Ahhhhh the life of Bali is drawing me in again.
It took 3 days in Ubud to unwind. Perfect place for that as it is quieter, less people, the sellers are less 'excitable' and I think its the perfect place for a newbie to visit to get a feeling for the place without being inundated. May be my first time 2 years ago makes me say that, but it so lovely to be back.
Not that many tourists here but more so than 2 years ago (until the Jetstar flights started in Dec 2006). I think more will arrive as the weeks go on. Balinese sad because it is so quiet.
KP beautiful looking. Love the fish in the ponds around the room, have been feeding Big Bertha (that's what we call her) the biggest fish outside the balcony, so much fun, the little guys don't get a look in with food!
Room is good/ok, bathroom nice, generally older/ish style, nothing flash, bed comfy (hard), pillows good, TV stations give you all you need, safe in room, water pressure good, minibar and we're in Y03 so we're right near the pool which is fabulous, love the pool, so large and you don't feel cramped at all. Shame the pool bar boys are so grrrrr all the time, a smile would be nice!
Excellent to be on the beach, all the choices of restaurants to eat in. So far Seaside and Blue Ocean. Both fab, both very different vibe one newer and modern, the other older and more hippyish but yummo.
CBA bank ATM on the corner of the Beach Road and Double Six. There are 3 other ATMs there too, but as I have a CBA account, only costs $2 I think.
Brekkie to me a let down, similar to anywhere in Asia, buffet style with guy cooking omelets/eggs, but no banana pancakes only 'plant pancake' (plain). For a foodie like me, not satisfied, so we're eating out for brekkie, its our favourite meal and I like it to be like we had at Tutmak in Ubud. So our first brekkie out was at Grocer & Grind (cab from KP to GG 20,000 only coz there was a ceremony which slowed everything down).
Absolutely fabulous breakfast - I'm sorry I'm spoiled living in Melbourne and I love choice and good food. Juices, coffees, Eggs florentine, Smoked salmon on pancakes with avo and salad all up 200,000 Rp, yeah exxxy but prices have gone up from last time but the food was fabulous and very funky place off Laksmana.
Then walked back to as far as Cafe Moka on Jalan Seminyak, always great to sit there and cool off in nice toots and yummy cakes (50,000 for cakes and drinks).
Had a massage and pedicure at Briella Spa (thanks for the forumites reports previously) just between Jayakarta and KP entrances on Jl Werkurdara. Green place with the umbrellas, gorgeous!
The massages sent me to another place, I did ask her to make it relaxation as I know Balinese massage can be intense and didn't want that. Pedicure put me to sleep, my toes were smiling, heavenly. We're going to make that our second home. 65,000 for 1 hour massage. 65,000 for pedicure which included massage and cuticles.
Now sitting in Bali Cyber, love being connected just a little bit every few days.
Dollar is getting 8,000 Rp so its gone up, yay!
Banknotes bring a better rate.
Changed some in Ubud at Ubud Music in Jl Raya and the guy accidently forgot to give me 40,000 Rp, made me realise how difficult life can be really. Its not a lot but I think everything that can happen in Bali is mentioned here on the forum and it helps you to navigate your way in this amazing place.
I just realise how much there is here, millions of items to buy, it is overwhelming yet it is perfect for tourists, the shopping in Kuta/Legian/Seminyak is incredible (better for me that Ubud surprisingly) its like Aladdin's Cave, as far as the eye can see everything in every colour, size, etc.
I realise how blessed I am to be able to have these experiences, smile smile smile.
Will check in later
Hugs
L xx