after 6 days in sanur we all grabbed transport and moved to our next hotel of choice, the Rama Beach Hotel in Tuban.
After the smooth transition into our rooms at the Besakih Hotel in Sanur we were hoping it would be the same here.
We have stayed here 4 times before and it's a lucky dip with getting the right rooms sometimes.
My fears were realised as we were given rooms all over the place,even after requesting months ago, interconnecting rooms for the families with little children.
Took a while to resolve but finally we all were in our rooms and sipping a drink at the pool.
The Rama is still in good condition and the rooms fine.
Tuban was a lot busier than Sanur as usual and the DVD shops were makinga killing!!
We ate at The Pantai Rest.a few times, always good food and views,,Ma Joly for our friends anniversary and the place is still fantastic. Great food.
We also ate at Chi Chi's mexican (good),Daddy's (good also) ,Billy's in Legian, Thai Express,SA Cafe Kumlit Traditional Balinese Rest (good food but service could be more organised and meals a little bigger for the higher than normal price, and Dewi Sri Seafood which was great as usual,and good value.
We also had a night at Jimbaran and returned to a favourite being Sea Stars which has changed it's name to Sea Side.
Could not complain about the food in any of the places and it seems to be getting more consisitent overall.
We spent a day at Waterbom and the kids had a ball.
I had booked a bike tour with Wayan of Bali Baik before leaving home and was so glad i did.
What a day.
Stinking hot weather,plenty of drinking water and fantastic scenery and villages.
A great way to see the real Bali. Everyone agreed it was a fantastic day.
What hosts Wayan and his family are .
After the ride and rehydrating we ate a feast prepared by his family and staff at Wayan's house near Gianyar. The best food we ate in Bali.
Could not recommend this more. He prefers to be contacted via his website which i can supply for those interested, email me.
There are a lot of copycat operators according to him because of his success.
In 8 visits i have never ventured to Ulawatu ,so we spent most of 1 day there, just on the beach and having lunch in a clifftop warung.
What a fantastic view it has here. Well worth the short drive from Tuban. (about 35 minutes).
On the 1st of October there was a distinct increase in traffic into Kuta due to all the Javanese tripping over to Bali for a break.
Traffic jams all day and night. Kuta was chockers.
Another good reason to stay out of there!
The beachworks have progressed quickly and are now well past the Pantai Rest. and past the surf boats.
The level is now up to the Ma Joly and Pantai floors. No steps anymore to the beach,just walk straight out.
About 3 metres of sand in height all along the frontage.
They are going all the way to the Patra Jasa Hotel and it won't take long at the rate they are going.
The old Bali Hai Hotel is still being renovated and becoming a Holiday Inn again. Was told a November opening but no hope of that.
I'd say March 2009 at the earliest!
There is a new Villa next to the rubbish tip next to the pantai owned by Japanese on prime beachfront land once used by the surfboat guys.
My cynical mind wonders whether there was a sweetheart deal between the Japanese contractors of the beach works and local government.
A very fancy place indeed.
All in all, a great stay in Tuban until it came to time to go home on the 2nd of October and checkout from the Rama.
We had arranged a transfer time of 9.30 for us all and we waited in the foyer for our transport that was confirmed that afternoon.
By 9.50 i became worried and asked the desk clerk where the transport was and all i got was a blank stare and then a "what transfer"?
well, we made him jump into action and out came 1 kijang for 27 people and their bags! Gee, that'll work!
after more blank looks, they supplied a 10 seater bus, so off the airport for a few lucky ones and half of us still at the hotel waiting for their return!
Finally with us all at the airport and the last ones to check-in ,all but myself and my wife and 2 children had seats on the plane due to Garuda overbooking the flight.
NOT HAPPY! we were then offered a flight 2 days later which we considered except they had no accomodation for us and asked us to return to the Rama Beach which was not an option as all hotels were booked out solid!
So, we were put on a Perth bound flight 2 hours after our melbourne flight left.
We were told to approach the Garuda desk i nPerth upon arrival where they would look after us with a flight to Melbourne.
Wrong, upon arrival in Perth, the Garuda stff knew nothing of this and we had to wait,yet again for 3 hours to argue with the staff about getting us out of Perth!
They then asked us to stay 2 days in Perth and fly Qantas to Melbourne as soon as they could get a flight.
I asked to arrange flights that day with Virgin Blue but was met with. "we do not have an agreement with anybody else but Qantas so no.
I then ,at last lost patience and told them to get us home anyway they could and thati did not care about their agreements with Qantas!
This had the desired effect and we were placed on a flight to Adelaide and then 2 more hours later a Melbourne flight!
What a pain in the ar.e way to end a holiday!
well.that's off my chest.
Part 3 next.... my sideman sideline sojourn