Day 10: Mum's Birthday in Paradise

It was a pretty perfect way to start my birthday. The morning was wonderfully relaxed, and it felt like the best kind of gift.

After breakfast, Sam had organised a suprise Cacao for me with an online chat with friends back home, bringing my little comforts from home to Indonesia with us.

We then headed down to a little beach club at Mushroom Beach. The kids wasted absolutely no time getting into the pool (which, by now, should surprise nobody), while we enjoyed lunch overlooking the ocean.

Then it was home for Jai's lunchtime nap. The rest of us took the opportunity to slow down for a while before it was time for the afternoon adventure.

Once Jai woke up, we caught a taxi to Ohana's Beach Club, and it was every bit as beautiful as everyone had promised. The kids happily bounced between the pool and the beach while we enjoyed delicious drinks, dinner and desserts. We stayed right through sunset, and as darkness fell, staff lit a bonfire on the beach, making an already magical place feel even more special.

The journey home, however, was an adventure all of its own.

The main road had been closed for a major traditional ceremony at one of the island's temples, so our driver confidently disappeared down what can only be described as "roads" in the loosest possible sense of the word.

We bumped along tiny dirt tracks, through the bush, and into the sort of darkness where you begin to wonder whether Google Maps has finally given up.

Fortunately, there were a few other taxis bouncing along behind us, which was reassuring. If they were all equally lost, at least we'd be lost together.

Eventually, after what felt like an off-road rally, we emerged back onto familiar roads and made it safely home.

It was the most wonderful birthday—full of sunshine, swimming, beautiful food, a spectacular sunset, and just enough unexpected adventure to make it unforgettable.

Trip Statistics

- Birthday celebrations: 1
- Pools the kids couldn't resist: 2
- Delicious desserts consumed: Yes
- Bonfires on the beach: 1
- Taxi rides that accidentally felt like a 4WD safari: 1
- Times we questioned where the driver was taking us: At least a few
- Birthday memories made: CountlessRead more