Hi again,
from Kuta we moved onto Benoa harbour to meet the boat that would take us to Nusa Lembongan. 8am pick up which was a bit rich for some of the group who were a little second hand. I was ok but glad to have the super duper Hard Rock brekky in my stomach.
It was a rainy windy day and the water was realy choppy. They gave us raincoats - anorak style and off we went. This type of boat is the scoot style so just gets your there quick rather than a bigger cruise style boat. There was some cover but the first three rows of us copped it. I was last on as I had made a rest room stop... so got landed with the front seat.
As I get motion sick it was hard for me to put my face down. How ever with face up the rain was stinging me and every so often a wave would give me an eyeful of salt water. While being cold and wet we were never scared. Wasn't that torrid.
We must have looked like Budhist monks in prayer all huddled over and heads bowed - except those of us who were unable for more than ten seconds at a time.
It stopped raining when we arrived and the sun was really trying. We dried off pretty quick and got on with the inspections. We then went onto the pontoon and while I was ready to snorkel I was still a bit cold so opted for the submarine. For those of you who have not done this it's actually just a really deep hulled boat with large viewing windows below deck. Goes for about 20 mins around the reef and is great. I was so happy with it I lost my will to snorkel as I'd seen what I wanted to.
We then went back for lunch at Bali Hai Tide Huts. This is very nice but for me I don't think I could do the hut stlye accom. While they are just really cute and all cubby/treehouse like I really like to have my own bathroom. The whole communal bathroom thing is not my speed. They are very good facilities though. I'm also not fussed on the idea of staying somewhere that gets day trippers. I would find that unsettling and have had that said to me before also.
From there we went around to the next cove/bay area and this is where I really liked it. For those of you who know Coconuts I was in the Villas to the right of Coconuts closer to the beach. Lembongan Island Beach Villas - Excellent! I will definitley be back there with the kids and a bunch of friends as this place is ideal as it has 2 and 3 bedroom villas that are fully self contained and beautifully appointed. Loved the views and just the overall quality of the place.
Love that the beach is over still water then there is great surf out the back that you can easily view from your balcony. The three surf breaks there are Playgrounds, Lacerations and Shipwrecks. Ideal if any one wants to pig out on the waves but not have to travel miles.
I went off walking around and found the entire area to be just charming. All very relaxed. Heaps of smiles and hellos. No hassles from anyone to buy a single thing. Just awesome. On reading the Hotle Info book and comments from other guests there are heaps of quality places to eat - and super cheap. They also deliver to your room. We ate at a restuarant a couple of doors up Batu Karang and it was very upmarket and the food was great. It is also a villa complex but only one room villas at this time. They are building more. Very nice place also but more for couples than families or groups. Could be a great honeymoon spot. I could rave on for hours over NL but I'll move on.
Back to the mainland the next day and over to Sanur. We stayed at the Sanur Beach Hotel. After check in and the inspection we had some free time. While the others looked for shopping I looked for Don Ron and Co. They were right next door at the Villa Puri Ayu - another great find. Don and family and friends numbered 16 so it was a nice catch up over a couple of Bintangs. This villa complex just steps behind Sanur beach is a ripper. I arranged with Don to meet the boss so I could set something in place - Done!
That night the we had hosted dinner at the Mercure and inspection. all very nice. Sat with a real hotty. Years too young but very nice on the eye and ear. He asked me out for Salsa dancing. I declined as he wanted to go to Seminyak and I was too tired. Stay tuned though..... Oh the hotty is Indonesian and in management at Mercure.
Next day was transfer to Grand Hyatt at Nusa Dua. As expected very nice hotel. I have to say though that 40 acres is a little too big for me. Room was magnificent though. I could move in there! I went to get my hair done as a treat and because I left my round brush at home. Big gala at 6.30. Had to look nice...
The Gala was at the Nusa Dua Novotel which as I said in April is really very good. Wish it were in Legian though! A lot of VIP's there so a great networking oppotunity and more importantly my salsa dancing man from the Mercure. Now while I'd like to excite you all with a great tale of romance there is nothing to tell. We did how ever dance lots and lots and it was really fun. I'm a bit fussy who I dance with and he was just my speed. Every time a song I liked came on before I could even turn to look for him he was there. Unreal when you find some one to dance with who likes all the same stuff. When I left that night I didn't get to say good bye to him even though I looked around. He emailed me when I got back though saying much the same. Nice man.
