We (Denise, Chris, Trish and I) flew to Bali Jetstar from Melbourne 24th April 2010.
Arrived about 10.30 and no photo or finger printing necessary.
Straight thru VOA and quickly through immigration. Waited for bags on carousel.
Arrived at SuriWathi but 11.30 and finally to bed about 1.30.
Di had arrived 3 days earlier from Sydney.
Dale arrived next night from Perth.
Jill and Marilyn arrived next Wednesday.
Di and I left at 5am next morning to attend Anzac service at Australian Consulate.
Very moving ceremony with numerous dignitaries present, including Governor of Bali, Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Armed services, AFP representatives. Probably around 200.
The sound of the bugle at dawn was eerier, it seemed to hang in the humidity.
They also provided a light breakfast, which included pastries, fruit, yoghurt, breads, toast, bbq. Wander what they would have served for heavier breakfast?
I contacted Komang (reco from Nessie) to hire Suzuki APV. He offered good price and new vehicle so I booked through him.
They met us at the airport but surprise to me I had to drive from there. Damn, I had to get into Bali driving mode urgently. We followed his staff member, once we found him down to Legian. Damn car wasn't APV, instead smaller Avanza. Too small for us 8 ladies. Wayan wanted me to pay that night. Firstly I didn't have the couple of million available and secondly wouldn't pay for wrong car. Wayan met me the next morning with APV, but older base model and 86,000km on the clock. Not new as promised. Maybe new model available Wednesday.
Rang Komang to check if replacement car available Wednesday, he said he would come to SW at 3.30. I went to clear out car for swap-over and taxi was waiting. Denise got a call on my mobile to say Komang waiting. She came down to carpark. Whoopsies, I had dialed Komang the taxi driver, not Komang the car hire.]
Komang eventually changed our old model APV to new car on Friday afternoon. Much more comfortable with better fittings and 18,000k on the clock(Suzuki APV Arena GX vs X)!
Couple of days later handle broke on plastic moulded part which you use to side the middle seat forward for back back passengers to get in and out. We tried glueing it up but didn't hold. Asked Davy to buy us a new part. He got a replacement lever/handle and installed it. Generously we gave him 50000rp for his trouble! Part cost 4000rp! (That's right, less than au50c).
When I cleared out the car, I found some glue in the pocket. I assume someone had previously glued up the lever.
Another day we were driving down to Seminyak for breakfast, I commented that we should buy petrol, it was below empty but no red light yet. On Jl Laksmana/Eat St, cough splutter, too late, petrol all ‘pinished', no bloody red light! I was able to at least pull to the side of the road. I asked some construction workers for help, then spoke to a young fella up at ladder outside a restaurant who offered to go buy some petrol. He said 50000rp per litre, who cares, I said please we would like 5 litres, here's 100000rp. He took off on his motorbike and returned about 5 minutes later with 2 x 2L flagons and a vodka bottle, as you do, in black plastic bag, with funnel. He poured it in and the car started immediately. He said wait one minute and took off on his bike again. Two secs later he returned, must have had to leave a deposit for funnel and bottles. He handed me the change, including a 50000, I said no thanks, for you. He was pleased. I must have misheard when he said 50000rp earlier. We must have been off the road for 10-15 minutes at most!
We did cause major traffic jam as the road is narrow and the two way traffic had to take turns to get past our car. Ooops, sorry.
Petrol is 4500 per litre.
My knee is getting stiff with all of this gear change and throwing of the clutch. I haven't driven a manual car other than Bali for more than 10years.
Another day a motor bike dinted and scratched the drivers side back door. Bare metal was showing with a 40cm or so crease and dint. We were travelling at almost zero and heaven only knows how it happened in the congestion. I arranged with Made from SW to contact a panel beater to have it repaired. Our excess was us$500 otherwise. Took the car off around 1pm and returned it next morning at 9am, dintless and panel resprayed, looked perfect. Cost, can you believe it, 250,000rp. Happily paid Made an extra 50,000rp for his trouble!