Here is the 2nd of my entries....will probably have one more...any questions, please email me or post it here....thanks for all the positive comments!!!
One thing I have learned in all of my travels...by simply learning how to say hello, thank you, or a simple greeting...locals are much more accepting, friendlier and happy to help you. Saying Terima Kashi or Salamat Malam...goes a long way. (well, maybe except when in france....lol)
Monday, for dinner, we went outside of the hotel area and ate at Cheers. It was good. Thank you for the recommendation here on the forum.
On Tuesday, Getting low on clean clothes and knowing we were moving on the next day, we took a cab to Kuta to drop off our laundry and see some familiar sites. I also had a jacket I wanted to replace the zipper on.
We took a Blue Bird cab (more on that in a minute) for about Rp70,000 to Drop Zone (it was called Simply Fresh last year) to get our clothes laundered. It is Rp10,000 per kilo...it is between the Dynasty and Kartika Plaza. They do a great job! I used the tailor right next the Drop Zone and the zipper on my windbreaker (or as you call it a jumpa :) )was only Rp70000 to replace. Heck, the zipper here in the States cost $5 alone...
We walked thru the mall, grabbed a few things at Bread Talk, walked along the beach path to the Dynasty to see how the renovations were and the new beach club area.
I have to say that we love the Dynasty. It is a wonderful atmosphere, great kids club, easy access to nearly everything. Last year when we were in Bali, we were going to stay at the Kartika Plaza and Patra...but after a few nights, we switched to the Dynasty.
This year, we were planning on staying at the Hard Rock, but once we walked into the Dynasty pool area, after a few of the pool activity staff recognized us and said 'welcome home' we knew we needed to try and switch. But because of the renovations and a group of Electrolux people, they were sold out! Darn it.
Driving over from ND to Kuta, we took a Bluebird cab. They driver Wayan Agus, was great...explaining stuff on the route, practicing his English and such. He told us of his wife and kids. Said to say hi to his wife at the Centro store if we saw her. She works at the underwear area. Very nice...We got his number so we could use him again.
So, we called him from the Dynasty to pick us up. He was close by (at home, waiting for our call) and was there in less then 5 minutes. On the drive back, I realized I hadn't eaten in a while and was hungry. I asked him to stop at McDonalds on the way.
We went thru the McDonalds drive-thru and ordered. I told him to order what he wanted and I would pay for it. I ordered a meal for me, one for my daughter back at the hotel and he ordered his (a chicken meal). He thanked me profusely (his meal was less then Rp30,000). He kept telling us that it was his lucky day. I told him I was my pleasure and not a big deal.
Apparently, it was his first time EVER at McDonalds. He was turning 30 in a few days and had never had it. There isn't a McDonalds in his village (up by Tanah Lot). I know the McDonalds, KFC's and other like places are there for the tourists...but this was still a bit of shock to us. It also brought me back to reality that although Rp30,000 is about $3usd to me, it is about a days wage for most of those we dealt with in Bali. Wayan told us his wife makes Rp950,000 a month at the Centro Department Store in Kartika Mall and that he makes only 30% of the fare on the cab rides plus any tips.
That night in ND, we had the Bluebird cab driver Wayan Agus pick us up and we went to Uluwatu for sunset. It is beautiful, but probably the wrong time of the year to do it. The clouds usually came in around 4p making for some pretty colors, but not clear skies. The monkeys are really clever and fun to watch. It is a one time deal, I think.
Driving back to ND, we had a new Bali experience that we would have the next 3 nights...a power outage. We learned later from the owner of Indo National Resturant that they are updating the power grid and each night during the week one area is without power. It is a rotation, but no one knows when each community's day it. Today's was Nusa Duas. A few of the shops, eateries and such have generators...so they are okay during this time. Every major hotel has there own power too...so there wasn't an issue there.
We had dinner at the Bali Bistro...very impressed (again, thank you for the recommendation fellow forum members)...I had tacos...Funny, because I live 25 miles to the Mexican border here in San Diego, CA...and have Mexican food at least 3 times a week. Had to get my fix and I was not disappointed. I recommend this place.
After 5 nights at the Westin, we moved over to Kuta and the Hard Rock Hotel (HRH).
We had Wayan Agus pick us up and take us to pick up our laundry and then drive us over there.
We picked the HRH because of the location, the pool and the Kids Club. We knew there would be a let down after the Westin. But we were really surprised how steep it was. The service, the food and the accommodations were so different.
We were happy to be back in Kuta where the prices are a bit more reasonable (even at the hotel)...but we missed that Balinese flair we had at the Westin. The rooms at the HRH are very simple, very tired and in need of a good make over. The staff there was okay, but not super friendly...everything there seems to be about the money. 'don't lose your towel card...it will cost you $10usd.' 'More waters in the room are available for $1usd'. But the pool area is great.
The main reason we left ND was to find some kids...My daughter was sick of playing with her mom and dad. So when we arrived at the HRH, we went straight to the Kids Club only to find out there wasn't any other children. She was sad.
Even at the pool area, we didn't see too many other children.
The day prior, while at the Dynasty...we saw heaps of kids...both in the Kids Club and in the pool. So I told I would call and try to book there. I went on line and Instant Messaged the Dynasty, but was told they were fully booked, but to check back at 10am and see if there were any cancellations. She was satisfied with doing that.
That night we went to Mataharis to get some shampoo and conditioner...we shopped for awhile buying a few things. One thing my little girl found was a game cartridge for here Nintendo DSi. The others we had purchased for her DS in previous trips did not work in the new DSi. It has about 60 games on it and was Rp550000. She was so happy.
When we walked out, it guess it was Kuta's day for a power outage. We were thinking of going to Mades Warung, but it was too dark on the street and a bit rainy, so we ended up at the Bali Shores (I think thats the name). Very good food!
After dinner we went over to the HRH and watched the band play at the club there. It was a cover band singing Aussie and American pop hits. They have 7 members on a stage above the bar. They were okay...lyrics were a bit off, but after a few bintangs...who cares.
More later.........................