As usual this will not be a long JBR.
We flew cheaply from Perth AA. We left Perth early and arrived at the Perth airport in 3 hours and 15 minutes. As usual bus to the terminal and easy with no wait for a visa then an hour+ to immigration . We managed to be behind two large aircraft. The VOA touts were a pain and $25 AUD PP was exorbitant.
Out to taxi and on our way to the hotel in no time at all. Got the room we asked for at the Dewi Sri and soon out to get some stores as it was close to sun down. A couple of cold bintangs at the Bagus went down well.
We were booked for 15 days this time. Stayed at the Dewi Sri many times before and as our last trip was in Feb this year not much had changed. It was more for a relax than a shopping trip.
Wayan our wood carver was at the hotel and we placed our order the next morning. His wife was due for a baby so promised our plaque for before we were going home. Wanted "Jepun Jepang" flowers instead of Frangipani's so all was set and it turned out great. Baby arrived whilst we were in Bali.
Rang Hoolz and we arranged to go to Sanur and catch up for a late lunch. Great afternoon and good to put a face to some of those on BTF.
We usually eat basic meals and ate at the following restaurants. Kuta Steak House, Tubes, Bella Italiane, Kori, Febri, Simpang, Mozzarella's, Coffee Corner and our hotel. Some more than once. The worst meal was Tubes in Poppies 2. Just after 7pm at night and had run out of spare ribs, then asked for a seafood basket and it was shocking/dry. Complained to the waitress then got ignored. Went to the payment counter and got little response until my voice went up several octaves. Could not care less. Never and never ever going back. Best was a toss-up between Kuta Steak house and Bella Italiane. Both we went to more than once and meals and service was excellent at a reasonable price. Mozzarella was disappointing as far as menu price. Same price in Padma Street as in their upper class places. I would have expected Padma Street would have been cheaper.
We booked Ngurah for a trip to the water Palace near CandiDasa in his VW safari (open top) Loved it and he took us to a restaurant in CandiDasa on the way back. Excellent cheap meal right on the beach.
Wife had several tops made at Alto Moda and was pleased with the result. I had my usual fix at Ace Hardware and bought a few small items. Bought the usual Bali items including a few DVD's and CD's and also some wood. Had quite a few foot massages, Great for the feet after a long day.
Was not happy with internet this time. Had Bali sims in our phones and even tried to use free WIFI but sometimes all dropped out and the message on the screen was "Not connected as the internet you selected is too slow. some free WIFI places were good but others very poor. I had an XL sim in my tablet (telstra compatable) and it worked fine all the time although I only used it in our room. Simpati in our room was very poor, but that could be the tower location.
Wore a "fitBit" whilst over there and in 14 full days we walked over 91km. leaving out a relaxing day here and there I think we done well but the food and Bintangs did not help the waistline.
Travelled home with AA again and no problems with the weight. The first time we were underweight for many trips. Flight home was great.
Now for the next trip.