JBR Bali -Java 1st Jan 2008 - 21st Jan 2008
New Years Eve, the temperature soared to 41.2c here in Melbourne and the forecast for the following day gave no joy - another 40+ day. I sighed with relief because I was off to Bali for 5 nights and surely the temperature was nowhere near what Melbourne was to endure. Bali's temperature of around 29c would be easier to cope with.
I was en-route to Salatiga a town of some 140,000 people in Central Java where I would commence 2 weeks intensive study course in Bahasa Indonesia, at Satya Wacana Kristen University on January 7th. As it turned out, I could not have chosen a better place and time in which to embark on this adventure..
First things first tho - the Bali bit.
I flew to Bali with Garuda because they leave at a sensible time (9.55am - arriving 2.55pm) compared to Jetstar who leave at 7.00 pm and arrive at the ungodly hour of 11.00 pm and you still have to get to your hotel. One day wasted on this option.
I checked in early at Tullamarine, obtained a GST refund of $94 on Benny's lap top, purchased my 'Inbound' liquor allowance, had a relaxing time in the flight lounge over breakfast and a nice champagne while the time ticked away to until the boarding call. On board I found myself in seat 4A which I had arranged some time ago and the bonus was that there was nobody next to me in 4B. Complimentary French Champagne and in no time at all we were airborne, Bali here we come!!!
The journey was excellent, due in no small way to the very attentive staff, an excellent lunch and a very smooth passage all the way. I have no idea what the film as I managed to sleep for the better part of the journey, indeed when I did 'come to' we were over water and only an hour and a half out of Denpasar. That's the way to do it - champagne, good lunch, a nap and we're nearly there.
I didn't have to go through VOA, despite my only being in Indonesia for only 21 days as I had to get a 'Social Cultural Visa' because I was studying. A little bit more expensive but worth it as I could go through Immigration where Indonesians go and there was only one person in front of me.
Baggage out quickly, taxi office, RP 50,000 and I was off to Melasti Beach Resort in Legian. In all previous visits I (we) stayed in Tuban so this was a distinct departure from the norm. Checked in, 3rd floor room which was very long and which had a balcony from which I could (Just) see the ocean. The room was ok but they could have done a lot more with the space.
The next 4 days were a complete contrast to Melbourne as it rained off and on for most of that time. Getting to 'Makan pagi' was a case of dodging heavy showers and squally wind. But I was in Bali and it didn't matter one bit. Breakfast was good although not a lot of variety. One day the rain was so hard and horizontal that the first 5 rows of tables were being drenched.
Security at the beach access to MBR was very good and you can only enter the premises via the restaurant where a senior staff member was posted and who asked for room numbers of all who entered. However, I was a little perturbed by the lack of security on JL Padma Utara entrance. It patrolled by uniformed security guards and there was a moveable barrier in place however, the guards just lifted the barrier as each vehicle approached, not even a cursory look let alone check the boot and underneath. Where I stayed later and in other hotels there was a full blown, thorough check. I did mention this to the staff member at the beach but I don't think he was impressed with my concern.
By and large MBR has a lot of good points,it is family friendly, a number of good swimming pools, lovely bungalows, a very nice garden and is well laid out. In addition it is an inexpensive hotel in a great location which make it an attractive place to be.
On one of the rainy days I hired a driver and went to Ubud where, much to my surprise, it was not raining. I checked out Tegal Sari, went to their spa 'Pertinen Spa' did a bit of shopping, lunched at Ubud Village Hotel. On my return to Legian it rained again.
The road by the beach was strewn with 'flotsam and jetsom' taken from the beach and there were piles of it for quite a long way. I took a few pics and they can be found in my webshots site. (Already posted to forums).
I got to Billy's but on each occasion there were no forumites (let alone other people) to be seen but of course the rain had a lot to do with it however, at Sammy & Susies only 50 metres away I did get to meet a number of people from the various forums. The beer was cold there just like Billy's.
Most days, as I had Benny's Lap Top (with built in camera) I went to Cyber Café where I could make use of of Haaris's wifi talk to and see Benny, Meg and the grandkids. Generally this was near to 5 pm Melbourne time. At the same time I would have a meal as I have always enjoyed the food Cyber Café produces (Cheaply also). If you get there try 'Seafood Lourin' it's 'enak sekali' Cyber Café and Restaurant is at 9 Kompleks Sriwijaya, on Jalan Patih Jelantik.
Despite knowing when & where 'Waxywaller' (Max) is to be found (Bamboo Corner) I seemed to just miss him and it was only after a lovely lunch with Nanik, Ira and that old Dutch renegade Wybe on Saturday 5th that I managed to 'snare' him. After the lunch Wybe's driver whipped us round to bamboo Corner only to find that, you guessed it, we'd just missed him again. Super sleuth Wybe tracked him own and soon we were off to 'Star Café' on Jl 66 (I think). Having finally found Max, we settled down to a number (not for publication) of Bintangs. Sleeping came easy that night. I didn't eat at 'Star Café' however the beer was very cold, the staff very nice, likewise the Aussie owner. No wonder Max goes there. Incidently it was a very firn day weatherwise, the first one but next day I was off to Java..
Next morning Sunday 6th I checked out at 9.00am, Wybe had arranged for his driver (in Wybe's car) to take me to Ngurah Rai domestic for my departure to Jogyjarta and the town of Salatiga.
Salatiga saga next.........
Clive M