Thanks for the reply from the Forumites on our first post. We had a laugh reading some of the feedback.
MONDAY:
Rise and shine to a beautiful Bali morning with someone screaming out off the next balcony in some forign language, something that sounded like "Get out Z door".We were not really ready to hop up yet as the previous nights bintang headache had just hit. OUCH, getting old and havn't felt that for a while! We gathered that this was the call to wake us up for breakfast, and went with the flow! We later found out that this was one of the guests calling out to his wife in the carpark! (inconsiderate *%#@!)
Over breakfast of fried noodles and scrambled eggs (strange combination, but yummy) we wondered what today would bring. Greg and Marion fley in on the night flight and were to contact us today at some stage. Met a few Aussies in the restaurant over breakfast and one of them hooked us up with a driver that he has been using for years called Sonny.
MONEY CHANGERS:
We had to get some money converted today so we jumped into Sonnys little blue bus and he took us to the money changers. Well that was an experience in itself! All the do's and don'ts that you hear on the forum is nothing compared to walking in and doing it yourself. It didn't matter because everyone else was just as confused as we were. Ten different nationalities all speaking at once, and no-one was any wiser than us. We decided to just sit and "people watch" untill we got the hang of it. I got game and fronted the window, where a polite young lady gave me a piece of paper and just looked at me! Then sent me away! After about 3 or 4 calls, we finally realised that it was our name they were calling and went to pick up a huge pile of little blue notes. Yeah, rich again!
CRUSOES:
We were on a mission to find "Crusoes" bar to deliver some Bundy for the owners. Terribly hard for them to get it over there as most of the spirits are confiscated at the Airport and then sold at outrageous prices to the locals (after being watered down with cold tea)
The only directions we had were Jl Legian. We had absolutely no idea where we were or where to go, so thank god for Sonny.
On the way we passed some huge signs. "Billabong sale, up to 90% off" and with a quick swerve we were in the carpark and ready to shop! The line up at the door was horrific, and we were the only ones there with pale skin. I think all the local marketeers were there buying stock to sell on the streets. Daz had left the wallet in the other bag and headed back downstairs while I faced the impatient crowd. We agreed to meet inside.
I walked through the doors and wished that I hadn't. There was around 2000 Balinese sifting through an acre of dirty old Billabong clothes that looked like last seasons stock....ten years ago! It was an hour and a half wait to pay at the register in extreme heat and Dazza was no-where to be seen. After 10 minutes of mild panic I decided this was rediculous and headed out the back door, empty handed. Poor Daz was still out the front waiting in another line to get in! Still the only pale face in the place.
*NOTE TO SELF: Put that one down to experience, never again go to the Billabong sale in Bali unless extremely desperate.
We went around and around Jl Legian untill we found Crusoes and met the owners who were very happy to receive the Bundy. A few Bintangs later we decided to walk back to the hotel for a few drinks and wait for Greg and Marion to call.
As you all know, the temptation of all of the shops were drawing me in like a magnet, and I really, REALLY needed one of those beautiful handbags that was calling my name from the rear of every shop that we passed. The urge to have a go at the barter system was growing stronger by the minute, and before I knew it, the "force" had pulled me into my first shop!
THE FIRST STING:
Anyone who knows me would describe me as a big softie who couldn't fight her way out a paper bag, so the thought of haggling over money was worrying me. I would rather just pay and say thankyou . But i knew that I would insult them if I didn't do it. Well here goes....
The big sign that was written on my forehead that said "GREEN" was visable to everyone but me, and I walked out of my first shop with a lovely new handbag and 700,000 rph missing from my wallet.
Go on...you can all laugh, but I bet It has happened to all of you at some stage or another. I could have probably bought the real fkn D&G handbag cheaper, but was still happy. Three days later, two of the zippers were broken and both of the handles fell off!!!!! Does this sound familiar, or am I the only sucker?
*NOTE TO SELF: Wait for greg and Marion before doing any more shopping!
More to come........
Shaz