Took advantage of Virgin's cheap fares for my 4th trip since Nov last year. Not just because the Bali bug bit hard but another reason that will become clear, but figure after getting so much info from here that I owe a JBR, sort of combines all 4 trips since some explanations are needed.
First time on Virgin 7:30 from Perth, and have to say that seats aren't as comfortable as others but I did score a free emergency exit seat on the way back so no complaints.
Got to Kuta Townhouses after midnight and arrived in studio apartment to find that the room hadn't been cleaned from previous occupants so after about an hour got put in a 2 brm apartment for the night and many apologies from staff and while I was tired, htese things happen and it was the only problem here in the time I was there.
First day or two just spent relaxing and catching up with previous aquaintances. Then got a bit of traveller's belly but a little worse and decided didn't want to feel like this for 3 wks so a trip to BIMC fixed it up.
Rewind to first trip in Nov, was here after my mate decided to drink 30 shots of tequila at the Bounty Hotel's Friday night Party and ended up in a coma here. Thanks two a couple of Aussie nurses staying there and the staff at BIMC he was out the next evening and all turned out good. However, still have issues with Bounty management encouraging this effort by my frind and they said it had never happened before etc. However staff at hospital told me that night they had someone else in with same thing and hotel staff told me that previous record holder (26 shots) the week before ended up in hospital as well (4 days). Still waitinfg for apology from Bounty and manager swore they'd change things so it didn't happen again. Would be interested to know if things have changed and would also recommend parents not to let their kids stay at bounty for leavers because if it wasn't for the aussie nurses my mate would have died because none of the staff at the bounty knew what to do apart from how to call the ambulance. Long story short, the doctor remembered me, got some pills, all good next day.
Couple of days later it was tme for a trip to girlfriend's home village in Karangasem. Met her on first trip and, while nothing happened first time round she was really good when my mate got sick and came round to see him when he couldn't move from hotel, hence the reason for the following 3 trips.
Anyway, decided to hire a car and drive there. I've seen how driving works in Bali can't be that hard right? Wrong, its ok if you really concentrate and once out of Kuta easy enough if you like taking risks to overtake. Went with her neice who is only a few years younger. Stopped at beachside before Candidasa where there's heaps of food stalls for food and used the excuse that still not 100% to avoid eating. Next surprise, apparently we're staying in the village overnight. Hmmm would have nice to be able to pack clean pair of boxers etc. and toilet paper or have a crap (sorry) before we left. Stopped at Wayan's in Tulamben (I think) as this was apparently the last place a westerner could eat before village for a meal. Had fish with a mushroom sauce, not really memorable.
One last stop was a village store to buy some big bags of rice and other supplies for family and packet noodles for me to eat that night.
Then the next mission, driving up a goat track to the village, okay if you honk at every corner and have a car with ground clearance. Tarmac most of the way anyway.
Her sister's place where we were to stay was apparently a 'rich' balinese person's house, maybe because they had gates on the driveway. It was nice enough though and tiled inside and out (outside walls included). One main living room that would be as big as our living rooms with four bedrooms off this room and open windows with wooden bars over them. Separate kitchen (stndard I guess) and they were tiling a newer building with 3 rooms (smaller than the others). It was comfortable enough that night although hot, not really any mozzies. oh, and I almost forgot, there was another building, the bathroom? when I decidedI couldn't hold it in any longer I asked the gf where to go and she took me out (no light) and said just go anywhere there's water in there to wash it down. I ended up using a tree which is also ok because that's 'Bali style' as well. Good. Lucky I brought the waterless hand cleaner.
Next morning was of to Lovina, to have a look around I thought. Nope, just so neice could go to bank and then straight out again. So that was a couple of hours driving (maybe more) just for that and to give some nephews a ride in a car. Oh well, it was a nice drive. Note, like any kids, throw in an icecream and a hot car ride and you end up stopped on the side of the road to stop them vomiting in the car.
Back up mountain and further up the goat track to see her parents and some brothers and sisters (there are 8 siblings altogether) and while I couldn't speak to them (learning indonesian is next on my list) was made to feel welcome and it was an experience. Although still used the excuse of still not feeling well to avoid eating.
Finally back off to Kuta, mental note - don't let gf and neice eat 3 jackfruits between them on a hot car ride or you end up on the side of the road while they're sick and driving at night in Bali is harder than during the day. Finally back at KTH about 8pm (approx 3 1/2 hrs to village) and a much needed toilet.
Most of the rest of my time spent relaxing at bars or hotel. Did go to big ceremony at Besakih temple which was a great experience. Discovered this day that I could eat anywhere because there was nowhere to eat except warungs lining the road on the way to temple and it was one of the best meals I've had in Bali and I didn't get sick so now will eat most places.
Didn't shop for myself but did buy things like a gas stove, gas and cooking utensils for gf since doesn't have it and wanted it to because otherwise she has to buy every meal and she already lives in the usual 1 room with her brother. She wanted some fishing stuff as well so went on a mission and after going (trying to find) about 3 different places I ended up in denpasar and got a rod, reel and some tackle for about 250000. good shop with plenty of gear, but didn't have a good look around because taxi was waiting.
Finally figured out how to bargain properly, and picked up some good deals from the street stalls - surprised gf with the prices I got for some things.
Seemed that the sellers further away from Kuta up Legian st (before Melasti st) become very aggresive. I am always polite to sellers in saying no but one guy actually made a spitting sound (didn't actually spit) when I said no thanks and since I was tired of getting asked I turned around and he did it again so I told him to f off and he still did it, took a lot of effort to walk away and was not happy. Also had to snap at the massage ladies at the top of poppies II because after 3 weeks they knew I'd say no yet kept asking so I told them if they asked me again I'd get polisi so I got a couple of days peace. I tried everthing with these ladies even ignoring them and only the polisi threat seemed to work.
Did one more trip up to gf's village with more supplies. Was going to buy kids toys but she said they needed school stuff more, so they got a backpack with exercise books pencils etc and I don't think there could have been anything better to get them. The look on the two boys faces was priceless and hopefully when I have kids they can experience this so they remember how lucky they are. Although I may have created a monster because now it looks like they'll be getting a bike next. Also gf wanted a laptop, but cut a deal with her so instead her parents are getting their concrete house tiled like her sisters because its been just concrete for years (and it's actually cheaper than a laptop). I think her parents deserve it because at 70 her dad can still climb a coconut tree and her mum still carts the rice etc up the mountain. And while they have a fair amount of land the land isn't suitable to grow rice.
I know there are probably poorer families in Bali but as much as we'd like to help everyone it would be impossible and to help one family is better than doing nothing at all.
As a footnote, anyone staying in the Noosa Dua area looking for a babysitter - I've left my email open, just drop me a line. I know a very relaible, friendly babysitter who speaks good english. She does work another job but her husband is out of work and she has one child with another on the way so (like everyone else) could use the work.
Thanks to those of you who made it to the end, next trip not for a while sadly but want to bring the gf for a holiday here so any advice on how to go about getting a visa would be appreciated.