Temple time with lots of loud speakers.
There were 3 days of ceremonies for the full moon while we were in Legian. They do have very good loud speaker systems! I remember Moira threatening to have the power cut off when a new temple and its ceremonies was being
loudly broadcast around the neighboring villages, towns, shires, states, territories!
I think you could strongly consider locations of temples if you are planning to buy in Bali.
Graffiti is appearing
Sadly, we noticed lots of shop fronts being targeted with graffiti. Don't know if I have only just become observant but think it's a shame that the spray painters and paint brushers are out labeling all and sundry!
Streets are cleaner
We all noticed that Bali streets and beaches are considerably cleaner than a few years back. I think the Keep Bali clean project is having an effect. It will be great when the locals also learn not to toss rubbish into the rivers as it eventually ends out in the sea.
I won, I won, I won!
How lucky was I?
One of my pet tasks is to be given time share envelopes and not open them. Gee its hard. Most ‘agents' either require you to open then and there or require you to hand back the envelope. We collected 4 this trip. I have since opened them and now of course wished I had opened them earlier.
I was so lucky!
I am a runner up winner and won a Tshirt, also a star prize winner of two exotic holidays and us$300 in discount vouchers.
Celebes Hair Salon
Having read many posts by forumites I decided this time to have my hair trimmed in Bali. I usually pay my local hairdresser au$55 so thought, little to lose, its worth a try.
Celebes is in Jl Padma Utara, Legian, on the Jl Padma side of Garden View Hotel. There are 2 ATMs either side of the entrance into the salon, opposite Loji supermarket.
Unfortunately Poppy the number one cutter was not available. I have since heard that Poppy has had an operation in hospital for a tumour, so hope all has gone well.
They called Ola and he made his way to the salon. I had a lovely head massage and shampoo then he proceeded to trim my locks. He charged 55000rp and that suited me well. I will have my hair trimmed again next time we arrive in Bali. Saves me enough money for a couple of meals!
School visit
We visited SD2 and SD3 Sobangan where we sponsor a number of children thru Rotary.
Last March we watched another 2 sponsors give bikes to the sponsored children, so I was keen to give our children bikes too.
We bought the bikes from a bike shop in Tabanan, which we visited a few days earlier to arrange choosing the bikes, paying and arranging delivery to the schools.
Toko Sepeda, Agung Jaya, Jl By Pass Kediri #84, Tabanan. Ph 814959
Our girls are 7, 7, 10, 11 and 12.
We bought 2 smaller bikes in the mid price range, 300,000rp and the larger bikes for the taller girls, 370,000rp each. Discounted down to 1,625,000rp from 1,725,000rp. I chose bikes with better gears and made of higher quality metal/alloy stuff. Hopefully they will last a little longer.
Linda spoke quite fine English and they delivered the bikes to both of the schools for us. Unfortunately the bikes were waiting for us already delivered when we arrived at 10am and I expect the children were wondering how they were for.
I have wanted to buy bikes for a while but wasnt sure if I may offend or upset parents. I asked Agung from Rotary in March and he said he felt there would be no risk of causing any negative issues.
The children all seemed pleased to receive their bikes and we watched one girl head away from school riding in a very confident manner.
The Bali children are now on school holidays June 16th to July 15th.
Mobile phone
I recharged my Pro XL sim card and found that we were still able to ring Australia for 1200rp per minute.
You use the prefix of 01000 then the usual Australian phone number, eg 01000 61 3 9789 1122
When you sms, use the usual prefix of # then 61 418 112233
Ubud driver
We met Made Ardana in March outside Murnis Warung and he drove us to the Ubud market. We booked him for a day or so later and travelled down Tegallalang. This trip we sms'd Made and he was pleased to drive us again up to Tegallalang. He is such a lovely gentlemen with three school age children. He speaks good English and has a delightfully clean white van. We recommend him for your Ubud trips. His mobile is 081 338 385 925, he is a registered driver with Ubud Transport Association. His email is made_ardana67@yahoo.com.au
Bali Budaya brochure
As we were walking along Monkey Forest road in Ubud, we were handed a brochure advertising the Bali Budaya bike tour. I was interested to read the final paragraph which was highlighted, and read
‘If you book this tour with a tour agent or hotel, please ensure you are not put on a poor quality alternative cycling tour. People have complained of this happening! They use questionable restaurants, facilities and are using our good name to attract guests.'
