We arrived back in Brisbane last Sunday morning 10th September. The bali blues set in so quickly when we realized that our destiny for the next day was that horrible thing called 'work'. This was our 8th annual trip to Bali after getting married in Bali almost 9 years ago. Before we discovered Bali our travels took us to Thailand. Our best friends were doing a virgin trip to Thailand the same time as our holidays this year, and at our weakest point (I think that may have been over several bottles of wine !!) we almost agreed to go to Thailand with them. But we felt we just couldn't forsake our annual trip to Bali.
Arrived in Ubud on Wednesday 23rd August and stayed at Tegal Sari until Sunday. This was our first time at Tegal and as Tina says "We just loved Tegal Sari" and will certainly go back. We stayed in Room 23, just below 24, which was at the far end of the new block. Our room was beautiful, not to mention the view. It was so heavanly sitting outside overlooking the rice paddies, with a drink of course. We found the service and friendliness of the staff to be the ultimate best. We would have brekky in the little restaurant every morning. It was a quite a small place, obviously people would have their brekky delivered to their rooms as well. They also have their own transport facilities for taking people to wherever and also picking you up. We used this service a couple of nights. The last night there were 9 of us packed into their Kijang!!
Whilst in Ubud we went up to the Rotary's Distribution day at Sobangan school on Saturday. Here we met Noel, Geraldine, Jo and her mum, Tina and Trev. It was our first year to the distribution day and we absolutely loved it. John & I sponsor two children (both Made's) who go to Sembung School and are in year 2. Last year we bought them a bike each. Its such a great feeling to be able to sponsor these children. I would strongly urge any one who doesn't sponsor a child, to please consider it. Its only $110-00 a year per child, fully tax deductible. The greatest pleasure is when you get to meet these kids for the first time. Brings tears to your eyes.
After the distribution of the schools bags, shoes etc (I had my 5 minutes of "claim to fame" and got up on stage to deliver the bags etc as a sponsor) our driver Dewa took us up to Pacung Indah for lunch. Lunch was a buffet and was great. Didn't get to meet David or Moira, but then drove to Cracker's Bar and of course met David there. Just had to have a few binnies with him and also use the infamous Loos and take some piccies. David takes time out each Saturday to watch the AFL he says... Can you imagine watching the grand finals there with all the WA supporters???
We found Dewa, our driver to be very honest. He was referred to us from one of our friends here. He didn't beat about the bush when we asked him "how much" for a full day and told him where we wanted to go. Also spoke English quite well and was funny. If anyone wants particulars, just email me.
We finally got to eat at Ibu Oka in Ubud. Previous years we got there just too late and the place was always packed. This year we got there about 11-30. Food was good, quite rich but still yummy...Not something you could eat every day tho. Ate some peculiar looking things on my plate and would hate to think what they were. John & I discussed it AFTER we ate, luckily and not before.
Best place we ate in Ubud was Barandi, just up from Tegal Sari. Cant remember the prices but they definitely weren't high and food was at its best!! Bought some nice paintings from the markets again this year. John hung them up yesterday and they look divine in our apartment. We also bought some more cushion covers, table runners and a nice black buddha from the markets. Our place is adorned with lots of things from Bali now (I call it my Balinese apartment) and along with incense burning, creates a nice Balinese atmosphere.
Our friend, Ketut, picked us up on Sunday and took us down to Legian. Here we stayed at Bali Mandira again. This is our favourite place, love to stay on the beach. When we felt energetic enough we would get up in the morning and do a run along the beach down past the Discovery Shopping centre, then into the top pool for a swim, followed by the huge buffet breakfast. Never felt guilty then having two plates of food. Just love the "Omelettes Complete" here. They put everything into them including grated cheese. We went out a bought a little frypan yesterday so we could try to replicate them this morning. NOt quite the same but I'm sure practice will perfect them.
Had lots of happy hours at Sammi and Suzies. Its always good to see Sammi each year. Had lots of drinks here with Tina, Trev, Louis, Garry, Smudge, Made, Ken & Chris, Margaret & Allen and a nice German couple whom we named Klaus & Helga because we never found out their names. Bought about 5 "watcheeees" from Bali Boy, same price as last year - 30000. I took 3 old watches back to him to put batteries back into and then gave them away to some of our friends along the street.
We had bought a nice bottle of bubbly duty free so one night we drank it in front of Mandira, watching the sunset. Had gone to Bali Deli that day and bought some nice cheeses and bikkies to have along with it. Was really lovely!!
