Hi everyone.. never done one of these before but I thought I'd like to try it. I enjoy reading all of the other JBRs and hope you're not too bored with this one.
Well, we left sunny Perth actually 5 minutes early on Jet* from Perth. Had the best seats in the house right up the front and couldn't complain about anything. Being right up the front we noticed that the lovely Thai staff didn't get a spare minute to themselves during the whole three hour flight. I don't know how they do it.. flat out for the whole time. First off the plane but that didn't help at all as we joined one of the long queues at the Immigration counters. Take note - flight departing Perth at 11.05 on a Wednesday - a few other planes landing at the same time in Bali so about a 45 minute wait in the line. The counter staff just don't seem to hurry at all regardless of how long the lines are. Didn't really phase us as we were on holiday and time didn't really mean much to us. This little trip was to celebrate my 50th birthday (still can't believe I've reached half a century already....) and couldn't think of any better way to mark this monumental occasion than six days with my best friend with no kids and no husbands and not a care in the world...
We'd organised a driver to pick us up at the airport - and there he was complete with little sign which we completed missed when walking out so our mobiles came in handy. Only a short drive to MBR where, because they had no vacant deluxe rooms, we'd managed to wrangle an entire suite just for the two of us. It was HUGE.... with nice big twin beds, lots of hanging space (yes, we even had coat hangers), a separate sitting area and bathroom big enough for a little party. There was even two showers... with great water pressure I must add. A home away from home. Now, even if this place does need a bit of a makeover we couldn't really fault it. Service was great, nice big clean pools (all three of 'em), friendly and attentive staff plus everything you could want in a breakfast. Poached eggs were the best!!! All this and right on the beach close to just about everything.
After a bit of street shopping and a relatively lazy first night we decided to head for geneva the next day. Well, I've been to Bali quite a few times (this was my 15th trip over some 25 odd years) and had never been to this place. My friend and I spent about 3 hours just wandering up and down the aisles frequently adding items to our trolley. If you'd looking for anything wooden or just about any souvenir make sure you check out this shop at one of your first stops. It was quite cheap and we found lots of interesting things. Only wished we'd had more baggage allowance. Will definitely pay for more on our next trip cos 20 kilos is just not enough. Our next stop was back to the hotel to offload our booty and have a nice swim...
Have to say that the weather was really too hot for shopping in the afternoons... Weather was about the hottest I've experienced in Bali - either that or I am really beginning to feel my age. Only time it rained was on the way to the airport when we were leaving and even then it was just a light sprinkle. We were so lucky with the weather.
Next day we decided to go to Sanur. I love the beach markets there and those nice restaurants that are all the way along the water. We had a great banana pancake with ice cream for lunch - couldn't fit anything else in as we'd had another big brekky. Went to Tootsies fixed price shop - so much easier than bartering for 20 minutes every time you decide to buy something. Headed back to MBR for another swim as we were both knackered after doing quite a bit of walking - not to mention carrying all of our shopping. Think we tried Legian Snacks that night for dinner. I'd read that it was quite good on here - but have to say that we were a bit disappointed. We asked for a small bintang - no, sorry, it's finished.. A lemonade - no, sorry, it's finished... there was something else that I've forgotten but that was also finished. The nasi goreng was okay - but nothing to write home about. Half way through the meal we heard a commotion from out the back.. then all of a sudden four people came out carrying a girl that had collapsed. She was obviously unconscious but they in their wisdom decided to try and put her on a scooter to take her to hospital... It was only when one of the customers got up and insisted they put her in a taxi that the poor girl looked like she had any hope of getting there in one piece. Never heard what happened to her but we hoped that she was okay. We also hoped that she hadn't worked in the kitchen and had prepared our meals. It was probably just not a good night for Legian Snacks.
We visited the popular shopping centres over the next couple of days. Always love these places - but this year I didn't seem to buy as much as I normally do. Don't know why as I found the prices hadn't increased all that much from last year.
I'd read about pre-ordering movies by email before we left and I can't recommend doing this enough. It was great. They delivered them to our hotel the day after we arrived with the guarantee that if they were no good we could bring them back.. My daughter leaves for Bali on Friday for 2 weeks - so this wasn't going to be a problem. All that the kids have watched so far have been very good copies. We had a second list for him also and these were delivered just as promptly. Much rather do this than traipse around the shops looking for them - saved so much shopping time I reckon.
Can recommend Carla Spa on Melasti Street for foot massage and pedicures.. We had two of both a couple of nights apart. They always had customers so that is telling in itself. So cheap - we paid 80,000 for an hour foot massage and pedicure complete with polish. Staff were great and kept us amused the whole time. My feet have never looked so good and probably won't again until I return and let them work their magic. Next to this place is a fantastic bag shop if you're into bags like I am. The nice lady who works in there is called Ketut. She is very helpful but doesn't follow you around like some of them. Their bags range from about 80,000 upwards... with wallets and key rings and things cheaper. I bought 5 bags in total from her and my friend did the same. They're all good quality - much better than in the markets and stalls etc. And trust me - I looked at a lot of bags and compared the quality.
Can anyone tell me why - when walking into a shop the shop assistants feel the need to follow you around the shop. To me it's so annoying. I'm wondering whether they think we're going to shop lift or something. Or is it the fact that they just want to give good service. I don't know about the rest of you - but I find it really annoying. I've never actually said anything to them but I can tell you this trip I was so tempted to ask them not to do it. I think it must scare a lot of shoppers away. How do the rest of you feel about that? I've even noticed it in Mataharis.
Our 6 days went by very quickly and no sooner than we'd unpacked and settled in, was it time to squeeze everything into our cases for the return journey. We borrowed the scales from the hotel to weigh our cases and surprise surprise we were underweight. Damn, could have bought more stuff. Oh, well there's always next time. We had a great time and have many more happy memories of this beautiful island.
Well, that's the end of my very first JBR. Hope you weren't too bored and have fallen asleep.
PS: No time for any tours this trip - was purely for relaxation and shopping.