We woke up to the delicious Padma buffet breakfast, included in our package. We felt that the standard may have slipped a bit since last year, but it was still great. I'm still kicking myself for forgetting to go back to get some black rice pudding, since this was the only morning they had it and I love that stuff (but was always too full after dinner to order any!)
Mum suggested we go shopping (well DUH) but shopping is not so good with her. She seems to attract hawkers and they pull her into their shop, and she doesn't resist but then still gets angry. Basically, I felt that on the first day she would hamper our shopping expedition too much. So I suggested that I take the others shopping. Mum said NO, she was worried about Kate, but Dad soon put her straight. I felt good because they both scored a day by the pool without us, and I could get on with my bargaining without being annoyed.
Sooooo we went to the markets around the hotel, on Jln Sahadewa, and Jln Melasti.
On Jln Sahadewa there is a bag shop. It is easy to find, its on the left if you are walking towards Jln Melasti and it isnt a leather shop, its just chocka block full of immitation bags and purses. They had a great range, no real leather but that's not what we were looking for. I found 2 really cool wallets I wanted, one medium sized one and one large one. I bargained to 50,000rp for the medium one and then the guy gave me 50,000rp for the large one too. Not bad. We made friends with him, he was really nice and doesn't hassle you.
Then Natasha and I both bought silver chockers and pendants. We payed 140,000rp altogether, ie 70,000rp for a large choker and pendant. They are so nice and we wore them every day after that. You can change the pendants too. After that we bought individual pendants for between 30,000rp and 35,000rp. They are all real silver.
The second great shop we found was Citra Silver on Jln Melasti (No 34 A). They had a really nice range of rings, I bought 2 and Natasha found one. The prices are in US dollars but SO cheap and they still gave us a discount, and of course you pay in rp. The rings ended up costing about au$7 each, so cheap for here.
Kate kept whining that SHE wanted a ring too, but of course she'd never wear it so I had to keep convincing her that she shouldn't get one. I told her then that if she sat down and had a drink I'd get her an ice cream. To my surprise, she sat down quietly for the next 10 minutes. I told her that she'd been such a good girl that she could go and get an ice cream, and I have never seen a happier face. It's funny how Bali changes everyone! The cutest thing is that I read in her diary (she let me) "then we got ice creams because i was being such a good girl" . When she finshes it, I'll ask her if I can post it because its so adorable!!! :D :D :D
We stopped at a market stall where there were some nice earrings. We bought 5 pairs and payed 10,000rp for each. Definately too much, but the guy wouldn't come down and I was so glad we got them, because I didn't see the same ones anywhere else and that's unusual because usually market stalls all stock the same stuff.
I was hot and bothered by now and Natasha wanted to keep shopping but I felt a bit sick so we went back to the hotel (we had been shopping for 3.5 hours). Satays by the pool cost 55,000rp. Really not SO bad compared to Aus, but expensive by Bali standards. I then spent some time relaxing in the sun by the pool. (Bliss :grin: :grin: :grin:)
Dad wanted to go for a walk, so off we headed down the beach towards Kuta. Seriously guys, Kuta beach is the best place for people watching. We saw the funniest and strangest people ever, and the cutest indonesian kids playing in the waves. There are tiny crabs running all over the beach. (I just thought I'd mention that :p) Finally we were at Kuta sqaure and I asked dad if we could go into Matahari for a short squiz. The only problem was he only wanted to see the electronics section (we didn't find it, I don't think they have one anymore) and so I wasn't allowed to look at shoes and bags. I did vow to come back though.
Back to the hotel and we set off to find dinner. I was looking for Hot Mango on Jln Padma Utara but I couldn't find it anywhere. We walked along Legian street and went into all the shops on the way. Natasha bought some gifts at Bali Harem (all natural, incense stuff). Finally we got onto Padma Utara. I suggested Cafe Wina but it was too hot inside so we kept walking and chose the 1st place we came across because by now we were starving. TROPIK was that lucky place. The prices weren't bad, not excellent by Bali standards but the helpings were small. The food presentation was nice as was the food, and it is a quiet and relaxing restaurant. We were there at 7pm and there weren't many people inside, so the 45 minute wait was a bit too long. It ended up costing 175,000rp for 4 people (Kate didn't eat) with no alcoholic drinks.
Back to the hotel for some Zzzz. Natasha went for a walk with Mum but I was too tired.