As you probably already know, I arrived in Bali on Thursday 16th March, from Melbourne, Leonie and Sharon arrived later that night from Perth and Lynne and Di arrived from Sydney next day on Friday afternoon.
I had spent time with Sharon in Bali in August 04, had met Leonie briefly at S & S one evening, in between her shopping adventures, I hadn't met Di or Lynne previously.
When I arrived I sped thru VOA with few others (only 74 on our flight) and met Cracker and Rae and Tui at the counter, they had just arrived from Perth. (Hello Rae and Cracker, hope Rae got over her tummy bug quickly). I checked into Suri Wathi, most impressed and headed out by 1, which was less than an hour and a half since the aircraft had landed. I caught up with annyf then met Dave at S & S and we enjoyed a meal at Indo National, waiting for the other girls. We went back to the hotel and lots of hugs and kisses when they arrived. I had to leave by midnight as I had been up for 24 hours and my body clock crashed! (Hi Dave, enpi)
Over the next week I found it best to book in 2 days prior, to scratch myself!
Le and Sharon stayed for 7 days, Lynne for 9, me for 16 and Di forever....well 21 days seems like forever!
The pace lightened for the last week with just Di and I.
I wont do a day by day blow by blow report, just headings for things you might like to read further on.
Suriwathi
Located in Jl Sahadewa Legian. It runs between Jl Padma and Jl Melasti, parallel to the beach.
Balinese family owned and all Balinese staff. Recently built 8 new rooms and updated others. 8 deluxe rooms, about 10 superior and 4 standard. There are also 2 large 2 storey blocks at the back which are very basic and possibly fan cooled, but no air con. I expect they would suit locals.
They also own Legends bar across the road in Sahadewa.
Interesting that some of the staff have been there for 14, 8 years, so I expect that says something about the warm feel of the place.
Room rates are negotiable.
The deluxe room for twin share is advertised as 350000rp per night, inc basic continental breakfast. The Standard room single, is only 150,000 per night. The fridge in the standard room is about ¾ the size of a standard home fridge. Its smaller in the better/newer rooms, but I found still adequate.
You can email them these days as Antoni (one of the brothers/owners) has fixed his computer/modem problems. He assures me he checks emails daily. (I might add, Antoni is the very popular Balinese singer D.Antoni. He has many fans in Bali.)
No phones in rooms, no soap, no pool towels or hand towels, but no probs.
(I would prefer the rate to remain as it is and supply my own)
Laundry services in the hotel are very reliable, reasonably priced (eg 1500 dress or tshirts, 1000 for undies) and came back next day. It cost me about au$1 or so for every couple of days for washing. Just check if the clothing is fully dry when it comes back, may need to air it.
Nyepi.
The parade was to start at 3, nope, 4, maybe 6, I think 7, actually 8. Next year I would do it differently. Have dinner first and go to the beach end of the parade, or maybe go into Denpasar.
Shops closed early on Nyepi eve. Most shops opened late, day after Nyepi, or opened later in the afternoon. DSM opened much later, we didn't see Matahari open at all, Supernova not until late afternoon.
We had booked into the Padma for a 3 day package over Nyepi but decided to cancel and remain at SuriWathi. The staff were invited to stay over at the Hotel with their families. Lots of the boys played cards into the night. It was lovely to see the children in the pool next day, staff, children and nieces and nephews. I think there were about 20 kids frolicking in the water with our pool toys, noodles, ring and ball. One of the waitresses spent two nights there and it was her first time staying in a Hotel. We called her tourist Putu. She had a definite air of importance!
I had a sneak look out on to Sahadewa after sunset and could see the Pecalang patrolling. Nothing else to be seen or heard.
We could hear the rolling surf, a sound rarely heard over the racket of the motor bikes, cars and horns.
Susie (from S & S) went back to the village about 5 days before Nyepi to make offerings and fulfill her village duties. Sammy closed up a day or so later and returned to their village. I think they were back there on about the Sunday or Monday after Nyepi. (The weather was foul)
Pacung Indah
Located on the road en route to Bedugal and Lovina.
Pacung is 15 minutes south of Bedugal.
Its 15 minutes or so after the schools at Sobangan in the Mengwi area and the Coca-Cola distribution factory.
We booked out 4 rooms of the currently 5 available. The very flasho suite for Didi, suites for Sharon and Lynne and Tubes and I shared a standard twin.
Lovely gardens, interesting animals (there are some secret animals there, you have to see to know), magnificent views to Kintamani, excellent buffet lunch and terrific al-a-carte for dinner. (Oh breakfasts were great too). I found it very relaxing and unwinding there. Over the past few days, I had had to book in a couple of hours in advance to scratch myself! With Moira us girls laughed late into the night. Maybe a few cocktails and our bottle of Baileys helped!
Moira has set up a lovely massage room and has arranged with a couple of local ladies to come in when massages are required. We all had a turn. Cost 100,000rp for an hour of pleasure.
Rambutan Cottages
I have been keen to visit Rambutan Cottages for some time and meet Richard. Each time I have contacted Richard to ask for an auction or raffle prize, he has generously donated a couple of vouchers.
I have been told by Ting who has stayed at RC that's is really nice.
We left Legian at 9am ish and stopped at Candi Cuning markets along the way. We went past Pacung Indah, thru Bedugal, Git Git, Singaraja then west to Lovina. We got there about 1 and after being shown to our rooms, wandered around the grounds. The pool is superb. Actually a smaller older one at the front with the older style originally back packers rooms, and the new large pool in the newer area with deluxe rooms, villas etc. We ordered lunch from the restaurant then arranged massages. The two Sari's arrived at 3 and as it was drizzling, we laid under the bale for our treatment. I saw the thickest and probably closest bolt lightening ever and heard the loudest rumbling thunder, but dozed off thru the massage all the same. We wandered down to the beach around sunset and walked along to the dolphin monument and checked out the restaurants. We chose one, up on the third level with quite a few patrons. When we got there all the staff got up from the tables and we found we were the only patrons.
We had booked a dolphins trip thru RC and left at 6am to wander down to the beach with our boat driver. About 12 boats headed to the dolphin area across the mill pond waters. It was as flat as! We saw possibly 100 dolphins in a number of pods. Great morning and back by 8.