Been back for 1 week now so thought I better get to it and do my report. Flew from Perth using Qantas FF. Booked way back last November, only available flights was via Darwin but could get direct home. Settled on that but it was only when I got my e-ticket read that we would go perth-Alice Springs-Darwin-Denpasar. As it was the start of our holiday I did'nt care that much as long as I got to Bali. Would I do it again by choice? I don't think so. We did get fed 3 times which was great. Had to buy our drinks up to Darwin. Don't mind doing that as long as they have my beer or similar & it's cold to drink. Settled on a Sterling and a 4XXX which was enough to turn me off drinking anymore - just as well as they were the only 2 beers left on the flight. Either someone was getting stuck into it or they did'nt cater for the passengers. Had about 4 1/2 hours in Darwin, decided just to hang around the airport. Time went by pretty quickly so it did'nt bother us. Arrived on time and it was a breeze getting through VOA (had our US$25 each)passports stamped and out to our luggage. It would of only been 10-15 minutes max. Got a taxi 25,000rph to Camplung Mas.
Had the usual welcome drink and were lucky enough to score room 75 which is a quad room. Was told we may have to shift in about 3 days when they needed it. No problem, needles to say when we went up to breakfast we were advised we had to move. Well it was to room 66 which is way down the back. When we enquired if they had something closer we were offered room 24 but could not get it till the next day. Not a problem would prefer something a little closer and as it worked out it was the better room. Everything in the room was fully functional, could'nt fault the room. Our daughters were arriving a few days later so we went out and did our thing. Went to our usual resturants and shops to catch up and see what we could buy. Went to Matahari's and got XL phone cards. They were 50,00rph each with 20,000rph credit on them. Brought a camera bag for my new duty free camera I brought cost 95,000rph, saw something similar at duty free but was about 25% more. Internet is still 200rph per minute everywhere. DVD's buy 10 get 2 free, buy 20 get 5 free etc. Hubby's bum bag decided to break at the buckle so looked for another, bargin at 30,000rph. CD's are 10,000rph each and some outlets give 1 free.
The hotel was full occupancy when we arrived. There were quiet a few families there. This is our 3rd time in just over 18 months at the hotel. All round it is pretty good value and a good location though I have noticed it's advertised price with the wholesalers is increasing. The best thing we enjoy about the Camplung is there is no ++ taxes, the pool, resturant, room service is 24 hour. The staff are freindly. There were a few things which they could improve on. One been the cook and how he cooks eggs. They have now limited there night room service emnu (11pm-7am) to about 10 things now but there is still a good variety. Another thing that got on my back was there was never enough pool towels. One been people would get a towel, place it on a sun lounge, go for breakfast and never return. If you came for a swim in the afternoon 9.5 times out of 10 you would'nt get a towel. Was advised to use our room towels and have them replaced, which we did end up doing, as many others did as well.
Daughters (ages 14 & 19) arrived on the Sunday. Went in the hotel transport and picked them up. Flight was on time (Garuda) but they were disappointed with the cabin crew as when they wanted anything they were told the trolly was down the back and help themselves. They also said the staff were down the back laughing and looking at photo's and basically were not attending to the passengers. Don't know if this has happened to anyone else before but it sounds unusual. Decided to go to Makro. For those that have'nt heard of Makro it's like a huge Big W that has grocery items as well as clothes, linen, electrical, furniture, crockery, you name it it has it. Hubby brought up on oils, car polish, airhorns, clocks, detergents, cable, batteries and had a great time looking through the accessories (as you can tell he is a collector, anyone would think we could'nt buy these things back home). Brought some more dog & cat bowls, stationary and of course deodorants, creams etc and another suitcase to bring all our luggage back home. Brought food lines for snacks. The bread was so fresh. We brought over with us a sandwich maker (to my disgust as hubby insists) so brought some fillings for sandwiches.
Went to Geneva on the Monday. You can loose a good couple of hours in that shop. If only we had more room in our luggage. Brought a beautiful basket/tray 42,000, salad servers 4550rph, Harley motorbike 23,100rph, wooven box 23800rph, table runner 14,000rph bangles (mother of pearl etc large) 8,400rph, wooden bird 23,800rph, coconut & other assorted mobiles (dongers) 4,500rph, 9,750rph, 15,400rph, string necklaces 4,200rph. Both daughters brought up. Hopped into a taxi cost about 12,000rph to get there and about 15,000rph to get back from Melasti St. When your ready to leave the security will hail you a taxi, they are plentiful.