Well arrived home late yesterday and will submit whilst I remember things. It was of those trips that was not going to happen but the boxing day specials with AA got the better of me.
As in my previous HNR we arrived on Valentine's day for 14 days at the Matahari Bungalows. Old hotel but very comfortable and basic breakfast but adequate. Wife did not like the shower in the bathroom as there was no division and the whole room was the shower room. Basin and mirror in the main living area.
Noticed this time more loud-mouthed ugly Australians than ever before. One group was so foul mouthed my wife told then what and what they should be discussing at restaurants'. She beat me to the draw, but I had just taken my meds and was a little slow. Not only bad mouthed but the topic they were yelling about should be confined to the bedroom. We enjoyed our meal in peace after the wife's tirade. Now most aussies have gone back to school there appears to be a lot of Europeans and Java people taking a holiday.
Restaurants. We ate most places but missed KORI's in Poppies 2 this time as they were closed for Renovations. Worst meal in two weeks was Bamboo down by Discovery Mall. 30,000rp for a warm small Bintang, The meal also was the worst I had 170,000rp for a mixed grill is not bad but it was not edible. Wife had a Kebab, and it was so bad she left half of it. Two girls at the next table had chicken schnitzel. They complained as it was dry. Left most behind and as Bamboo staff took no action they paid and walked out. The price was bad enough but 10% tax then a further 6% service charge made it an expensive unpalatable meal. Actually worked out at $3.50 Aussie for a hot Bintang, not bad when you can buy them in the supermarket for about $1.40. Other places we ate and enjoyed our meals were Lemon Grass, Tubes, MooMoo's, Stadium Bar, Mammas, Big Mammas, Simpang, Rendezvous' Sports bar, Kuta Steak House, Ardi Dharma, Ducks Nutz, and Mozzeralla's, some more than once.
Shopping. Did the rounds of most of the shopping centres like, Carrefour, Ace Hardware, Giant supermarket, Hypermart at Bali Galleria and Lippo Mall, and Mataharai's in Kuta. I think Carrefour is getting expensive. coke at almost 70cents for a can smaller than home and hot. Also did Ramayama, Tira Dewata and Robinson's in Denpasar. Nothing special but did purchase a lot of cheap medical supplies like bandages, Betatine, Bandaids, sun-block, deep heat etc. Half price compared to Australia. I am secretary of Veterans Retreats in WA and we run a retreat near Marble Bar. Need to stock up with medical supplies as donations are slim at the moment with the state of the Economy. Our last trip to Bali was in Late October last year so did not buy much. Went to our favourite shops and had doona's made, wood carving, canvas products etc. Still came home with 68kg plus cabin luggage.
Tours. We went to the Turtle Conservation park on Turtle Island (Serangan Island)near Benoa. Not the one at Nusa Dua. This is a Volunteer run park with free entry and a guide will show and explain everything to you. Excellent, and I adopted a 2 month old turtle and set it free into the ocean. Only a few survive and mine was blessed with hopes that it will grow and Survive. Excellent again. Near this Turtle Park is a Dolphin Sanctuary. There is floating pontoons and the dolphins come and go as they please. Never went out but is about 500 metres from shore an boats take tourists out to the pontoons. I don't know any other details.
We also went on a 3 wheel Trike Tour. Harley style front and Volkswagen motor etc. It is not cheap but when it is in the wife's bucket list it will be done. Pick up at the Hotel about 10am and arrived back at about 5.30pm. Lunch was supplied at Kintamani, but you can choose your own tour. There is 4 trikes in Bali which used to be run by Niverna. Now owned by a Dutch National with Balanese drivers. They all have other jobs so do this in their spare time. They do not like to take you on a shopping trip. They like to take you to places in the back area's of Bali. They will stop for photo's. After 20 plus trips to Bali I saw more on this trip than ever before. Look up unto the sky the tree's etc without that roof to interrupt your viewing. Wife is very happy. Price is $75 a day per person. I paid 1,5 mil rp for two (what he asked for) so at the current exchange rate less than the $75. Smaller half day trips can be arranged. There are shorter trips available. Contact for "Kuta4me" as he/she has been looking for it is. The site is www.touring -bali.com, but this morning, I note the site has been hacked and something to do with Muslims. I did not understand the page so quickly got out of it very quickly. Two phone numbers Mobile 08170678419 and home 3613600200. They are part of the Kanti Su Tours group who do tours in open topped Volkswagons. http://www.baliage-travelnet.com/de/tour/kantisu.html
Airport. No hassle arriving but separating males and females twice to go through the X-ray Machines to appease the Muslim women is a joke. Wife had trouble lifting the heavy case onto the machine without help. Next there will be separate lines at the check in counters. What about disabled women and children. They say it is a trial. ???? The snake that you have to walk through to get to the departure gates is a joke. I don't buy duty free so why am I forced to walk 200 metres through duty free shops to get 20 metres to the departure gates.
Read a post a bit below regarding motorbikes on the footpath. I had thought to myself whilst over there. Can I hire a nasty German shepherd or similar and just walk along Legian Street and see if I get a free path? You Bet-ya they would move.
Exchange rate varied and we got 10.500 a few times but on the last day 10.250 for our AUD