Thursday 9 August 2007
BACKGROUND - This was my 3rd trip to Bali. The last trip was myself and hubby for our 10 year wedding anniversary in October 2005. We arrived the day after the bombings so things were very quiet.
Arrived at Adelaide Airport 3 hours prior to departing to allow plenty of time to say goodbye to the kids and hubby. Had been told previously that the Darwin leg of the flight was international so we would not be able to leave the airport and would have to wait in the transit lounge for 6 hours so made sure I had a good, thick book to read. All passengers had their carry on luggage searched for liquids. Only lost the antibacterial hand wipes so happy with that. Mind you I only had a small sunscreen and small mozzie repellant so shouldn't have been a problem anyway. Finally get to the departure gate to be told to go back to last customs point as we should have been checked in for the Darwin leg as domestic passengers. This was quickly sorted out and I was very happy as this meant I could catch up with my best mate in Darwin for dinner.
Flight with Qantas ex Adelaide was due to depart at 12.30 pm. Due to a minor hiccup loading the plane, the flight was delayed by 20 mins however this time was made up during the flight. Flight was uneventful although I am a small person and found the seats to be on the small side. Arrived in Darwin at 4.15 pm and a quick phone call to my friend. I had only been at her home for about 5 mins when her 14mth old daughter proceeded to projectile vomit everywhere. Being a mum, my immediate reaction was that she was not well. My friend insisted that it was probably due to all of the fruit sticks and fruit medley she had eaten that day. My instinct told me it was more. As my friend is 6 mths pregnant with her second it was great to have the chance to stop in for a coffee. I really thought the few hours I had here would fly by, but thankfully time seemed to crawl.
My friend dropped me back at the airport at about 8 pm. Had to go through customs again but this didn't take too long. The flight from Darwin to Denpasar departed at 10.10 pm as scheduled. Very quick uneventful flight to Denpasar arriving at 11.15pm (Bali time). Passengers were bused to the terminal but this was no biggy. I have always been lucky and the plane has pulled right up to the terminal. Thought it would be very quick through customs etc arriving late but how wrong was I. There were 6 flights that had all arrived at the same time. By the time I got through VOA and immigration and collected luggage it was about 1 am.
Final stop was going through customs obviously. I had brought over approx. 800 exercise books, which became of interest to several of the custom's officers. First they wanted to know how much they had cost me. I could see where this was headed so told them they had all been donated so I did not know how much they would have cost. A bit of discussion between a couple of the officers and then the 100's of questions started. Who were they for, why was I bringing them etc etc?
I had packed all the books into 4 of the big red, blue & white striped backs and then taped them up to be big blocks. The officers then wanted to see the exercise books. No problems, have you got scissors to get all this tape off? Finally got one opened for them to inspect. A bit more discussion between the officers followed. Next thing one of the officers says to me 'You leave one bag for me!' Well, after being told over my dead body and that he was stealing from the poor children in his own country I was finally waved through.
Finally out of the airport, my friend Made was there to greet me with a huge smile on his face. It had been 2 years since our last trip so Made was very excited to see me. Made thought I must have lost my luggage and that was why it took so long to come out of the airport. It was so good to hit that initial Bali smell and feel you have when you leave the airport. Loaded up Made's van and we were off to the Barong Hotel in Poppies 11.
Arrived at the hotel at about 2 am, Bali time. By this time I was shattered and just needed a good nights sleep. Farewell's to Made for now and I was shown to my room. Room 403, which is located by the rear pool - only a few steps from the swim-up pool bar. The room was clean and comfortable with a basic bathroom. This is all I needed so was happy with this room.
By the time I reached my room I was starting to feel a little off. As I had not eaten or had anything to drink in Bali at this stage I knew I had brought it with me. Turned in for the night however did have to make a few visits to the bathroom overnight. This is not how the trip is suppose to start!
Day 2 to follow.
If you have any questions, please ask.
Thanks
Balibabe