This is my first JBR ever after 4 trips. I always write a dot point diary but have never posted them as they're usually pretty boring (so I'll edit out quite a bit of personal stuff) but some people might find some of my information useful or interesting.
This was my first trip "alone" even though I went for a wedding and knew only 2 couples there but I didn't see them a whole lot after going out exploring a bit. No day trips/tours this time, just shopping, eating and relaxing.
I'm sorry that this has ended up kind of long after editing it to make sense to a reader other than myself.
Wednesday - 8th October
Departed Melbourne at 10am with Garuda with half the wedding guests on the same flight.
Arrived on time around 13:15 and in a taxi by 14:00. Baggage carousel was the only hold up.
Got airport taxi from the counter for Rp 80,000 to Bali Mandira.
Checked into Bali Mandira and they'd run out of superior rooms so they upgraded me to a single storey cottage for the whole stay.
After dumping bags in my room and changing out of jeans and into boardies I exchanged cash at hotel reception for Rp 10,330 = $1AUD. About Rp 200-300 below trusted external money exchangers. I'm not phased by $2-$3 difference which saves me walking around the corner in the heat.
Went straight to Bintang supermarket for a SIM card, water and the standard weird snack foods. SIM card was way over priced from the guy out the front of Bintang... Rp 80,000 just for SIM with no credit or data which was a bit strange as all SIMs I've bought previously had a little bit of credit at least. Anyway, I just wanted to get it done and go back to the pool so I paid their stupid price plus Rp 100,000 for Rp 35,000 call/text credit and Rp 65,000 for 1.5GB of data. Rp 180,000 total, way too high but I was thirsty.
Back to the resort and straight into the pool for pre-wedding drinks all afternoon and night.
Ended up at The Legend Bar on Sahadewa/Garlic Lane at who knows what hour... Not my kind of place but they had alcohol. After 1 drink it was time to take the couple of women I was looking after back to their rooms.
At this stage it was looking like a very messy holiday, which is not how I enjoy Bali normally. Crashed in bed with a massive headache.
Thursday - 9th October
Woke up with the same massive headache and hangover at 6am! Head off to Mini Mart for several packets of panadol.
Starting to feel better by 7am and went for Mandira buffet brekkie. Nothing special, same sort of stuff as at Bali Garden and Ramayana on previous trips. Got my standard bacon, rice and soft fried eggs.
Walked up the beach towards Jl. Arjuna/Double Six to get the hangover out.
Not much on today, just got a taxi to Discovery and walked up to Kuta Square as this is my usual area. I used the Blue Bird iPhone app nearly every time I wanted a taxi. You need a local number (SIM card) and just put your address into the app and a taxi is there within 5-15 mins. Usually within 5 mins. Easy enough to order before leaving my room and would be waiting at the lobby by the time I casually walked there and they always used the meter. BUT minimum spend of Rp 30,000 which I was not bothered paying $3 anyway!
Back to the resort and found everyone on the Bintangs again at a beach bar just outside Mandira. Still not feeling 100% so gave it a miss and headed off to Mozzarella on Padma for some lunch. Just had a juice, some fried wontons entree and garlic prawns main. Wasn't impressed, just pub style food they've tried to make fancy by only giving 6 small prawns as a main course.
Afternoon nap. I had quite a few of these so I won't mention anymore.
The bride organised a booking for 40 at Motel Mexicola which was chaos after half of the people had been at the beach bar since late morning! Eventually got a set menu which had some delicious items but I can't recall them due to Bintangs and the 'Mexicola' cocktail.
Early night for a few of us and left at 22:30... The nice Seminyak taxi driver (not Blue Bird) decided to take advantage of us but 4 people splitting Rp 70,000 we weren't bothered. But once he dropped 3 of us off at Mandira the 4th person wanted to continue on to his resort just up the road, the price went up to Rp 200,000. The 4th passenger was in no state to be negotiating so I offered Rp 120,000 and he took it. Lesson learnt.
Friday - 10th October (Wedding Day)
Early brekkie and beach walk up to Arjuna and back again.
Walked around Sahadewa/Garlic Lane to the money changer (PT DIRGAHAYU VALUTA PRIMA / http://www.balibestrate.com/our-outlet/bali-qui-legian-7.php ) between Ours and Garlic Lane Restaurant who was Rp 10,660 = $1AUD and no trick counting. Had a look around Garlic Lane and Jl. Melasti for a while.
