There and Back
Departed Perth 5-2-10. (Two couples) Just about to board and a security scare. Down one flight of stairs and back through security again. Longer this time because they had to check if the alcohol bottles were still sealed from Duty Free. One hour late but a good flight and no problems at Arrival. Everything scanned.
Coming home.
Checking confirmation advised departure put back 4 hours. Work being done of Perth Airport runway for the next 6 weeks. No Flights between 1 am and 5.30am. Good flight but Perth airport a nightmare. because of the delay 3 planes arrived within 10 minutes and only one customs checking passports. Wife had chip and had bags off carosel before I was anywhere near Customs. Similar staffing at AQUIS. plane landed at 5.40. out of airport 7,25
Accomodation
Stayed at the Ramayana Hotel. Upstairs above stadium. Room very quiet considering it's location. Room was clean and cleaned daily. Staff good and Friendly. Lift broke down once and that was when my wife and I were aboard. Hit the emergency bell. The office kept the line to them open until the repairman came. Reasonably quickly. I think it was less than 5 minutes. I have stayed there previously and would stay again. Also checked out Kuta Townhouses for a future trip. Opened a room for the wife to look through. If four go again it is definetely a posibility. Wife was impressed.
Meals
breakfasts included at the Ramayana which were good with a reasonable choice of options. Had a nibble at various places during the day with main meal at night.
The Aussie Bar in Melasti street needs a spring clean so I didn't eat there. Just a bintang or two. Ate at a variety of places. A few bintangs at "Bagus Bar" in Poppies 2. Cold beer and I love their jaffles for lunch. The B Couple (fish place) opposite the Ramayana is expensive compared to all others. Cost group of four $22 per head. I had chicken and the others a burger type meal and 2 rounds of drinks.
Shopping
Searched the forum before we left with printouts. Went to Carrefour for or general supplies. Nothing especially cheap. Another alternative to Carrefore is a similar shop at Bali Galleria. Can't think of the name now Above carpark. Built in the last couple of years. Also went to the hardware store "ACE" on the ground floor. Paid $30 AUD for a Tong Tester. An electrical gaget. Local brand but actually manufactured by Fluke and Fluke is expensive. Worth sending the men in there. This was 10% of the actual Fluke price.
Biarritz. Taxi's had a hard time finding the outlet on Sunset Road but we had not been going far enough. Possibly 1-2km further than Carrefour on the opposite side of the road. Big Sign. Similar to Geneva but 100% cleaner. The women bought a lot and cheap. They phoned a taxi for us when we were to leave. On the way from Carrefour you go past Karishma (similar type shop) which is worth a look
Wife bought some material Cheap at "Alta Moda" JL Patith at Kuta Galleria. Then went to have it made up at "Janoko" in Poppies 2. Wife was very happy with the result. 150 metres from Legian Street. Left side.
Tinware was purchased at "Sita" on Legian street about 50 metres seminyak side of Melasti Street left side. The main display is in the laneway.
A trip is not a trip unless we went to see Dianne near the Dynasty. Got avery T shirt I wanted without a hassle XXXXL. Wife purchased sarongs etc.
Ladies bout crotchet cottor an other things cheap at "TOKO Central. They have a bigger store now on the opposite side of the road as well as the old one. Bought back a few DVD's and purchased them anywhere and everywhere.
Trips.
This was about our 16th time so we have been to most places. Went to Denpasar and me going to the Remo Mall for computer things. No Air Con and not much cheaper. Didn't stay long. Back across the road to the Air Conditioned Ramayana shopping Centre.
Visted Sanur and had lunch at the beach cafe. and a walk through the stalls. Their prices could not match Dianne's fixed price.
We went on a full day trip to Lovina to see the black sandy beach. Disappointed. Beach filthy, Hawkers were as bad as Kintamani. Visited the Botanical Gardens on the way which are excellent. Well looked after park. Also went to the Hot springs but not as hot as I expected. Still worth the look. Also visited a temple on the way and the whole trip taking almost 12 hours.
General
Time share still out and about but not as bad as a couple of years ago. Roads still full and traffic very slow at times. A funeral procession down Legian Street slowed the traffic. Exchange averaged 8200 the 10 days. The main memorial in Legian Street is fenced off and only the fit can walk up the 45 degree slope on the only little walkway.
Bali Same, Same but different.