We arrived at Coconuts Beach Resort and were shown to our hut.There were a few stairs to climb,but so worth it! The view is spectacular. I loved the novelty of a round room.There is a 4 poster bed complete with a net,directly opposite the large windows.So,you get a glorious view from the bed as well!
We quickly settled in and took photos of the room and the view.We decided that first off a tour around the Island would be next on the agenda.So,we asked at reception about hiring a motor bike, the cost was 100,000 for 24hrs.We waited ten minutes for the motorbike guy,who escorted us to the carpark.Now,I might add that neither of us are experienced riders and I didn't want to double up with hubby,just in case he wasn't too confident!
We are shown to our two motorbikes and hubby gets on starts her up and off he goes on his trial run up the dirt alley way.Well that looks simple I thought to myself and hopped onto mine.(if you read my other jbr,you will recall that I just learnt how to ride a bicycle this trip!)I sat there and asked what do I do to make it go,admitting to this fella that it's my first time.
He seemed ok with that and gave me all the instructions I needed."you turn this on the handle to give it petrol and go, the brake's on the other handle.Don't use the front brake or you'll go over the handlebars."
Yep,ok I still felt confident and ready to give it a go.He stood behind my bike and said:"now give it a little petrol and go slowly,I stay with you. When you get your balance put your feet up and go."
Woops!! I gave it too much and whizzed off screaming with my legs in the air,this fella running behind me holding onto the back yelling put the brakes on,put the brakes on!!! I am ,I am I yelled back.We were approaching a 't' junction,I was squeezing the brake thingy as hard as I could ,but I wasn't stopping."take your hand off the petrol" he yelled at me,and we came to a stop.Now why didn't he clarify that I am supposed to work one handle thingy to go and one to stop,not both at the same time? He had a look of concern on his face,one that I hadn't seen on a Balinese man before. They are always smiling or laughing,he looked more than worried about his bike.
Lets try again, I urged,now that I understand what to do.Well the second attempt was much the same,this guy was working up a sweat hanging onto the back of this bike running behind me!I stopped successfuly just before running into oncoming bikes. As I hopped off, he very politely said: "Maybe you go with your husband,he is good.This bike has no insurance if you smash".So I agreed and on I hop with hubby,much to this guys releif!!!
We were a little apprehensive as the roads are rough once your out of the main village area.But, we had an absolute blast!! It was great,we rode around for hours,it is so beautiful and there is no traffic to worry about.We only rode at about 30kms,because any faster and I was digging my nails into huby's tummy.He soon got the idea of my back seat driving instructions.After a while I didn't have to yell,slow down or beep at the corner as my nails did the talking whilst I enjoyed the view!!
We eventually found Dream Beach.It is spectacular! We sat at the bar overlooking this cove with whitesand and crystal waters.I loved this place.It was hard to find as the signs out in the middle of no where don't always make sense.But then again ,I have no sense of direction and I needed more than just one sign to get us there.Well worth the circling around for ages though!
Unfortunately we never got to see the underground house because we couldn't find it.I guess being underground we wouldn't be able to see it from the road ,so probably drove past it ten times!!We saw a sign and followed the road,but no further signs when you get to a fork in the road.We ended up in a dead end area of a family compound with stares from the locals like obviously surprised to see us there.So, promptly we did the Fred Flinstone feet on the ground thing to turn the bike around and tried to find our way back. It's all part of the adventure of exploring this lovely island and recommend you to do it.
We headed back to Coconuts for a swim.The infinity pool overlooking the ocean with the volacnoes as a backdrop is beautiful. It was now late afternoon and time to get organised for dinner.The bathroom in this little hut is primitive and cute I thought.You've got your hot water,your loo and an unusual looking basin,a bit like an attempt at some pottery very rustic which added to the ambience of our hut.The bathroom door was unique,a heavy black timber with a carving of what looked more like a Hawaain Tiki. It all had that"you Tarzan,me Jane" feel about it with the comfort of nice furnishings!
Dinner was at the Batu Karang.This place is very nice,5 star looking and new.The food was beautifully presented and the service was first class.We were the only ones there so that may be why we felt like roaylty!We were seated in a Gazebo overlooking the ocean,the view only to be spoiled by the ugly thick powerlines hanging in the trees that also partly obstructed the scenery.
I had the coconut calamari and bruschetta and hubby had chicken cordon bleu.I don't recall the prices but I can say that it wasn't expensive considering the class of service and food.
We headed back to Coconuts Resort along the path way and it was so dark that I was starting to get scared.I didn't enjoy the bats fluttering overhead either and hubbies hand lost it's circulation due to my strangling it!(Next time I will bring a torch.)
I noticed on arrival the room had a large can of Mortein surface spray! Being dark my paranoid imagination went into overdrive.Looking around there is a large gap where the roof and wall meet in the bathroom and again around the door.Creepy crawlies!lizards!spiders!so i sprayed a circle around our bed and insisted on the lamp staying on so I could see if anything was lurking in the dark!After a while the light was keeping me awake and I felt guilty about wasting power,so off it went.
We had eggs ,toast,fruit,juice and coffee for our complimentary breakfast.We spent the rest of our day on the motorbike touring the Island,coming back for a swim and riding again.This was the high light of my Bali trip.Cruising with my husband a million miles away from the stresses of life with the most beautiful views to enjoy.I would have added "with the wind in our ahir" but we never got going fast enough to experience that,LOL!
We were picked up at 3pm and transported back onto the Funship for afternoon tea and our trip back to Benoa Harbour.I wasnt feeling well with a sore throat and flu like symptoms.So I sat outside at the back of the boat on the bottom deck,which seemed to be the staff hang out.I had an interesting chat with a staff member who warned me not to drink Arak when partying in Bali as it's very strong and can be dangerous.Well I've done the Arak thing on previous trips and steer clear of it voluntarily!!
He went on to say that several locals have died as alcohol is not regulated and therefor the percentage can be quite high from one bottle to the next.But,I have mates in Bali that we get on the drink with and the way they mix is three quarters spirit and one quarter soft drink!It's funny to see them blind in half an hour!!So I am not surprised there have been deaths drinking Arak!!
Back at the Melasti and i need some antibiotics,so hubby heads off for the Apotek to get Amoxicylin.I refuse to get too sick to move on my holiday and soldier on.Tonight we will be going over my sketches of my tattoo design with our friends at his shop,whilst catching up over our duty free Smirnoff and Malibu.We do this every visit and it's always fun. The boys all got very merry and invited us to a bar they hang out at for jugs of Bintang and karaoke.It turned out to be a great night,but I had to bail out at midnight as I was losing my voice and feeling like crap:(
Yet to come.... the Aussie idiot that referred to the bali people as black c**ts(i wanted to punch him in the nose too!), tattoo time, last minute shopping ,one day to go before we leave.