Check BTF a few times a week and suddenly got that itch. I had to go. My 12 y.o. was off to NZ and I was going to spent this lovely time alone working and pottering around at home (can do that anytime) or doing something productive - like going on a holiday and having nothing to worry about at home cause no one was there anyway.
I ask you lovely people for a travel agent who can help me out at such short notice, with a great price, and thank you for recommending Nicno. She organised everything within a day and I was fortunate enough to live close enough to meet her when I picked up my documents. Thanks Nicki... you saved my sanity!
I hadn't been to Bali for 2 1/2 years and hadn't been there alone for probably 20. Departed Brisbane on Garuda Wed 23 Aug, 20 mins late. Plane probably 2/3rds full so lots of free seats. I was 39J which was a window seat right hand side at rear. Think seats go to about row 42. Couldn't fault Garuda staff. Meals okay - lamb or fish. They brought drinks around quite a bit (the soft ones) but were only too happy to help out with something stronger. Smooth flight, only a little bumpy about an hour outside of Bali. Off flight quick considering I was at rear of plane, VOA in $AUD no worries, Immigrasi quick, bags took a while. Seemed like all of the NZ stuff came off first, then boards, then Brisbane luggage. Our flights had come from NZ.
Weather wasn't humid or hot, just pleasant. Airport the usual buzz. To Kuta - Samsara Hotel - Rp 45,000. Roads were empty until we got to Jl Legian then the usual crawl. It was about 10pm but lots of shops, restaurants and bars closed. Streets quiet. Not many tourists around.
Arrive at Samsara, down a little lane to a gorgeous oasis. Quiet, four girls sitting quietly chatting and having a beer and a boy who I can't remember his name now, think he's Javanese and smiley and helpful, checks me in and takes me to room 132. Huge bed, TV, fridge, clean and spacious - on ground floor. Bathroom has nice big shower. Aircond. works well but not needed really. TV has HBO and rest is Indo. End up dozing off about 11.30 and sleep through undisturbed til 7am to a beautiful cool morning before the sun gets through the clouds.
Wander a few steps to a little restaurant and enjoy my American breakfast - juice, scrambled eggs, sausage, tomato, croissants and coffee. Always have tea and coffee black in Bali for some reason. Loved that first Bali Kopi. The boy who checked me in is wandering around doing maintenance. Few staff I've met are lovely. Haven't seen many others here yet. Plan to wander around a bit. Get a few drinks and snacks for the room. See if what I've been reading on BTF starts to click in. Worked out how to use safe in room. Have to get a Sim card to see if I can text home.
About 9am head towards Bemo corner. Trusted money changer there but its much smaller. Two guards with machine guns! First change at RP6885 and later in day at same place 6915. Must get their rate after 9am. Go towards Kuta Square and Matahari. Head upstairs and buy my son Converse canvas shoes for Rp269,000 - about $39. They are about $85 here. Go for Kopi at Stadium. Good bar! Bet it was going off when the World Cup was on. At Matahari I also purchased Revlon Age Defying make-up for Rp85,000 (about 3-4 times that at home) and blush for Rp75,000. Have a bit of a wander round there but don't want to be carrying too much while I walk.
Call into Circle K shop for water and directions to Supernova. I think I know where I'm off to... Pass a 'cell' shop and ask for Sim card so I can SMS home with Bali number. Rp70,000 with top-up. Try it out and it works fine. My first contact with home (this lasted my whole trip with lots of SMS's and one or two calls). Supernova is just down the road and I find Martha Tillar. Toner Rp31,000, cleanser Rp32,000, moisturiser Rp84,500 and night cream Rp43,000. All up about $20. Happy with one of my 'target' purchases. Head off to Jl Legian towards home. Still haven't done any bargaining. Find a Bintang trademark shop with some good prezzies. Get a free Bintang glass and more importantly a can of cold Bintang as I spent Rp165,000. If I spend another Rp135,000 I'll get another beer, glass and Bintang flag - I'll be back!
Call in 'home' to drop off purchases. Meet the Manager Hera on my way back out. She is lovely. Makes sure I'm happy with my room. Asks me to let her or the staff know if I need anything, DVD player, laundry, etc. Purchased a few DVDs on the way home - 10+3 free were Rp100,000. Have heaps more to do so prices will only get better.
Head off towards Jl Melastic then Legian Snacks for lunch. About $5 for meals and sodas. About 1.30pm and its warm now. Find Dolphin Leather and order black long jacket for $110. Didn't bargain too much. They tell me to come back on Saturday.
Finally find Secret Garden Spa and have massage, facial, pedicure and manicure for Rp200,000. Only have Rp170,000 but sing can can; I can drop money in tomorrow. Didn't realise I had spent quite so much. Secret Garden was good, relaxing, very clean and the staff were nice. Think I'll find better.
Head towards home about 5pm and call into a place across the road for a couple of Long Island Teas. Home now seems so far away...
Change more money at Kodak Shop between home and Maccas. No worries. Have shower, unpack purchases then onto my balcony to relax and read. The boy here - Asah - comes and chats and we practice each others language. He is 22, from Java, Muslim, has 4 brothers and 1 sister and misses home. Hasn't seen his parents for two years. He helped rebuild Samsara from an older style place and now works here. It's so lovely, quiet, cool for Bali - peaceful. We speak with a French couple and their 2 y.o. who are friendly. Others keep to themselves. Haven't seen another Aussie here but Asah said some arrive tomorrow.
I like Samsara. Have a gin and tonic as I actually put pen to paper and write this in my 'journal'. No laptop, emails, etc... What a change. My son would just be arriving in NZ and I miss sharing Bali with him. He has done the last three of my four trips with me. When he was 8 months (with my mum), at 5 with a group of us and then at just turned 10 to scatter my mum's ashes there on our last trip. Lots of memories.
Going to grab a light dinner as I want to hit Geneva (as recommended by Nicno) tomorrow! What a great first day. I feel like I've done heaps. Something to eat, a good book, to sleep with no alarm to wake me!