We stayed in Candi Dasa for 5 nights and it was really good to have some time off shopping at least that is what I thought. Anyway on the 6th day we were off to Ubud until I hear we need some money changed so off we went into Candi Dasa to get some. The rate there wasn't bad 8000. Money changed and off we go until I hear a loud voice coming from the back seat 'stop, stop' (my wife). I could not believe it my wife saw a shop that we had passed each night and day we were there with some hand bags, dresses and such. Going about 40 ks an hour I had to come to a stop all this while she was in the back seat on the passenger side, I just don't know how she could have seen this place but she did.
We stopped and all three ladies got out went across the street into the shop and ½ hour later they all came out with things they bought that they already had but just looked different I guess. OK are we ready to go was the question and to my surprise was a yes thank you. Off we go to Ubud via Klungkung with all the directions I took off the Google Earth site and everyone had directions. The Navigator was Sarah whom I thought was the best as you just cannot have your wife in the front seat while driving over there and maybe anywhere else at times. Shirley just sat in the back seat saying nothing and being a good girl as this was her first trip to Ubud. The first turn that would have made all the difference was just over the cause way outside Klungkung and to the left. We were following a lot of trucks and when we should have turned left a sound from the back seat (guess who that was) no don't turn here because we will have to go behind all these trucks and was told you know how to get to Ubud anyway, Yeah right. Ok so now we go through Klungkung and out the other side and I knew we could turn left at the big tree and then go a ways and turn right and be on the right road.
All the names of the streets or roads were on the direction sheet I gave all the girls and navigator. I did not know where we were heading but I can talk a little Indo so later on it came in use. We go to an intersection and the same trucks were turning at the same place so I asked the Nav if we should turn here and from the back seat again came a yes just follow the trucks so we turn. A little further down the road the trucks turned down a dirt road and all I said was do you want to keep following them and the response was don't be stupid you know where you are going. I pulled over and tried to explain that I really did not know as this was my first time driving to Ubud from CD. They did not believe me and kept saying I knew where I was going but really I did not, just then a big bus came by and I said we will follow that bus and see where it goes. I told them all that we cannot lose site of the bus and then the Nav said she needed to go, now can you believe that so I had no choice. I pulled into a petrol station which also had a good size building for shopping and goods for the locals but I thought, no they would not do that to me as we had to keep up with the bus. One went while I got petrol and when she was coming back another one said she might as well go as well. I just looked at the last remaining lady and said you might as well go to. After getting the petrol and paying I could not find them so I drove up to the complex and they were nowhere to be found.
I started talking to a couple of guys and asked how far it was to Ubud and they said thirty ks and then asked if they had seen three women and they said in the building shopping. We kept talking and some twenty minutes later they came out all with something they bought and just when I was going to say something I was given an ice cream so what could I say then. All I could think of was out in the middle of nowhere getting petrol and not really knowing where I was at, and they went shopping.
All in the car and when I was just about to drive out another bus came by and out we went into the traffic in a hurry. If you pulled out like that in Australia you would be in trouble from people but not in Bali, not even a horn blast. So we were off again right behind the bus and all the time I asked the Nav if she would tell me when to turn according to the directions. After missing a few roads I had to sack the Nav but left her in the front seat because I really did not have a choice as there was one in the back seat I could not have in the front seat.
Followed the bus for a long way and it turned and I asked if we should turn also and yes was the answer. While following the bus my ears starting popping like they do on the plane and I asked the girls if this was happening to them and yes once again was the answer. So I asked them wouldn't you think if this was happening that we were going higher then we should if we were going to Ubud and no answer came forth. I pulled into another petrol station and said no one get out and no water either. I asked a guy there which way to Ubud and he said go back seven ks and in the road is a statue about two meters high and turn right and go twenty more and I would be there, yeah right. Back we go the seven and someone in the back said there is a statue two meters high but it is on a side road.
I pulled over got out and asked a man sitting outside a building under a tree which way to Ubud please. He said and pointed to go another seven ks in the same direction I was going and turn right and go another twenty. I just looked at him and thought maybe just maybe he was lost and decided to go across the road to a shop and asked them. The young girl behind the counter could not understand me and just then another lady came in and I asked her which way to Ubud and she said go to next street and turn left which was only twenty meters away right where the man from the petrol station said it would be. So I went back to the car but thought I would tell the man still there which way it was to Ubud and he just smiled and still said the other way. We turned left and on our way down some very small roads and just luckily turning the right way at times. On two different turns I thought someone on the grapevine must have told these guys we were coming because as I turned they said and pointed to go this way to Ubud. This trip should have only take about one and a half hours but now the third hour had passed. I must say we did go through some nice rice paddocks and other interesting sites on these mostly small and rough roads.
I didn't ask directions anymore I just thought we would end up somewhere. After a long way and up and down some rough roads we came to stop sign behind a truck and when got to the front and our turn to go guess what the Nav said I know where we are as did the back driver and all I could say was yes I know as well. We came out just past the big intersection when you are going out away from Ubud and on the same street as the markets. Don't forget when you go around these round a bout you go on the right side and not the left so after a long and trying drive I forgot and went the wrong way and copped all hell from the back seat driver.
I just kept driving and the locals would not have cared less at least we were there or at least close. Getting close to the markets you turn left down Jalan Hanoman Street not the one before it and I knew this but was told to turn here and as a good husband getting close to being able to have a beer I turned. All was going well down this street when we came onto an intersection, small one and once again I was told to go straight as we were going in the right direction and I knew this. Now after a little way I said to the sacked Nav and the back seat driver do they notice anything different about this road and they said no. I said what about all the cars parked on the right hand side of the road heading towards us and the last four cars coming towards us blinking their lights mean anything to you and they said no. I then said have you noticed any cars following us down this street and no they said no then I said we are going down a one way street and we were going in the wrong direction and was told don't worry just keep on going and we will come out somewhere. Just as well we only had to go around the next corner and we came out just before you go up Monkey forest road from the bottom and we turn left to Green field hotel.
Green field is nice hotel right next to Tegal Sari and we stayed in the standard rooms and they were just fine. The sacked was not staying with us and was heading back to Kuta with Shirley's daughter and husband who were on a day trip with a driver we have known for a long time. They came to the hotel and got Sarah stayed awhile and went.
I know this is a long report but you cannot believe what can happen with three women and one male. I will let you know what happen while in Ubud (4 nights) and it is almost like the drive from CD to Ubud less the Navigator but kept the same back seat driver and had Shirley up front as she is easy to get along with.