since being on BTF I have noted with much joy other peoples experiences . We have been back to Bali 9 times since the first (1998) going back in May 2010 for 60th birthday ect. . Since I've never thought to much until recently about what entices me back with your indulgence I would like to impart my very 1st experience of Bali and why it keeps calling me .
1st trip main players were myself and her in doors (bali virgins) brother and sister in law seasoned bali travellers. We stayed at the Grand Mirage on this trip . The drive from the airport to the hotel in itself was an eye opener for the two virgins what with all the motor bikes the contsant beeping of horns and the general impression there are no road rules here you go through red lights , create your own lane of traffic and only stop if you have to for a policeman .
The very 1st morning I was watching the sunrise from the 3rd floor balcony and saw a splash in the water and suddenly felt as though all the stress that had built up over the previous years had left my body there and then . Went across the road to Cafe Bagus for brekkie asked for 2 fried eggs on toast thats what I got albeit 1 egg and toast on one plate and another egg and toast and another plate thought this must be the way they do it here not to worry be happy .
Off to do the much anticipated shopping ,1st stop Galliera Nusa Dua (now Bali Collection )spent a few hours there , then walked from there to the Nusa Dua art markets (still a favorite of her in doors). My god what an eye opener this was even though the sellers aren't agressive I still felt pressured but enjoyed it . Apparently I did the barter bit all wroung according to Mr.Stingey (bro in law with very short arms and extremly long pockets). After awhile Started to get the hang of it and was absolutley shocked that Mr. Stingey was accually argueing over 5 bloody cents .
Did the trip up to Little Temple on the Lake the next day omg what an experience this was . Putu the driver picked us up at Cafe Bagus after brekkie and of we set . To give her in doors a true Bali experience we made her sit in the front . The 3 of us jumped in the back unbeknown to us no suspension in back and Mr.Stingey was sitting on the driveshaft hump . Through all the traffic up the mountains beautiful scenery into the temple grounds walk around and enjoyed it thourghly .Into the car for the trip back DOWN the mountain , coming into a hairpin bend with tour coaches , bikes , cars animals ,and the toy salesman on his trusty treddlie Putu informs us he has lost the brakes onthe car " holy sh-t" panic stations get ready to jump . Mr. Stingey (mechanic by trade ) advises Putu to use the gears to slow down and stop somewhere relativley safe (your kidding right on the side of a mountain with a sheer drop and traffic making three lanes of traffic out of two that includes the bloody great tour buses ).Any way we came to a stop and found that the right hand side rear wheelaxle had popped out of the housing Mr Stingey to the rescue with me acting as the fat traffic controler he laid on the road and using the power of the foot got the axle back in (This happened 3 times ) in the end Putu found a garage (4 poles and a tin roof ) and got it fixed three hours later . It took the repair guy that long to work out that you can't put a rear wheel back on with the handbrake engaged.
Arrived back in Kuta area during peak hour traffic came to a stand still then all of a sudden there's 3 million motorbikes heading to the right and left of us all making their own lanes it was if someone had opened up a main blood vessel .Her in doors didn't see any of this as she still had her eyes closed from the trip down the mountain . We arrived back at Cafe Bagus just in time for Happy Hours ,Putu offered his services to us again but we graciously declined . Enter Wayan Kantin the cook (Chef ) of Cafe Bagus who couldn't contain his laughter about our experience and kept the Bintangs and cocktails coming as a well proven soother and tranquiliser . After another 2 days shopping and relaxing it was very sadly time to pack and come home . It was then that her in doors and I agreed this was and still is the best place to holiday in . Since that time we spend our holidays in Bali . We now stay at the Aston Benoa and still enjoy every minute we are in Bali . Yes the Bintang is bloody great the cocktails lovely but the biggest seller of Bali is the wonderful people . To see the way they live and still have a smile on their faces in truly the spirit of Bali . I know I may have bored some of you with this but I had to get it out of my system.
Cheers,
Ron