From there I had been recruited by some of my favourite girls on the trip. Three about 24 and one my ageish. We got a ride into Kuta and started at hard rock cafe but only lasted one drink as the band we wanted wasn't going to start for a while. We then moved on to Santa Fe and hung out there for a while - more dancing. Ran into some other agents. From there we went to double six the club and while it was quiet we gave it a bit of a go and had some shots to keep our alcohol levels up. From there we took motor bikes - one each to Embargo where the place was really going off. Had a ball and left about 4.45. Danced, drank, talked, got chatted up by infants - very flattering - and watched a good old fashioned pub brawl. The bouncers had it sorted very quickly. Aussies... Gotta luv a bit of biffo to spice up the night. So now I feel up to speeed on the night life.. All part of my duty to research and be in the know Blah blah blah. Haven't done that for years.
So after breakfast I said goodbye to anyone who had made it to the final inspection. I managed 1 hour and 45 mins sleep. I was trashed!
I then shared a taxi to Legian with another agent who wanted me to take her to buy bags - how funny! I checked into the Lokha and she had a quick look then down to Garlic lane where I got her a deal while returning two faulty bags that they happily replaced.
I then went and booked a massage - had a one hour sleep and then massage and then time for S&S.... Caught up with smudge who was just back form the UK and Chris and Ken and Scully and Geoff and a bunch of others. From there I went to Seaside to meet Inmyblood and Trish from the BTF for my favourite Grilled Mahi Mahi and my new favourite cocktail - Golden dream. Galliano, Cointreau, cream and orange juice - Yummy! I've moved on from Margaritas just right now. After a quick meal Shauna took me back to Lokha as I was falling to bits and I had about 13 hours sleep.
Sorry this is so long.... But trying to get it all done in one go.
Next morning after I had brekky with Jay & Rob and beside us were Sue and Allan ( marathonman) I met the H man for the ususal and then Shauna rang and collected me for another brekky at KuDeTa. Met Indoeasy there who I think is a champion and impressed me no end with his awesome language skills. Had a great three hours there much to my surprise as I had not planned it into my day.
This is where Bopgirl sms'd Shauna and we told her the Beckhams were in town and then she posted it on here. We knew she would and that saved us a job as we were busy telling the world. They were spotted in Candi Dasa by a group of 20 agents and there is no doubt it was them. A source at a magazine we spoke to thanked us and later told us they had in fact bailed out of the hotel after being discovered and moved to Four Seasons. My motive for exposing them is purely that Bali needs this kind of great publicity. Money can't buy stuff that good. The more the world sees the famous going there the more confidence we instill.
Now into my last 12 hours. Time for some last minute shopping. Not much at all being my thrid trip this year. Spent time with Balinese friends then onto S&S with a Balinese friend of mine. Heaps there again - Love it. So good to see Sammy and Suzie doing well. I've been there on days when it's just smudge and me and I guess he's been there by himself. Much better now.
On to dinner with Steve form Bali Budaya and some of his staff who had never been to Kuta for a meal. We ate at a great place in jalan Melasti and I just can't think of the name. Has a great Chinese menu and seafood and a little pricey but wonderful had a great meal then had to run as I had to catch my plane. Before we chose this restaurant we tried three others and all too full. How good!
So that's it folks. Great trip. Learnt lots. Caught up with heaps of you guys and had a ball.
Whoops......
Last bit of important goss I can think of is that the Soccer team Real Madrid has just purchased land in Bali to build a training acadmey. This too is just magnifcent news for Bali. As some of you know my youngest is heading for Dubai in September to one of these academies - hence the fund raiser trip a month ago. This will mean so much for the Balinesein coming years as teams from all over the world will use this facility. We woudln't be going to Dubai if therwwas a Real Madrid Academy in Bali ready to go. My Balinese friendsread it to me from the newspaper so I asked around a bit and seems they all know about it.
Will sign off as this is now a novel.
Cheers
Nicno