Once again this was written prior to Saturday night and is unchanged (except for last bit), as I do not want this atrocity to 'flavour' my positive feelings for Bali, in doing so I mean no disrespect for those who have been so devastatingly impacted by this tragedy, I sincerely apologise if this the case.
Day 9, and last day, sadly we have to leave, but like most it will only be time before we return, probably not next year, as we have booked another Cruise, and no didn't get a 'Power Ball', just worked hard and saved. {;o)
Anyway this morning we woke to that unmistakeable sound of those big Bali raindrops striking the big elephant ear shaped leaves, maybe this is the first sign that the 'wet' is not far off.
Started to pack before breakfast, bad move, as this shows Mrs C that there is still room in the cases for more shopping, the only saving grace for the wallet is the rain might 'dampen the enthusiasm' if you will pardon the pun!
As we make our way to breakfast, the Pool Boys, who had just finished putting out the sun lounge mattresses and umbrellas when it started to rain, like us were taking advantage of a bit of a break in the weather to collect them all up again, not a good sign me thinks.
Anyway after breakfast Mrs C ventures forth with the fold up umbrella we had brought with us, determined to make full use of the baggage allowance, she returns some time later with gifts for relatives we have not seen since last Christmas, and minus the umbrella, which she gave to one of the stall ladies for her children to use when going to school, she was not amused when I asked which stall, so that I could take up the umbrellas cover, which she had left behind! {;o)
Ok so lets wrap these JBRs up, the Griya was, as we have come to expect, charming and very friendly, most of the British and Australians staying there were very friendly and chatty, exchanging shopping and eating tips, and on a number of occasions we met on each others porch's for pre-dinner drinks and nibbles, very sociable without being intrusive.
Where as our German and Dutch cousins never seemed to smile, I do hope they enjoyed their holidays, as it's a bl..dy long way to come to be grumpy!
Like many other Hotels in Bali I suspect, the Griya needs to keep up with their maintenance, and I know that it's difficult while you are operating on 100% occupancy, as they were during our stay, but it needs to be done, there is the odd cracked tile and a bit of paint would not go astray, having said that we will have no hesitation in staying here on our next visit.
Both flights on Air Paradise we first rate, and actually left and arrived early, and as previously indicated for Perth people their timing is just great, especially being the only flight in at both arrivals makes for a quick exit from the airports.
This is a personal observation, I must admit to not being a big shopper, as Mrs C only takes me along to do the haggling, however from what I recall of the prices we paid two years ago, this time they are, if not the same, then a bit lower this time, and that's not taking into consideration that two years ago we were only getting 5,500Rp to the $AU, where as this time it was 7,700Rp, which made things even cheaper.
We did not try very hard when bargaining for items, and always rounded up the taxi fare to the nearest 5K Rp, and 10K Rp with the Restaurants.
There is no doubt from what we encountered the numbers are up, but the spending appears to be down, many of our stall ladies telling us, when shopping late in the day, that ours was the first sale, or only the first or second sale for the week, and this was in general conversation after the sale, and not as part of the sales pitch, so have no reason to doubt them.
Transport prices being asked are less than two years ago, we were paying 300K Rp for a full day go anywhere, where as this time the same could be had for 200-250K Rp, despite a massive (for Bali) increase in the cost of fuel.
There appear to be more scooters on the road, I expect as fuel goes up then these will be the only affordable means of transport for many Balinese.
* (Prior to Saturday nights bombing) I can honestly say that I felt as safe in Bali as I do back in Perth, lets face it Terrorists can strike anywhere in the world nowadays, frankly I would be more concerned about, and more likely being mugged when walking the streets at night, or being in a car crash with a speeding hoon back at home, rather than anything happening to us in Bali. *
* (Post Saturday nights bombing) We have very mixed feelings at this time, will we go back, as people in our late 50's having lived a full and rewarding life, most definitely.
In our lifetimes we have travelled extensively by land, air and sea, and in my case, as an old Submariner, under the sea, so we are not about to let any thing that Terrorists might do stop us form doing, and or going, whatever or wherever we want.
Having said that would we encourage our (young) Family to return, not for the foreseeable future, hopefully they have a long life ahead of them, as such I would council them to adopt a 'wait and see' approach to their next visit, to a time when, hope against hope, sense will prevail and these people will understand that their actions will not advance their cause, and their martyrdom will not buy their way into the 'afterlife'. *
We had a marvellous time as did our Family, In-laws and their friends, the children mostly 2 years old or less had a ball, the only concession for our Granddaughter was that we took over all of her food, drinks and water, simply to minimise the risk of her getting upset with a change in diet, this proved to successful as she just breezed through the holiday and had a ball being fussed over.
Thanks once again to the BTF family for your assistance prior to our visit, if I can be of any help with additional information please e-mail me.
Once again our thoughts are with the whole 'Bali Family', those directly impacted, those who have lost, and those who are suffering, I can find no words that in any way can express the hurt we feel for you, nor express our revulsion for those responsible for these atrocities, my your God be with you.
Kindest regards to all, BJ and Mrs C.
'Peace on Earth and Good Will to All Mankind'