We left Melbourne on Thursday 19th August, 2010.
Trevor, Dad and I stayed the night before at Ciloms and they shuttled us out to the airport at 5.30am. We left our car with Ciloms.
(Mum passed away at the end of June so we suggested to Dad to join us. They hadn't been to Bali in more than 20 years and always stayed in resorts. Dad is fit and well and 85).
We met Caron and Peter, all of us excited.
Pacific Blue flight departed at 8am, on time, but due to strong head wind our flight took 6.5 hours. Arrived 12.40 and in Legian by 2.
Took no time to purchase VOA (Paid au$30 each) then queued for Immigration. We were out of the airport within 45 minutes of landing.
Interesting that our passports didn't get stick on VOA's, just triangular stamp with 30 written in green. New procedure.
Porters carried out our bags and no issues through customs. (The employee watching the xray screens did seem to be glancing that way, unlike April when he was busy sms'ing).
Since our pre-arranged transport didn't show we caught taxi to SuriWathi in Jl Sahadewa in Legian, 55000rp.
Our holiday house home, aaaah. Wonderful to be back.
Staff called out to us (nice words, ie not ‘get out of here'), as we walked up the path and we were showed to the new village, #34 and #37.
Friends Helen and Sue arrived around dinner time and got settled into #33.
Our car was waiting for us. We hired an Avanza for the first 2 days then APV until we left.
First afternoon, Dad and I drove to Bintang Supermarket for supplies, then found The Studio in Jl Kunti 2, way too far out for comfortable stay in Bali (we checked it out for my daughter). Its over Sunset Rd and in a side street in residential area, no shops or markets within coo-ee. Too far to walk along roadside with baby. (Pity, as the rooms look nice on the website).
Another day we also checked out Bali Village resort and Annora Villas.
Annora got thumbs up for sure. Its in the side road off to the left after Breezes in Jl Dhyana Pura.
Later that evening with our neighbours from home (who were staying at Casa Padma) the 10 of us had delicious meals at Mozzarella.
First morning, day after arriving in Bali I always seem to wake at home time, so head down to the Legian early morning market for fruit supplies and cakes for staff (copied from Didi). I like to supply the kitchen with bananas, pineapples, watermelon etc for fresh fruit juices. I prefer to buy all stock from the man who makes the pancakey/half round cakes costing 500rp each. Sometimes he sells me 40 or 50 then shuts up shop (his batter is all finished). Some are vanilla, some with sprinkles, some jam, some chocolate.
Later we got our sim cards sorted outside Bintang S/M, so we could contact one and other when needed. (I have a couple of sim cards if anyone wants them, email me on tgmail@optusnet.com.au.
New Mentari sims cost 50000rp with 5000rp credits. (Simpati was down so couldn't buy them and test them).
You can buy melamine plates, trays etc by the kilo upstairs at Bintang S/M and the girls bought a kettle. Needless to say it was tested at the counter, but in fact didn't make it through the night before it ‘blew up'.
Couldnt resist a glazed fruit tart from the bakery at Carrefours. We had it for dessert a couple of nights when we returned to SW after dinner.
I bought lots of summery outfits for Amber, my grand-daughter (did I tell you she was born end of June, just 30 hours before Mum died).
Another day and more Rp, I bought lots of gorgeous outfits at Mothercare (MC) and upstairs at Matahari in Kuta Square.
Bought lovely soft shoes at Matahari too and they had lots of OshKosh 50% off. MC is really quite expensive but quality seems tops.
More another day.