We left Sydney on Monday 3rd October - two days after the event - much to my Mothers horror, she could not understand why we would still want to go and could not understand that no way are those B#@%&'s going to stop husband and me going to our favourite place to holiday. We have been to Bali many times and for the first time headed straight up to Ubud, we have been on many day trips there but never stayed and I am sorry now that we have not spent more time up there, it was wonderful, we stayed at Ubud Village Hotel about 5 minutes walk from the markets in Monkey Pod Road, it was not expensive and maybe because of what had happened we were upgraded to a villa which was very nice, it was so peaceful sitting watching the sun set over the rice paddies sipping a quiet G & T. I had ready on BTF the day before we left that Ubud was the next target and I did feel a bit nervous on the drive up, we came across a road block and Made our driver thought it may have been a ceremony but we finally found out it was bomb threat and we had to drive for miles around it, I had not actually told the other half about what I had read before we left so kept my mouth shut. I felt a bit worried going to the markets so we went early and were back at the hotel by 12.00noon I found it a hotter up there compared to Legian. We spent two nights up there but both wished we could have stayed longer. The food in the hotel was excellent I really wanted to eat at the three monkies but it was too close to catch a taxi and as he has a bad hip and it was playing up we ate at one of the Lotus restaurants but it was not as good as the one up past the markets with the gardens outside.
Made picked us up early as we had left the big case with him at his village and they were all waiting for us to arrive to open it up to give them clothes and presents. It was such fun, we arrived at his village and his wife still makes the best Bali coffee I have ever tasted she adds palm sugar don't know what it does but boy is it good. We had taken over lots of school books, pencils etc for the children for school and lots of 19yo daughters clothes so the girls were very happy. They were also celebrating that one of the cows they own is pregnant so that meant so extra income for them and boy do they need it now.
We arrived at the Jayakarta and were greeted like long lost friends, they staff there are always so nice. Went down to the beach to say hello to all the beach people who were really pleased to see us as Doug goes down everyday for massages and spends money with them all, they know us so well now they just shake their head when he starts to bargain with them and they reduce the price before he even asks how much.
Had some really good meals, a new restaurant has opened on the beach front where Cafe Werna used to be think it was called Seashore and it was excellent, Sand Bar in the Kumla Panti was as good as always, Tommy's cafe for good fresh coffee and a toasted sandwhich if you get sick of the satay. Glory's in Jl Legian, Zanzibar and the old Benny's. Had a couple of dinners at a new one called the Flying Piano great food and they had live music every night and its walking distance from the hotel and if its too early to go to bed the Captain Cook bar is just up the road and open until late. Geoff the owner is one of the nicest pommies I have ever met. They have a pool compeition on Thursday nights and darts on Tuesday with lots of expats. Doug came second in the pool and was so chuffed at winning 60,000Rup!!! They also do one of the best white wines by the glass, they ran out whislt we were there so he quickly ordered more for the next night. On the way back to the hotel we used to also have a night cap at the Old Fook In Inn which is owned by John and great English/Irishman and he also has great food and cheap and really cold Bintang.
We always have dinner at least once at La Lucciola and it is still consistantly good, we wanted to go back again but ran out of nights. I was hanging out for Wayan and Friends grilled snapper and was that a big disappointmemt we went one night and they had run out so we preordered for our last night there and it was bloody awful and certainly was not snapper more like deep sea mullet. Not happy Jan. The other bad night was at Rumors in Seminyak we went with an expat on his recommendation and whether it was just a bad night we waited for ages for our meal, then poor John's didn't arrive until we had all finished our and were onto dessert so he was not a happy chappy either.
Doug had a leather coat made at Hero Leather in Legian he is 6'7" and for 900,000 rupia we thought was pretty good value. I only paid 625,000 for mine but then again it is a lot smaller!! Friends had boots made there and they were fantasic I am sorry now that I didn't get any oh well next time.
We to see my friend Ali on the beach and bought more pearls as everyone had given me money to spend for them so came back with so much he is now make pearl and colour shell and stone necklaces and bracelets and they are beautiful fortunately everyone liked what I bought back for them.
Did I feel safe in Bali yes would I go back again YES and I can't want to get back again. Must admit we didn't venture out too far at night and didn't do lots of day trips this time as it was Gulangan (spellling) and Made was very involved with preparation, but we enjoyed the rest and as usual met some great people.
Saving up again for the next trip.