A little belated JBR, we actually where in Bali from the 1st November until the 29th November, but time has flown since we returned getting organised for Christmas.
Back from another wonderful holiday. Flew Garuda from Sydney and had good flights both ways. The flight coming home had 100 free seats, so most people took advantage of at least 2 seats and I had quite a good sleep. The weather was beautiful for the whole 4 weeks, with only a couple of nights with light showers, I think we dodged some rain that was happening in Bali while we were on Lembongon, we certainly got to see some great lightshows over Bali. Overall we felt it was quite quiet, not as many people on the streets at night especially, one night in Kuta after dinner Jalan Legian was completely empty-not a moving car or bike in sight.
We spent the first 2 nights and the last 2 nights at MBR as part of a package, with the other 24 days-own arrangements. This worked out cheaper for us as it meant we could get a Childs fare for the 14 yr old, Tom. MBR had not changed and we had no complaints. We enjoyed breakfast and most of the staff were the same as when we stayed last year. Made Arisia picked us up from the airport and drove us around once we arrived to change money and organise some supplies. The exchange rate was 8,395 so we quickly changed $2,000 as we would be going travelling and would need cash. Caught up with the staff at Billy's, Uncle Norms and Legian snacks over the next day.
Day 3 Made drove us to Saner to catch the Perama. Phoned over to our friend and he told us he had some bad news, but couldn't-tell us on the phone. The boat trip seemed to take forever. Unfortunately the news hit us pretty bad. For any one who knows Captain Johnno, from Johnno's water taxi, he died, totally unexpected 2 weeks prior to our arrival. He was pulling up an anchor rope following attending a ceremony on Nusa Penda, and just fell unconscious into the water. The locals transported him to the clinic but he was dead on arrival. We were pretty shocked; Johnno was only 38, and a really fit muscled guy. Before we left we visited his grave and left cigarettes for him, and said goodbye to him, he was a really great bloke.
Stayed longer than planned on Lembongan, but the surf was reasonable. We had intended to go to Sumbawa but on checking the Internet, decided we were getting the best of the surf here. After the first week hubby went over to Bali in the morning and went to Denpasar and bought 2 pushbikes. He brought them back on a friend's boat early afternoon. They were great to have and used them for scenic rides, exercise, going to our friend's villa and to the meal houses for lunch. Spent 18 days on Lembongan and had an extremely relaxing time. As well as bike riding we went snorkelling, a barong dance, and plenty of surfing. Tom was sick for a day and then the following day woke up with an inflamed shin and pain up his leg. Went the hospital to find Nyoman who is a nurse who has helped us a few times. Finally found her at her private clinic and she jumps on her bike and diagnoses Tom with an infection from his coral cuts on his feet. She gives us a course of antibiotics, some antibiotic cream and some panadol and charges 75,000rp. Tom rested up for another day and then started to come good and his wounds healed.
We had mostly nice meals the whole time we were on Lembongan but the best meals were the Thai curries at Ketuts Warung and a meal that we had at Batau karang. This is a relatively new resort past playgrounds and before coconuts. The Mainski Inn is now under Australian management and he has put a pool in and updated the menu, the food here is also nice.
We stayed at Puri Nusa as we usually do and it was quite busy while we were there. The owner is now living at Puri Nusa and he has moved into the family bungalow that we usually stay in so we stayed in a triple room. Nice clean room but the beds were hard. Made has built a new 2 bedroom villa in the grounds with a separate kitchen, looks really nice and nearly finished. An Australian has financed the building and it may be available for rent when he is not there.
We did hear a story while we were on Lembongan that the locals are getting frustrated at the number of Australians who are building villas and then renting them out when they are not staying. Some of these Villa owners do not have the needed license to rent out villas or rooms in villas. In some instances the locals have called the police and the people staying have had to find alternate accommodation. So it would be worth your while checking that they have a license when booking, it is called a Pondok (something not sure of word).
We left Lembongan and were picked up at the Perama by the staff from the car hire place. We use Duta Kereta Express- Padma St, Legian- (0361) 751437. Back to Legian to organise the paperwork and payment, cost 165,000rp per day. Then up to Bintang supermarket to try to organise prescription glasses from Mr Honyman, his bags were there but could not find him. Finally got him the next day by phoning his mobile- 081 74714740. Hubby bought a pair of reading glasses 275,000rp and I had my last pair of glasses fixed (a screw had popped out) and bought a new pair of Transitional glasses for 800,000rp, ready in a day and no problems with the glasses.
Stayed 3 nights at Sandat Mas at Ulluwatu. They were completely booked with us taking the last 2 single bed rooms. The beds were made of Kapok and really hard. Good to catch up with the family that own the place. Mostly Americans staying. Can highly recommend Sandat Mas but you need a double room, the beds are really comfy. We pay 75,000rp per night a room.
From Ulluwatu we drove each day to the surf, first day Nusa Dua and Sri Lanka, second day and third day Keramas. While in the surf Hubby met a guy from the same town as us and he owns a villa in Ulluwatu, no one staying at the moment. Checked the place out on the way back and decided defiantly worth the move, so we did a really quick pack up and moved around the corner to Gecko Inn. The villa has a small pool, shaped as a gecko, and an outdoor partially covered living area downstairs, there are 3 rooms on the bottom level with king single beds in them, small bathroom with hot water, we paid $10AUS a night for this room for Tom. Then on the second floor are 2 double rooms with TV and Air conditioning and bathrooms with big baths and hot water. Each double room had a viewing deck off the side with a huge mattressed area; a lot of time was spent relaxing in this area, views down past Bingin. We paid $40AUS for this room a night. There is a restaurant at the front of the villa called Juniors Warung, and they have beautiful food. We just had to go and order and then they brought our meals to us. This place is just up the road from Blue Point Villas. We stayed another 3 nights here before venturing back to MBR.
Shopped a little, Silver from Putra Silver at Batubalan, and a great place called Komang Adi, street- Br. Tangsub- Celuk, (0361) 298236, this place has some really nice pieces and extremely cheap prices. Went to the new Billabong shop on the bypass road and they had a great sale on, at least 30% off everything and some things 75% off, bought some great denim skirts for my daughters and quite a few tee-shirts at 75% discount. Went to Geneva and bought plenty, tried to buy some Chrissy presents. Also shopped at Ketuts fixed price shop.
We ate at some of the usual restaurants with a couple of new ones, Warung Italia in Jalan Kundi in Semingyak- this place have a buffet and you pick small servings of whatever you want, really nice Italian and very cheap. Ate at Warung Asia near the KP and could not believe how busy it was, but once we had eaten certainly knew why it was so busy. And went to Ketupat for another gorgeous meal.
Unfortunately the 4 weeks flew by, we did not know about the rise in departure tax but luckily saw it as we were checking in so were able to visit a flexi teller. We had 4 surfboards and with our entire luggage we were 5 kgs over. Had a nice little chat with the guy, and a small amount of rupiah changed hands and all was OK. Flight home uneventful but unfortunately Hubby's bag did not arrive; extra time at the lost baggage place and it was couriered up to us the next day.
Happy to answer any questions, until next trip.