No business, no money, no honey
We arrived at Hardys in Sanur one day and were greeted by a lovely young lady who had a particularly friendly manner. She told us she hadn't made many sales lately and asked would we please check out her jewellery. For her, ‘No business, no money, no honey'. We bought a few each and joked with her that maybe we could just buy her honey from the supermarket! I couldn't resist and handed her a jar when we returned to pick up our slightly modified necklaces. She immediately opened the jar and took a swig! She loves her honey!
Good manners
Walking along Jl Sahadewa one day, a small boy (although probably aged about 12) walked alongside trying desperately to sell us plaited bracelets. I really wasn't interested but he walked the walk with us, and continued to talk the talk. He really was very friendly. Once we got to our stop, he just pleasantly walked on, and didn't utter the oaths that some children utter, once they miss a sale. I felt compelled to reward this young fellow so called him back and gave him a few thousand and explained that I didnt want the bracelet, but he did deserve some assistance as he had such lovely manners. Needless to say after much discussion, I am still wearing the bracelet.
Uri and family
Uri and family, started their adventure on Wednesday 6th June 2007
For any of you who have stayed at SuriWathi, you may have met Uri, his wife and two daughters, from Tea Gardens on the central coast of NSW. They have been working towards getting their vessel sea worthy for their 3.5 years journey around the world. Well, the journey was to begin on Wednesday 6th June and we haven't heard otherwise so hopefully their adventurous voyage has begun. I think they were first heading to Singapore then up the Malaya/Thai coast.
Brisbane Tailor
We wanted to have a few items of clothing made so wandered down to Brisbane Tailor to discuss syles, fabrics and measure up. I had a dress, 3 shirt/jackets, and 3 camisole tops. Trevor had another pair of trousers made. Gee they have some outstanding fabrics for mens trousers. Bob had a suit made of Italian cashmere. We were thrilled with their workmanship, but do find it a pain in the ‘bot' to negotiate with Ansor. We can never get to talk to him before we place our order and he prefers to increase the prices every visit. We have him deliver to ur hotel too so we can try on the clothing in the comfort of air conditioning.
Bob also went on a mission one day to have some new bathers made. I sent him to Climax, but they only use lyrca. He found a tailor nearby and showed Nyoman the style. He was happy to copy Bobs existing pair and included in the price to drive to Ubud for fitting! Maybe Bob paid a little too much, but he was happy with the job. Nyoman offered to make him a suit for au$90, so once in Sanur, Nyoman rode across, measured Bob, he chose the fabric and Nyoman delivered the finished suit a few days later.
Leather coats at Dolphin Leather.
Denise and I both wanted new leather jackets made. We have previously used 234 and French Leather in Legian so thought we could give Dolphin a try after so many good recommendations on the BTF. French Leather was closed as I think they were down watching a volleyball game so decision was made. The shop is air conditioned so that makes its easier. I wanted a rich mid brown and Denise dark/reddish brown. We both paid au$100 each after some negotiations. Mine isn't quite the colour I had planned, but I expect matched the sample. Mine is more caramel. Denise is thrilled with hers. The workmanship is good.
Darwin the pearl seller
We were walking down to Seminyak one day and came across Darwin the pearl seller just beyond the JayaKarta.
We arranged for him to come to SW and show us his supplies. He has lovely pearls in many styles. His mobile phone number has changed. Its now 085 237 272 596
Next time
When I next return to Bali, not quite sure when......
I would like to stay back in SuriWathi, and Tegal Sari. Going to give Sanur a miss for a while. Maybe over to Lembongan for a few sleeps.
Re-visit the Bali Bird Park.
Isnt it great having a list of next time treats or adventures, might tick them off or maybe extend to following trip after that. Dont worry, be happy!