Day 1
Left Perth on the 9am flight Jan. 23rd, my mate and I both decided we would travel light and have carry on only so as not to be held up in Bali or the way home.
Checked in 2 hours before flight and got Row 29. The last row in the Plane. Met a nice bloke that was lucky enough to be seated next to us, had a few drinks and were coming into land in no time.
So, last off the plane, last through all the Customs and VOA. All our fellow passengers had collected their bags and were gone by the time we got through. Travelling light didn't save us any time when we were sitting at the back. Oh well............
Off to the Taxi window and 50,00 rph saw us deposited at the Champlung Mas in no time. We have stayed here before and included the Hotel in our package. We booked 2 nights at the beginning and 2 nights at the end of our 11 nights Bali wedge holiday. Ie. The holiday between holidays.
We had a lot to do in the 3 days, I wanted T-shirts bought and screen printed, leather jacket measured up and ordered, stone statues chosen, day bed selected, airfare to Lombok booked for Day 3 and sim card for mobile.
3 days, no problems....??????????!!!!!
A few refreshing Bintangs at the Bar and jalan jalan down towards Jalan Melasti. Most of the shops in the lane are shut for Galangan Ceromonies. Bali Brumby who do screen printing advised me he would be shut for 2 days, that is why I was unable to use him, I wasn't aware 90% of all shops would also be closed including the Melasti markets.
I need the t-shirts to be underway before we flew to Lombok, as I only had 3 days on my return and that wouldn't be enough time to organize.
Anyway, we had walked 100m and thought we would chuck a right at Melasti and head towards Jalan Legian and catch up with Gorgeous Kamahl and Honest John at the ‘Ice Cold P*ss' sign on the RHS.
The sign does not lie, there was ice hanging off every Bintang we had. Just like last time I was there. Kamahl and Honest John had gone their separate ways. Honest John and his mates had only just opened up for the day. They are all from Lombok and do not need to go to Hindu ceremonies, however, were closed earlier with respect for the Balinese holiday.
Before we left, had t-shirts organised, sim cards been picked up from somewhere else. Mohamed arranged the one way flights to Lombok (350k), he also said his brother would pick us up from the Mataram Airport (50k) and take us to our digs at the Lina Hotel Sengiggi.
Every one in Bali has a friend that can do some thing you need that they cannot do themselves.
Walked back to Garlic lane and onto Jalan Padma for lunch and drinks at Posers. Stayed for a few hours and the guy we met on the plane rocked up, he didn't stay that long as he could see we were pretty entrenched and for some reason he had difficulty understanding Left handed swaheli.
It was close to sunset so headed towards the beach for some photos and walk to Tekor Bali in Seminyak for a good cheap feed.
Gado Gado was good as well as the Nasi Goreng.
Had a dip in the Jayakarta Pool on the way to Rickys on Jalan Padma Utara, few more drinks and onto Posers till close and back to Champlung 24 hour bar for a night cap.
Slept well that night. First day in Bali always seems to be a bit blurry but you do enjoy yourself.
Day 2
Up early and walked to La Lucciola for brekky. I kind of go there every trip, just for the Eggs Benidict and Energiser juice drink, realized this trip they are 75k each, Margaritas are cheaper than that. Too early for them though, although it would be lunchtime in Sydney mmm... something to consider next time.
Found a Taxi somehow and went back to Champlung for a swim and massage. I am a part time masseur and the best massages I have had in these parts of Bali have been at Champlung, going back to 2005. I go there even when I am not staying there, just for the massage.
Walked everywhere today, stopped were ever we could get a drink and a snack. Most places still shut. Indo National was open, had a blue margarita type drink here, well a couple actually.
Ducked into ‘Ice Cold P*ss' to pay final bit of airfare, had a couple while we were there, more icicles.
Ate at Indo National, not a big fan of this place, but will always seem to eat here once a trip.
Down to Posers for a while off to Bagus Pub for a coldie, more staff than customers. Legian just didn't feel right. We both felt uneasy for some reason, we have a standing arrangement between us if either of us don't like the ‘feel' of a place we leave straight away. So back to Champlung to finish the night off.
Got spoken t by a lady that told us 4 times in 20mins. How burnt she got that day and how the lifeguards pulled her out of the water cos, she got caught in a rip, how they got an eyeful as she only had a g-string on, how she should have known better as she is a beach babe, how she looks alright for 40 something, her ex is a jealous so and so, and I think I need to pull up my t-shirt again and show you how burnt I got. Oh and did I tell you I had to get pulled out of a rip by th...................
Time to hit the farter because my ears are starting to bleed with the drone...