I dont usually post JBs as most of my trips are much the same thing but decided to do one this time.
Might bore some people but others may find something of interest.
I have been back just over five weeks so here goes.
Was up at 6pm on Wednesday 8th June as soon as my clock radio opened up with Gold 104.
Was showered dressed in Bali gear & ready for my pick up & ride to Tullamarine at 7am.Turned off Gold 104 as Dede was telling the listeners some hot news from the Saints which I had received an email about three days before.
Derek was on time, locked & alarmed the house & off we went, him with a can of coke & me with a can of Bourbon.
That time of the morning its always a good run to the airport on the freeway but an hour later its hopeless.
Conversation wasent much. Derek was telling me how many meals he expected to do that day at his hotel & I was teliing him how many Bintangs i was expecting to drink that day in another country.
Arrived at Tulla & was third in the line at Air Paradise just as they were about to open.
My extra suitcase weight & extra room seat at the front of the aircraft was on the computer which was a good start to the trip.
Big crowd at immegration but we got through in good time.
Laughed to myself as the officer said to me was I going to Bali?
Thought to myself its written all over my paperwork why ask?
Dont say anything as I dont want to put him in a bad mood for the rest of the day & I need to get on the plane if I want to go to the Island of the Gods.
Into duty free, bought my 1125ml bottle of Jim Beam for me & a carton of cigs for a friend at Peanuts & off to meet a couple of mates from Tasmania that were on the same flight.
Told them to meet me at Fridays bar which had reasonable food, cold beer & either sport or rock concerts on their tvs.
The place was closed & all boarded up. Pity as it was a good place to sit at, waiting for your call up to board.
Wasent long & we were all sitting on the plane waiting to take off.
I have flown Aip Paradise before & always found them ok. Have read reports on the BTF about flights being late etc so maybe Ive been lucky.
We were given the usual goodies, water on entering, reasonable food for an airline, ice creams, chips, timtams & lollies on the flight.As usual I only had four cans of Bintang & two Bourbons for the trip & after a good flight & we landed at Ngurah Rai right on time.
The usual mad rush off the plane down to pay the VOA, got through immegrasi, had a fight with a couple of porters as I grabbed my suitcase & over to customs.
As I dont lock my case I opened it on the floor before customs just to check there was nothing in it that would put me in jail.
My clothes & personal items are all stored in Bali & the only things that I am taking over are for friends.
All clear & over to Made who was only interested if I had extra duty free.
Out through the doors & straight into all the tour guides with their signs with surnames.
One thing I did notice was the rate for the money changers at the airport was just about the same as the hotels & kodak shops in Kuta & Legian.So if you need to change a quick $A100 do it there & you wont be out of pocket.
Out the front I was looking for an orange Peanuts shirt & it wasent long before I heard a voice calling out Mr Bob, Mr Bob & up came Wayan all smiles.
Half an hour later I was in Legian unpacking my case, setting up my powerboard with all the chargers etc.
My Bali case is always put in my room, air condit & fridge on.
A million rupiah in my pocket, passport & paperwork locked away I walked out into Garlic lane & the party had started.
Dropped into the Indo to say hi to Milton & Kerrie, a couple of Bintangs & off down to S & S on the beach.
The rest of the just back I will put into groups.
RESTAURANTS.
This is how I & my friends found the following restaurants during the month. Sometimes things change.
KORI.
I always put this place at the top of the list as in my mind I think its the best.
Went there three times as I always do & the food & surroundings are excellent.
Prices a little higher than Bali standards but worth it all.
Gary is the boss there. A lovely person so dont be afraid to make yourself known to him.
LEGENDS BAR & RESTAURANT.
located in Jl Sahadewa, its a good bar with good food.They have live entertainment & there are always a lot of people.
Happy hours & most times cold beer.
BILLYS.
Across the road from Legends.
Only had snack food there twice & wasent impressed but its a good place to meet up & have a cold beer.
Friendly staff that dont mind having a joke with the tourist.
INDO-NATIONAL BAR & RESTAURANT
Also in Jalan Sahadewa.
Another very popular place to go. Great food, cheap prices & always a cold Bintang.
Very crowded at nights so its an idea to book.
Try the chilli mud crabs or the seafood platter.
THE DOLPHIN RESTAURANT.
Just down from the Legends.Only ate there once. Food was okey but I was the only one there.
WAYAN & FRIENDS.
In Jl Padma. Another good restaurant that has been around for a long time.Excellent food.
Always has a lot of people there.
POSERS.
On the corner in Jl Padma opposite the Stadium Bar. Very crowded, with tables & chairs close together. Good food & service. But being on the corner the couple of times we were there we were annoyed with beggars & cd sellers one after the other.
LEGIAN GARDENS.
Jl Melasti on the corner of Jl Benasari.
Has been around for years & is well known for its buffet breakfast for about RPH15000.
