MONEY CHANGER
Our friend P decided to change money when on her own one afternoon at a dodgy money changer. She was ripped off by Rp600,000($75) When she told us I wanted to call the tourist police but she was a bit scared for her safety if she caused a fuss.
She did tell Ketut on Reception at Satriya Cottages and he immediately called over the hotel security guards and P and 2 guards marched back to see this person. As soon as this guy saw them he handed over the Rp600,000 saying sorry, sorry, sorry.
Ketut later said always tell the hotel staff because they don't want the hotel to have a bad name. They will fix it for us. Do not worry about your safety because word gets around. You are very safe.
We purchased a new suitcase from a proper bag shop in Denpasar but it broke within 2 days. Luckily we had our driver with us when we took it back because they weren't going to give our money back or exchange it. He knows their boss and he got the staff to ring him and eventually we were able to exchange it.
FOOD
We ate at many restaurants all serving good tasty food. These are some of my favourites:TJ Mexican, Zanzibar, Macaroni, Billys, Divas, Hasvana, Poppies, Kori, Tree House, Porchetta (picking us up in their crazy van) Bennos at Sanur (I asked for their recipe of the sauce on the Chicken Ala King which they happily supplied) and the outstanding restaurants this trip were Stadium Bar and Hard Rock Café.
We really did have another fantastic holiday despite the hiccups. We bought heaps as usual, Pandora style beads and especially bags (Its bag heaven!) Thank you all for the information I gathered over the year in my little note book. At the airport we chose the Dewa lounge this time which is just like the Prada lounge.(free massage was good) The only thing we noticed in the Dewa lounge was the smell of smoke coming from a smoking room.
Thanks for reading
Kay