Arrived (9th) on the 0450 AA light out of Perth. Left earlier than scheduled arrived about 20mins early. Out of the airport in about 20 mins . Arranged pickup with Noyman Asaria (ex Nirvanas ex Un's ex Bumbu Bali) . In toe with ball and chain, brother and sister in law.
Checked into Kumala Pantai , rooms were ready (bonus), place looking a little tired but for $85 bucks a night it's still ok, apparently rate next year are around the $100 mark, will be checking out hotels in the area whilst I'm here.
Breakfast was the same boring rotation until day three when new things started to appear Soup and porridge station Soto Ayam and Chicken porridge, three choices of yoghurt, Bircher muesli with all the add ins. Mangers hovering around checking on the uptake. Finally KP got the message.
Unpacked as we are here for number of days then we hit the street with the must sort out first. Couldn't believe it, haven't been in the place for more a than an hour when my sister in law had a flip flop blow out which caused her to fall, tried to break her fall and in doing so looks like has broken a couple of fingers. Should see her fingers looks like she's been bare fist fighting. Got some ice from nearest hotel/bar we could find on Padma, Balinese are always willing to help, they gave us a bag big enough to cool a carton of Bintangs.
Went and visted Iluh at the Melasti markets, I like Iluh, she one of those kind hearted people you just want to hug. She was impressed with my progress in basa Balinese, had her in stitches . We sat and chatted for a while, she too was concerned about the South paw and went and got some soap to assist the rings being removed, didn't think they were going to come off but they did.
We left Iluh a gift of an assortment Italian homemade biscuits that my mother and wife had made, should have seen her face very humble .
We continued down along Jl Pantai and about this time we were getting a little thirsty , so we ended up at Jimmys bar and down a couple refreshments. By this stage the must do's got rescheduled and we wander back to Poppies 2 to Jonko Tailor at least we will get one thing out of the way . Measured up for a suit and two pants Rp 700k, these guys are cheap.
Back to to hotel for a swim and more refreshments before dinner.
My son, his girlfriend and her family have been in Bali for a few days so we caught up for dinner, they arranged to meet at Chunky Chumps , it was ok probably wouldn't go back.
Ok day 2 need to get some things out of the way , first stop Marzi Karazi (hotel linen supplier), wife wanting to get some table cloths made for a larger than normal table(3m) for ourselves and brother-in-law., works out to $70-$80 each, we also had some runners made however the runners take about three weeks to make (batik ) so we will be getting them dropped off to sisters hotel when she comes in a few weeks. Alto Moda for some fabric for some outfits wife wants made and back to the tailors.
Took my brother and my son to Babi Guling at Pak Malen on Sunset, brother hooked wants to eat it everyday, very spicy, son who likes his chille was deep breathing.
Picked up SIM for iPad from XL promo stand at the Beachwalk , 3gig, 30 days, for only 25k, bargain normally pay 130k from the telkom store in the Galleria.
Dinner at Cafe Jadi, delicious as ever Chicken Lime, Borneo Fish and Black Pepper Prawns 350k for 5 people with drinks
Day 3 lazy day booked dolphins interaction for late afternoon, was a lot of fun. Dinner for nieces birthday who is also here at Bamboo in Turban not overly impressed prices a little high for my wallet. Seems like prices have increased across the board
Day 4 Brother and I attended the Lobong cooking school trying to get some kultcha into him. Loved it especially that we got to have more Babi Guling before the cooking school started at Payangan markets. Ladies shopped and massaged. Light dinner at Warung Asia.
Day 5 wander along the beach to check out Puri Saron and the Pelangi , the Saron looks defiantly the go if we can get it at a good price.
Walked up past Breezes and we got stuck at Wendy's Silver, the brother and I considered it that way. Wife loves coming here, bought a number of pieces and drop some off to polished and restring. By the time we got up to Jalan Legian we thought we'ed cut the ladies loose whilst we get another feed at Pak Malen. Placed was packed with bus loads of Asian tourist, had to jump onto a chair as soon as someone got up.
Fed and content we walked back, couldn't believe it the ladies were about 200 meters from where we left them, there some things a bloke will never understand!!
Back to tailors for fitting, a few minor adjustments, suit looks great.
Poolside for the rest of the afternoon. Bali Beach Shack for dinner, niece wanted to see the drag show, food was average show was a bit of fun though.
Rate on the street was 10310rp when we got here out has dropped to around 10200 rp
Weather has been great with only a couple of afternoon showers.
Cheers for now