Day 3. Early start today as we are heading to Sanur to swim with dolphins. Cars arrive on time today and we set off with dad and Tanny.
The ride into Kuta is always different. Today there are many hitchhikers trying to get a lift and lots of cars which is different from the hundreds of scooters we see each day. Drop dad and tanny in Kuta for shopping and head to sanur.

Along the road to sanur we stop at some surf outlets, we feel a bit pushed for time as we have no idea how long it will take to dolphins so we will revisit for some gift shopping later.

The one thing that is always present in Bali apart from the scooters and villages is the smell. It's something I can only describe as smoke mixed with rubbish and cooking. If u have the windows up it's ok but when you step out it's back. There are drain type things, open that run along the front of all the shop and village fronts except for in the out of town ones. The water is putrid and the people treat it like a rubbish bin, everything organic goes in that drain and it could possibly be the source of smell.
After shopping we head to sanur, approaching the dolphin village we are detoured as there is another festival, the biggest we have seen. Thousands of people with babies tied to there waist and baskets on their heads. All here to worship and feast. They set up camp on the median strip on the roads and wait for the street vendors to bring them lunch for 1000rp per bowl, about 15cents. They get drinks in a freezer bag with a straw and throw their rubbish on the ground. We are not allowed to use the main rd so go bush on a dirt road dodging parked cars vendors people and animals following a manmade river that women wash their clothes in whilst men fish for food from the same water. We are stopped constantly to pay entry fees or tolls, about 1 dollar each time.
When we get to dolphin lodge 2 women with horrible teeth jump on us asking our names trying to sell dolphin souuviners. We promise to return later. They remember! As we are early we find a place to eat. Our driver takes us to a huge village restaurant, all outdoor with the kitchen a long way from the tables in an outdoor shack. The kids pay to catch fish as we eat. It's kind of a fish farm with a pond sectioned off the ocean and it has lots of fish. The idea is you catch them then pay per Kilo for what you catch. When I ask if we can throw them back they laugh! We catch 3 fish, eat our authentic indo lunch of fish rice noodles and soup and leave, a great experience for 50 ish au dollars. The driver takes the fish to cook for dinner at home.
Dolphins. We all suit up into life jackets and head to the dolphin pontoon on a rickety open boat, 15 Aussies (8 who weren't with our family) and about 8 trainers. Straight away as you exit the boat you see one of the beautiful dolphins. There are about ten pens separating them from one another and all wooden platforms. We meet our trainer Andy and our dolphin triton. This was the most amazing experience of my life. We pet him first, on his tummy and back and learnt where not to touch. He then gave us all kisses and hugs and got his fish. We each got to lift him from the water and go underwater with him to feed and play. We could touch his teeth and tongue and he did many tricks. Andy was great, answering all our questions and paying attention to the kids and Brett was the best taking the photos for us. Triton is ten and has been there for four years. Each dolphin is let out to the ocean once a week to swim and play but they always return. They are fed ten kilo of Tuna salmon mackerel and anchovies every day, why wouldn't you return! You used to be able to ride on the dolphins but some were getting aggressive so this has stopped. Although it was amazing, it's a little sad they are in captivity and put on show. Although they are loved and each have their own trainer matched by personality. Andy attended uni and studied 3 years for this job, it's like a job in seaworld I guess to us. It was sad to say goodbye after an hour in the water and triton played with us from the pontoon until we got on the boat. I would love to see my bedt friends daughter Tora in a job like this, she would be in her element.
The drive back was quicker with the festival dwindling and day over.
We had suckling pig and lots of other things for dinner. The pig was cooked head and all so I stuck to chilli prawns tonight! Nicole and uncle jeff had organized a surprise for Monique and heidis birthdays, amazing cakes done with fondant. Moniques was twilight and heidis angry birds. Thankyou guys, it was very special.
So a great day was had by all... Madi is getting cranky and impatient in the car to and from and thinks she can do what she wants because of no seat! She is loving being around her cousins and her and eleanor often disappear to play little girly games and try and con reilly in too! Kody and issac have their moments. One is the scholar and very bright whilst kody is my little spirts buff! They bond over the pool table and swimming pool and enjoy spending time together! Hopefully tomorrow at waterbom we have another great day x