Back to the Mandira pool bar where most of the wedding guest and groom were, got really sunburnt except my arms that I applied sunscreen to when wearing a T-shirt. Oops.
Off to wedding at Cocoon Beach Club mid afternoon. Had the ceremony up stairs, then moved down to the pool area for whatever drinks we wanted while photos were taken, then back up stairs when they returned and the furniture had all be changed for a stand up reception. Long night with free drinks! Finished up at midnight and returned to Mandira for a few more drinks... 3:30am bed time after eating Pringles on the beach! Only know this as I had photos on my phone at various times of a dark beach and a pack of Pringles. I guess drunk me wanted to keep track of himself! haha. Not sure where the Pringles came from though.
Saturday - 11th October
Unfortunately, I woke up drunk at 6:30am so buffet brekkie and back to bed... Hopefully the wedding was the last day of drinking.
Got up around midday and found the guys at the pool bar but gave it a miss and headed down to Discovery again and bought some clothes from the proper surf shops in Discovery. I don't buy market clothes (copied brands) anymore as they never get worn again when I get home so it's a waste.
Bluefin Japanese Restaurant in Kuta for lunch as this has been a favourite since my first visit in 2005. Had my normal Lobster Ayo which is a little lobster with it's meat scooped out and mixed with chilli mayonnaise, shiitake mushrooms and shredded carrot. Really tasty but expensive for Bali. Then had Bluefin Rolls which are inside out California style rolls with caviar and stuff on them. Had a juice and a cocktail. Total was 400k.
Visited under Matahari and found the supermarket had been revamped to look much more modern since my last visit in Sept 2012.
Back to resort as the bride texted me to say her father was hosting "Wayne's beach party" at 3pm where he shouted beers at the beach bar all afternoon. Great, another afternoon of drinking! Stayed until 23:30 with only beer to drink I didn't get stupidly drunk. The groom did though and asked the guy running the beach bar if he could get McDonald's and ordered 8 Big Mac meals... Have to say I don't normally order junk food over there but this went down a treat after drinking all afternoon and evening. Much fresher tasting than at home even though it had a ride on a motorbike.
Sunday - 12th October
7am buffet brekkie and beach walk to Arjuna again.
Might have had a morning nap.
Got a taxi to "Original Surf Outlet" on Sunset Rd, the most south one and walked North up to each one, which was pretty damn hot out there. Thought I'd walk to Bali Brasco not knowing how far it was... Ended up finding a new-ish Lippo Mall out on Sunset Rd with a Hypermart supermarket underneath which was all laid out and furnished like the Matahari supermarket so I take it that is a Hypermart too. Anyway, prices were cheaper out here compared to Bintang and Matahari supermarket, the fruits and other fresh food looked so much nicer than elsewhere too. Not many people in there at all. I ended up walking further north up Sunset Rd until I came to Carrefour and decided that was enough... Crossing Sunset Rd was fun. I felt like Frogger. Had a quick look around Carrefour to cool down, a towel and shower would have been better though, and then grabbed a Blue Bird taxi from underneath. 1.9km from drop off, to Carrefour. Seems like further in that heat.
Headed to Seminyak Square, walked along Jl Kayu Aya (Laksmana) and then went to lunch at Chandi.
Had dim sum entree and crispy duck main. Mango cocktail, passion fruit mojito and coconut vanilla cocktail. 551k total. Most of my meals are quite expensive as I have cocktails with them. Many of the meals would be in the $15-30 range without cocktails.
Back to resort and into pool with everyone... Drinking again and organising Potato Head for that evening.
Taxi to Potato Head. Had a reservation so straight in. The place was packed and pretty expensive. The guys weren't happy with the $9 Bintangs. I had mango cocktail in tiki cup for the novelty of it. Didn't stay long because of the guys not liking the prices and left to go see midget boxing at Y Sports Bar on Padma Utara. This was terrible and the front bar on the footpath at Y Bar was ridiculously hot so back to the room I went and had cheese, salami and dry biscuits for dinner and turned the TV on for the first time.
Monday - 13th October
Wake up call from reception at 5:45. I guess the guys had a big one and thought that'd be funny. Haha. Wasn't bothered as I like early mornings.
Normal brekkie and beach walked south to Poppies 1... Some tourists (Indonesians from elsewhere, I think, just from their clothing and appearance) requested a photo with me during the walk. This has happened on a previous trip with Japanese tourists. I think a white guy with blonde hair must be a novelty or they were taking the piss out of me. haha
Back to room to for a morning relax.
