JBR - PART 5
EXCHANGE RATE: During the week we were there (9th - 16th Sept) the exchange rate varied between about Rp. 7,600 and Rp. 7,800 to AU $1.00.
DAY 6: Thismorning I went for an early walk along the beach past Club Med and a couple of other hotels to the Nusa Dua market stalls. Most of the shops were still closed but a couple had just opened up and I was offered their 'best morning price - for good luck.' I bought 2 nice butterfly sarongs with embroidery and sequins, a long cotton beach dress and 2 nice fabric shoulder bags all for Rp. 170,000 (AU $22.00). Had spent all the money I had on me but the other shop owner coaxed me in and told me 'no problem - you come back, pay later' so I bought a few sequined purses and a sequined bag as well as a Barong mask for gifts (Rp. 130,000; AU $ 17.00).
Had an awful experience at breakfast thismorning when Tarek - after stuffing his face full of waffles, maple syrup and whipped cream - suddenly told me he wasn't feeling well and wanted to go back to the room. I grabbed a large white napkin from the table and walked swiftly out of the restaurant with him. We were almost out of the restaurant when he started throwing up. I tried to contain it in the napkin but it started spurting out - splashing a waitress and another lady walking by. How embarrassing!!! I couldn't really do anything but apologise and run with Tarek to the nearest bathroom. Cleaned up all the mess and then snuck back to our room. Couldn't face going back for the rest of my breakfast after that!
Luckily Tarek recovered pretty quickly. We spent the morning by the pool and then met Komang at 3.00pm for a half-day tour to Garuda Cultural Park (GWK) and Uluwatu Temple. Entry to the park cost Rp. 15,000 (AU $2.00). We drove past the University on the way to GWK which was interesting - there was not a soul in sight and we asked Komang why it was so quiet - he said all the students go home at 1.00pm. Wish it was like that when I was at Uni! At GWK we climbed the stairs to view the large statues and look at the spectacular view across Jimbaran Bay. On the way back down we met a couple of guys with some of pythons in a box. You can have your photo taken with the really big snake for Rp. 20,000 (take photos yourself) or more if you want them to take it for you. There was a display of photos - I was a bit freaked out by all the shots of babies laying in the middle of the curled up python. Maher, Ramsey and I were not brave enough to hold the python for a photo (or go anywhere near it for that matter!!!) Tarek really wanted to though and we got some great photos of him holding the snake and with it draped around his shoulders. He was thrilled!
From GWK we went on to Uluwatu Temple. We had planned it so we would be there at sunset and catch the Kecak and Fire Dance starting at 6.00pm. It costs Rp. 3,000 (AU 0.40c) to visit the temple and you get given a yellow sash to wear (and a purple sarong if your legs are too exposed). The temple is set high on a cliff with stunning views of the coastline all around. There are monkeys everywhere which was exciting for the kids. Beware though as they are very cheeky and will steal food, sunglasses, etc. from you so make sure you put everything in your bag out of sight! Poor Komang put his packet of cigarettes down on the wall next to him while he was lifting up Ramsey and a monkey ran off with them. Another monkey stole someone's sandal and took off with it up a tree! The tour guides were trying to bribe him with a banana so he would give it back - it was quite an amusing scene!
After walking around the temple and admiring the view, we headed off to watch the Kecak dance as the sun was setting. Entry to the show cost Rp. 50,000 (AU $6.50) and Rp. 25,000 for the kids. The show was fantastic, although quite long - 1 hour. The kids were enthralled, as were we, by the chanting, costumes and dancing. At the end there is a lot of fire. We were sitting up the front and I was worried we might go up in flames ourselves at one point when a gust of wind blew the fire balls towards us! I would highly recommend a visit to Uluwatu Temple and the Kecak dance - a wonderful cultural experience! The view at sunset is beautiful.
DAY 7: Sadly our holiday was drawing to a close. We caught a Bluebird Taxi (we used these a few times during our trip and found them to be excellent). On the way we stopped at the Kodak shop near Tragia and left a couple of films to be developed. We asked if they could burn the photos to a disc as well but they couldn't (ended up getting it done back in Perth from the negs) . When we arrived at Waterbom we saw that they have a photo developing service there - you can get your photos printed and/or copied to disc while you are at the park and pick them up on your way out. Will remember that for next time! Waterbom Park was FANTASTIC! Felt like we were back home as there were so many Aussies there. We all had a wonderful time. We paid Rp. 505,000 (AU $65.00) for a family pass. You can hire a cabana (definately recommended!) for Rp. 50,000 (AU $6.50) plus a refundable deposit of Rp. 50,000. Lockers cost Rp. 15,000 ($2.00), plus a refundable deposit of Rp. 25,000. You can also hire towels for Rp. 6,000 (Au .80c) each plus a refundable deposit of Rp. 54,000 (AU $7.00) each. Near the entrance there are some bungee trampoline rides which Tarek had a go on (Rp. 30,000; AU $4.00). Lots of fun! We spent the whole day at Waterbom, swimming, sliding and relaxing in the cabana. I loved the lazy river and the River Raft slide (the ‘easiest' of the slides) The bravest I got was going down the Macaroni. Tarek was very adventurous and went down all the slides. He must have done the 'Smash Down' about 10 times! There is a nice water playground and slide area for younger children which Ramsey enjoyed. We had lunch at park. Waitress will come to your cabana and serve you which is great. Their prices were not cheap but quite reasonable - eg. Cocohead Cocktail Rp. 39,000 (AU $5.00). Cheese Burger with salad and fries Rp. 34,000 (AU $4.50); Fresh Pineapple Juice Rp. 16,000 (AU $2.00).
