We have been back for a little while but have been too busy to write a J.B.R.
We arrivd at Denpasar airport and knew the routine. Mrs. gets the visa's & I stand in the queue to go through customs. Mrs. joins me with the visa's as per usual. As we are annual visitors to Bali we have learned the quickest & easieat way to do these things. While waiting in line, I noticed the guy at the counter having passport checked, handing over some money from his top pocket. Reporting this to the Mrs. I said I would be ready for the little rogue. After 10 minutes or so, it was our turn at the same counter. Usually Mrs. does all the paper work (as women do). She hands over both Passports, in the past they have been both processed together, but not this time. Hers is done first & she is told rather forcefully, to go to the next counter straight away. So like a good (not so little) girl, off she goes to the next counter leaving me alone with the little rogue. Yes, sure enough he tried his little antics on me. Before stamping my passport he says, "have you got something for me?" I said "no, I already support 2 families in Bali". He says "but you have not given me anything".
I said to him "No & I am not going to give you anything". With this answer, he stamps my passport (he's a little Peed off) & off I go to join the Mrs.
Please, all travellers to Bali Say NO if they try to get extra money from you. If you pay, you are supporting this type of curruption.
After going through all the formalities, we find ourselves sitting outside the airport, puffing on a very well welcomed ciggie.
We told our Bali family that usually meets us, it will take us at least an hour to go through customs before we come out, they must have taken us at our word. Becausetourism to Bali has dropped off so dramatically we were through in half an hour.
We had no accommodation booked this year, but had checked out a number of places last year. We have always been based in Sanur. Being sick of the lack of care at Alit's Beach Bungalows, where we have stayed every year previously, we went to Julia's Home Stay (we saw bueat accomm. there last year) The good room we saw was already booked and the other rooms were unacceptable.
Off to the next on our list. Rita's Home Stay (basically a Motel by our standards). Yes rooms were available. There is no pool, but we are only 3 minutes walk to the beach. At only 125,000 rhps per night(Au.$18.00) We booked in for one week, as we planned to tour around the Island & go to Lembogan during our 3 week stay. The rooms were spotless & a fridge in every room. Car hire available on site & a beautiful gift shop. The shop looked so elegant that the Mrs. thought the prices would be rather high. Not so, the prices were very reasonable. We checked out a couple of items @ the markets & Hardy's over the road. Prices were very comparable. After checking in, we go off to look up our friends for our usual purchases of DVD's. & resteraunts etc.
It was great to see Harry @ Shreks DVD stall along the beach. As we sat there & chatted with Harry, it was really heart warming to see other Aussies call in to say hellow to Harry. Many of them had only just arrived, there first port of call was to see if Shreks stall & Harry were still there. Harry is just one of the most beautifull people we have met in Bali.(If only I could get such an honest, loyal employee here in Aus. but alas those days in Aus. are gone)
We give Harry our list of requirements for us, friends & relo's,
We know without failure he will do his best for us.
We go in to Bonsai Resteraunt for dinner, just a couple of shops up the walking path along the beach.
It's been a long day, so we head back to Rita's for a well earned sleep. As we are next door to a Banjar & it was rehersal night, we go to sleep to our beloved Bali music.
TBC.