MY GOLDEN GIRLS…the Bali wrap up

Well that’s a wrap, another Styling Curvy tour in Bali is done and dusted. You might think it is daunting holidaying with eleven women you have never met, but personally I LOVE it! Women are amazing and the ones who champion other women well, they are gold. That’s why I am calling this tour my ‘Golden Girls’ tour…not because we are funny as fuck golden oldies but because all the attendees shone bright.

Some shone straight from the beginning while others had dimmed their light over the years and some had their light dimmed for them. But minute by minute, hour by hour and day by day these women all started to shine brighter. It truly is a joy to watch.

Even better once the ladies returned home they are still shining, yup they are trying new things, more accepting and championing each other like bloody coaches. So, so proud!

They must have enjoyed themselves because on return home for five days they had stunning floral arrangements delivered to my home as a thankyou gift! Here’s a few of the amazing bouquets…

So I guess you are all wondering what we got up to in Bali OK…READ ON.

I arrive a day or two before tour starts to get into my Bali groove which is code for corn fritters at ‘Sea Circus’ cafe, coffee at Coffee Cartel and popping into my favourite shops. You can read more of my first few days here.

TIME TO MEET THE GALS

Day one of the tour I head to Peppers Resort Seminyak to meet with the staff and go over any last minute details, then it’s time to meet the ladies on the tour. They trickle in at various times due to airline arrivals…and the ones that arrive in Bali a day or two early are totally on Bali time and cruising.

Once everyone has arrived I jump in a buggy and pop up and check over the villas to ensure all the little details are exactly how I would like them, after all this is a special holiday and I want everyone to feel special.

Would you look at some of these special details…

and of course let’s not forget special gifts for all attendees…

MERCI TO THESE WONDERFUL CLIENTS

A VERY big thankyou to all my lovely clients who gave stunning gifts for all attendees (and some for me too). Here’s what the lucky ducks received this tour

–ADRIFT– 1 X Sarong because getting dressed sometimes means adding a sarong 🙂
–CURVY SWIMWEAR– 1 X cossie of their choice available in sizes 10-30
– FRANKIE4 FOOTWEAR– 1 x pair of new season summer shoes, OMG I know right very lucky!
–KENNEDYS BOUTIQUE– 1 x piece of white clothing from new season release which we wore to a special lunch.
–LAJOIE– 1x tube of Calmmê cream for all the spots where sweat and chafe is an issue. (highly reccommended for travel and Bali)
–VOL WATER– 1 x filtered drink bottle which was perfect for travel in Bali and the extras they sent were given to locals.
–VANI_T– 1 x reuseable eraser makeup remover cloth and a red lippy because every gal needs a red lippy
–PROJECT TEN– 1 x small zip up pouch, perfect for poolside Mojito money and quick trips into town.
–STYLING CURVY– 1 x high tea experience at Biku and professional confidence boosting photo shoot.

Wowsers right, it really was like Christmas! After all the introductions were done we settled into our villas and cossies. Pool swims while doing a spot of in villa leather shopping with the lovely Marco and Ira from My Shop Bali Collection is fun for everyone, right!

First night shenanigans was topped off with an in villa private Barbeque experience, this really is the loveliest way to spend night one, getting to know each other around a table with yummy eats and drinks and fabulous service. This in villa BBQ is something anyone can order while staying at Peppers but I reckon it’s pretty special when staying with a group.

Oh and this is the night my eldest son sent me a gory video of a cut foot and requiring his Medicare number…because #mummingneverends. For the record I didn’t have my card with me but retrieved it from the MYGOV website (know your passwords). He required stitches but was fine!

PACKING IN ALL THE FUN

Day two we headed into town to Divine Diva a fabulous boutique that caters for all sizes, including larger sizes. The service is always great and everyone leaves with a bag or two of goodies. We met back at the Villas for an in villa lunch and swim before heading off for a few hours of glorious day spa treatments. After spa treatments some ladies want to relax and stay in and some want to party…I headed out for dinner to ‘La Favela’ with the party crowd.

LET’S GO SHOPPING

Day three we headed off on a shopping tour that I personally plan and organise, big thanks to Julie and Kellie at Invigorate You Travel for their hot tip on the lunch destination. We dined at Ji Restaurant in Canguu (near Old Man’s Bar) and took in the views from the third level while eating the most delicious Japanese fusion food. YUM!

