Have been back a while now reality has set in back to washing and dishes.
I always say that I am going to do a diary for a day by day report but once I get there it just seems to go out the window so I will just jott down some of the things I did.
Did not really do a lot of tourist attractions mostly just r and r and a bit of fact finding.
Went over with three other ladies and stayed at the kumala pantai. Always funny when you share a room with someone for the first time scared you might snore and keep them awake , but lucky Trish was prepared and had ear plugs.I wonder if my partner hadn't rung her beforehand?
The hotel was really nice rooms were clean and roomy air con was a little noisy but ok. One tip if you are in a twin room all but two of them are on the third floor all steps no lifts so with arms full of shopping it gets a bit tiring. The other two of our group were mum and daughter they managed a ground floor room but had to share the bed it was huge.
The hotel was fairly busy breakfasts were buffet style just what you normally expect but if you ask for anything different be prepared to have to pay for it. The pool was lovely I only managed one swim for the entire trip, either too much shopping to do or had a sore ears. Be careful of the paths if it is wet they can be slippery.
Most days were filled in looking for things that we all had on our' must get this time lists'. Rosie and Sophie went off furniture shopping I had to take off in the other direction didn't trust myself not to want to buy. I bought some small things from Bali Stone have looked on their web site quite a few times but was easier to actually see everything in front of you mainly to get prospective of their size.
I noticed as a lot of other people have said that there were a lot less Australian tourists than usuall but quite a few other nationalities lots of eurpoean.
There are still lots of interesting shops all with different things. I did notice that a lot had old stock as a friend said they are not selling enough of what they have to go out and buy new stock so it is hard but the more popular shops are doing good most are able to get what you want just if you come back in a couple of hours. That is what I did with a girl I have bought off before in Jl Sahedewa told her what I wanted and came back the next day the smile on her face when she had made the sale was priceless 'now I can send money to my family thankyou'
It was great going with new people I went to a lot of shops that I wouldn't normally go to, a lot of homeware shops on Jl Legian down in Seminyak. There are some really nice top class shops there the things are more expensive but really well made and tasteful gives you some good ideas even if you go off and try and find similar somewhere else.
Went to a couple of restaurants on eat street first time I had been right down there. That sounds a bit rude seeming I have been to Bali about 15 times. A really nice Italian restaurant was always full beautiful food I just had a bit of trouble knowing what pastas were what ( too many fish and chips!).Went to the flying piano one night didn't think the meals were big but certainly filled us up. A lot of empty restaurants around.
Went to Denpasar, shopping was good you just have to be strong and ignore all the people wanting to show you around. I went to Aboben bike shop looking for motorbike gear for my son. I managed a pair of motocross fox pants for about 35$ au they don't have a lot of selection but certainly much cheaper than home. I also went to the one in kuta on the main road down near the airport turn off (addressJl. Raya Kuta 400 xTuban ) would go there first before going into dps.There I got a pair of motocross boots for under $100 which is about 1/3 of the price of here. As I left there I was walking back towards kuta on the left was a stall type shop with a lot of yamaha fox shirts hanging up didn't stop as I didn't want to buy but these would be good for anyone that has young ones into that type of thing as didn't really see them anywhere else. I did get some gameboy games from Matahari's but this time some of them are not up to scratch one had obviously been returned and didn't work so check inside the covers.
I had some tops and outdoor cushion covers made at the tailors just outside the Kumala Pantai. Took my own over and they copied them was very happy with the job.
I could not get my ears to equalise after the flight and felt like I ended up with an ear infection not so much painful but annoying and started to loose balance and everything echoed so went to the apotik in the shopping centre antibiotics sure theywould have been much cheaper in a local apotik but needed them as was due to fly home in two days and needed it cleared up. Years ago I would have used that as an excuse to be able to stay longer but with work commitments I had to come back. That is a sign of getting old!!
I bought lots of beads from almas on Jl Padma Ultra, there was also a shop next to bintang all much the same wanted to buy some better beads to make my own and have bought there before and been happy. Found necklaces for winter (larger long glass beads) just a matter of pavement pounding to find some different things. Noticed that some places had better quality stock may look expensive but doesn't hurt to ask for a discount. Took some clothes over for smudge and ken sorry smudge he eventually found me and the clothes. Didn't make it to sammy and suzies you just loose track of the time when shopping. Went to see the new Indo National much more room than the old one with the standard and service still fantastic.
Once again had a great time thanks Trish, Rosie and Sophie great travelling companions.