This morning we will be checking out & heading to the Risata in Tuban. I've packed up most of our things so it should be a relaxed morning. Miss 5 meets her friend from the afternoon before at breakfast & they want to go in the pool so I finish the packing in peace & then sit on the terrace drinking the last Nescafe Iced Mocha (iced coffee in a can - who knew it would taste so good?? One more Bali addiction to add to the list!)
Hubby has gone out to pick up the laundry & use the internet so when he gets back I phone Popo to see if my bedlinen is ready (they were supposed to call me but it is already past 11.00am & I've not heard from them). It is ready & I toss up whether to get the taxi to stop on our way to the Risata or to walk. In the end I decide it will be easier to walk. I always seem to end up leaving Legian in a mad rush to pick up something I've ordered LOL.
By the time I get back, I look like I've jumped in the pool fully clothed - it is SO humid and I am very sweaty! Hubby has already arranged for the porter to collect our bags & is waiting in the lobby with Miss 5 so we checkout & head for Tuban.
We arrive at the Risata and after a lengthy wait we start the check-in process. It is the longest wait at any hotel we've stayed in so far - eventually I can hear Miss 5 from across the lobby "why is Mummy taking so loooong" "why is Mummy taking so loooong". Good question babe :-)
For some reason, although I have confirmation that the booking is for 2 adults & 1 child with an extra bed and breakfast included in the rate, they have put us in a twin share room & there are no breakfast vouchers for Miss 5. After numerous phone calls between reception & reservations they finally take us to our room (hubby & I will have to sleep in 2 singles pushed together though!).
First impressions of the room are not good, it is pretty tired & smells like a dirty ashtray. YUK! The bathroom is tiny - so small that you can almost sit on the toilet, wash your hands & take a shower simultaneously LOL. On the plus side, the aircon works very well and the beds are comfy (it is nice to have a doona to snuggle under, instead of sheets & blankets).
We change & head for the pool which is also very nice. It has had a recent refurbishment & I'm impressed with the set up. There is a swim up bar, much to the delight of Miss 5 (she loves to swim up & order a Fanta!). There is also a pizzeria by the pool with woodfired pizzas so we order a couple, along with 3 soft drinks. The pizzas are delicious but it is expensive to eat & drink here.
A small Bintang costs RP 60,000!! As a comparison the Margherita pizza at the KP cost RP 45,000 and here it is RP 96,000 :-(
After our swim & lunch we decide to walk along the beach path to see how long it takes to walk to Centro/Discovery (me) and check out the surf conditions (hubby). Miss 5 is just along for the ride!
We walk as far as the Bali Garden as I want to check it out for future reference & we decide to book for dinner at the Boardwalk while we're there.
On the way back we stop at the Kartika Plaza as Miss 5 has spotted the playground. Hubby & I buy a couple of beers from the beach bar while Miss 5 has a run around. I might consider staying here in the future - it looks like a good set up for kids.
By the time we get back to the hotel it is time to have a shower & head out to dinner. We decide to get a taxi back to the Bali Garden, there is rain on the way and it is extremely humid.
Dinner at the Boardwalk does not disappoint. I have heards & read such good reviews about this place that I had high expectations.
I had a prawn & avocado salad followed by Sirloin steak with pepper sauce & veges. The steak was melt in the mouth! Hubby had linguine Marinara, also excellent. Miss 5 had fish & chips (just for a change!!) and we had 4 cocktails plus a juice. Total bill RP 450,000.
We will definitely go back - probably on Monday when we are taking Johnny out for dinner again for our last night.
I am ready for bed, especially as I have had a White Russian for dessert - vodka, Kahlua topped with whipped cream instead of milk. Yummy but quite potent :-)