Is it sad that we only got back on Friday and I am already looking for deals to get back!!!
Weather was terrible, BUT, I still say that a bad day in bali is still a great day! :)
The best exchange rate we got was 9460rp/AUD$
Even when the rate was down. Mr Rudy in Jln Laksmana ( Near SOHO) gave us extra.
Yes, we always checked the conversion and recounted our money.
Xmas to new year was REALLY packed. Streets really busy and Taxis ready to rip you off in a second.
Had one run in with cabbie. He picked us up and refused to put on the meter. Told us that our 10,000rp trip was to cost 50,000rp and would not negotiate, so we just got out of his cab!!!.
He called out to us in perfect english "F*#K Y*U!!!!!
Oh well, There was another cab (Bluebird) in about 5 seconds anyway. Hahaha.
We ate at lots of places, one being the Gateway of India in Dyana Pura. The cheese and Garlic Naan are absolutly amazing.
Had drinks at Galaxy before dinner. They are the strongest drinks I have ever had. Coctails are amazing. Atmosphere a bit lacking though.
Had Dinner at Chandi ( for my Birthday). Coctails here are "THE BEST". Had a great dinner of sate, (coctails), then prawns, (coctails) then something (coctails), Then I think we might have had something else (coctails). Pretty drunk but still just "Holding on" when the staff came out with a platter of chocolate fondant, happy birthday written on the plate, and got the entire restaurant singing Happy Birthday. I was chuffed. Hahahaha.
Our daughter and her boyfriend came with us this trip, being their first encounter with Bali.
They did a couple of touristy trips including the safari park, Monkey forrest, and Ubud markets. They are already talking about going back.
We had a great driver in Bali. His name "Wayan". ( Surprise surprise.)
He was great. Wouldn't take more than 350,000 for full day, even when we tried to negotiate him up in price. We wanted to pay for petrol as well, but he wouldn't let us.
Went and saw Lulu in INTAN Salon.
Had a bit of a cry with her (a couple of times, about the passing of her 19 year old daughter). But she is really fantastic, and says that it cant ruin her life. She still manages to have a laugh and still be cheeky with her clients. She really is an inspiration.!!!!!:)
We stayed in Seminyak in Villa Bugis, near SOHO. They are building and enormous hotel in front of the Villa and it was a bit annoying at times, but not enough to spoil our stay. Staff were very friendly and loved to have drinks bought for them. We gave one of the staff some crocs. He REALLY looked after us after that. Hahaha.
Did the things we like to do, like nice breakfasts at KuDeTa, LaLuciolla, Biku, Cafe Bali, Had enormous dinners and coctails most nights, Shopped till we dropped. Went to art markets and had fun with staff in the shops. Bargained for good prices then slipped them a 20 or 30 000 rp tip.
Love the people. Love giving them things they wouldn't normally get (coke, doughnuts, Thongs, western T shirts, Chocolate etc)
All in all JUST CANT WAIT TO GET BACK!!!!!!