We decided to go to Bali after P&O Cruises sold their boat! The cruise that we had booked was of course, off. No boat no cruise. Quite simple really. We didn't want to cruise to the Pacific islands ... so Bali looms large with some pretty attractive deals on offer.
We decide to stick with what we know for this, our first trip to Bali, so we decide on the Mercure Kuta.
We are carrying the Illawarra's last bottle of pure raspberry juice and a bottle of Inner Health capsules. Billions of healthy bacteria just bursting with bacterial excitement at the thought of finding their new home inside Pieboy and Piegirl. Either the raspberry juice or the healthy bacteria will save us - and using Wet Ones on every conceivable occasion.
Security tags on the bags to protect the many kilos of cuddly toys that we hope will find some little Balinese owners, we front at the Garuda check-in counter. We both smile at the Garuda man and suggest that we would be ideal candidates for an upgrade to Business Class. Our charm doesn't work. Looks like we are heading down the back.
Garuda leaves late. Not hours late. But late regardless. And seems to lose more time on the flight.
We pay our VOA in Australian currency - accepted with no problems at all - receive our change in rupiah - and we are off to collect our baggage. It goes without saying that our bags are nearly the last off the aircraft - but they eventually appear and off we go to incoming customs. Nothing to declare - a cursory glance in the hand baggage and we are there!
Outside we are met by Made who is going to transfer us to the Mercure.
Suddenly we are at Kuta Square which I recognise from photos I have seen on the internet. From there it is literally around the corner to our hotel.
The Mercure Kuta is across the street from Kuta Beach - location is great!
The staff on reception are welcoming - but our first room was on the side of the hotel that adjoins the Hard Rock Hotel - we have been forewarned about the noise from the Hard Rock so request a different room. This time we would be on the outside of the building - facing roughly north - about as far away from the Hard Rock as you can get - and with a small balcony so we have a glimpse of the sea. No increase in price. We take it.
Things to buy - we head towards Matahari. First impressions are of the noise of the traffic - its not that loud but the continual toots manage to get through - and that the street is alive with people trying to interest us in timeshares. The taxi drivers are insistent too but we are able to resist.
We've been warned about money changers too - now is the time to find out whether the warnings are true. They are. Piegirl got swindled of about 75 cents in our money - it's a trifling sum - but a salutary warning that these dudes can baffle you with bs and unfamiliar money.
Dinner at the hotel for our first night. A barbeque by the pool.
As barbies go, its pretty good. Prawns. Sate chicken, sate beef, sate pork. Piece of chicken. Tiny pieces of steak - tiny. Salad. All the good stuff. I'm a little wary of the salad because it has been washed of course - and washing takes water. But the end result is just fine. The staff are attentive and friendly.
The barbeque features Balinese dancers and then a wandering trio of singers. The trio are a talented and witty bunch of guys - and they certainly play up to the people who are requesting songs. Our personal favourite was their rendition of the old Beatles song 'All my lubbing'.
The view across the pool and over the sea is spectacular. We had been up since 4.00am Australian time and it was an early night for us ... by 10pm or very soon thereafter the calm Bali night was rent with the Pieboy's snores.
... more to come ...