Quick trip over for new year. Mum, Dad and Miss 15.
This was our third trip to Bali this year so no intention of shopping much. We only take carry on over and pack the material type Bali bags to bring back whatever we buy. We just take clothes (hubby & I have our special Bali clothes, pants that don't allow my fat legs to chaff and shirts that cover our shoulders as I burn easy so prefer to have my shoulders covered), Travellan, Mylanta and Nurofen. Everything else we buy over there. This trip we found somewhere that sells the pills so won't even take them anymore.
Managed to get really cheap flights with AA flying direct from Darwin (only $100 pp return and being early risers we didn't mind the early start to the day so were looking forward to getting into Bali at 6am), Figured since we saved on flights we would splurge on accommodation. Everywhere we normally stay was booked out and others that we looked at where charging a compulsory dinner fee so we decided that we would be in the heart of it all and stay at Hard Rock. Couldn't find much information on what would happen new year eve but they advertised a beach party.
AA experience...Thank you to those that answered my questions.
We like to sit up near the front but don't agree paying the extra $$ for the first five rows. We do choose our seats so we get to sit next to each other. $2 per seat per person. Also paid when booking the flights to bring back 25kg. Cost $12 extra. Usual check in process. We were not asked about what we were taking onboard and none of our baggage was weighed. Ready to board and Hostie comes over the PA, 'AA to Denpasar now boarding. Rows 1-5 and 13-16 may now board the plane'. Hmmm that's different! We noticed they were checking if you were in these rows and if not you were told to sit back down. 'Rows 16-19 may now board the plane' Then finally 'Row 20 and the rest of the plane may now board'.
We get on board into row 6. Our overhead luggage is above row 9. Ah well knew that would happen! Not much of a safety spiel and we are on our way! Received customs and immigration documents on the plane. I have a laminated photo copy of our passports all on one page and a pen ready so these were completed in no time. Down comes the grub trolley. Hubby gets a coffee. Ah Bali coffee! Love it! There was no water for sale at the airport so I got a bottle on the plane. Paid in Rupia 21,000 for both drinks!
Arrive in Bali. On the ground at 5.50 am. Into the airport, paid VOA, remembered having read on the forum that they have a sheet displayed now that says what you need to pay if using a currency other than US$. Very handy! Au $27 paid per person, straight through Immigrasi and Customs and out we go. Walking out past the money changers it was interesting to note that all of them were showing US & AU $$ the same rate yet we had just paid $2 extra. (note; At this time of the morning only a couple were open). Outside we went round to catch a cab and the office was not open! Hardly anyone around. There was 6 cabs parked in front of the cabbie office. One of the drivers approached us and asked where we were going. I said Kuta and he replied, as he reached for our bags, '150,000rp' To which I replied 'WHAT!!!! 150,000rp No way!' He kept walking with my bag and hubby grabbed it of him. He stopped and tried telling us that was cheap. I said no way if the office was open it would only be 55,000rp. After a bit of haggling we agreed on 100,000rp. That is what we would have paid a driver so thought that was a fairer price.
Got to Hard Rock, filled in the paperwork, left our bags, grabbed a brollie and started walking along the beach down to Lannai for breakfast. Rain came about ½ way there. No problems! We were in Bali! Got to Lannai but they don't open till 7.30am. Ok we thought, we would go around to the Coffee Shop and see the boys. Cut through Jayakarta. Still had to wait for them to heat everything up and get set up but we just chatted till brekkie came.
Wandered slowly back to Hard Rock saying Pagi to everyone along the way. It was nice to be 'home amongst the smiles'.
We were allowed to get into our room early. This was great though once in we were disappointed. Room was small and balcony's almost non existent, however not wanting to complain we didn't say anything.
More to come, hope I haven't bored you ;-0 Thanks for reading!