Still a good restaurant to visit.
UNCLE NORMS.
Jl Melasti. Is owned by the same family as Billys. Very small but good food & fun staff who will always have a joke with you.Beer is always cold.
MAMAS.
Jl Legian. A great restaurant with a German theme. Its opened 24hrs for food & drinks. The best meal there is the pork knuckle. Its a meal & a half. If you like German food dont miss visiting.
As it is opened 24hrs you can meet some very interesting people at 4am after the discos & other bars have shut.
BAGUS BAR & RESTAURANT.
Poppies lane 2. Another popular place that has been around for years. They brag about having the coldest beer in Bali which I carnt faulter & I have been there many many times in my 23 trips.
As far as the food goes, their snack food is great. Never had a good steak but their nasi goering with the soft egg on top is the best.
Good fun staff usually led by George ( Wayan ).
Its in an excellent location & always has a lot of people there. Movies on during the day & evening but very loud.
TAMAN SARI.
Also in Poppies 2.
Only ate there once this trip & it was ok. Good service & a fun crowd the night we were there.
LIPS.
Poppies 2 also.Not to be confused with the Lips nightclub in Seminyak whish has closed for a while.Its owned by the same person who is Johnny Lips & who is well known around the nightclub scene.
They make wonderful hot dogs & hamburgers. Early hours of the morning with guests from the Bounty & Barong going there on their way home from Paddays & the Bounty clubs.
BALI AUSSIE.
Jl Melasti.
Since the other brother has taken over the running of the place it has improved. Snack food is okey & the beer is cold.
Always a good crowd there with sports on the tv very popular with the Aussies.
SEDAK.
Opposite Bali Aussie in Jl Melasti. Good Indonesian food & very cheap. If you are not used to the very spicy food be careful, as you could end up with a very upset tummy.
GOSHA SEAFOOD RESTAURANT.
A couple of doors down from the Bali Aussie. It has been around a long time. We have eaten there many times over the years & found it good.But every trip I have had to tell the waiter not to bring our entrees & mains out together & every trip they do.
MACCARONI CLUB.
Just around the corner from Poppies Lane 2 into Jl Legian.
Excellent restaurant with great staff & service.First time Ive had an octopus salad. Also the first time Ive had a chocolate milkshake with a piece of pineapple & cherry on the lip of the glass.
The spaghetti was excellent which should be by the name of the place.
MINI SEAFOOD.
In Jl Legian. Just down from the Maccaroni & next door to the famous Mini Bar LOL!!!
Excellent seafood in a very large restaurant with good surroundings.
We went there twice, picking out our fish, lobster or prawns from on display out the front & letting them know how we would like it cooked. I always have it steamed as when they barbecue it I find it very dry.
Its worth a visit but take some extra rupiah with you.
PURI BALI INDAH CHINESE RESTAURANT.
Beach end of Jl Melasti. Went there a couple of times this trip. Great Chinese food. An idea is to order four or five of their small size courses with a big serve of fried rice & share. The beer could have been colder the first visit & I mentioned it to the boss & it was okey two weeks later when we returned.
AROMAS RESTAURANT.
Been around a long time in Jl Legian near Mamas.A popular restaurant especially with their baguettes & coffees.
LA PORCHETTA.
Jl Legian just down from Peanuts. Much the same as here in Melbourne with their pizzas etc.Good food & friendly staff,
TJs
Another popular mexican restaurant in Poppies Lane 1. Been around a long time with good food.
Dont know why but every time I go there the mozzies attack me.No one else in our party cops it,just me.
POCO LOCO.
Down the other end in Legain. Another restaurant with the mexican theme.
Kens the boss there from Queensland I think. The only thing I dont like about the place is the walk to the toilet,but its not a major issue if you are having a good time.
THE GOLDEN LOTUS.
Its the Chinese restaurant at the Bali Dynasty Hotel in Jl Kartika Plaza.
I went there three times this trip with my businessmen friends from Sanur & we had a huge banquet. Its not cheap but I ate probably the best Chinese food Ive ever had.
THE LUSCIOUS.
Every trip of late Milton & Kerry from the Indo take us to a new restaurant.
This time it was the Luscious in Jl Dewi Sri in Kuta.
Ten of us had a great meal in a very well laid out restaurant on the outskirts of Kuta. Excellent paintings & carvings on the walls set the scene for a great afternoon.
RASA SAYANG.
Jl Teuku Umar, Denpasar.
The previous five trips Ngurah from Peanuts has taken us to this little restaurant in Denpasar. Its not known by many tourists, is a very plain looking place but has great Chinese food.
Ngurah does the ordering as the english speaking is not there & we just eat.
He takes along a couple of bottles of Jim Beam & Scotch from Peanuts & we have a great night.
Thats enough on restaurants.
To Be Continued............