We had a cramped 5.5 hr flight from Adelaide and then the plane landed away from the terminal which meant that we disembarked via stairs to awaiting busses. The VOA was easy, I handed over $70AUD and recieved the change in rp, no problems, it was very automatic. Whilst doing this hubby queued for immigration. This took awhile as they only had 2 lines but soon more were open. As we only had carry on, we passed the luggage carousel and went through customs, then changed some money before venturing outside.
I have been to Bali in 1997 but nothing seemed familiar as I gazed around looking for the taxi counter. A uniformed driver asked us if we wanted a taxi and offered to take us for $25 but I said that I was looking for a taxi counter. Just then, I saw it and moved to the window. I saw him collect a ticket and disappear with his passengers. If it wasnt for this forum, I wouldnt have known about the ticketing system and would have paid much more for a taxi.
It was a long but interesting trip to Sanur in peak hour traffic. We were surprised to see so many motor cycles as I dont remember so many back in 1997. We checked in to the Vila Shanti Beach hotel which is next door to the Gria Santrian.
We had an upstairs room with k/s bed, walk in shower, balcony. The room was renovated with everything in good working order. The toiletries consisted of soap and shower caps.
The grounds were nicely maintained and the staff were friendly. There were mainly Europeans staying there and we were happy when some Americans arrived. The breakfast was buffet style and there were many choices which changed daily.
We spent our time watching the sunrise, walking on the beach walk and
enjoying the sunny weather by the pool.
Our second day
We had organised a driver recommended on Trip Advisor and had confirmed the booking before we left.
However on the day, he didnt arrive and I had left his contact details at home so the hotel staff called a friend who came in less than 10 minutes.
Rama was great. He was a good driver and we learned a lot about Balinese culture. We went to Kintamani via the tourist route of stone carvers, Batik, weavers,silversmiths and Telagallan terraced rice fields.Our driver took us to a restaurant overlooking Mt Batur and the lake. Here we had a buffet lunch and enjoyed the scenery.
He then took us on a back road which he said took 5 hours to Denpassar when he was a boy. We called into a traditional village and an elderly woman showed us through her compound complete with caged pidgeons which we consider a nuisance here, chickens,ducks, pigs, fighting cockerels all living happily. An old woman was cooking rice over an open fire fuelled by coconut husks.
Then it was back to the hotel through all the traffic. Our eyes were certainly opened to this culture.
The next few days were spent relaxing with massages, manicures and hubby even had his feet scrubbed.It is his first trip to Bali.
We shopped at Hardys as we didnt take much with us.
We ate at different restaurants, although we kept going bach to Bennos on the beach for lunch.
We spent on average 100,000 on lunch with a juice or coke
Dinner varied up to 350,000 for a 3 course meal and a binny for hubby and juice for me.Hubby really enjoyed the Bintang beer and as he is diabetic he was restricted to one a day. Just as well he had his fast acting insulin as he really needed it after eating the wonderful food and binny indulgences!!
We spent a week in Bali as hubby wasnt sure that he would enjoy it and it has been a long time since I was there.
We topped off our trip with an elephant ride.
We booked with Chantik info centre not far from Bennos. It was $USD20 cheaper than the internet price/person.
We were collected from our hotel at 8am and taken to the Elephant camp at Carangsari. It was an enjoyable ride though the countryside.
We paid when we arrived, chose our 3 course lunch from the menu and received a welcome drink before meeting our Mahout - Jackie and Cindy the elephant.
Well, what can I say - he was the most entertaining, funny and interesting person.He gave us a good insight into his life,the elephants' life and the area we explored. We trundled through the jungle and he pointed out various plants as well as the 'Balinese tiger' (squirrel) orangutan (larger man in orange shirt on motor bike!)Japanese elephants (cars in carpark)We stopped for a coconut drink from a small coconut. Cindy finished of the coconut after we had finished drinking. Cindy stopped regularly to eat her favourite plants along the way. We went through a local village and saw children playing.After an hour we were back at the camp where the elephant had a drink and then walked through the bathing area. Jackie gave her a harmonica to play as he joined in humming the same tune!!
We then got down from the elephant and Jackie took many photos with our camera including one of Cindys' tonsils.
Jackie communicated well with Cindy and she knew exactly what to do when he said "smile". The elephants are well looked after. There are 18 elephants rescued from Sumatra as well as 3 baby elephant about 5-6 years old.
Then there is the Honey bear (Malaysian sun bear) Billie.
People can have their photos taken nursing Billie, feeding him with a bottle of milk or standing alongside of him holding hands. Billie is really an attention seeker and loves human contact.
We then enjoyed our lunch watching the elephants.
We were back at our hotel by 2pm.
I had read a review that these elephants were mistreated but I could not see any indication that this was correct. No elephant misbehaved. Each Mahout had a small stick with a metal end to indicate to the elephant the direction it needed to travel.It was like a steering wheel, if it didnt have a metal end he would need to strike the elephant with a great deal of force for the elephant to feel the motion. I grew up on a dairy farm where my father mistreated the cows and I know from experience that animals who are mistreated always react to the person mistreating them out of fear.He was often kicked or they just ran away from him. Non of the elephants misbehaved while we were there.
Jackie had an incredible rapport with Cindy. She responded to his jokes. He has been with her for 9 years, since her rescue. She is 23 years old.
Overall it was a wonderful experience and not to touristy. The elephants were not made to do unnatural tricks.They take photos and then try and sell them to you and there is food that you can buy to feed the elephant.
After the elephant adventure we returned to the hotel to gather our bags and prepare to leave.
We went to the Dewi lounge at the airport to shower and change for our late night flight. 255,000 for both of us.
We will be back.
This trip was an introduction and we gathered so many hints and tips from this forum to make the experience more enjoyable.
Back in Aus. we were asked why we didnt have checked baggage, 'were we sure that we hadnt forgotten our luggage?' We like travelling light and 'no' we didnt forget our bags but we have a card full of wonderful photos and precious memories and I think we are a few kilos heavier!!
Back at home, I checked my emails(which didnt work in Bali)and there was the explanation..our booked driver could not find our hotel and was very sorry. He offered to drive us for free next time. Note to self: take driver contact details with next time.