Left for Bali on March 26th at 2:30 am from Vancouver on Cathay Pacific. After a 14 hr flight, 2hr layover in Hong Kong, and another 4.5 hr flight we finally arrived in Bali at 2:30 on the 28th. No problems with the VOA or immigrations. Transport arranged to the Granad Mirage. That night my wife and I ventured out unto the street in front of the Mirage to exchange some Can $. Found a money exchanger who had a much higher rate than the rest and said there was no commision. I had heard that you have to count and recount before taking the money. Well he gave us $300.00 in Rrp. and we were very careful when he counted out the money but in 20,000 Rp bills. We went back to he resort and later I decided that I would sort out the money into smaller bundles since we didn't want to carry such a large bundle around. Well guess what...we were short 550,000 Rr. I just couldnt figure out how he short changed us. Anyway next morning I headed down to the exchanger but even though the shop was opened, ther was no one there. After sitting on the sidewalk for about 15 minutes a man appeared and asked if he could help me... I told him what hat happeened and that I was not leaving until I got my 550,000Rp back. I did use some choice words. He finally got his boss on the phone who said he would give back 400,000 . "Absolutely not" how about 450,000? I told him that if I did not get the full amount back, I would call the police and sit there if it took all day. He finally told his employee to give me the full 550,000, but unfortunately he had no 50,000 bills so I grabbed the last 100,000 bill and told him I would get it changed and bring him back the 50,000...well suddenly his friend just happened to have two 50,000 bills and I left the shop with a full refund and a few ch;oice words for him.... We also noticed that some of the exchange shops had a higher rate posted outside and a lower rate posted inside which they tried to use. But when I pointed out the higher rate outside they were sorry and did give the higher rate...This happened many times at the same shop so be aware of what they are giving you. It appeared to be an "honest" mistake that was always repeated.
Ate at "La Scala" rat ran past the table, food was not great, prices seemed high
Ate at "Casa Luna" 6 times, Great food, good atmosphere, reasonable prices. After each meal my wife was given flowers. First 1 then 2 etc until the last night she received a bouquet of 6.
We had 5 tours booked with our Package. Went to Kintammani (9+) hours way too much time spent in a bus....not worth the time.
Also went to Tana Lot...O.K but again 8 hours .
Took a taxi from the Mirage to Kuta....Matahari Shopping Mall ..after two hours could not stand the sellers shoving things into ones face and left for our free 90 minute massage at Anika Spa. It was quite an experience...especially having a showere together with my wife and two masseuse ladies washing and wiping our naked bodies...no modesty needed.
We did go back to Kuta in the early morning one day and walked down a few of the streets and the beach and then went to the Discovery Shopping centre. Purchases a beautiful watercolor painting...not the typical Balanese reproductions....in one of the finer stores "VINOTI'S"....
Did some bargaining from the venders on the beach near the Mirage. Started with 5 sarongs for 100,000 and ended up with 7 for 100,000
(four of the cheaper types and 3 better quality ones)
We had daily massages overlooking the beach and pool at the Grand MIrage and on our last day there we had the ultimate in a pamper treatment where we booked into the Thalaso Spa.9:00am...now this was Heaven
After 1hr in the heated sea water pool which had super jets that massaged every part of the body we each had a 1 hour body scrub and seaweed wrap to detoxify the body followed by a two hour massage in the most relaxing and wonderful rooms one could imagine, at 1:30 pm it was grab quick shower and head for the airport(transport provided by the spa) They even packed me a lunch because my massage went so long... What a wonderful way to end a holiday and head home.
Unfortunately upon arrival in Vancouver I discovered that I had a detached retina (not caused by anything on the trip) and needed immediate emergency surgery to reattach it. Unable to fly or drive home for 5 days... Finally arrived home...It was a great holiday but jut to far and too long to get there from Canada.
PS. for those people travelling from Canada I would suggest that you do not take the tour packages. They are a waste of your precious time mostly spent sitting in a bus. (Panorama Tours) The free massage, wine and transfers from the airport(although taxis would be quicker) are fine