Well I have been thinking about writing this JBR for ages and have never gotten around to it but I have the time so thought I would give it a whirl. It will be nothing new for you seasoned Bali travellers but for those new to Bali it might hold something of interest.
This was my second Bali trip this year and my seventh trip overall, I went with some mates in May and stayed at the Puri Cendana in Seminyak for a week. This time I was travelling solo for a quick trip of 4 nights/5 days. As luck would have it came down with a cough and cold prior to travelling and having travelled with a cold before was a bit worried about my ears and being able to pressurize them. Before I left I bought some ear planes from the chemist as well as Sudofed as recommended by some members of the BTF.
I flew Jetstar, the first leg being BNE-DRW. I had intended to go into Darwin as I had a good three hours there but I was still feeling quite ill so gave it a miss. I had taken a couple of Sudofed an hour before the flight and used the ear planes but one of my ears failed to pressurize so I was half deaf upon landing! The great part of the flight is that your luggage is checked all the way through to Denpasar so you don't need to worry about rechecking it in at Darwin. I grabbed a feed, coffee and magazines and kicked back in the lounge until they opened the doors to the international part of the airport. I took another Sudofed an hour before flying. Got some duty free and another coffee and sat around people watching and also used the internet. I was starting to feel really nervy and anxious with my heart racing for some reason and after talking to mum on the phone we worked out the combination of sudofed and coffee had me speeding so be aware of that!!
The flight from Darwin goes really fast, I was really conscious of not trying to breathe or cough on any of my fellow passengers as I am at bit of germ phobe myself. They handed out the immigration forms on the plane but not the customs forms. I filled out my form before landing so was ready to go. By the time we landed, both my ears were just stuffed, I was half deaf and they did not properly clear for the whole trip. I had to put intermittent crackling and popping kind of noises as they tried to pressurize so I just made tried to ensure I didn't get any water in them whilst swimming etc. Alright enough of the ear saga!
I was near the front of the plane so I was one of the first out, and probably about the fifth to get to the visa on arrival. I paid in Aussie $$ and got my change in rupiah which was enough for my taxi with money left over for coffee and stuff in the morning. Straight through immigration, it literally took me about 15 minutes to get through both, the longest part was waiting for my bags to be offloaded and trying to find a customs form so I could complete it and get out of the airport. It seemed to take ages for the bags to come off but in all reality I was probably out at the taxi area within half an hour of landing. Not too shabby! Walking out the steamy air hits you with the typical Bali smells and it feels so fantastic to be back. I was staying at the Hard Rock and I love the drive there, seeing the bikes and chaos of Kuta, truly another world away.
I always stay at the Hard Rock for at least a few nights. Some people complain about the room sizes but all I need is a comfy bed, good aircon and cable TV and I am happy! The benefits of staying there are the location, so close to my preferred shopping areas, the beach is across the road and resort itself is excellent.
The pool is quite simply the best I have ever been in, never a fight for lounges! Plus they have these awesome little chillout spa/pool things which you can kick back in. There are a number of dining options on site, including a deli which does great cakes, coffee, baguettes etc. There is also a restaurant right beside the pool which has delicious food and nice and handy if you feel like a snack. I check in at the hotel and a porter takes my bag and guides me to my room. One thing I find off putting about travelling by yourself in Bali is that the Balinese think it is so strange that you are there by yourself. I am never one to not do something because my mates can't so I do get a bit annoyed but I put it down to the culture difference! Sure enough the porter's first question is 'why you here alone??' I feel like saying because I work hard and I can afford it so why not!!' Ah well cest la vie! When I get to my room there is a welcome card and some fruit left there for me, I think it was snake fruit? Hard brown skin and woody and apple like inside. So that was nice. It was midnight by that stage so I have smoke and watch a bit of tele, pretty pumped up and it is at times like that it would be nice to go and have a drink or something.
