Well we never thought we'd get there - but we finally did. After many months of reading and gathering vital info off the BTF my best friend Mrs C and I headed off to Bali.(July 28 - Aug 4). Mrs C was on her 6th trip where as I hadn't been to Bali in about 15 years and remembered very little.(Going Troppo and drinking too much Arak killed all my memory cells from my first trip). Husband, children and boyfriend left in Oz we headed off for 7 days of shopping and relaxation.
Garuda were struggling to fit every-one on the 8am flight from Perth to Denpasar, so they were offering people sweeteners to go the night before , leaving Perth at 5:15pm and flying via Jakarta. Our initial response was no, but after being offered the extra nights accommodation at our hotel, transfers and $100 cash we decided to go for it. (I think the cash was the deciding factor).
Due to a 2 hour flight delay out of Perth we had to race through the Jakarta airport to make our flight to Denpasar. Being on the cuddly side and not very fit, in-between gasping for breath I managed to splutter out 'Running ?? !!!! This is not my ideal start to my holiday'. All jokes aside, we made the flight and headed off to Bali.
So after being delayed and changing flights we finally made to our hotel (Grand Bali Beach, Sanur) about 3:30am. After ordering room service we hit the pillow about 4:45am, only to be wide awake at 7:15 and ready to go shopping. Mrs C had done a huge amount of research and we'd managed to draw up an Itinerary of what we wanted to do and where we wanted to go over the week. Straight away Mrs C was whipping out her Indonesian , it took me a couple of hours to warm up to using 'Terima Kasih' and 'Selamat Pagi' - but it was worth it, being rewarded with a beautiful Balinese smile every time.
A Garden Wing Superior Room gave us views of the pool and the beach- a great way to wake up each morning. Our twin share room was plenty big enough for us, air conditioning was great and the bathroom clean. We then headed down to a trusted money changer that Mrs C has used previously and we were cashed up ready to go. For the week we averaged an exchange rate of around 7800rp. Scooby our driver had been booked before we left Oz and was there reliable as ever, ready to take us into Kuta. Our first stop was Yogi Tailor (JL Singsari No 34). We'd read about Yogi on the BTF so we thought we go straight to him for our items we wanted made. Black Leather, knee length boots - 2 inch heel with a full length zip 750 000 rp and Grey Tartan knee length skirt 150 000 rp . I had wanted to get a ladies business suit made as well but didn't like his price so I passed on that one. He quoted me 800 000 rp for Jacket and Pants - this was more than I was prepared to pay so I was happy to walk away without the suit. Yogi took 3days to make the boots. Mrs C's were OK - maybe a little snug but would definitely loosen up with wear, so she was good to go. Mine were too tight, so he agreed to fix and bring them to my hotel in 1 day. He did this as promised, but then they were too big - so he then went away and came back 4 hours later with boots fitting spot on - every -one was happy !
Shopping at Centro/ Discovery Mall was great, loaded up with our first round of purchases. Over to Bubba Gumps for Lunch - great service, great food, luv the whole feel of the place. Our waiter was hilarious impressing us with some card tricks that we still can't figure out how he actually did that. A great place to take the family.
Back to Sanur with a stop over at Hardy's to buy drinks and snacks for the week, so much fun walking the supermarket. (I never thought I'd say that) Of course we bought way too much. Stocked up with supplies we headed back the GBH for a swim and a couple of Bali Ciders (30 000rp each). Down to Benno's for dinner and I got to meet friends (Jess and Eddy) of Mrs C's from previous trips. Warm beautiful smiles, wonderfully welcoming genuine people. We probably ate about 70% of our meals at Benno's. If you luv chicken satay - then this is the place to go !
The next morning we headed over to Seminyak for breakfast at La Lucciola. This was by far one of the best meals I had in Bali. Great coffee (just like home), delicious food, and an excellent view, looking straight out onto the beach.
After breakfast we stopped off at Coco Villas (Jalan Double Six, Seminyak). I'd seen them advertised and was curious to what they were like. I'd have to be honest and say too far from the main road but worth it once we'd gone down a very long and winding alley way. The Villas themselves were great and would consider staying there for 2 or 3 nights if privacy and relaxation was what I was looking for. Each villa had an open air lounge area and kitchenette downstairs, with a hammock and own private grassed area surrounded by 10ft walls. Upstairs was an air-conditioned plus ceiling fan bedroom and toilet. The bathroom was downstairs and whilst it had walls there was no roof - a strange concept, but very interesting to see.
Back into Kuta for a walk around, venturing down Poppies Lane, ending up at TJ's Mexican for Margaritas. Oh My God - the Raspberry Slushy Margarita is to die for, it was hard to stop at 2. I could have sat there all afternoon. Mrs C went the Tropical Slushy Margarita which was just as good - so good infact we took a photo of them.
