Unfortunately our last days (6.5) came around too quickly (as usual). We moved from Jimbaran to The Lokha at Legian. We arrived there about 11 am and saw they were in the process of digging up Padma St. Found out later this was to put in water pipes. Juni at reception said, your booking was made by Nicki, she has stayed here and is lovely. I told her about Nicky's illness and she was upset and SMSd Nicky. Our room was ready for us which was great as sometimes when you arrive this early it isn't. Unfortunately for them the hotel only had 15 of the 50 rooms occupied when we arrived. It did improve. Fantstic location just walk out the hotel and you have the shops and restaurants. We had an appt for 3 hr treatment at the MBR spa. we walked to Loji (think that is the name) in Padma Utara and bought, 6L water and some more sunscreen as I'd lost ours. then caught a taxi to spa. Off course it wasn't far we didn't need a taxi, Last year I had trouble walking to 3 Brothers Lane from the Padma. My ever reliable memory had me thinking our appt was 3 pm, no it was 3.30. So we just sat and had a cold drink. We were having it in The Temple Suite. We enjoyed the massage, the girls were great Had to laugh we had the flower bath in the Jacuzzi as part of the treatment. I asked about the bubbles and was told that was extra. Probably the pump was broken. I think next time we would probably try the Green Garden Spa, they pick you up. A couple from the hotel spoke highly of it and the stone massage is available there. Before dinner we went for a walk down Garlic Lane to find out exactly where Bali Aussie was for the following morning, also checked where Tony's Laundry was. Then we went to Wayan & Friends for dinner. That was busy. I tried the shrimp cocktail as recommended and was very disappointed with the sauce, it didn't seem to have any taste. Plenty of shrimps. Then I had a caesar salad and didn't like the dressing. Eddie loved his pork sates, said the peanut sauce was the best he had tasted. Walked around and looked at the shops and went back to our room via the bar and picked up some ice for using with what was left of our duty free.
Next morning we had to have an early breakfast (for us anyway) as we were told to be at Aussie Bali for 9.15 for the bus for the Mad Chatters Party. We were surprised as breakfast wasn't a buffet, however it was very good. (The 2nd day the breakfast was changed to buffet). Got to Aussie Bali and quite a lot of forumites already there. When we left for Bali I think there wer only going to be about 10 however there were a lot more than that and we had our own bus which didn't arrive till about 9.40ish. Of course I was in the loo, had been "will I go, won't I go". Got back outside the bus was there and everyone was waiting for me. We had a great day, got to put faces to names, however with my faulty memory cannot remember them all, sorry. I can remember Robert, and there was his wife ? Geri and their friends, John and ?, isn't it awful can remember the mens names. Met Kermie and Sir Fin, (Jon, wife and son, forgotten names again). On the way there was an ominous noise and bus was struggling the driver said it was something to do with the air-conditioning. We all thought it was from the gearbox but when he turned off the airconditioning the noise stopped and we had power again. Got a bit hot before we got to the market, not many windows that opened. Stopped off for a pitstop at Pacung Indah and David joined us on the bus. He was sitting across the aisle from Eddie and myself. It was very interesting to hear things from him including how the Adopta-Co-op was started. Went to Crackers Bar and Grill at the market ? Kuning. Did some shopping very quiet to when we visited the market in 2003. Bought some t shirts from the Adopta Co-op shop, good quality and funny slogans. There are some that were decidedly risque. Ports were playing much to the disgust of quite a few people, but because we are Pt Adelaide supporters we were pleased and they won even better, bad luck about yesterdays result. Colleen was flitting around taking photos. You could buy your lunch either at the bar or at a little bakery in the market. The driver fixed up the airconditioning problem while we were at Crackers. On the way home we stopped off at the Pacung Indah, fabulous views but unfortunately the weather wasn't as good as it could be, misty rain. Lot of people there. Eddie and I just had a cuppa and the biscuits were lovely. Others had the buffet lunch or just had their drinks. There were some people staying there so our bus was light on, the assistant left the bus as she lived there. A few extras from the bus from Dynasty joined us as their bus was crowded. Our driver was most upset as he thought he would be finished when he dropped people off in Jl Melasti and then found out he had to take the others to Dynasty. Jon and family got off earlier and 6 of us got off at cnr nr Garlic Lane. We had time to have a swim when we got back and then went to the new Indonational for dinner, this also was busy. Kermie was there with friends from the Lokha don't think they were on the trip. Had a good meal and spoke to Kermie would said she had nearly missed the 2nd bus as she was busy talking.