After some more shopping we headed back to the villas for sippers and dippers, more food and drinks poolside and would you look at this grazing table from Island Graze I ordered as a surprise for the girls

WHEN THE GROUND MOVED IN BALI

We had made a dinner reservation at Motel Mexicola but wouldn’t you know it….EARTHQUAKE. Yup, a bloody earthquake shook our world (and our nerves), you can see my live video HERE that I posted a day afterwards. There were several more tremors and  another quake before I headed home and while I didn’t feel the need to run home early it was certainly an unnerving time, Tequila shots and lots of laughs sure helped.

If you are ever in a similar situation get out into the open away from buildings. Once things settle grab your passport, money and covered shoes and seek help from your hotel staff. If you are in a private villa there are many Bali Facebook pages you can turn to. I also suggest downloading the messagaing app WHATS APP, this was a great way for the attendees to keep in touch and I could also communicate with friends in Bali and my tour contacts.

The day after the quake we decided to go on life as usual (although passports were kept with us at all times), and I had organised a photo shoot in villa, I booked through Travel Shoot who can do professional photos at dozens of locations around the world. The first half hour was spent watching the rain fall but once we got a break in the weather I was into it, capturing some outfit shots in beautiful Bali.

READY FOR OUR CLOSE UP

I couldn’t let this photo shoot happen without including the Golden Girls so I made sure to book an extra hour just for them. This was for them to get some guidance from me about how to stand for a photo and hopefully instil some extra confidence in them for future photos. Now while most people are comfortable behind the lens few are that way when they are front and centre having a photo of themselves taken. This session pushed all the ladies out of their comfort zone but with each click of the camera they started to shine.

All ladies now have a handful of stunning snaps each just for them, while I would love to share the pics they really are just for them so here’s the final pic we took as a group…shared with permission. I mean come on, look at us all loving our glorious selves and giving zero fucks about out guts, lumps ‘n bumps. Getting in the photo is so much more important (and fun) than spending life on the sidelines.

LADIES WHO LUNCH

After all our covergirl photo shoot excitement we also enjoyed some more in villa shopping when my friend Fiona from Sage Living and Homewares popped in with some pretty homewares. I met Fiona on my last trip to Bali when she said hello at a restaurant. We clicked and caught up later for Easter Sunday lunch where I also got to meet her two youngest children, they all live in Bali while awaiting full adoption of the youngest. She is a bloody saint with a kind heart and potty mouth so it was a delight to have her come visit us in villa. Another swim (hard life) was followed up by high tea at Biku, where we made an entrance ALL dressed in white! Ummm, The Golden Girls are in da house!

After our earthquake scare the night before we chose to enjoy dinner at the Peppers Resort restaurant and bar, not wanting to risk getting caught in chaos on the streets. Then it was time to get some shuteye before our last day. Turns out Mother Nature had other ideas and sprung another quake on us around midnight. While it wasn’t as severe as the first one it was enough to have be basically spring jump from my bed and out the door in fear.

We were all fine, in fact most ladies slept through that one and the next a few hours later. I did however pack up all my belongings and an emergency bag in case we had to run. See, unsettling!

The last day started with water aerobics, always a bit of fun for the ladies and I have had the same instructor for all three tours. Aldhee knows we aren’t that serious about building glutes and shredding so he has a good laugh with us all. The last day of tour is usually spent collecting last minute gifts and doing a spot of shopping but we were mostly all shopped out so headed to Mama San for lunch. If you are ever in Bali book a table there and enjoy the tastebud tantalising food and drinks served up.

AND THAT’S A WRAP

Soon enough it was time to start saying our goodbyes, some strong friendships were formed and personal growth and lessons learned. These really can be bonding trips if you come with an open heart and mind and immerse yourself in the group.

in fact I am off on a trip to Hervey Bay Queensland with Some ace chicks from my previous tour and cannot wait to see them and enjoy a laugh. What about you, would you like to come on tour with me to Bali? Or maybe somewhere else?…let me know in the comments below.

til next time

Jen x

With gratitude and thanks to Invigorate you for assisting in coordinating my tours and to ‘Luthfia’ from Peppers Seminyak for being my right hand gal and overseeing and coordinating while we stay at Peppers. Thanks to my gorgeous assistants ‘Karin and Shannon’ for ensuring everything runs smoothly at Styling Curvy while I travel.

 

Updated September 2018