The last five years has certainly been fun while I have been having the time of my life ever since this beautiful lady Azizah decided to take my hand in marriage September 12, 2015.
After a very brief courtship we decided that we were both old enough to know what we wanted, especially me.
I had finally met somebody with not only beauty but also brains since she is a fully Licenced Notaris in Bali after obtaining her Masters degree in law.
When you add to that that she's a wonderful daughter and mother and along with our marriage I became the father of two children for the first time in my life. A gift that I thought would never be fulfilled in my life.
I definitely have been blessed and I believe my family feels the same way.
We have had a lot of fun the last five years travelling to such places as Kemodo Island, Flores, Italy, Croatia, Canada, Java, Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, Doha New Zealand, Malaysia, France and Switzerland.
We learned about coronavirus when we returned from Switzerland in January and have been like many people, despaired.
Especially when I had to cancel a special birthday around the world trip to celebrate another decade on this earth which was completely pre-planned and prepaid for in June.
Having our children attached to their computers in their rooms while they're doing online schooling as been challenging to say the least.
We have been following social distancing protocol before most, as early as the end of January when we began buying mask before they ran out during the Chinese new year.
Having our children attached to their computers in their rooms while they're doing online schooling as been challenging to say the least.
We have been following social distancing protocol before most, as early as the end of January when we began buying mask before they ran out during the Chinese new year.
Now that finally I have obtained a very happy lifestyle I didn't want to ruin it by one of us getting the disease and possibly passing from it.
We had to remind ourselves that there are still many places that you can go in Bali which you can social distance yourself and enjoy the attractions you never went to before because there was always too many tourists.
We had to remind ourselves that there are still many places that you can go in Bali which you can social distance yourself and enjoy the attractions you never went to before because there was always too many tourists.
Recently for example we went on a trip to a home exchange in northern Bali in Lovina which allowed us to visit some of the most magnificent waterfalls in the world with no one around.
Fifth Year Wedding Anniversary:
So suddenly we found ourselves wanting to celebrate our fifth year wedding anniversary.
We wanted to choose the right place to practice the new normal including social distancing and avoid any chance of obtaining coronavirus.
After doing substantial research of not only what restaurants had social distancing and were practising good protocol but also a restaurant that avoids indoor air conditioning and is 100% safe we decided on the Seasalt restaurant in Bali's popular Seminyak area.
After doing substantial research of not only what restaurants had social distancing and were practising good protocol but also a restaurant that avoids indoor air conditioning and is 100% safe we decided on the Seasalt restaurant in Bali's popular Seminyak area.
So everybody dressed up and off we went.
Shown here is mom and dad with young 12-year-old Darius.
Not only did they take our temperature at the front reception but also asked us to scan a barcode so that we were registered as visiting the hotel in case someone ever caught the disease they would be able to trace down any one that may have come in contact with them.
Certainly one of the strongest procedures I've seen so so far in Bali and one that all hotels including our own will follow.
It was a perfect day hardly a cloud in the sky and we were seated at the far end of the beachfront restaurant front row seats. Far away form anyone.
It was exactly what I asked for when I made the reservation.
Being a sailor I am familiar with what is known being upwind of everything.
I didn't want anybody breathing close to me and the wind bringing it on to me.
Call me overcautious, but sailors know it is always better to be safe than sorry.
It wasn't long before my beautiful wife Azizah was having her photo taken by our driver/photographer Gusti with the Nikon.
Call me overcautious, but sailors know it is always better to be safe than sorry.
It wasn't long before my beautiful wife Azizah was having her photo taken by our driver/photographer Gusti with the Nikon.
The restaurant was gracious enough to allow us to bring our own champagne, which is super expensive in Bali.
So we brought one that had been given to us at a previous party, thus saving ourselves around $200.
Turns out it was a 2014 champagne so relatively vintage.
I treated myself to my favourite, Grey Goose vodka.
The boys as always were reluctant to participate in a photos
With mother's edging soon they gave in and provided for some great family photos.
Even dad gave in and posed for a few.
Even dad gave in and posed for a few.
The staff were super attentive.
I'm not sure if it was because there was not very many guests there at the time as we were the first ones to arrive or that they found out that I was a hotel manager.
Either way it was exceptional service and the champagne keep on flowing.
Definitely a few of these photos will be going up on the wall in the future and our sons will understand that although they complained about having their photo taken at the time it was a good idea that will provide fond memories.
Either way it was exceptional service and the champagne keep on flowing.
Definitely a few of these photos will be going up on the wall in the future and our sons will understand that although they complained about having their photo taken at the time it was a good idea that will provide fond memories.
As usual some local ex-pats were walking on the beach with their dogs.
Gusti our photographer managed to grab some great photos of Azizah.
Then our waiter showed up with a special treat.
It was a special volcanic looking type appetizer which he slowly unveiled.
It was actually some Spinach wrapped around some butter which made for unique presentation.
The bread that they served was absolutely delicious.
The photos keep on coming.
The bread that they served was absolutely delicious.
The photos keep on coming.
After all it may be only one time in your life you can celebrate your fifth year anniversary . 
Then it was time to sit down to the dinner table.
Before we began our meal I recited I a poem I had dictated at three am in bed a few days before.
It brought on tears and good hugs and kisses from not only my wife but also Xander & Darius as well.
Dad was a proud happy camper.
A few more photos as the light was fading.
Then it was time for dinner.
Then it was time for dinner.
Dinner was then served and it was extremely exotic.
Mine was a fresh snapper coated with sea salt and baked.
They removed the coating and then brought it back as a fillet, which was absolutely delicious.
Young Darius ordered boiled octopus, Xander pasta and mom some hot and spicy shrimp along with delicious Nasi Goreng.
The chef surprised us with a special dessert for our fifth year anniversary
All in all the evening provided absolutely stunning scenery, delicious cuisine and extremely professional service.
We want to thank the Alila Hotel and the Seasalt restaurant for one of the most memorial meals I've not only had in Bali but in my entire long life around the world.
It was an exceptional fifth year wedding anniversary.
All in all the evening provided absolutely stunning scenery, delicious cuisine and extremely professional service.
We want to thank the Alila Hotel and the Seasalt restaurant for one of the most memorial meals I've not only had in Bali but in my entire long life around the world.
It was an exceptional fifth year wedding anniversary.
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