The rest of the time was mainly spent in the pool and lazing around. We tried Billy's the following night and Jon came in with family and friends and asked us to join them and that was a good nignt. Enjoyed food, company etc. Robert etc were also there later on, said they just popped in for a drink after dinner and they were lucky as it bucketed down for 10-15 mins, otherwised they would've been drowned. The restaurant was very busy. Another visit to Indonational and I had their shrimp cocktail and the sauce had plenty of taste. Also tried Uncle Norm's had a good meal there, good shrimp cocktail can't remember what else we had. Know it was good though. I enjoyed their cocktails. Small restaurant but very friendly. The last night we went back to Billy's. Couldn't get over how quiet it was. The staff spent their time talking to us. Asked if they had shrimp cocktail (wasn't on menu) they said yes, I wouldn't have it again. The shrimp weren't chilled and it was mainly lettuce. Still you live and you learn.
Bought some DVDs from a place on Padma Utara we'd used last year but couldn't get a lot that we wanted, were told that they weren't good copies. Took some back to H that still weren't ok. Of course went to Breadtalk. Eddie filled out a survey in front of Discovery Mall, I told him not to as it was timeshare but asserting his masculinity he did. That afternoon while I was in the pool he took a phonecall and arranged to go to the Peninsula Hotel the following day for a "free" breakfast, we'd be picked up and brought back. I wasn't Happy Jan. We had to be up even earlier for this. The breakfast wsn't as good as the Lokha (included in our package). Anyway we got the spiel and we told them we already had the equivalent of 2 weeks timeshare in points. Wanted us to trade in one week, sounded good until we came to the figures, no way. The spiel was typical sales a whole lot of things you're told at the beginning weren't the same as the end. I could have had a go at him about it but just couldn't be bothered, I wanted to get out of there. Were given a book to get a week, in selected locations. However it just says the country not what resorts available, you have to book within 6 months and stay within 12 months of the sales pitch. I've emailed them for lists of resorts.
Was caught out by a money lender, didn't think it would happen to me. I'm always very careful. It was a Kodak shop in Jl Padma on R hand side before you get to Garden View Hotel. It is just a money changer in a room. Eddie changed $100 and it was ok and then I changed the same. I queried it at the time and the girl and Eddie both said I was wrong and bamboozled me. I walked back to the hotel and said I'm checking that I'm sure it is wrong and sure enough had been diddled 100,000. I said I'm going back and Eddie said it won't do you any good but I went. Was going to threaten them with tourist police, spread it on the forum and tell everyone at the hotel etc. Anyway I walked in and there was a young guy there as well, and they were bundling up notes. I said you've underpaid me, they said wait a minute and she said give me back whatI gave you and she gave me the correct money. "Sorry, Sorry, Sorry". Easier than I thought it would be. However I'm still telling everyone.
The free 15 min massage we had a the hotel was good. Just had our feet done. Gave one of the spa staff some chocolate and saw them sharing it around, I was impressed.
We had a ground floor superior deluxe room at Lokha, it was good for me not to have to walk up stairs. Had a bit of a problem with the shower but got used to it, and in the end the floor didn't have as much water and you just ask for extra towels. Take note though they don't have face washers. I used to ask for extra hand towel. Unfortunately the day before we left their was a large influx of young Indonesians. We had some in the room next to us and they kept me awake till after 1 am even though I ended up taking a sleeping pill. They were very noisy in the pool though this did stop about 10 pm, the pool is not supposed to be used after 7 pm. The following day they were moved some they were all together the other side of the hotel. However when we sat in the foyer waiting to go they were outside their rooms and were quite noisy so we were glad to be leaving. I was extremely tired, if I don't get a decent nights sleep I'm a cot-case.
Had my jewellery delivered from Toko First on Wed but didn't spot a small mistake on 1 item till too late on Thursday evening, they are going to fix it for me though. Tina is kindly taking it back to them. Will still use them again.
Managed to lose mobile sometime on Thursday. Didn't realise till I was on aircraft and went to turn it off. Luckily still had my Telstra simcard in my purse, hadn't changed it over. Dau-in-law's old phone so no worries. Went to Prada Lounge, paid 150,000 rp I said it was supposed to be 100,000 but they insisted. We paid up and felt that it was worth it for comfortable seating, drinks and late call onto aircraft. The food isn't the greatest. Must try some of the tips I've read about since to get it cheaper next time.
Had a bad flight home, toddler couldn't settle down and was crying a lot. Economy was virtually chockers. Guy across from me was snoring very loudly. Had to come home via Adelaide. Transit lounge cold. Pre-ordered duty free by email from Bali a few days before we left, as I wasn't too sure whether our Garuda flight might have been changed to Sydney and come Domestic from there. Unfortunately I didn't realise there was something missing in the bag. Realised when I got home and Downtown Duty Free were most apologetic but they could only credit my cr card as customs wouldn't let us get it, only way was if we knew someone coming through to pick it up for us. Too much hassle and anyways most people are so loaded up they wouldn't need that. Just had to crash a couple of hours after we got home we felt so terrible.
Of course we have had the Bali Blues but just looking forward to the next time. We enjoyed the fact that it wasn't as humid this time. Eddie will be careful of the camera and I will be careful with the mobile and also make sure that the duty free is correct.