Had a lovely brekkie at Melasti, Love all the fresh fruit, fried rice, noodles, omlete, fresh pineapple and orange juice. Tried the black tea as i liked it last year but too weak for me now. Went for a walk to find a sim card for my phone. I was told last night at the internet cafe where to buy one from a fellow traveller there. From Melasti you walk out of hotel to rd, turn right, left, left then right. Was a bit dubious at the last right as it was down a very narrow lane that looked like it had no shops in it so was glad i didnt go last night, but in daylite i was game. I was a fair way up the street and i wondered if i got directions right she said right to end and there was a little shop there you can by cards from. I finally found it and after much playing with phone they got it open and put in new sims card (said last years one was no good so i took back) for 40,000rp and i put 50,000rp on phone which i think i have just about used up with texting!
I asked man where road goes to if i keep walking he say markets but long long way i say no problem as i like too walk. I was long long way but fun. I saw mnay shops closed but lots that i wouldnt normally see and found a great little bookshop tucked away.
There was a guy looking in shop, i could see no prices and asked him if prices here were ok, as i knew form hotels that books can be pricey here. He said price inside book. I was looking at Bali books and he asked if i wanted a book on bali and i replyed yes, he said he ahd two if i wanted one as he got one and girlfriend gave him one, yes please i said. Wait here he said and off he went to get it. Well he brought it back (lonely planet guide) i asked what he wanted for it he said no free, i offered to buy him a book from stall but he wouldnt let me - arent fellow travellers nice.
I bought an indonesian phrase book for 30,000rp and asked bookseller if he had any indonesian books that indonesian kids would use at school, he called to duaghter and she showed me a book, i asked if she was still using it she said yeas, but father said no she in higher class this year and have another book, she said thats true, im still not sure if it was true but i bought book for price inside (13,500rp) and gave her a few thousand rp, but still fell bad and will try to find shop again and give her a present; any suggestions?
Off i went walking and saw some turnoffs to the markets but kept on my road and it eventually went to Poppies lane2. I went left and decided to find Paddys for a drink. Well i couldnt find it i have been there before and it wasnt where i remembered it. So after about 1/2 hour of looking i asked an english looking couple, they were belgium or something and theyd never heard of it. Next asked some aussie looking girls, they couldnt speak englis, next asked a couple she she she didnt know thought it was in this street, her huby said what was it we both looked at him and she told him that was where the bombing was.
After a few more frustrated asking, i think people thought i was trying to sell them something, i gave up and had drinkees and lunch at the sports bar, it was v nice and tropical moons yummy as ever. So what happens i walk along and in a couple of minutes are looking at an anime poster thinking how my son likes them and look up and im outside Paddys! I was standing right where i had asked the first people if they knew where Paddys was! I didnt recognise it as they have cut it in half half it being a diso and half (the dark half) being Paddys, I guess people dont go there any more after the bombing v sad.
Did some shopping at Bali Beautiful, last season styles but very cheap. Got a top for 5,000(66c) 2 pairs of shorts 20,000 each ($2.65)
Not game as yet to to bargaining and going to fixed price shops for now.
Walked again and went down Poppies lane1 came out other end and thought it was a fair way from there to Padma where id see if sister here yet so caught a taxi, glad i did as long walk, no shops and now have blisters.
Met up for hello to sister and hubby and was going to see them later but had headache so cancelled and early night.
Whoops went long again sorry