On the KL to Bali leg, we'd booked with AirAsia again and paid for express boarding because I was paranoid after reading the BTF and hearing about the loooonnngg lines through immigration. I'd looked at the flight schedule and figured that if everyone was on time we arrived half an hour before the next flight and half an hour after the previous flight, wait shouldn't be too long.
I drilled the rest of the 'team', telling them of the strategy. Get seats as far as you can at the front of the plane. Don't wait for anybody, just GO! And hold seats when you get there. On arrival in Bali, have your bags ready. As soon as the seatbelt sign is off get out of your seat and off the plane. Don't give way. Don't look back. Don't slow down. Don't go the wrong way. Do not look like a drug smuggler. Walk briskly but do not run. Act normal. All the while ignoring the Amazing Race jokes, ignoring the 'geez she really is going nuts' jokes, much rolling of eyes and under the breath chuckles. We got the first two rows on the plane. I was so excited, everything was going to plan. But we got off second. There was one couple in front of us. Due to my impeccable drilling in of procedures (and OH reading sign language) we managed to take them with a highly risky but strategic manouvre at the escalators.
We left them to float down on the escalator and took the stairs briskly but calmly and got to the immigration desks with not another soul in sight. Woohoo! After a brief hold up at immigration when we thought that the officials had realised that B's photo (passport is set to expire next year) bore little resemblance to him now, but instead the rookie immigration officer had made a mistake, we got to the baggage carousel, found our bags. Porters were off in the corner having a smoke. Found our driver and were on our way. All in all.... a record I think folks... from landing to in the Kijang .... 20 minutes! I was so proud of my team but slightly red faced at the realisation that because hte airport was empty and our flight had more Indonesians than foriegners my measures weren't really necessary. Oops! Oh well good practice for next time hey! We checked in at the Lokha and briefly unpacked but adrenalin still pumping decided we needed some drinks so wandered down Garlic Lane, found Billy's and settled in to Bali time.
Now the Lokha - we'd stayed at the Lokha in a Deluxe room upstairs last time were in Bali and this time had booked Super Deluxe rooms so we could be pool side. To be honest, we won't stay at the Lokha next time. For a few reasons really. The location of the rooms was handy but the rooms were so awkwardly designed and our room (208) had the teeniest tiniest bathroom. B and J in 207 had a large bathroom but ours was so tiny you could barely turn around in it. Plus the bath has no step (no room for one) and was as high as my mid thigh (I know I'm short but I'm not THAT short) so I literally had to climb in like a kid everytime I wanted a shower. In addition to this, B and J's room had a power fault halfway through our stay. They had the sparkies in tehre taking the room apart trying to find the fault and were told by reception that they would need to move (no probs, things happen) but they were told they'd have to move twice in 3 days and that this wasn't negotiable. After we complained and said that it wasn't really acceptable to move them twice in the last 3 days and wasn't there anything that could be done. The room was fixed and no one had to move. The next day they were both sick (not terribly but needed to stay near their bathroom adn in their room). When housekeeping came around they explained the situation and said that if they felt better later they would call reception and vacate the room. They put the 'do not disturb' sign on the door. They received 3 phone calls that afternoon. Two to ask if they could leave so the room could be cleaned adn the last one to ask that B come and pay for both of our rooms! When we checked in we wanted to pay but they insisted that this be done on check out (Monday) or the day before check out. It was only Thursday! B went down to reception but said he would need to check with me before paying as he wasn't sure what had already been paid etc. Not sure what happened there but it didn't make for a very reassuring stay. Other than that, the staff were wonderful and the location of the hotel really is fantastic! Next time I'll be looking for other hotels in the area though, really wasn't happy with the pestering phone calls and demands to pay for the room.
Okay whinges over...back to the holiday (...).
Day 1
After a bit of a sleep in (and some panadol to counteract the effects of last night's visit to Billy's), dropping our laundry off down the road and getting a light lunch at Indonational, we caught a taxi to Carrefour for supplies and a looksies. I've never been to Carrefour in Bali (been to stores in Europe) and had heard much about it. We were a little disappointed. Certainly it is great to stock up on snacks and toiletries but we found the prices much higher than Makro and apart from being able to wander through the homewares sections and compare prices for whitegoods it didn't have the range or 'foriengness' that Makro has and that we like. Just our opinion really. We'll probably stick to Makro next time as we usually buy supplies for our sponsor family and school there and Carrefour didn't have the bulk stuff like Makro does (obvoiusly - it isn't a cash and carry).
After Carrefour we introduced our friends to the wonderful world of fixed price shopping at the wonderful Ketut's just off Garlic Lane. Ketut, as usual, remembered us by name (no idea how she does that!). We stocked up on goodies and promised to be back before the weeks end. Usually we visit Miss Debbies as well but my parents visited in November last year and found that she was VERY expensive and doesn't have the friendly customer service that you get at Ketut's. Not sure if they just caught her on a bad day but we decided to give her shop a miss this time.
J and I had a reflexology massage at a Healing Centre just between the Poppies Lanes. B's parents visit Bali regularly and somehwre along the line this place had been recommended. They go there everytime and she finds it practically cures her pain from an injury she has had for years. When you go in you tell them what your problem is. I have problems with my shoulder and digestive system so told her that. She didn't go hard on my shoulder but by crikey she massaged my digestive system well enough! Couldn't get back to the hotel quick enough LOL! Did find that after the second massage a few days later I no longer got bloated and everything worked as it should. And I was the only one that trip that didn't get ... ahem... travellers belly (I warned B and J that it is inevitable that you'll get it any time after Day 5....). Not sure if it was because of the reflexology or I was just lucky but it was much more pleasant this way he he. They charge 100 000 rupiah for a 1 and a bit hour massage. First time I've been walked on too. Didn't really realise what was going on but was wondering what she had on her hand that made it so coarse LOL! Had a massive bruise on my bum where her foot had stood while she massaged my back with her other foot but other than that, can still walk!
Fifth day into our holiday and B is almost delirious at the lack of steak in his system so I took them all to Yutz. First time we've been and we were not dissapointed. Every one had steak except for me, I had a spicy pasta sauce. Tasty yes but WAY to hot for me (and anyone I think!). I ate what I could and put the fire out with a very yummy frozen margherita that would become my drink of choice this trip. The others were really happy with their steaks and meals. On the way home, we stopped off at the Fairy Shop and got B and J's nieces some too cute fairy and bumblebee costumes. They didn't barter, just asked for a discount and got 3 outfits for abut AU$25. They're a bit different to others I've seen and I'm sure any little (or big) girl would love them. Staff were lovely in there too.