From Waterbom we rang Sharkey's Restaurant in Jimbaran Bay to make a booking and arrange for their free transport. We got there just before sunset and had a table on the sand. What a great view - you can see all the fishing boats and even planes landing and taking off on the runway. The sunset was just beautiful. The boys had fun playing around on the beach and we shared an enjoyable meal of lobster, prawns, squid and chips. They also serve rice and salad free with your meal. The boys had a couple of soft drinks, Maher got through 2 large Bintangs and I sampled 3 different cocktails. Our bill came to around Rp. 650,000 (AU $84.00). By far the most expensive meal we had in Bali but it was our last night and was well worth it for the whole experience. The prawns and squid we had were absolutely delicious. We were a bit disappointed with the lobster, howeve. It came smothered in a chilli sauce which we weren't expecting and made it hard to appreciate the actual taste of the lobster. We politely ‘complained' about it and they offered to cook us another one minus the sauce. We had to wait awhile for the new one and it tasted okay but the meat was a bit tough and not as tasty as we've eaten in Perth! I bought a couple of shell and bead necklaces from the beach sellers (Rp. 20,000; AU $2.50 for 2). We got our free transport back to the hotel, stopping off at the Kodak shop in Nusa Dua to pick up our photos (Rp. 72,000; AU $9.00 for 2 rolls of film). Prints weren't that great - colours look pale and ‘washed out'.
DAY 8: Our last day in Bali :o( I went for another early morning walk along the beach to pay the lady I'd bought the sequined purses etc. off the other day. I ended up buying a nice necklace from her for my mum (Rp. 20,000; AU $ 2.50) rather than keeping my change. I also went into another shop which had heaps of lovely beaded thongs and sandals. I bought a lovely pair for mum with shells and beads for Rp. 40,000 (AU $5.00). This shop was great because, unlike a lot of others, she had lots of large sizes and her range of styles and colours was excellent. I wear a size 9 here (as does my mum) and took a size 43 in their shoes. Most places didn't have shoes that big! Walking back to the hotel, I got approached by the massage ladies who have a little area set up just past the hotel beach. They couldn't talk me into a massage but I did take up their offer of a flower manicure! I agreed on a price of Rp. 50,000 ($6.50) which was probably a little high, but I was happy enough to pay it. One lady painted my nails in my chosen colour and then another lady carefully painted little flowers and dots on top. Back I went to the hotel to meet Maher and the kids who were wondering what had happened to me!! We had breakfast then spent some time by the pool before heading back to the room to finish packing and change for the trip home. How depressing! We had to be out of the room by 2.00pm so still had another hour and a half to kill before Komang was due to pick us up and take us to the airport. We asked to have a look at the Palace Club suites and Maher negotiated a very good deal for next year (yes, we will definitely be going back!!!). We picked the biggest ground floor suite which will easily accommodate 2 extra beds for the boys. The suites are beautifully appointed and include DVD/CD players. As a Palace Club member you also get access to the lounge area, DVD library, free 24 hr non-alcoholic drinks, American breakfasts, afternoon tea with pastries, and free cocktails and hors d'oeuvres in the evenings. We got all this at a heavily discounted rate and inclusive of tax and service charges, free transfers and two 4 hour spa packages of our choice thrown in! Definately pays to negotiate direct with the hotel. Now we just have to find a good deal on airfares! Will maybe look at spending a few days in Ubud or Seminyak as well next time - 7 nights did not feel long enough.
We took a few last minute photos at the entrance of the hotel and then waited in the Santi lounge for Komang. The Santi lounge very nicely set up with a bar, children's play area, TV, Playstations, magazines, computers with internet access, and a foot massage area. Great facility if you have an early flight to Bali and need to wait for your room or, like us, a late flight out.
We flew out of Bali at 6.00pm. Had a good flight although the landing was a bit rough and Tarek felt sick. I had the paper bag ready, but luckily he managed not to throw up!!! We got into Perth around 9.30pm and charged through to collect our luggage. Ramsey was tired and irritable by that stage and threw a huge tantrum as we were lining up at customs. He was crying and screaming and trying to run back the other way back to the plane!!! We then collected our luggage but couldn't find Ramsey's stroller. Wasted half an hour waiting for it and then realised it had come off another carousel - ahhhh!!! The queue at the customs checking area was a mile long by that stage so it was nearly 11.00pm by the time we got through to my poor mum and dad who were waiting for us on the other side.
Well, we are all settled back home now. The bathers and shorts are packed away and we are back wearing jeans and jumpers again. The suntan is fading fast and my flower manicure is starting to look pretty chipped and tacky. It's amazing how quiet and lifeless the streets of suburbia feel after Bali! Back to work now so we can save our rupiahs for another trip to Paradise next year...
Here are the last of my photos on web shots:
http://community.web shots.com/album/456370604geVlHX
(just close the gap btwn web and shots when you copy the address into your browser)