Well i'm back to finish my JBR. I think i'll backwards for the last few days!!
Been too busy to get online.
We flew home the day before school started (yes i work in aschool). I have 1 son still at school and they insisted we open everything when we got home so it was late to bed.
I managed the first day at work and half of the second before the Bali Bug overtook me. I spent 5 days in bed and eventaully needed a dose of antibiotics. My hubby had got th bug on the Thursday after eating at Karina Restaurant at Lovina beach. IT was a buffet and we thought we could avoid the buffets. We nearly told our driver to take us elsewhere but noticed that fresh food was coming out. Whilst i helped the boys get theres my hubby grabbed some opf the noodle dish that even looked gross. They bought fresh stuff out by the time i got there and just tipped on the top of the old stuff!! YUK!!
Anyway he got sick that night. His lasted thorugh a lot of antibiotics and for about 3 weeks. Our son got it 2 weesk after we got home and then hubby and number 2 son got it again after him.
All form one lot of bad noodles. We just kept passing it around the house.
Bottom line do not eat Buffets!!!
On the Friday before we returned home we relaxed a little. The boys hired the DVD player and stayed cool in the room. We then went to Kuta Beach to keep the surfie son happy. He hired a boogie board and off he went. We also went in one at a time but not for long as the rubbish that was washing all around us was quite off. The water even looked brown. Stayed 1hour and then left. Went across road for maccas for lunch. We put the boys in a taxi back to Bali Rani and we walked up the beach. My hubby walked into the lobby at the same time the boys got back. Traffic was a little backed up. I spent some quality time looking around the centro shop. I was trying on sandals and trying to brush the sand off my feet. Oh well!! Bought some sandals anyway.
Bubba Gumps for tea aagin this night. We needed to go back with the camera. Great seafood & Steak. Boys loved the cheesy fries & chicken strips plus the pink lemonade. Had to get it in souvenir glass. Once again first class. Expensive but just read a post that prices have dropeed since Jan. Good one.
Saturday saw us take a ride to Ubud to the monkey forest. I even had a monkey sit on my shoulders. They are so cute. One son did get bitten on the knee. As you are walking the monkeys are a little feral trying anything to get bananas they see. Easier to get the guides in the forrest to get you some bananas once in the forrest.
Very well worth the visit.
Went to the markets cos we were told they were the best and cheapest.
Found them to awfully gross!! Very dirty and all over the place. Also very hot & uncomfortable. Probably as were nearing the end of our stay we were over the hassling. Didn't stay long.
Went back to Tuban via Denpasar. Just needed to have a look. Went into Mataharis. Bit weird as we were the only non balinese there. So many staff standing around.
Back to hotel for a swim in the pool (hot tub) and a relax before heading out for tea.
Our last night we were heading into Kuta for the first time at night. We were to meet some family there who were flying in that day.
Went to TJ's Mexican in poppies 1 for tea. Tea was ok. Cheese dip great. Rest was nice and filling. Price very cheap. Probably our cheapest meal.
Then walked to pub bagus in poppies2 to meet friends. Good service here. The kids took off to timezone. My kids were leading the way. Bit scary. They were gone a couple of hours and had a huge time.
Showed them how to purchase trucker caps for 10 000 as we were leaving. Even lined them up to buy more the next day for same price.
Last day!! Had to pack up second room and move it into ours as we had late checkout on 1 room. Took a walk up tp Dianes shop to purchase everything we hadn't got so far. The best. She just asked what price i wanted to pay and that was it. I was honest and told her what we had already paid and was happy with and she obliged. Was easier.
We found the billabong shirts that were under the counter were reasonable and paid about $6au. One problem though be mindful that alot of these appear to shrink, When looking at sizes buy them a bit bigger. The shorts are ok for sizes. Be wary of one size fits all. The quick dry shorts on the racks are dragon brand. I had never heard of it but its a surf brand (so says my sons waves mag). The under the counter ones were also good. Should be able to find up to size 40 in these.
We also found shirts up to 5xl. If they don't have the big ones just ask they will get them.
Lucky we are thick skinned and don't offend easy cos as you walk past stalls they are always saying we have your size!! (I am on the larger side)
I also found that some 2XL fitted and some didn't. You need to try them all.
TRucker hats are all the go and we got them for between 10 000 and 20 000. $25 here in oz.
We went to all real billabong, quicksilver store etc and whilst prices were cheaper than home we didn't buy much cos the quality of the blackmarket stuff was good. We did however buy some stuff at the Surf discount store & Surf Factory outlet. Real 'produce' at great prices. These 2 shops next to each other on the airport road Tuban. Most drivers would know where this is.
We liked the markets at Bedgul. Way better than Ubud. Didn't even venture into the Sanur or Kuta markets.
We purchased plenty od Dvds from all over. It was good choosing them. Also loads of x box games for $3au.
We changed our money at Kodak or Fuji stores with no problems. You get a reciept with these. We also withdrew money from several atms. No problems!!
All in all a good holiday even though probably a little hot. The Bali Rani was great and in a great position. 2 downfalls were the pool was too hot and the was no swim up bar.
Rooms were great and so were the staff.
Liane