Before I start 2 or 3 things.....
1... apologies for the delay in this latest report, over the last couple of days we've moved on to our second holiday location and I had trouble getting connected to the net.
2... as I'm a little behind I thought I'd cram a couple of days in.
And ....C ....... a quick Exchange rate and weather report.......AUD1 = IDR 8400ish........Sunny/Overcast /Raining at various times of the day! Not too much rain though? (More on this later).
Awaking with various aches and pains from the previous days excursions (my Bums not been that sore since my last prostate examination!); we decided to take it easy today so after another lovely breakfast we took a taxi down to Silverberries to buy various items of Pandora jewellery. For the next hour or so, the ladies were in their element sorting through millions (well it seemed like millions!) of different charms, they ended up choosing some basic bracelets and many, many charms. The bracelets cost IDR220,000 each and the charms varied from $50,000 to $80,000.
We had a wander along Legian St, perusing the various shops and stalls, every time we stopped to cross the street we had to politely decline the kind offers of the many taxi drivers keen to get a fare, and as tired as we were we thought getting a taxi from one side of the road to the other seemed a bit over the top! We stopped off at Bali Bintang Supermarket again for yet more essential supplies and decided to stop at Cafe Seminyak for a quick bite to eat. We all went western this time, So 2 Chicken Cordon Bleus and 2 Aussie Pies and chips later we were satisfied!
The afternoon was spent lounging by the pool relaxing with a good book (mine was the literary masterpiece that is Hulk Hogan's' autobiography and the Missus was probably the latest Jackie Collins/Gilly Cooper/Girlie Soft porn tat!) and obviously the obligatory Bintang or two!
As this was our last night in Seminyak we decided to make a night of it and go to the Wah Wah Bar, which had been recommended to us by our good friends, for a great night out. As we were getting ready the rains started, and by the time we were ready to go out the down pour was so heavy that I could swear that down near the pool area I spotted an old bloke dressed in long robes holding a staff directing pairs of animals onto a large wooden boat behind him!
We waited for the rains to abate.......and waited .......and waited! Eventually we had no choice but to order in yet again! So much for sampling the various wonderful eating establishments of Seminyak! Mind you we know all about the takeaway scene though!
Pizzas all round then off to bed! I was started to get tired of this none stop partying!
The following morning after breakfast we packed and got ready to be transferred to our 2nd Holiday location Kuta Townhouses. As this was our first trip to Bali we decided to try out a few different locations to sample what the various areas had to offer. We've got 2 more to come.
A quick word on our thoughts of Villa 8.... Traditional Balinese style....Excellent service, lovely Villas and ideally located for Eat Street (weather permitting) ......well recommended!
After a bit of a Mystery Tour (our driver didn't speak English and didn't really know where the hotel was) we finally pulled up outside the Hotel which is located on a really narrow lane between Poppies 1 and Poppies 2. We managed to check in about an hour and a half early and were allocated a 2 floor deluxe apartment on the third floor. Totally different to Villa 8, more your modern hotel with 2 communal swimming pools, restaurant, sports bar and gym (I'll never be out of there then eh!?).
We went on a quick walk to get our bearings and found to our surprise that we were less hassled by the vendors than we had been on our visit to Legian, perhaps they had no t-shirts in my size?
My daughter wanted a ball gown making for her Year 12 Ball so we stopped at a tailor on Poppies 2, my daughter had a picture of what she was after which she showed to the lady and after a bit more detailed discussions on style, design, measurement taking etc we agreed on a price of IDR350,000 for a fully lined dress, apparently a bargain?
Stopped at an E-Mart to withdraw cash from the Commonwealth Bank ATM there, eventually got some after cocking up the 2 or three times, had trouble counting all them 00000000000s!
I had taken so long that the girls decided to grab a snack for lunch from the E-Mart, so I sat down and surprisingly enjoyed the Cheese burger they'd got me.
We wandered along the sea front, took a look at the beach had a nosy where the posh people were staying in the Hard Rock, nice pool! Found ourselves at Mataharis, went past the Fish Foot Massage thing and was entertained watching a middle aged lady squealing like a little girl every time she touched her feet to the water! After much cajoling she finally got them in. I'm not sure if I'll give it a go, I'm sure if I put my feet anywhere near those poor fish I'd have the fishy equivalent of the RSPCA (RSPCF?) down on me like a ton of bricks for cruelty to our piscatorial friends!
Checked out Bagus Watches to get a rough idea of watch prices, there were some really nice copy Rolex, Cartier, Tag Heur etc costing between IDR500,000 and 1,250,000. After a quick Bintang we headed back to the hotel. By now, when offered a leaflet for massages places to eat etc. (which happens fairly regularly) I have perfected the technique of a small wave of the hand, downturned mouth, slight shake of the head and a 'Tidak Terima Kasih'........this seems to work fine. My Missus on the other hand .....on returning from every venture out, empties her handbag with the equivalent of a small rainforest worth of leaflets!
We decide to try the Hotel Restaurant for dinner, a decent enough selection very reasonably priced.
The Missus had Beef Curry and Rice (I know ...exotic!) IDR45,000, the girls had a Giant Pork Chop IDR70,000 and a Steak Tenderloin IDR55,000. I wasn't feeling too hungry so opted for a 'Bloody Big Mixed Grill' IDR115,000 all were really tasty. Bintang prices are Sm IDR15,000 Lg 25,000. The bad news is they are still not serving any spirits so no girlie cocktails!!
After dinner I had an urgent appointment with the TV as Liverpool were playing against Stoke. After the all too familiar recent feeling of mild disappointment (we ended up drawing 1-1... late equalizer from Stoke!) I had a consolation Glayvar and off to bed!
To follow - Day 6 and 7 - Discovery Mall and Bubba Gumps.