Since this is our 4th time to Bali, so we decided to cut-short the sightseeing and stay more relaxing to enjoy on the beach, the SPA, stay on shopping, and food. We flew by Air Asia, and took a package deal for 4D/3N and stay in Rama Beach Resort, Tuban.
Day 1 -
Arriving the Ngurah Rai airport at 1.30pm, for the first time, we have to find our way to the hotel. We supposed to buy a taxi voucher from the counter, which cost around Rp 20-25,000 to Tuban/Kuta area, somehow we can't find the counter and finally caught a taxi outside the arrival area, after bargain, we paid for Rp10,000 to the hotel, save Rp10,000 sigh! This recommended by Julie from the BTF, and is located opposite Bali Hai at the quite side of Tuban.
Our room is on the ground floor (2 storey building) with a cozy verandah, and sitting area surrounded by greens. The bellboy told us, the room was just refurbished with new floor tiles and setting. The room is spacious with a king size bed and accommodate with a good size bathroom, downside is no room safe provided, you have to request for a safety box at the reception to keep your passport and valuable items. We took the hotel shutter to Kuta Sq around 4pm and have some light food at Dulang Café (oppt Adidas shop), the ambience is great with a good mix of tourist, we ordered a club sandwich, fried wantan, one lemongrass tea and ice coffee, cost around Rp120,000, plus point is clean and nice toilet.
After the meal, we went across the street to Sonia, bought some nice seashell bracelet cost Rp 12,000 each, straw coin purse Rp20,000, lather strap (4 p/pack) Rp15,000. From the Pasar Seni, we've got sarong dress at Rp20,000 each, short pants Rp25,000 each. We then walk over to the seaside and to made the temporary tattoo cost Rp20,000 each. We have simple dinner at Warung Indonesia at Poppies lane 2, is a plain shop, selling traditional bali food, we called for Nasi Campur, fried rice with chicken and 2 ice tea, cost 30,000.
Day 2 -
After having the buffet breakfast at the hotel, we decided to try out Sukawati market, which is an hour drive from the hotel. We negotiate with a taxi driver and he agreed to send us to & fro for Rp 120,000. Sukawati market are similar to Kuta, but shoppers are mostly local, stall asking price is lower then Kuta. We are a bit regret to travel so far and find out the stalls are selling same things as Kuta market. But for those who keen to buy oil painting you have plenty of choice here. We bought one around Rp100,000, necklaces Rp2,000 each, beautiful rottan bag with wooden handle Rp45,000 and dress Rp 20,000. On the way back, taxi driver show us a piece of note stated all trip out of Kuta, Legian & Tuban area are subjected to 30% service charge, we know that he try to corn us for some extra. When we reached hotel, my boy frend had a little argument with the driver coz he insist that we should pay 30% more on top of the Rp120,000. I get off and talk to the hotel people, when he notice I return together with the person, he quickly took the money and drove off, we never encounter such bad experience in Bali so far.
to be continue....