Taxi to Bintang supermarket for Olay and other souvenir stuff.
Walked to nearby Quiksilver for a shirt.
Taxi to Matahari for furry thongs. (also requested gift, I don't wear pink furry thongs!)
Walked to Stadium Cafe for burger and drink. Have had their 'Champ Burger' before and it was decent.
Walked to discovery to cool down. Bought some Breadtalk.
Walked to Lippo Mall which is a fair distance. Bought a singlet. Went down stairs to see the Hypermart supermarket, big too just like the other Lippo Mall on Sunset Rd.
Taxi back to resort to say good-bye to some of the guests leaving... Hopefully the beer drinking instigators!
Found out a couple of guests had done the morning volcano walk and he had proposed at sunrise so they wanted to go out to a restaurant the like. Off to Queen's Tandoor but with no reservation we couldn't get 7 people in. I take them to Eat Street in Seminyak and say just walk around until you find something that seems appealing... They walked straight up to Chandi and went in. I had salt and pepper calamari entree and meat satay platter and red berry cocktail. The bill total was 3.4M for 7 people because someone ordered a $48 lamb rack!
Early night.
Tuesday - 14th October
Woke up late and went to brekkie but it was packed so I gave it a miss.
Morning relaxing in room.
At 11:00 dropped washing off at JR laundry on Jl. Padma on the same side as Bali Mandira which was Rp 33,000 for 12 items. Compared to the pamphlet on my bed at the Mandira saying Rp 350,000 for as much as you can fit in their laundry bag. Sorry, not going to happen.
Walked down To Beachwalk to see how it's changed since 2012, then to Kori Restaurant on Poppies 2 for lunch. Had focaccia and dips then Ikan Pepes and honeydew juice. Can't remember price.
Walked home through back streets as I'd never been through that area (Jl Benesari).
Left for The Rock Bar at 15:30, got there at 16:05 and walked down the stairs to be seated in the cave area. Left around 19:30. Had (3) lobster spring rolls, 3 Bintangs and 1 Mexicola cocktail. 617k. Nice view and ticked it off my list, won't be back unless I'm romancing. haha. Was very hot though.
Back to the Mandira and had a quick dip in the up stairs pool as the main pool closes at 21:00.
Early night... So much better than those drunk nights!
Wednesday - 15th October
7:00 brekkie and southbound walk again but sun was stinging hot so didn't make it to Poppies 1.
Back to room to cool down and relax.
Picked up washing. Smelled nice, all clean but found things were a little smaller than I'd taken them in at... I'd blame my food and alcohol consumption if I hadn't worn my shorts the day before and they had fitted!
Went to Carrefour for junk snacks (chips, biscuits, lollies and stuff) to take home as gifts and took them back to hotel.
Went to Metis for lunch. Had apple, carrot and ginger juice, salmon carpaccio with roe entree, mango juice, lamb shoulder as main, royal margarita and chocolate brownie with creme brûlée dessert. 551k total. 170k was the cocktail. Probably the best meal I had this time. Would be a lovely place for a dinner.
Organised drinks with another solo traveller from a forum. Met at Discovery. Went for a drink at Boardwalk (Bali Garden beach front restaurant), then got a taxi to Sarong but no free tables so went across the road to Merah Putih. Had traditional tiger prawn small plate and suckling pig large plate. Bourbon orange spice cocktail. Dinner partner had small plate, large plate and cocktail too. 859k total. Nice food here.
Early night again!
Thursday - 16th October
Early brekkie and had stomach pains so delayed my walk.
Said good-byes to bride and groom who were moving to Nusa Lembongan. Everyone I know has left now.
Went for my walk and the sun was hidden most of the way so walked all the way to Bali Garden (1.2km) and jogged the whole way back.
Quick swim to cool down.
Taxi to Seminyak Square, walked to Grocer & Grind for a smoothie. Mango, banana, ginger and yogurt.
Long walk to Salt Tapas as Google maps has routes listed that are closed roads. 850m walk ended up as a few kms and sweat soaked clothing out of frustration. Salt Tapas didn't have the normal menu I've seen online, maybe because I sat by the pool. Got water and the lychee, raspberry and mint smoothie, calamari with citrus Mayo and a Drake's Spices mojito (ginger and lemon grass).
Walked to Petitenget Restaurant. Had water, mojito and seafood risotto. 237k
Back to Mandira.
Went for walk northbound on beach road up to Chez Gado Gado (Jl Camplung Tanduk) and back.
