We're first timers to Bali and flew Garuda on Saturday 13th, initially we didn't think we were going to be going anywhere due to the threatened strike action. To our relief no action was taken and we left as planned. Flying first to Brisbane then on to Denpasar. No problems getting the VOA sorted out and clearing customs apart from my ability to always pick the slowest moving queue. We waited while all 10 people in front of us decided to pay by Visa and ask for currency exchange at the VOA counter. Nice airport btw, exchange rates are not good so only change what you need to.
Picked up our bags, not a porters in sight, and walked out to the awaiting army of people with hotel transfer signs and with some relief found our guy from Jan tours. We had to wait for two other couples before we set off for our hotel. Got a very good briefing on the way by the transfer guy, basically the do's and don'ts covering money changing, precautions, scams, etc... Would have been very valuable for those who were new to Bali or didn't have the benefit of the forum.
Getting dropped off at the Padma you can't help being impressed. For those that haven't, go for a walk around reception, the gardens, and pool area it's well worth the effort. We were upgraded to a Garden View room so had a nice secure second floor balcony with garden views. Our first day started early, despite the late night we woke early due to the 4 hours time difference. We went for a walk along the beach and then on to breakfast. I think it's been mentioned but breakfast at the Padma really is good. Fresh everything, eggs everyway, bacon, baked beans, sausages, toast, even Nasi Goring, a selection of fruit juices, and my favourite; Bali coffee. They even had corn flakes and coco pops!
The first mission of the first day was to stock the fridge, so off we went to find a mini mart and Kodak shop to change some money. I tell you, the hawkers can spot a newbie from a mile away. We where approached from every direction, all the while trying to find what we were looking for without looking like we were looking -if you get my drift. Funny really, but mission completed we retreated back to the hotel and rewarded ourselves with a swim in the pool. Right beside the pool they do sate for less than $10NZ (expensive by Bali standards at Rp55,000) but the best I tasted in Bali, or the world for that matter. That evening we started the evening at S&S's, which is about 100m down the beach from the hotel and met up with many other btfers for a beer. Too many names to remember but you know who you are. Watched the sun set, the only time we were to see the sun sink into the sea and we left the camera behind. Every other night that we were on the beach at sunset, the sun was lost in the haze on the horizon. From S&S we carried on to dinner at Glorys on Jl Legian where I managed to loose my bill fold between the bar and dinner but no problem for the staff there. They gave us a great ride back to the hotel in their beach buggy, which was fun, to pickup some more cash to pay the bill. Luckily we only lost a small amount of money as we only carry enough to cover immediate costs. So that was our first memorable day in Bali.
The next couple of days we got ourselves into the right frame of mind. We orientated ourselves with Legian and Kuta shopping and getting acclimatized by laying around the pool and walking the beach. We adopted Posers pub on the corner of Jl Padma and Jl Padma Utara as our local. It had good food, cold beer, cheap cocktails, and friendly staff. It's open air, catching the breeze and you remain close to all the action on the street. We met a number of different couples there from all around the world and made friends with the street hawkers that had the corner as their territory. The hawkers even gave us presents on our last night for our teenage children back home.
Note about Kodak money exchange on Jl Padma. There was on girl there, the pregnant one, that tried a few tricks. Once with Barb and once with me, she'd pay out the lower of the two rates (the sell rate), when you pointed out her mistake she'd be all apologetic. However she didn't give you a receipt on these occasions, so I don't think it was unintentional. I'm sure she fooled a few unwary people.
There's a very good sandwich bar combined with the mini mart on the corner of Jl Padma and Jl Sahadewa. You can by a cold beer at the mini mart counter and a sandwich at the sandwich bar counter who open your beer for you. You can sit on the stools provided and watch all of the fun at the corner.
We decided to leave any day trips till after Independence day. The Padma had a big event planned for Independence day with a three course, all you can eat, Indonesian banquet including Babi Guling. Entertainment was provided in the form of a marching band, Legong dancers, and a band to play the local hits along with competitions and give aways. We shared a table with and Aussie, Dutch and Swiss couple and had a wonderful evening. The Padma also has a bar that overlooks the beach (called the Sunset bar, funnily enough) and they do a happy hour at sunset on drinks and pizza. Now I never though I'd want to eat pizza while in Bali but they have a real fired oven and pizza to die for. Again, by Bali standards quiet expensive but compared to home a steal. A band usually plays great songs there, at least for us oldies, Hotel California, Horse with no name etc..I couldn't help smiling at the lovely way the lyrics sound with a Balinese inflection (no h's)...'orse wit no name'.
The next three days we were out on day trips; on the road, on the water, and on the land, I'll save these for JBR part 2.