Tried good old KFC for lunch - interesting to be served my fillet burger and chips on a plate and not in a cardboard box but tasted just like home none the less.
Back to the GBH as we were expecting a visit from H****. On time and with back-up options for what he initially couldn't help us with. Mrs C picked up a Play Station 2 (chipped) complete with 2 vibrating hand controls, memory card and 10 games - 2.1 million rp.
So over the next 5 days we shopped and relaxed , here's some of what we did....
Scooby our driver (+62 081 246 691 66) cost us 400 000 rp for 8 hours or 200 000rp for 4 hours.
Chic 2 Salon (Sanur) 1 Hour Hair Cream Bath 85 000rp
D & G Leather Bags 130 000 - 150 000rp depending on size, Great quality !
Suede look shoulder bags 80 000rp.
Surf T-shirts 35 000 rp, Watches 30 000rp, Sunnies (Gucci, D&G, Dior) 25 000rp Sunnies Oakley 35 000 rp.
Necklaces and Bracelet from Agabong (Kuta) 10 000 - 15 000 rp - Great Range worth visiting.
Caps 10 000 rp
Hearing Aid Batteries - 45 000rp for a pack of 6.
Revlon Nail Polish (Matahari's) 18 000 rp (still kicking ourselves we didn't buy more of these)
Total Effect Olay 70 000 rp (Makro)
Roxy Sneakers 215 000 rp
Febris Day Spa (Kartika Plaza St, South Kuta Beach) We had the Choco Exotica 4 hour package 385 000 rp- Oh my god, so worth it. Hot Stone Massage, Facial, Body Scrub, Body Mask and Pedicure. The only hiccup - they locked our bags in a safe between our beds while we had a treatment, then the beautician couldn't get the safe open when we'd finished. The Beautician called the Manageress, she couldn't open it, so the Manageress called the Maintenance man, he couldn't open it. So then the Manageress told us she had called a technician and it would be at least an hour. Well we weren't leaving without our bags which stressed her out a little as they were fully booked for the afternoon and needed our beds. So while she went away to call the technician to get him to come quicker I had a go. I'd say it took me about 5 seconds to open that Safe. Whew - problem solved, high fives all round - we were ready to hit the pavement again.
Made a stop at Kuta Istana Galleria looking for the 'Blue Gecko' café for lunch. No joy in finding the café so we headed into Gloria Jeans instead. Great new café by the looks, but the meal was average. Ace Hardware was calling our name so off we went - I must have momentarily lost focus because faster than you could say 'Holy crap who put that mat there' I managed to stack it out of Gloria Jeans, down 3 steps landing face first on the footpath. Grazing and bruising to both knees and one ankle - I think it took about 20 minutes for Mrs C and I stop laughing. All I can say is thank god it was quiet on the street and there weren't too many witnesses. Ace Hardware was interesting - Mrs C picked up some ankle braces for her daughter to wear when she plays netball for around $5 aud - yep - sports wear in the Hardware Shop.
Night shopping at Ramayana/Robinsons and Matahari - I luv the fact that the shopping centres are open so late.
Mid week we decided to head out to Ubud. Beautiful drive it was great to see some country side. Heaps of great art works, silver wear and pottery out there. I loved the main street (even if it was an up hill walk). Purchased Silver Harmony Balls out here - these are gorgeous pieces of jewellery small ones 60 000 rp - through to 85 000 rp for the larger one - It was hard bargaining the sellers down on these . Be warned they are much dearer and not as common in Kuta or Sanur. Picked up two gorgeous scarfs/shawls for
25 000 rp each.
Lunch at Adi Asri where we snacked on the best crispy squid I've eaten.
For the Martha T fans the new Carrefour Shopping Centre Supermarket on the top floor has this product in stock as well.
So that about sums it all up. We went over with just hand luggage (no suitcases) and managed to come home with 80kgs of 'valuable' purchases between us. Our check-in guy first asked for 260 usd in excess luggage. Mrs C pulled out her big brown pleading eyes and whispered to him over the counter 'We have no money left, what can we do'. He told us we must pay - how much do you have? So we each put up 150 000 rp and with open innocent eyes and our fingers crossed behind our backs told him that was all we had. No Credit Card - are you sure he asked? We told him all we had left was 10 000 rp to buy a drink. He quietly pocketed our 300 000 rp and checked us in. The four people checking in next to us weren't so lucky - they were 30kgs over and ended up paying 200 aud.
It was sad to leave ! We each bought the same car fresheners that Scooby our driver uses, so every time we get in our car we are reminded of him and our great week away. Many thanks to those who have previously posted info on the BTF - you were a great help for us.