Basically we just spent alot of time lazing around the pool and drinking Bintangs. Usually a sleep before lunch in the shade and then lunch, then a sleep and then swimming, and then dinner. Heaven is hard work.
As per other people we bought lots of DVD - the best place I found was at the end of the road up from the Padma on the corner with JL Legian. They were 15000 rupiahs each with the usual buy 20 and get 7 free. All have worked so far. Most annoying thing I saw was this Australian woman arguing with her daughter that she should not pay any more than 11000 rupiahs and make sure you view them. She was the type which made me cringe being Australian. The woman was such a twit as you would have to view the entire DVD to see if anything was wrong with them - and she saved a whole 80 cents. A bonus to the Balinese woman who happily obligued. I would have told her to go and take a running jump - out the door.
We had no problems in bringing back about 130 - including the entire set of Friends which my wife will view until next Christmas. Hint 4 - take the plastic jackets back to the shops if you are not bringing them home - they were gratefully accepted.
We did not really buy that much stuff, the odd sarong which i love to wear - best thing for air cirulation.
We hired a driver to take up to Ubud and to the volcano - got the driver from Poppies Restruant in Kuta and cost $50 Australian for about 8 hours - worth it I reckon. Got some great spinning wood things somewhere between Legian and Ubud on the return trip. Great images of the drive, great volcano where we had lunch overlooking it. Did not have money as the place did not take credit cards and the driver happily lent us 300,000 rupiahs for lunch - it did not cost that much. Felt bad in that we did not ask our driver to lunch as he disappeared, after aplogising he did not really care and smiled that famous Balinese smile. Great images of old ladies selling oranges on the way back - but grant you it is a very hard life and something I was never to sure with, that is me being Australian with money on holidays and some of the life these people lead. But they smile much more for what little they have got compared to stressed out Australians who barter for a discount of 80 cents.
I must admit that this was a very tiring day and slept early that night. Was not as tiring as the day to the pontoon off Lembogan Island. Went with Bounty on their cat - $60 US each - again discounted from 85US. It was such a great day with snorkelling, swimming, banana boat rides and water sliding - which was my favourite. Got a lift to the beach on the island - forgot our money so we could not have a Bintang at the bar, so after 10 minutes starting waving to the pontoon to come and pick us up. Had the most horrible of expereinces of being so close to a bar and no money, and it lasted a whole 10 minutes. Dont know how Tom Hanks did it in Castaway. Happily on the island and straight to the bar. Great journey home with a nice cool breeze and a cold bintang - alot of people were sick. Funniest thing was this tourist trying to be sick but he chose to stand at the front of the boat and when he threw up it all came back. I very discretly moved to the other side of the boat and watched from afar.
The boat trip is worth it - not many of the people stayed on the pontoon so it was quiet. Hint 5 - remember money when going to the island - or think about how much you can get for your partner. I think my partner was thinking the same.
The restaurants to follow - although some of them were not cheap the standard of food and service rivals anything I have had in Sydney or anyother city, and that includes New York. Australians could learn alot about what service is - the same thing again, smiling staff who did not thing about anything except giving good service. Nothing was a problem and always with a smile. Cant really think of ever having such service in Australia - and definitely not on the flying kangaroo.
More to follow.........................