(7th April 2025) Jamie and Ruth’s wedding day

Sue and I enjoyed a very peaceful night’s sleep. Upon drawing back the balcony curtains, we were delighted to discover that the day had dawned beautifully, perfect weather for a wedding.

Unlike the previous week, when we’d taken breakfast on our balcony, we opted this time to head up to the restaurant, hoping to join others from our party who might already be there. However, the dining area was quiet, and we ate alone, entertaining ourselves by scanning the forest below for wildlife and chatting about the day’s itinerary.

We had nearly finished our meal when Ruth’s parents arrived, followed shortly afterwards by the bride, groom, and Joey. We lingered for a while, confirming a few last details, before heading back to our rooms to get ready. With around an hour and a half to spare before we were due to meet at 12.30 pm, Sue and I returned to the pool table and played a couple of games to pass the time. We found Jamie in the gym, presumably working off a bit of nervous energy ahead of the big moment.

Sue and Ruth’s mother, Lesley, departed with the wedding planner to have their hair and makeup done, while Jamie joined Joey and me in our room to wait. Eventually, they too wandered off to play a few games of pool.

When Joey and Jamie returned, Ruth’s father, James, arrived, and we sat on the balcony chatting until around 2.30 pm. Then, we changed into our smart attire in readiness for the arrival of the video and photography crew. What followed was a lengthy session of being photographed and filmed, in the room, on the balcony, and outside the hotel. I lost count of how many smiles, poses, and combinations of actions were captured, but we were all quite relieved when it came to an end, and we climbed into a buggy for the ride to the chapel.

We later learnt that we’d got off quite lightly compared to the ladies, who had endured several hours of camera direction and choreography. I’m sure the resulting wedding video and album will be impressively comprehensive.

Jamie, James, Joey, and I were shown to a room above the chapel, where we waited for the ceremony to begin. Eventually, I was led down into the chapel itself, which had been beautifully decorated with white flowers of all kinds. Sue and Lesley were already seated, along with a large number of hotel staff and the ever-present video crew. After a short while, the priest arrived and began setting up his microphone. It wasn’t long before Jamie and Joey made their entrance.

At precisely 4.30 pm, the music began, and Ruth, accompanied by James, slowly walked into the chapel to the sound of clicking camera shutters. Ruth looked absolutely stunning in her white wedding dress, and Jamie, dressed in a smart light blue suit, was the perfect match. The ceremony followed the format familiar to most British Christian weddings, with a prayer officiant, a declaration of intent, the vows, and an exchange of rings. It was conducted beneath an arch of flowers on a dais perched just a metre or so from the edge of a steep ravine, health and safety seemingly sacrificed in favour of the breathtaking setting and atmosphere.

Unlike some vows I’ve heard in the past, Jamie and Ruth spoke with clarity and confidence; there was no doubt about what was being promised.

Once the formalities were complete, the cake was cut and a glass of wine shared, and Jamie and Ruth made their way back down the aisle beneath a flurry of fresh white flower petals. It was all wonderfully romantic and picturesque. There were yet more photos and videos as the wedding party gathered to enjoy a slice of cake and some conversation.

Weddings can be surprisingly exhausting, so it was with some relief that we were given an hour and a half to relax in our rooms before reconvening for a six-course wedding meal back in the chapel.

Movement around this ravine-side hotel is either via steps connecting the seven levels or, more conveniently, by golf buggy, which can be summoned by dialling zero. They usually appear within minutes. At 6:30 pm, our buggy arrived, and we returned to the chapel, which had been transformed into a beautiful dining room, resplendent with candles and flowers. We took our seats to the sound of music provided by a violinist and a guitarist, who also sang. They performed a medley of songs throughout the meal and welcomed suggestions for tunes.

Unfortunately, the evening got off to a dramatic start. Having photographed the wedding party through a heart-shaped display of candles, I caught the stand with my foot as I made my way to my seat. The fifteen glass-encased candles toppled over like falling meteorites, crashing to the floor and smashing into countless shards. A fireworks display may not have been part of the evening’s plan, but I certainly provided one. Amid a flurry of apologies to the swiftly arriving staff, though, oddly, they were apologising to me, I was gently ushered to my seat as the clean-up commenced. It wasn’t long before the candles were replaced and normal service resumed.

We had been expecting a six-course meal, but I counted eight. Each dish was delicately presented and delicious. I, for one, was thoroughly full and, after several glasses of wine, pleasantly content. It had been a good day. No, it had been an excellent day. It had been a wedding day.

I have no idea what time we boarded the buggy back to our room, but it was late. Our room is surrounded by cascading water, overspilling from the many infinity pools above and below us, a perfect soundscape for falling asleep.

Sue and I have now had the joy of seeing all three of our children happily married, settled in good jobs, living in lovely homes, and starting wonderful families of their own. What more could parents wish for? We know not all our friends and relatives have been so fortunate, and for that, we are truly grateful.

 

 

 

 

 

(8th April 2025)

We woke around 7 a.m. and began packing our suitcases before heading down to breakfast. Being among the first to arrive, we had our pick of tables. The sun was already fierce, so we chose one under the shade of the thatched canopy rather than fry and enjoyed the view across the ravine to the volcano peeking above the distant forest.

The breakfast menu was extensive, spanning seven pages and featuring dishes from across the Far East. Ruth’s parents arrived just as we were finishing our meal, and we chatted with them until their food arrived. Then we returned to our room to complete the packing.

The rest of our party was leaving the hotel at 10 a.m. to continue their holiday in Bali, and we joined them in the reception to say our goodbyes. Jamie, Ruth and Joey had a busy itinerary ahead, including white-water rafting and cycling down a volcano, among other adventures. James and Lesley had opted for a more relaxed pace, planning to visit temples and other leisurely spots. They were due to reunite next week at a hotel near the airport, from where they would fly back to the UK together.

We departed the Kayon Jungle Resort at noon by taxi, arriving at the Holiday Inn Express in Denpasar at 1:45 p.m. After checking in, we took a walk along the beach, doing our best to stay in the shade. The heat and humidity were exhausting. We made our way back to the hotel through the cooler city streets, stopping for a refreshing tub of ice cream to help bring our core temperature down. Once back in the air-conditioned comfort of our room, we took cold showers and then relaxed in front of the TV.

We had our evening meal at a restaurant in town, chosen because it was bustling with customers, unlike several others we had passed, which were completely empty and left us wondering why. As usual, we opted for local dishes, which once again proved to be delicious. For a change, we decided to have dessert, choosing a portion of banana fritters with ice cream.

Rather than head straight back to the hotel, we took a stroll to the beach to see what was going on. Although largely deserted, a group had lit a large bonfire on the sand. We paused to watch as sparks drifted enchantingly on the breeze and the driftwood crackled and popped, sending flames leaping high into the night sky. In the distance, a laser beam swept across the heavens, briefly illuminating the clouds in a rainbow of colours.

Later, by the rooftop pool and bar of the Holiday Inn, we enjoyed a fireworks display while sipping cooling drinks and reminiscing about past holidays.