JBR 1/11/09 - 8/11/09
I travelled with Jane and Justine for the three R.s Rest, Relaxation and Retail. Got a lot of Retail, not sure of the Rest and Relaxation. Flew Jetstar from Perth and was early both flights. Arrived in Bali at 1.30pm Sunday 1/11/09 went through Customs very quickly and arrived at our hotel the Alam KulKul at 2.15pm. Not such a good start with delays checking in, was offered another room until ours was ready but not really worth it. We were given a complimentary voucher for a dinner at their restaurant.
We got into our room at 3.45pm. We booked our accommodation through Booking.com and as there was three of us, booked a quadruple room leaving the spare bed for our shopping. The room was spacious and clean and the beds very comfortable. The down side was that the windows were frosted with bamboo blinds so no views at all. We had our first meal at the Kopi Pot which was delicious and reasonable.
Monday, our first full day so decided to check out Garlic Lane. We needed to get breakfast first and as we were in Garlic Lane decided on the Losari, big mistake, very ordinary but cheap. We went to French's leather shop as Jane and Justine wanted to get leather jackets and boots made. We were fitted and told to come back on Thursday. Justine bought one of her cowboy boots she wanted copied and another of one of her friends. She also wanted two jackets. Jane had two pairs of boots made and a jacket. I had a pair of boots and a small leather bag made. I have to say they did a fantastic job on all items. The boots were A$60 each the jackets A$100 each. We paid in Aussie dollars. We then made our way to the jewellers in Kuta Square as Jane wanted some of her gold jewellery melted to make a ring. The cost A$100 and the ring was a great success. We were asked to pick up on Saturday afternoon. We had lunch in the discovery centre. Dinner was at Papa's cafe, which was fantastic. We had a volcano pizza which was delicious. We always feel so welcome at Papa's Cafe, the waiters are so friendly and the food really good. The reason I chose the Alam Kulkul is because of Papa's.
Tuesday we had breakfast at Papa's then out to hit the markets in Legian. We then decided to get a taxi to Seminyak to find a few shops Jane had listed she wanted to visit. The taxi dropped us off at the beginning of the street that leads to Seminyak Square. We walked down to the Square, could not find the shop, asked someone and was told it was where we had walked from. So back we went. Found the little shop called Joy Jewellery and decided to walk back down JL Legian and to keep a lookout for another jewellery shop called Strawberry (I think). Eventually found it, we had walked this far so we decided to keep walking. It was pretty warm and the road works caused major traffic problems. Had a late lunch at Bali Aussie, which was pretty ordinary. We decided to get back for some rest by the pool with a few cocktails before dinner. We had a delightful dinner at Poppies. On our way back to the hotel we stopped to have a foot massage for an hour, it was bliss.
Wednesday we got off to a slow start, got a taxi down to Poppies 1 and had a really good brunch at the Havana Club, great omelettes. Walked to Kuta Square for some more retail, and checked out Matahari. We decided to use the voucher for dinner at Alam KulKul. It was a three course meal, it was ok.
Thursday we had breakfast at Papa's, Lunch at Blue Skyz punctuated by lots of retail at the Legian markets and shops close by. We had to pick up our Leather goods. We decided to spend some time being pampered. Walked to Secret Garden, had a 1 hour massage, a facial and a pedicure. I had printed a voucher from their website for a 15% discount. It was wonderful. We had dinner at Un's just off Poppies Lane, great food and wonderful margeuritas.
Friday we had breakfast at Papa's. We found a driver who served us at Un's and he picked us up to take us to Ubud. We asked him to drop us off at the entrance of Monkey Forrest, where he stayed and we walked up Monkey Forrest Road to the markets. I needed to get the silk scarves my mother wanted. They were pretty expensive in Kuta, nothing under R100,000 each. I bought 10 at R50,000 each so was pretty happy with that. Jane and Justine bought a few as well. We had a delightful lunch at the Tropical Cafe. We got back to our hotel around 4pm. We had a cocktail party at the hotel at 6pm, which was great. We met other Aussies staying at the hotel. We decided to get dinner locally. Ended up at Sheppy's, which was just ok. Jane and Justine wanted to party, so I went back to the hotel and they went on to the Engine Room to find they were only ones there so decided to go the Sky Lounge and had a really good time. They got back to the hotel room at 1am knocking at the door, me opening it to see two security guards holding up Justine and Jane saying we have a problem. She had been having a few drinks and not being used to drinking great quantities, fell quite ill. Not a pretty sight.
Saturday saw Justine stay in bed until lunch time. Jane and I had breakfast at Papa's, then back to our room to check on Justine. We had to go to Kuta Square to pick up Jane's ring in the afternoon. We got a taxi to Kuta Square, had lunch at the Dulang Cafe, next to Matahari. We managed to do some last minute shopping. We had dinner at Papa's Cafe.
Sunday we got up early, before 7am, put on our bathers and wraps and headed down to the beach. We walked north along the beach. It was packed with people and a few dogs. We walked up to the Bungee jump tower and then back to Melasti Street. We wandered along looking for a place to have breakfast but most were not open. We ended up at the Blue Skyz and had a lovely breakfast and very reasonable. Worked out to A$11.47 for the three of us. We then went back to the hotel to shower and pack for our trip home. We got a taxi to the airport as we were leaving on the 2.40pm flight to Perth. Landed in Perth at 6pm.
The exchange rates for our time in Bali ranged between 8500 to 8575.