Baby steps

Garry and I have booked two weeks in Bali for late October. We're calling this our first official retirement holiday (or taking baby steps into retirement, as a friend described it). The day before we fly, we’re scheduled to receive the final instalment of payments from our business sale. We’ll then be just weeks away from completing the last of our post-sale obligations. 

We've taken advantage of a Qantas sale and a special all-inclusive promotion with the Sofitel Nusa Dua Beach Resort. We'll spend 11 nights in a luxurious suite with direct pool access. Our booking includes all meals plus cocktails and canapés each night. Our ironing lady just returned from a stay in the same room category at the hotel. She’s raving about the room, the food and the hotel in general.

However, before we settle down by the pool, we're first heading for the islands of Flores for a three-day cruise around Komodo Island. We've booked the best cabin on Andalucia 3, a brand new ironwood and teak Phinisi-style boat. Check out the video of our cabin that opens this post. The owner of the boat sent me this video as all the images currently published online are only 3D renderings.

Our cruise includes a morning tour of Rinca Island where we'll see Komodo Dragons in the wild. We're also being promised a mind-blowing swim with Giant Manta Rays. Finally, the night before we board the boat, I've booked us a sunset dinner at Le Bajo Flores, a superb restaurant overlooking the pristine blue water in Labuan Bajo Flores.  Watch this space!