Some nice places we ate at - Breeze in Jl Sahadewa, where the lovely Desak manages. Desak used to work at Indo National before it moved. Breeze is decorated in black and bright pink. Apparently someone from Geelong owns it now. Great food here. Desak's son was there one night. I think he is about 4 - what a kid. Would love to see him in 10 years or so. He's funny like his mother!!
Went to our favourite 3 restaurants in Poppies 1. These are Secret Garden, Kabuku and Bali Agung, which used to be Bali Assi. Prices here are really cheap. For two courses, 3 beers , 3 cocktails was only 146000. One of the cocktails was a Singapore sling with about 3 lots of alcohol. Atmosphere at all these places was great.
we went to Warung Jogya in Padma Utara a few times for lunch because it was so cheap and also convenient. Most meals here are 12000 and a decent plateful, meals come out in less than 10 minutes. Went to Bali Aussie one day for lunch and had to wait at least 45 minutes for our meal. Now there were only 5 other people in the restaurant and one of them was just there watching the footy - not to mention the fact that it was 2-45pm, so not really prime time for lunch. That put us off a bit.
"Our" restuarant in Jl Sahadewa is a buzz. Food is fantastic along with atmosphere. I think about 4 guys from the old Legian Garden got together to manage it and they have handpicked staff from other restaurants to create a fun place.
Other great places we ate at were Warung Padma Indah, Legian Snacks, Bamboo Corner (up from the Melasti) and Bobbies (across the road from the new Indo National. Not forgetting Wayan and Friends which is everyone's favourite. Had dinner here one night with Tina, Trev, Louis and Garry. The night was not without lots of big belly laughs. God. Tina's Trev is so funny.
We frequented Tapa Spa in Jl Sahadewa for our regular massages, which only costs 60000 for one hour. These girls here are fantastic and so sweet, so give them a try if you are looking for somewhere to get a massage. They gave us a buddha before we left.
Both John & I got prescriptive glasses made at Optik Seis at Bali Discovery. Were very happy with them once again. Both were approx 1,220,000 rupiahs. Both sunglasses, mine were Nautica and JOhn's Calvin Kleins. We just loved the written message we got sent to our room to tell us that the glasses were ready, it read..."Your glass is ready"... Always a good reason to have another laugh.
Went to Brisbane Tailors again to get stuff made. John got 3 pairs of wool blend trousers made for work for a total of 680000 (about $32 each) and I took over 2 lots of materials along with my favourite long trousers to get replicated. They did a fantastic job and cost 100000. This is the second year we have used Mr Anson and would certainly recommend them to other forumites.
Also took my own lycra over and got bikinis made at Climax (wish they would change their name). These cost only 90000 and that also included their lining. Not that there is much lining to go into a Size 10 pair of bikinis but it all counts. Made very professionally.
We took over lots of clothes for our friends which was warmly welcomed. Both John & I do a fair bit of running, so we had 3 pairs of good Nike shoes for them. They looked in perfect condition except of course the tread was really worn out. These were their prime possessions. They absolutely loved them. Its so nice to give things to people that they really appreciate.
Went to Supernova and bought the night cream. It feels beautiful on my skin, so hoping it will take away all those wrinkles as I sleep.... Bought some nice polo shirts for ourselves, they are excellent quality. Went to Havali Homewares in Seminak and bought some nice cushion covers, think they were about 55000 each. Bought a really pretty table runner from there last year and was hoping to update it for a new one but they didn't have anything different this year, so ended up buying a nice long runner from a place in Jl Sahadewa. Can't remember the name of it tho, sorry..
Exchange rate whilst over there was about 6925 average and got up to 6950 before we left. We always take over AUD 100 notes and cash money at PT centrals.
Can't really think of anything else. Next year I swear I'm going to write a diary every day so I don't forget anything. Oh, did I mention that JOhn got Bali Belly for about 3 days. He likes to call it Travellers Diarahoea !! We know where he caught the bug from so if you are interested, you can email me. Used to be one of our favourite places too. Poor bugger was off for about 3 days, couldn't have a bintang which upset him the most. Oh, didn't I just love having my share of bintang in front of him. We went to one of those Guardian Pharmacies first off and they wanted to give John Acidopholis tablets, said no that, then went off to an Apotik. Gave John Imodium and also wanted to give him antibiotics for the bacteria. He didn't think he needed the antibiotics firstly but ended up going back the next day and taking them. He only took the imodium when he needed to and fortunately didn't "clog" him up.
Well hope I haven't bored you all. We had a fantastic time once again, especially all the belly laughs with Tina, Trev, Louis & Garry, and it certainly was great having the pleasure of meeting you all. No doubt we will meet again.
Until next time...Julie & John