The night before : excitement mounting, suitcases packed, shopping list in hand and sleep hard to come by.
Up at 6am, dressed all ready for the trip to the airport. Stuart (son) and I are off to Bali for almost 4 days.
Adelaide airport at 7.00am, for the flight leaving at 9.00am Air Paradise. No problems checking in, through customs and immigration.
Collected TRS on phone/palm pilot I had bought 2weeks prior to leaving. No problems with this TRS counter easy to find, and refunded back on to my visa card. Alcohol and cigarettes allowed on top of the maximum $900.00 per adult duty free. (1x carton cigs and 2.25litres of alcohol)
Flight departed on time. In flight service excellent. Bintangs already enjoyed by many on the flight over. Chicken and rice or beef and noodles on in flight menu. Snacks of Tim Tam vanilla and Nori seaweed flavoured potato chips. Unlimited alcohol and juice drinks. If any complaint drinks were not cold enough, an issue I also had at many cafes in Bali that we had gone to.
In flight movie 'The Longest Yard' - great headphones better than on domestic flights. Next was served ice cream cups, more orange juice (thought I would save myself for cocktails tonight. Followed by sweets to suck on landing. The landing did cause my son some pain in the ears so the lollies came in handy.
Arrived safely much to my sons relief, he did not like flying over water in case we went down, I figured either way it would make little difference.
Visa cost us $10us as we were only going to be there less than 8 days...heard some people negotiating whether they would be there 7 or 8 days, when you consider that they had to be at the airport at 11.30pm but the plane not leaving until the next day at 01.30. Visa, immigration and customs no problem. Did go with the transfer arranged by our travel agent, Creative Tours and our driver Willy was full of information. Already my son was impressed. We were at our hotel within the hour of landing. We were staying at The XXXXXX Hotel in Poppies II. First impressions...heat (and this is not the hot season!!!), perspiration, cars and motor bikes.
The XXXXXXX Hotel standard rooms are fairly ordinary- but ok! To drop gear and sleep. The TV didn't work but that seemed a good idea to give my son a break from the square box. Once we had organized our passports, extra money and return flight tickets in a safety deposit box at the hotel reception we were off shopping.
*Headed off to XXXXX leather, in a little lane off PoppiesII, met Roni whom said that the shoes I wanted to order would be ready in five days.. we were leaving in three days and he was able to accomodate this time frame. I took a shoe from Oz which I wanted made, in fact two pairs. 2pairs = 700,000Rup at the time $90.00 Aus. The shoes were collected the evening we left, very well made and fit perfectly. I have some business cards from Rizky Leather with a map to find the shop e-mail if you would like me to post one to you. Thanks Kristen.
*Next we headed off to XXXXX Jewelers, in Kuta Sq. I had designed a gold cross that my husband wanted and a smaller one for me. They spent time discussing, my exact requirements. They offered the service in six days , but once again said they would have it ready the evening we were due to leave. The cost 2 crosses = 4064700Rup at the time $527.00 Aus. I am currently having them valued back here for insurance purposes but also hopefully to find if I have a good deal!!
* The exchange rate...7700Rup = $1.00 Aus. We always changed our money at either the hotel or Kodak stores, minimal difference in rates, but felt I would not be taken advantage of as I was having some problems with all those zeros. DO NOT change too much money prior to leaving Oz as the rate is so much better over there.
* Off to the Levi shop in Kuta Sq, nothing took my fancy.
* Optik Seius in Kuta Sq were unable to do my prescription sunglasses in the time we had so I missed out there.
* Off to Matahari - Sim card fitted to my phone, and tested. No problem as I had taken a mobile phone that was out of contract so not locked. Phoned home and all was well.
- bought a water proof camera as we are off on a Bounty Cruise tomorrow
- And changed more money
- Bought my favourite Revlon lipstick, in Oz $25.95 but here approx $12.51 Aus. Also bought loose face powder and kohl stick.
* Caught a taxi to MXXXXX to collect DVD's from XXXXX. I had e-mailed him with my order prior to leaving 182 in total. Unfortunately he had only been able to get 116 of them, he did say he would phone the hotel we were staying at with the rest of the order but never got back to us. ( If anyone in Adelaide is going to bali and would like to pick me up 25 Dvd's I would be greatful e-mail above just click on name thanks) The DVD's are packed in plastic sleeves in black satchels for easy transport. Offered a cold water while waiting in the store for the DVD'S.
*** Only used Blue Bird Taxi's no problems with meters or drivers ..except the last day....Taxi back to Discovery Centro shopping centre. Went to Bread Talk what a great place. No cake or savoury I bought was over $1.00 Aus. Bought chocolate coated croissant, curry puff the size of a pasty and a cream cake.
• Stuart really wanted to buy an acoustic guitar he saw for 298000Rup = $36.00Aus but were unsure of transport back home on the plane, alas it was left there.
• Next stop was at Gede Bati travel tours, ( next to Bubba Gumps Tuban) to pick up Bounty Cruise Tour. Organized this on the internet before we left home. Good deal for my son and myself $85US when we got there Gebe was not there but were now told $87US I would generally not mind except I had specifically organized US$ in Oz to pay. So had to come up with the extra in rupiah. I think he got the best deal there.( All those zeros really starting to bother me!)
• Looked for Converse shoes but did not have our size in the color we wanted.
Back to the hotel to drop off gear, and headed off for our first try at haggling. Stuart saw a studded belt he was keen on buying.
Seller Stuart
150000 50000
135000 80000
120000 100000
110000 110000
Think he did the best, but my son loves his belt.
Visit to ground zero, very inspiring, something spiritual there for me personally. Unfortunately, survey people always there to try to get you to fill out questionnaires. We never stopped to do surveys or have friendship bands put on our wrists.
I was surprised to find that ground zero was not actually on the Paddy's site or the Sari Club site. Also surprised at how narrow the street is and how difficult it must have been to get emergency vehicles in there on that night.
First dinner was at Maxi Café in Jl Legian. A fun time with my son who was amused by the cover singer as the entertainment there. I had Nasi goreng with the egg on the top! And Stuart had chicken sates plus 2 non alcoholic drinks .96000Rup = $12Aus.
Back to the Barong Hotel, for a swim and a couple of cocktails at the swim - up pool bar.
Then off to bed at about 9.30pm(remember my son is only 12yo).
We are off to bed, as the young set were heading out for the night.
Well that is day one.......