Had some beers on a couch at the back of Mandira and then sat on the beach as the sun set. Took some photos and back to room to cool down and shower.
Went to Barbacoa in Jalan Petitenget for dinner. Had entree of warm olives, pork empanadita and lamb empanadita. Main of char grilled octopus. Water, jalapeño margarita and chocolate margarita. 664k.
Taxi home and went out to Barong Bar at back of resort and watched some UFC (mixed martial arts) on TV with the bar staff and had a few drinks.
Back to room at 23:00.
Friday - 17th October
Up early for breakfast at Sisterfields. Had smashed avocado with feta & lime on sourdough toast, with salmon and mushroom sides and a couple of drinks. Walked around Seminyak and back to Bali Mandira. 6.7km.
Taxi to Mamasan for lunch. Had snapper steamed dumplings as entree and beef rendang as main with a side of eggplant stuff and a couple of drinks.
Taxi back to Mandira
Went out the back of the resort late afternoon and grabbed a couch and some beers. The Mandira entertainment guy sat down and chatted to me for a while since he had seen me alone for a couple of days. Had a couple of cocktails. Saw the bride's father and had a beer with him before I left to go to my 22:00 booking at Sarong.
Taxi to Sarong... This was my favourite restaurant from 2012 due to the pork belly and delicious cocktails. This visit was a disappointment. I saw the pork belly entree on the menu but the description has changed. It used to mention caramelised black vinegar which wasn't mentioned. Anyway, it arrived and was tiny. 6-8 pieces that were luke warm. On my last visit there was 14+ pieces and I was nearly too full to eat my main course. The Shanghai Donkey cocktail and the Sri Lankan lamb curry were both nice but it didn't redeem the pork belly. When ask how my meal was I questioned the size and they claim it used to be on the "starter menu" and now is on the "entree" menu so was reduced in side. I forgot to mention that it was only just warm though.
Back to the Mandira and has a drink at the Barong Bar until it closed at midnight.
Saturday - 18th October
Up early and off to Sisterfields again. Eggs Benedict this time with sides of spinach, tomatoes and smashed avo with feta. Couple of drinks. Campbell Brown (ex AFL player) sat down next to me.
Back to Mandira.
Taxi to La Lucciola for lunch with forum friend. Had couple of juices and pork belly pizza. Walked forum friend to Seminyak Square and said good-byes.
Back to Mandira.
Packed bags and shuffled items until I got the checked luggage to just under 30kg but my carry on is 18kg.
Relaxed and went out to Chez Gado Gado for dinner. Had a foie gra and a lobster entrees and veal main. Spicy sunset cocktail and lychee long island cocktails. Ended up 1.03M. I purposely picked the most expensive items to try to use up my final rupiah.
Back to room to shower and finish packing.
Checked out of Mandira. 3.05M room bill used 28 degrees card. ($287 taken from card)
Taxi to airport.
A security woman standing at the entrance to the check-in queue asked if I had alcohol in either bag, stupidly I said yes (as I had my duty free from Aus with only 2 drinks out of it and wrapped it in two plastic bags to avoid spillage) so she asked me to open the bag and get it out she struggled to unwrap it from the bags and then opened the bottle. Then told me I had to get the bottle plastic wrapped and then the bag plastic wrapped. So I started to walk to the wrapping guy and saw it was Rp 80,000 per wrap... $16 to save my alcohol and thought it was dodgy so just threw it in the bin to avoid giving them any cash. After thinking about it, I should have just asked the actual check-in people what the rule is regarding the open bottle. I think it may have just been a way for them to try to get some extra cash before you leave.
I checked in and my bag was 12.2kg. I was quite confused and thought that maybe he has the bag sitting weird to not weigh it right.
Went and sat in terminal for 2.5hr before boarding started where they decided to open everyone's carry on to check for lighters and aerosols.
Got on board later than 11:35.
Flight was fine, slept most and woman next to me was friendly.
Landed 8:20 local time, out to airport pick up by 8:50.
Regarding bag weight, I got home and went to weight my bag again with my scales... As soon as I lifted my bag and saw 30kg, I noticed it was on the pound (lb) setting! I couldn't see that in the dim light of my hotel room! I even left moisturisers and stuff in my room to get under weight limits. Another lesson learnt for next time.
I am already planning my next trip for the same time next year but I'll be staying in Seminyak and Ubud next time with no breakfasts included. I won't go alone again as it ends up pretty boring. Happy I got to try many of the restaurants on my list though.