On Wed. afternoon after lounging by the beach we got a taxi for Kuta to take a look around. A taxi note: The blue taxis seem quite dependable. Another driver told me that they always have an ad for new drivers as it is hard to make money with the basic daily fee they pay to use the taxi..thus many try it and then give up. Another safe option is a taxi with "GALLERIA" on the back window. These are taxis authorized to take (mostly Japanese) tourists to the DFS stores. He said they are very strict..must not get more than three complaints in 6 months..must have their meters checked..etc. I think the one I took was dark blue? but look for "GALLERIA" on the window. These should be as trustworthy as the blue bird taxis. On my return one day I took a non-blue taxi and I suspect it had a speedy meter..as the charge was 5000 R. more than the exact trip in the opposite direction. It certainly didn't ruin our vacation, but still it's not a nice feeling to think someone is trying to cheat you. Over all though we didn't have any huge problems. Another driver also said as a Balinese he wants very much for the tourists to be happy and enjoy the stay (so they'll return) and when I got back to the hotel he asked if the 35,000 was okay..if not he'd discount..he didn't want an unhappy customer. Both taxis drivers said that often the drivers trying to cheat visitors were not Balinese.
So we headed to Kuta..and TRAFFIC. We hadn't a clue we were there during the Islamic holiday. Traffic was barely moving so the driver let us out on the edge and we walked in..Went over to the beach..and were SHOCKED. SO MANY PEOPLE. Our Jimbaran beach was quiet with a few people..KUTA was crazy. The entire beach was packed with people.
We didn't stay long..headed to the other streets where we ended up near Kuta Square. MORE people. Sidewalks were packed. We had no interest in fake designer bags..didn't see much we were interested in. Looked in Edward Forrer?? shoe store..quality didn't seem very good. My husband was tired after a while and we stopped at the nearest restaurant (Raja) to get some food. So-so..busy just because it was on the main street. We were glad for a place to rest. Had dinner..
Got a cheap 30,000 R. "Cartier" watch. Had decided not to bring my regular watch lest I lose it on the beach. Hoped it would last for the week..and it's still ticking..thus far.
Walked a bit more..saw an interesting interior shop but it was closed. Did not make it to Poppies..which it seems would have been a better choice for shopping/eating. It was HOT and humid. We tired easily. Returned to hotel.
Thursday..spent at hotel. Relaxing.. busy..but still peaceful. Good beach chairs with thatched roof huts so I could avoid the sun..
Afternoon we briefly went to Jenggala..the tableware place..which supplies many nice restaurants. THey have dishes in various color schemes. Prices in dollars.. Bought a few small items..not so much..but it was a very short taxi ride from the hotel (under 5000 R).
Friday. At hotel..then afternoon went to Geneva with intention of then shopping at Seminyak. Geneva BIG, no a/c. IT was a hot and humid day..so it was tiring. Picked up some things..husband realized how cheap it was. We were having to carry things though so didn't over shop. Got two bags of things. Saw a rat on the upper floor (large pots)..left that floor quickly. Amazing how cheap things are..made me wonder how little the craftspeople get for their work..although that would be true no matter where you buy.
Then got a taxi to Double six. Bought three sarongs..21,000 each..some shops were closed for holiday. It was HOT.. mostly no a/c. HOT ..TOO hot. My husband had apparently picked up a bug just before leaving Japan..and wasn't in great shape. His shopping limit is about 12 1/2 minutes anyway. We did not last long. The whole Seminyak street awaited but he wasn't feeling well. End of shopping spree. It was 5:30 by then anyway. Took taxi to La Lucciola. Surprised at the distance..further than I'd imagined. Got to restaurant..but hadn't made reservation (make reservation!) so had to sit upstairs..a bit too dark. Sunset was just as we arrived. People were on beach ..cameras snapping.
Had pasta, drinks..sorry can't recall what else. Didn't eat so much..pasta plate was plenty. Wandered a bit down the beach came back through some villas..? like a maze..got back to street and took taxi to hotel.
Staying in Jimbaran means it is not easy to pop over to Seminyak for dinner. Taxi isnt' so expensive..but the time factor..plus the busy week (traffic) make it impractical. If you want to eat at many SEminyak locations..Jimbaran isn't practical. Nor is shopping good at Jimbaran. Jimbaran is a good place to relax though.