Hi, Sorry for only making brief posts the last few days but I was got on quickly a few times so didn't have time to put elaborate responses.
We left the hotel at 8pm Saturday night to go to the airport. On the way the beach road was closed and we didn't know why. A pedestrian said "bomb" but we didn't know if it was true. At the airport we heard nothing. First I knew Tuberose texted and asked if we were Ok. I went to a TV and saw the report. It wasn't too clear but said there were bombs in Jimbaran and Kuta Square.
The flight was one seat short and guess who drew the short straw. There was one seat left so I told my daughter to go. She wanted to get back to her boyfriend.
I quickly took my shower pack out of her bag and she took three bags leaving me with one (that I hoped had undies in it). It was a mad rush and she was racing up the stairs.
I went to arrivals to get a taxi and the line was horrendous. Everyone was complaining and there was no-one at the desk. I explained that it was because of the bombs, which no-one had heard about. They guys had to explain to each person in the queue about the bomb, explaining that some couldn't get to their hotel. I was told I would have to walk from Jl Melasti. I said OK but the driver went down a lane then a small lane and a dirt track with high brick walls (I was a bit worried when the road ended at a brick wall and the driver braked hard and jumped out). Turns out this was the back entrance to the Matahari Bungalows. I had told the hotel to keep my room in case I didn't get on the flight (I travel standby).
Sorry this is going on. Phones were all down so couldn't text hubby to pick up my daughter. Got on MSN and luckily Tubes was on and she phoned my hubby (thanks).
Next morning checked extra flight. Sydney overbooked. Darwin overbooked. Via Perth seats available. I decided to wait until Monday or Tuesday
Hi, Sorry for only making brief posts the last few days but I was got on quickly a few times so didn't have time to put elaborate responses.
We left the hotel at 8pm Saturday night to go to the airport. On the way the beach road was closed and we didn't know why. A pedestrian said "bomb" but we didn't know if it was true. At the airport we heard nothing. First I knew Tuberose texted and asked if we were Ok. I went to a TV and saw the report. It wasn't too clear but said there were bombs in Jimbaran and Kuta Square.
The flight was one seat short and guess who drew the short straw. There was one seat left so I told my daughter to go. She wanted to get back to her boyfriend.
I quickly took my shower pack out of her bag and she took three bags leaving me with one (that I hoped had undies in it). It was a mad rush and she was racing up the stairs.
I went to arrivals to get a taxi and the line was horrendous. Everyone was complaining and there was no-one at the desk. I explained that it was because of the bombs, which no-one had heard about. They guys had to explain to each person in the queue about the bomb, explaining that some couldn't get to their hotel. I was told I would have to walk from Jl Melasti. I said OK but the driver went down a lane then a small lane and a dirt track with high brick walls (I was a bit worried when the road ended at a brick wall and the driver braked hard and jumped out). Turns out this was the back entrance to the Matahari Bungalows. I had told the hotel to keep my room in case I didn't get on the flight (I travel standby).
Sorry this is going on. Phones were all down so couldn't text hubby to pick up my daughter. Got on MSN and luckily Tubes was on and she phoned my hubby (thanks).
Next morning checked extra flights. Sydney overbooked. Darwin overbooked. Via Perth seats available. I decided to wait until Monday or Tuesday, then my hubby started texting and then rang "telling" me to go to the airport and get on. Haha (nice try). Well I did go and they put me on the Perth one leaving at 0040. Perth then Sydney. I must say QANTAS were amazing. They were taking people with tickets on any airline. They had medical and counseling staff. They had Australian staff at checking helping people. I know everyone bags them but they were really great. I'm going to send a letter to them. Passengers on the plane were cheering the staff. Staff were asked to volunteer to take the extra flights over.
A lady at the hotel was on Garuda. She rang Garuda and they said she could book on the flight to Brisbane that night. She was due to leave later in the week. When she got there they tried to hit her for excess ($16US a kilo). But other people at the hotel took it. She had to fill out a change of flight form. They then charged her $260 because she didn't write a reason why she was leaving??? I said I'd ring them when I got home.
Anyway yesterday I just got on the net and stayed near the hotel. It was very quiet on JL Legian. Hardly any cars. Not many tourists but some shopping as normal. Locals still on the street but not as many "plait your hair etc"). Locals are very sad and worried but many putting on a cheerful face for tourists. Some were crying, worrying about their families and how they will survive.
Thanks Smudge and Agus for coming to check on me. It's much appreciated.
I didn't go to the bomb site even though I was only 200metres from it when I went to Poppies 1. The TV in Indonesia shows everything, which can be very distressing. They listed the dead but I noticed 4 Aussies names were also on the list of 94 hospitalized. Turns out 3 of them were not dead but critical.
As I said I wasn't in a rush to get home but my family were concerned and wanted me home which is the only reason I came home last night. I will still go back. There were people who had just arrived that were going home. Many had young families or were teenage surfers who's "mum Emailed and said get home". There wasn't a mass exodus though.
I had a great week until the last day and will write about that later. My thoughts are with everyone there and hope everyone is safe.