Buffet breakfast is included in my package at the Hard Rock so I stroll down when I wake up and get a plateful. The range is all that you could want - fresh fruit, toast, hot dishes such as bacon, eggs, sausages, potato etc, asian dishes such as nasi goreng and different traditional Balinese foods. They have an egg station as well so you can get omlettes made to order. I always like to taste the Asian dishes, I find I am developing quite a taste for tofu! They also have juices, coffee, tea, danishes, donuts etc. I finally get to try Black rice pudding here as well. Ok enough about the breakfasts!
I have a bit planned today, so I head off to Dianne's fixed price shop and stock up on elasticized sarongs, thongs, dresses and a variety of strappy blouses. She had quite a good range there, I ended up with about 17 things for $50 so you have got to happy with that! I generally stick to fixed price shops now, I can't be bothered bargaining as I am too soft. There was a lady in the shop quibbling over 5 000 rupiah 'you said 20 000 not 25 000' and I thought get a grip you silly woman it will cost you $3 instead of $2.50! Honestly, what are these people like! It would have cost her $20 in Australia!
I wander back to down to Centro for a look, get a coffee at Starbucks and have a wander around. I walk back to the Hard Rock and when I get back there I feel a bit odd lightheaded and dizzy and I give myself a mental slap and tell myself to take it easy. You know I can quite easily watch hour upon hour of DVD's at home but when I am in Bali I feel like I must be constantly doing something! I could not sleep properly the night before as I kept wheezing and coughing and I was a bit fevered as well so I did kick back for awhile. Ok enough about how sick I was! Though I did find out when I got home I had a chest infection so that is my excuse for not getting out and about as much as I normally would have.
I kick back for few hours, have a swim, attempt a nap and chill for awhile. Later in the afternoon I decide to go DVD shopping . On my way out I hear some music going by the pool so I peer over the balcony and the staff have all the kids up teaching them dances moves to songs like YMCA, Macarena etc. The kids and the staff were really getting into it, and it was such fun to watch I was laughing out loud at times. Later on in the week they were having water bomb competitions. The area is big enough that you can have your own space, but they really do a lot to keep the kids occupied so I certainly would recommend it to families.
I go to a shop which is near Made's Warung, I have used this place on my last few trips. It is called Galaxy Multimedia. They have a deal but 10 get four free I think (it could have been get three free, can't recall). I stock up here on movies and tv series. Haven't had an issue with any of the DVD's yet. I couldn't find all the DVD's I was after so I head back towards Starbucks and found a store a few shops down called 'Get More Disc' and they had the extras I was after, and again no problem. Head over to Matahari and stock up on water, nibblies, fruit etc and also have a foot fish spa whilst I am there. Say what you want about them, I really like them, it feels nice and when you get out you can feel the difference, your skin is so much softer.
I always have good intentions of writing down what I do day by day but without fail I write up my first day or so and don't continue it so I will break up the next lot of info into sections cos I can't recall exactly what I did each day.
EATS
The deal I had booked through the Hard Rock included credit of $120US towards food and drinks. This was more than enough and as breakfast was included anyway most of my meals were eaten there. Lunches were usually a roll/baguette from the deli or a burger at Splashz diner beside the pool. Dinner was room service and I must rave about how delicious the food was! One night I ordered an entrée of spring rolls, main of chicken enchilada and a smoothie called Funky Monkey. What was funny was that when it was delivered the enchilada was in separate parts, where you put it together yourself. So it came on three plates, of course with typical Balinese curiosity the delivery boy enquired incredulously 'is this all for you??!!' The next night I ordered I felt like running the shower so he thought someone else was there with me!
I am a bit of a coffee nut and they have more coffee chains there now. There is a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf near Matahari and a Gloria Jeans out the back of Matahari as well as a few Starbucks around. As long as you ensure they put in a double shot they all did really good coffees. Plus I got a few at the deli at the hardrock.
