.
My plans evolved fairly late in the day and after calling the Canggu Club about their Christmas dinner (already fully booked) I settled on Cafe Bali, located next to the Moroccan restaurant on Jl. Oberoi. The set meal was 190,000rp per person and featured cream of asparagus soup, duck terrine with bread and pickles, turkey with vegetables and a cappuccino dessert. My 2 margaritas helped things along and the fact that we booked for 7pm was fortunate as the place was empty and Jevon could play on the couch. Cafe Bali has the appearance of a Dutch colonial house on the inside, very cool.
Driving back down Jl. Seminyak felt more like being in a boat on a river than riding in a car. The main street was entirely flooded from the local market down to Jl. Dhyana Pura, waves being directed both ways as cars passed.
Another Christmas over and now people will be looking forward to New Year’s Eve.
