Well, a week has passed since we returned and I can barely even remember being on holiday. Back at school and struggling to get through all of my admin and programming so, of course, I need to do my JBR!!
Never been to Bali before, had always avoided it believing that it was too "touristy" whatever the hell that means!! Chose this trip as our first time overseas with our 2 year old son.
Flew out of Perth 8.30am on 13 Jan for 10 days in Bali. All started well as Garuda allocated us 3 seats instead of two as the plane wasnt full. All going well. Flight uneventful and landed ahead of time, through VOA in about 3 minutes, no dramas. Off to collect baggage, hubby minding child and collecting bags while I go to cash up at the atm.
First problem, WRONG PIN NUMBER (*^&%&***!) Note: Westpac/Challenge bank credit cards do not support 6 digit pin numbers at overseas terminals. Heart racing, head full of expletives after trying 3 atms. Thank God I took the Commonwealth one (also 6 digit) and it worked fine. Mental note: kill Westpac staff at local branch on return to Australia.
Had organised transfers (I know, we are sooks!) not knowing how the little fellow would be going. Probably wouldnt bother next time. Transfer up to Ubud for 4 nights at Hotel Tjampuhan. Lovely spot (LOTS of steps - tricky with toddler) lots of quiet time - hotel only about half full Ubud very quiet, not many tourists around at all.
Did the expected things, Monkey Forest, (our son absolutely LOVED it!) bought a couple of paintings, ate at various spots, village trek - try out that pram through the rice paddies.
Glad we took the pram, even though some pavements were a bit dicey, it certainly earned it's $30 price tag, also served as a little bed if we were out late at night and J ready for bed, popped him in, tipped him back and covered him with a sarong!
Sarongs 15 000rp, tshirts 20 000, beaded thongs 35 000, harmony ball small 60 000rp, silver jewellry ranging depending on items from 50 000 to 200 000rp - bought lots of earrings and pendants for girlfriends.
Down to Sanur for 6 nights at Puri Santrian on the beach - free upgrade to Club room due to them being full with American package tourists. This place was exceedingly flash, far more so than I expected. Asked for an upstairs room so that our little boy could run about a little. He is a bit of a Forrest Gump, just keeps running so he needs to be "contained"
Night/Art market in Sanur a bit non existant, half stalls never even opened but everyone was saying that there has been no one around since the bomb. Hate to defame anyone but I sure did take the name "Jimmy's Bar and Grill" in vain a few times whilst throwing that dodgy chicken curry from the second night.
Great place on the beach at Sanur called Stiff Chilli, just north of Puri Santrian, fabulous pizzas and full Italian menu including carpaccio and the like. Ate at a nice seafood restaurant on Jl Danau Tamblingan but cant remember the name. Massimo also beautiful (on same street)
Noticed initial asking prices in shops were much higher here (not as high as Kuta though!!) example: beaded thongs in Ubud asking 70 000 paid 35 000, in Sanur asking 100 000, in Kuta asking 130 000!
Got the cold shoulder a bit from any traders in Kuta if I spoke Indonesian to them - musnt have looked quite so gullible after that!
Had a great driver in Sanur - Kadek based outside our hotel, very knowledgable, honest and has tourism degree. I do have his contacts if anyone is interested.
Big spend up at Matahari in Galleria, new watches, perfume, clothes (baby clothes the big winner averaging about $3-$5 per piece all Bart Simpson, Popeye gear etc).
Had some shoes made 550 000 for three pairs, one pair of ladies slides and two pairs of mens slides.
Not sure what else???
Please ask if any questions.
Thanks for reading.