March 19 - 8 April (Besakih Hotel)
I don't normally write a JBR but had such a great time that sharing with other Forumites that are interested seemed the way to go.
This trip (about my 30th to Bali) was initially a present from my wife Joy to celebrate my 60th birthday. Things changed in my head so much once we had booked that the trip turned into both a birthday and a retirement celebration.
We were booked on the 4:50 am Air Asia early morning flight from Perth with my best mate Bazza - a sprightly 74 year old. Heading to the airport at 2:15 am does seem a bit crazy - more like trying to get home from a nightclub. Now that was a long time ago.
Bazza drove and used the Long Term Parking - $97 for a week - good value compared to running the gauntlet with taxis. No worries checking in - Joy's titanium hip sent the buzzer screaming even though the buzzer wasn't red. That's for those like me who had a huge laugh about the colour of Air Asia planes. I got scanned for drugs and then frisked. Give me a traditional Balinese massage any day. More on that later if you don't get too bored.
The flight left 5 minutes early and arrived in Bali a bit sooner than expected. Only one officer was at Immigrasi to process the whole plane. I've always told newbies not to do anything faster than the Immigrasi at the airport and you won't get stressed during your Bali holiday. However, I've never warned anyone about getting booked for vagrancy - we were stuck behind the dreaded 'Yellow Line' and weren't moving. Fortunately the Balinese siesta finished early that morning and three yawning Immigrasi officers finally arrived. We were then on our way to do battle with the porters. No contest - we won.
By 8:45 am we were in our taxi booked at the Taxi Booth heading for the Besakih Hotel in Sanur. The downside of the early flight is that the room is rarely ready. This was no different for us although Bazza's single room was ready so drop the cases there and start the adventure. Not having slept the night before - it wasn't long before Joy and I were practising our comatose positions in the foyer of the hotel. Not the best way to meet new people or to make an impression. This is our 5th stay at the Besakih. Great location, great staff but average rooms. By early afternoon we are all settled in and ready for a few cleansing Bintangs at the Bonsai on the beach. Dinner in the sand on the beach at Bonsai finishes off our first day.
Sunday afternoon it was our first visit to the highly recommended Ducks Nutz. It turned out to be Bloodyron's birthday. What a great day - live music and hosts Billy (Mr Carlton) and Gael (The Pink Lady) were very accommodating. A piece of Bloodyron's birthday cake put my diet on hold.
There has been a lot of talk on the BTF about 'bogans'. One description I read was anyone wearing a Bintang singlet and especially if carrying their own stubby holder. Well that counts me in. However a couple arrive on a scooter to book into Made's Hotel where the Ducks Nutz is situated. These two were different however - he's very well dressed and his female companion has slacks on that are that tight that she looks like a bike rack! He wants to know where to park the scooter - I had a pretty good idea. Blow me down if he doesn't start down the driveway to The Pavilions. Wasn't long before he was back red faced.
Ended up there three more times. The music on Sunday starts at 2:00 pm and on Wednesday at 7:00 pm. Good menu, various artists, had a special guest appearance by Jock (fantastic), Billy himself and the worst stand up comedian hailing from Darwin that I've ever heard. Must have been the Bundys that did the damage he'd consumed beforehand. I could say get a haircut and a real job but I won't. Well worth a visit to the Ducks Nutz in my opinion.
Part 2 to follow - Golf in Sanur, Sports Bars and Restaurants