Bali 2004
First a very big thankyou to Bali travel forum the information in this forum made our trip (our third) a huge success and we got everything we wanted from our trip!
OK, on with the report.
Flights
Travelled Adl to Melb the night before because of flight schedules. Trip normally takes 59 mins this time it took 48 minutes and I found it to be the worst and bumpiest flight I had ever been on! Group of unaccompanied girls behind us were treating it like a roller coaster until one of them yelled out 'this is not funny anymore!' she was right!
Left promptly the next day we had upgraded to Executive class OMG this was soooo good!
Arrived to a very hot Bali the VOA was quick but there were several planes behind us so can just imagine the delays after we left. We passed through Customs quickly, and had 4 litres of wine 2 litre cask in our hand luggage and 2 litres in the luggage no crosses! So off we went.
Accommodation
We were spending the whole time at Villa Rumah Manis. We had requested a room away from the road well, that went down well, we got one on not only on a road but an intersection at the back! Traffic quieted down around 8pm, but then the dogs took over and howled all night! The outdoor shower was exposed to the front gate' so if you were taking a shower when the gardener paid a visit hmmmm! It was tucked into a tiny corner not at all nice. Certainly nothing like the brochures! Very dark as it had no window we had to use a torch during the day just to read! Very gloomy, as there are no overhead lights. And o many mosquitoes because there were only louvre doors with large gaps you could see the mozzies flying in. They didn't bite us, just buzzed in our ears during the night we slept with the fly spray between us! But other people were badly bitten I guess we didn't taste nice!
We lasted that night then requested a change - we had to wait another night and then we got moved. What a difference! The outdoor shower overlooked the dip pool, there was a window so we could see without a torch, the outdoor area was just like the brochure, and the dog noise was much more tolerable. Still got the mozzies but we were so much more relaxed in the new room. Good things about the resort our rooms were kept very clean, clean sheets each night and everything well maintained. The Laundry service was excellent, the staff very friendly. The pool small and only about 8 lounges. The outdoor area was excellent and we used this all the time. Breakfast kept running out of things like plates, cups, glasses, bread etc etc! But was OK. We didn't eat at the resort at all very expensive. Had a small bintang by the pool one day cost 25000 rupiah!
We had to keep in touch with our business and so we used the Telkom local service this was excellent as we could dial up in our room on our laptop and the cost was minimal. Thanks Filo!
Trips and Activities.
This was our third trip to Bali and this time we needed to relax, so we only had one planned trip, which was to Uluwatu, and Dreamland. Husband and son are keen surfers so much time was spent surfing Kuta. Surf during our stay on some days was HUGE! Fantastic to watch but one day even the locals didn't surf. Sadly, 2 Balinese teenagers drowned at the beach near Double six on one of these days. Uluwatu was excellent to watch, but scared the stuffing out of myself when surfing at Dreamland did not want to be there. Beautiful beach though. Beware the guide who attaches himself when you get to the carpark then wants to sell you a lounge. Keep walking past the first beach around the point and there are much better lounges and warungs on the beach, and the beach is safer too, almost.
Mostly we went to the beach at Kuta and met up with the ladies we had met on our first trips. Had the nails done with Suzy, but didn't buy much from the others. They are relentless and their prices are way higher than those in the markets no wonder they are not selling much! But we talked a lot and I gave them Aquum hand wash when we left.
Kuta beach is a great way to people watch, especially when the hawkers smell new blood. It was a holiday week in Java and the people come to Bali to watch the sunset. Numbers on the beach swell hugely around 5pm the beach road basically closed until after sunset. Not liked by the hawkers as they don't but anything! And just creates chaos.
By total coincidence at breakfast the first day, we looked up and saw our very long term (but not frequently seen) friends who had arrived the same day. If we were going to accidentally meet up with anyone then they were the ideal family. It was their first trip to Bali so they went on all the expensive Tours we didn't have a chance to warn them how to do it cheaper. They day before we left our friend ventured on to Kuta beach so funny as she was totally inundated by hawkers and eventually we rescued her by getting her to have a massage (No 39 is excellent). Took a couple of pictures of the carnage.
Went to Waterbomb with a large group of friends what a great day and escape. Saw a snake about 12 inches long on the Smash ride how it didn't get seen crossing the concrete is beyond me. Very pretty snake with a small diamond head. The attendants didn't believe us at first but moved rather quickly when they saw it!
Shopping
Did it all! Bought a great red leather jacket and Tommies (JL Padma), took over materials for Komang to do up excellent result, and had a suit made. Went crazy at TopTen (LV and Gucci). Bought leather handbags, sandals in every colour. They are really comfortable.
Body Shop (Mataharis) is really inexpensive so bought heaps of gifts here. Also, a new Factory Brands shop was opening in Jl Legian at thi stage only had Benneton (real) but is about to stock fully with other brands. Husband stocked up on Tshirts and Bali shirts the quality seemed better this time (not on the beach though)
Bought around 80 dvd's from Helgi, PS2 games not so good this time. Bought Troy, King Arthur, Fahrenheit 9/11, Spiderman 2, as well as the Simpsons series, etc. All work fine but didn't work on the PS2. We emailed Helgi before we left and he dropped them off to our hotel room.
Eating
I know a lot of forumites rave about the food but honestly, we really don't enjoy the food in Bali that much. We went to Poco Loco not bad but not great. Rama Gardens Rest OK, Taman Gardens satays good. Lucciola OK, that was great and superb atmosphere. The French Pastries they were excellent. Gateway of India that was good. Just our preference.
Moneychangers
Well, I got duded, didn't I. I should have walked out as he did every trick in the book. Kept touching the money after I had counted it, only had 20,000 rupiahs, etc etc. When I got in the taxi I realised he had duded me of 80,000 rupiahs! That night I went back with my husband and when confronted he said 'I only cheated a little bit!' Then he asked me for details and went to his little book and said, 'Oh yes, 80,000 rupiahs!' He had actually written it down so he could get his commission! He said 'I like Australians so I will give it back to you!' He is located near TopTen, Melasti Street Leoong DVD's or something like that!
Our flight back was at 00.55. We actually slept on the plane and it was uneventful. But although we had confirmed our driver for 10pm to the airport with the Tour Company, the actual driver rang at 5.40pm and said he was on his way to collect us at 6pm! Only a cute 7 hours to fill in at the airport! His reason he was busy at 10pm, and besides, we had to check out at 6pm anyway so we should go to the airport! Never going to happen was it, but this was the only time my hubby blew his stack! And so he should. So after a dinner at Rama Gardens we got back to Rumah Manis at 9.45 and they were waiting for us.
Bad Things
The road works so dangerous and you need to carefully watch every step. Glad to have torches with us. Cant imagine how bad it would be in the wet season.
The dogs they look so wretched.
Accidents saw three scooter riders knocked off their bikes one the polisi saw but they just drove off in a different direction and the driver didn't stop.
The Cock fight on the steps of Paddy's 2 has this become a religious venue I think not!
The hawkers who just do not give up and use the guilt lines to make you buy something you just don't want. How many of us have thought they would buy something for the sake of peace you pick out something that maybe you can use then get told to pay 150,000 rupiahs for it! And they will not back down!
The Good things it is Bali and we will be back, same time, next year. 341 sleeps to go!