Firstly I'll let you know that I just typed this out for 40 mins and somehow pushed something and lost the lot. I'm shattered.
Back to business.. Hello all. Can't believe how long it's taking me to get my head clear and both feet back on the ground. Been back since Sunday and still struggling. Had to work Monday, what a shocker.
Flew out Aug 31st and had a great flight although some missed that great flight thanks to the big diesel spill on the Gateway that day. AP held back as long as they could but 7 were left behind and five were people I knew. The Brissy airport made the final call and pushed us out. Many flights that day were delayed to try and help those stuck in the traffic.
All went well on arrival and I paid $40 AUD at VOA and was given change in rupiah. Much easier and cheaper than buying US dollars at home and getting rupiah at a pitiful rate. There was more than enough for taxi fare and lunch as it happened.
At the Lokha in Legian where I spent 18 days I was greeted warmly and given a room upgrade. Over my time there I spoke to a lot of people who all really loved it. One elderly couple struggled with the stairs a bit and wouldn't have booked had they known. Can't believe their travel agent didn't mention it to them, they were really elderly.
Soon after check in we wandered down to Legian snacks. I had some first timers who were horrified at this choice of restaurant but I thought they'd better dive in. After a bowl of noodles one announced to me that she already had Bali Belly. I told her that it was not the food but her hands were probably covered in germs from the money and that had she not been putting fingers in to pull out the ice then she might have avoided this situation. She went pale and I fell to bits laughing at her. I did then explain all about food, handling money and that the ice is safe and she was fine. She of course was not sick at all and never was for the entire trip. She became very independent, ate, shopped and socialised like a champion. I award her best first timer of this trip. She will of course return.
Later that afternoon we headed for Sammy & Suzies where I met Smudge and several others. Forgive me guys if I can't remember your posting names as I got used to your real names. I recall Jules2, Macca, Pak Ken, The lovely Tuberose and of course Smudge. the others are lost to me at this moment. You know who you are and we had some great times not just at the beach but afterwards at restaurants and several outings. I spent probably 14 sunsets at S&S and had a wonderful time chugging back a Bintang or two, smoking cheap ciggys (too many) and watching my boys play soccer on the waterline with a Bali Sunset behind them. Doesn't get much better - for me any way.
Later that night Steven from Bali Budaya Bike Tours came down as we had plans for dinner and he was flying out the next day. Steve changes money at a really good rate so we changed a lot up front to see us through. Still had to get another 10 million the following week between a few of us.
To say that I was busy would be a great understatement. As many of you know what I do for a job you wil understand this. I had a list a mile long of assignmnets from clients. I had two days of educationals, meetings with operators, local business owners and some private property owners. Learnt a lot this trip, mind still trying to back it all up. Managed to research most that was asked of me and it was all very interesting.
I would say that the pick of the crop accommodation wise at the southern end is still Blue POint Villas. If you were wanting 5 star boutique look no further but if you want 5 star resort then it's Ritz Carlton. Not really targetting the Australian market but if you want to indulge yourself for a couple of days then wow, it's really special. Having said that I am told that Four Seasons is still the best but I'll look there another time.
Over in the Benoa area I really liked The Conrad and thought this to be the pick of the bunch. I think a family would have a great time there while at the same time it's not so family that couples or business people couldn't really enjoy it. Great snake like wrap around pool that crawls through the whole property. My kids would love it.
I met with TNT who owns managment rights to a block of units in Jalan Padma Utara. Wow this was an unexpected surprise. I had it in my head that this property was under refurb but no it's perfect, fresh and new with sensational interiors and every thing you could possibly need in an apartment. While I might treat the kids to a couple of days at Conrad I'm styaing at these apartments next trip - no question. They don't have a website finished yet but it's not far off. Contact me if you want more info as it's just really the jewel in the crown. It has private laneway access to the beach and the lane pops out just near Niksoma. This means you don't have to tresspass throuh another property to get to the beach. Also the security guard stops anyone else doing the same. Loved it.....
There was one other property that is opening shortly which is very upmarket and in Sanur. They are not wanting too much publicity until they have their massive launch in December. I'll tell more about this when I can but don't want to get myself in trouble as I have an invite at this point. Big celebrity coming for it though. Busting to tell. I will as soon as I can.
Now for all of you like myself who have put off going to Tanah Lot for one reason or another, You must go.... I have stuffed around since 1989 and finally made it there. The afternoon and sunset were perfect and the tide was out so the kids and I had a great time exploring. It was just such a beautiful and unexpected treat. Never bought so much crap from hawkers but they were 5 years old and cheap to boot. Really was lovely sitting up at those little restauarants and chugging back yet another Bintang and watching that sunset. Heaps of big cameras with the great big extended lenses and tripods etc. Don't know if this is an every day occurrence or if it was just a particularly good day.
Another Sunset was of course Uluwatu and we stayed on for the Kecak dance. While most think it is too long I just love it from start to finish. Sunset was great and the fishing boats were out down there.
We went on the Bike Ride which was fabulous as usual, no naked mad man this time. Never mind maybe next time. Did the White Water Rafting with a different company to the one I usually recommend and while it was beautiful and fun, from my perspective there were too many branches that could poke you and too many things accross the river that you had to duck for. No room for error under these things. Also at the end of it there were too many steps. I had a great time but had it in my head that I'd not really recommend it with as great a confidence as I have the other at Klung Klung.
The kids did Two days at Waterbom park and Ketut was their nanny while I was out seeing the hotels. Macca and family were also with them and all had a great time. I managed to catch up in there on the second visit and have a bit of a relax by the pool.
Accross from Waterbom is the Discovery Mall that I love to hate. While there is SOME good shopping in their I still can't come to terms with the look of the place. Square peg in round whole is how I see it. Maybe when all that white concret starts to get covered in black from the pollution of cars or maybe some wet season mildew it might blend in a bit better. Wish they had allowed for a bit more greenery. Now I will tell you that the cakes etc at that Bread talk are not only sensational but oober cheap. You have to check it out. Someone mentioned it to me and I just didn't grasp it.
We also bought the kids converse shoes from there at the sports shoe store downstairs and from Centro upstairs. They were 149.000rp for one type and another were 169.000rp which is just so cheap compared to here. They were also at Mataharis who at the beginning of the trip had no range and at the end had better than anywhere. I ended up with a pair myself.
I'm going to sign off here. Have more to tell but will get back to it later. Having dinner tonight with a bunch of Forumites here on the Gold Coast. Hope the Bintang is in glass and not a can.
More soon - Cheers
Nicno