Friend Jan came over from Sydney & spent a few days with other friends in Perth before joining us on May 28. We took her for a stroll around George St in Freo & she loved the funky shops there. Then to the upstairs back lounge at Little Creatures for a drinkie - ditto. Early dinner at Kailis on the pier. Lovely warm sunny afternoon & great seafood. Fab things to do for an interstate guest.
Jan's husband, a very dear friend, died last August & this trip was for her to have some girly fun.
Early next morning Jan went to Bali. Hassles. In brief, Perth airport staff are utter a***holes.
On arrival in Bali quickly through the formalities then to Kumala.
(BTW we each took 1 litre of spirits plus a bottle of good bubbly which we declared - had $10 "duty" ready to pay but the guy asked how many bottles - we said One & he waved us through - guess he meant how many bottles in total?)
At Kumala our room was on the side next to the building work. But closing the the bathroom door lessened the noise - it was worse outside the room, around the pool areas. The cheapest rooms with the bathroom at the front would be unbearable, I think. Only there for 2 nights so no biggie. First night it poured but at the construction site they made up for it by working loudly until 2 am the next night - irksome.
Went to Lannai for brunch - Jan loved it. Then we checked out leather shops, tailors etc.
Went to Mayang Jeweller in Kuta Square. I had a stone & my own gold to make a ring. Cost was high I thought considering I was only paying for workmanship but thrilled at the result only 5 days later.
We'd checked out the jeweller at Bali Rani but didn't feel comfortable with the woman there. Chalk & cheese compared with the professionalism at Mayang. After being ripped off by a jeweller in Bali a while ago I am now very careful. Mayang is good. Expensive but cheaper than in Oz.
Michele arrived from Sydney via Darwin late. She's well-travelled but a Bali newbie - fell in love with Bali immediately.
Jan & Michele SHOPPED. Both got prescription sunny specs made after hours agonising. Beats me why some people have to try on every item in every shop & then have to do it all over again because they get confused.
We went to Tommy Leather - a very cluey Aussie lady in charge there now - she really knows her stuff. I had a jacket made for my skinny sister, Jan got a skirt & jacket made & Michele got a jacket. The end results were excellent. Jackets were around AUD150. Jan's skirt (which fitted her perfectly) was AUD90.
Michele needed linen shorts & pants - went to Frank in Jl Padma(recommended by the lady at Tommy) & she was pleased with the results.
We went to Ubud for 3 nights. Stayed at Ubud Bungalows in MF Rd - lovely place & good value.
More later.