OK. As many travellers on here have a variety of experience in travelling to Bali. I wanted to refresh your memories on arriving here the first time and the experiences you may have encountered, that were similar to ours. I start this as we begin day 3 of our trip and what we have experienced so far.
Landing Saturday night after leaving Melbourne and having an 8 hour layover in Perth, we hit Bali at 11.30pm at night. Stepping off the plane and onto the sky bridge you could feel the heat slap you in the face from the first step. The humidity was thick and enveloping, taking you far away from the comfort of the air conditioned aircraft. This is all felt less than 5 steps up the ramp.
Through customs and being weary of the 'porters' wanting to help with your bags, were out into the Bali atmosphere of 1001 drivers waiting for their customer. It was the only experience I could relate to being a celeb with eyes on you waiting for any acknowledgement that the passengers had arrived. Off to the hotel we go to check in and sleep.
Staying in Tuban and we wanted to get amongst the bargains straight away. Walking along the beach to discovery mall, we get smiled at and asked for purchases from at least 40 girls along the way offering jewellery, painting of nails and braiding. How quaint, we thought...... Bali is lovely. Through the mall and into the bustle of Kuta and the intensity escalates 10 fold. The number of sellers and the tactics they try to lure pale skin Melbournites in amazing. In 5 minutes we had 15 cards in our hands from sellers tellin us their stuff was the best. As one as one was finished, the next one started on you.
Time to be brave and walk into a shop. I had a new friend Freddie who laughed and told a few jokes to make me feel at ease. After that, the offers of products started rolling in. Did i want Billabong, Monster, stussy?? Here, try this size. We have that in red. The options were endless and the shop was no bigger than my loo. In the end I'd seen two shirts I'd liked and a dress for my daughter. So the 'haggling' began. We talked from 50 to 30 to 35 as a price. I turn to tal to my daughter about her dress when Freddie tells my wife the price was 350000 and that's what we agreed to. As we are half way down the street, my wife does the loose conversion of 10000 to 1 and says $35 is a great price for what we bought. After a brief argument of what we'd agreed to and what we'd paid - we were too embarrassed on returning to confront Freddie to argue it out. 1-0 Bali.
Coming back to our room - our pride was dented and talk was had not to leave the sanctuary of the room for the rest of our 10 days here. After some Bintangs and duty free drinks we thought we'd check out a bar called Uncle Norms in Melasti. This was a good choice as after a good meal and a few more drinks, we'd laughed off what we'd done earlier in the day and put the big buy down to experience.
The second day, we'd been suggested to go to Diannes fixed price shop. Wish we had of gone here first. As we bought up big here with much more confidence. 1.7 million more confidence. Lucky us. With our new found confidence. We decided to brave some more stalls for shoes, with advance from Dianne on rough prices. Better shopping here with Vans and Nikes nice and cheap.
With all the shopping, we got hot and decided to stop off at a hotel for a lemonade. As we got the bill at 87000, the conversion fairy got a little mixed up again as the question of an AU$87.00 bill for drinks was required. After a few more sips of this liquid gold drink - I'd come back to $8.70 for the three drinks. I think I needed Freddie there to help me again.
A taxi to Bintang supermarket for snacks and drinks revealed that 50000 was about the trip price. Inside, we found that they didn't have lemon soft drink, which my wife prefers as a mixer. So plain lemonade was the choice. With no bluebirds around for the return trip, our newfound knowledge helped us negotiate the fare for the ride home.
Besides uncle norms. Meals have all been local to our hotel, but we have tried the all meals. No bali belly yet, but we are making sure to take Travlan each meal. All good quality.
Now at lunchtime on day 3, plans ar being made for tours. The recommended driver has been in contact and been booked for Thursday. So well see how the rest goes from here.
I've enjoyed reading the forum and the help from members with the questions I've asked. All the details have helped with planning and choosing the destination. In the short time we've come to accept that bali is what it is. We're looking forward to getting braver and enjoying the next adventure