My body clock seems to be set to 7am for a wake-up so I head for breakfast. Once again I'd had a great sleep undisturbed. It's so quiet for where it is - not even the rooster call. Decide it is definitely Geneva shopping day but will walk as far as Jl Padma in the early morning cool as everything is opening up. End up in a Bluebird taxi Rp11,000 - how cheap. Geneva is non-descript - you'd drive straight past it if you didn't know. Had changed money that morn at Kodak shop for Rp6900. Head up to fourth floor, grab a trolley and off I go. It's everything Nicno (thanks Nicki) had said. Would love to detail prices and fully intended to but I got lazy. Lets just say its at least half price of fixed price shops...
Fill a trolley, pay and they wrap it all up for flight without even asking then carry it downstairs for me to the third floor where I start the process again. I like this floor better. What did I buy?? Jewellery, shawls, lamps, trinkets, thingos to hang in the doorways, incense, prints, the list is huge. All for gifts or home. I end up filling the boot in the cab! After a few hours altogether I end up in an Airport taxi home at triple the cost of originally getting there. Remember reading on BTF to stick with the Bluebird Taxis - now for good reason.
It is certainly well worth the short trip and gives you a great perspective on costs. Ibu Hera, the Manager at Samsara, laughs when I arrive back with my many parcels. For someone not known for their shopping at home I'm doing great!
Head out almost straight away again and grab some lunch in Poppies II and buy a great pair of pants in a 70% off sale. Cost Rp90,000 and I almost fit into them. That is the plan when I get home. To get rid of this excess layer of flesh which is really embarrassing me. Just to bring the point home I put on my bikini for the first time and haul ass to the beach!! Down Poppies II purchase some glittery thongs for Rp30,000. They wanted Rp150,000 for Harley Davidson belt I was looking at for my son. Didn't even bother bargaining for that but at least I know where to start.
Walk onto the beach and it's abuzz but what is that white building - huge - up towards the airport way? Massive - I'll expore that tomorrow - its either shops or maybe a hotel. It sticks out like the proverbials and just doesn't fit in.
I'm left pretty much undisturbed on the beach and enjoy a couple hours of afternoon sun reading with only the occasional ring seller and people calling our "ice cream". The surboard riding lessons are doing a roaring trade in quite a few places. Some of the Balinese guys who hire out boards say hi as they pass carrying many loads of wet sand up the beach. As I'm leaving one of the 'older' ones introduces himself as Bamba and invites me to listen to some reggae band on Saturday night near Bounty. He's friendly, great English, but I don't think so! Was that a pick up? Got I've got old.
Walk towards surf club and go into Inna Kuta for a wander around. Thinking of staying there next time. Bungalows look good - numbers 415 and 416 - near the huge pool. Get a brochure off reception which quotes ridiculous prices in $US which has always irked me.
Walk back towards home and stop across road for a Long Island Tea. Start chating to Efdy who works there about many things including bombings and politics. He said there used to be 15-20 staff there but now only four and they only open 2-10pm. One of the other guys working there used to work at the Sari Club. I remember his face. Thank goodness the night of the bombing was his day off. Eddy explained how they let one bomb off so everyone rushed away from there straight towards where they let another two off. It's tragic and every time you walk past the still vacant block you can only but imagine. Everyone here still hurts as it has affected either their family, friends and of course financially.
Eddy said he earns Rp300,000 a month. Not even $50. I buy him a beer, chat some more then home for a shower and dinner. Wander Jl Legian a bit trying to avoid places full of drunk Aussies groping girls young enough to be their daughters. Yuck! Have a good dinner then home to read and relax. Unpack some of my Geneva purchases and marvel at the prices.
Feel like I have crammed so much into 48 hours and that's my plan. Shop lots, relax, walk, talk.
I got my 12 y.o. a Converse cap for Rp20,000 but have yet to do many of the clothing purchases I want. I fear my bag will already be full from the Geneva purchases. Worry abuot that next Friday.
Watch some of the "Miss Indo" on TV and off to sleep. Sorry, I love reality TV no matter what the country - whether I understand or not - just love a good tear jerker!