SHOPPING
I got a cab to Geneva Handicrafts one morning. I probably spent a good hour here going between the floors. I stocked up on lots of stuff such as big wooden bowls, serving plates, coasters and matching food trays, carvings, necklaces, bracelets, some awesome feather butterfly fridge magnets, frangipani hair clips and fridge magnets, candle holders etc. Spent near enough to $100 and walked out with two huge bag full of goodies. I always get extras as they make nice additions to xmas/birthday gifts.
SHINE Fashion Accessories: this store was a great find, it was on the same side of the street as Starbucks in Kuta, again heading towards Made's Warung. I also notice one at Centro later on. I am not one for expensive jewellery and this store had a range of earrings, necklaces, bangles, watches, purses, bags, belts etc. They had some gorgeous kids accessories also, cute bags and stuff like that. It was fixed price, most jewellery was between 18000 - 25000 rupes though they did have more expensive stuff there also. I stocked up here on earrings, I bought a watch, and a really nice Anna Sui knock off wallet - I think it was 65 000 rupes. They also had a range of fascinators, I got a really nice one for 23 000.
MATAHARI - Got some bits and pieces here before heading home. Spices such a vanilla pods and saffron, just so cheap! The peanuts in Bali are different to ours, smaller and more crunchy so I got a few of those. I found the KFC chicken flavoured flour mix so grabbed a couple of them also. Stocked up on panadol, flu tablets, tiger balm etc They have a great range of toiletries so got some body washes and stuff like that. They have a range of body scrubs by a brand called Vivelle with mixes such as White tea and virgin coconut oil which are divine so I stocked up on a few different types of these.
MASSAGE
I went to a place called Raisha, again on the same strip as Starbucks. There are a few different places open along there now. I decided to get a cream bath and a foot massage. The cream bath started off ok but it includes a head, neck and shoulder massage the lady massaging me had hands of iron. I like a strong massage but it was too much, I never say too hard but in this case I just had too. She ended it off by doing some weird pinching on the underside of my arms which really hurt and when I got back to the resort both arms actually had heaps of bruises on the underside. The foot massage was the total opposite, really weak and inefficient. Well you only learn by going there, but it is not somewhere I would go back to.
TAXIS
I stuck with Bluebird and had no issue with them turning on the metre. I only used the cab a few times, once to Centre where the fare was only 6 000. I gave him a 20 for his troubles. The other was to Geneva, I asked him to wait for me. He said he would turn his meter off whilst waiting and turn it back on when I got back in if I gave him 20 000 which was Ok by me. On the way back I said turn the meter off now if you want I am going to give you 100 000 anyway and he was just so delighted. Gave me his number if need another taxi and always seemed to be lurking around the Hard Rock after that!! I don't mind , it is so little to us but yet so much to them. Got a cab back to the airport as well, I think it was about 50 000. I always wonder why the cab from the airport to Kuta seems to get there so fast but getting back to the airport is so much longer?
CENTRO (DISCOVERY MALL) : Headed back there for a quick browse before I left. Picked up a few bits and pieces but nothing really of note. Got more DVD's at the two stores there, you can never buy too many DVD's! I picked up some nibbles at Breadtalk and finally tried the bread and butter pudding and can see why people rave about it - divine!
TIPPING
I don't tip in fixed price shops, always tip cabbies and those providing a service eg waiters etc.
OTHER:
Most of the rest of the time was spent wandering around, hanging out by the pool or just plain relaxing.
DONATIONS:
I took a big bag of clothes, toiletries etc over and left them in my room for the cleaning staff. A lot of the staff are only trainees at the Hard Rock and I don't think they make much money. It may have been better off going to someone else, but it is the thought that counts right?
HEADING HOME:
I used one of the lounges I forget which one, it was near gates 6/7 I think, either the premier or Dewa. 150 000 entry, snacks such as spring rolls, nasi goreng, curry puffs, cakes, sandwiches etc. Coffee, tea, juices and some alcohol but not sure what as I didn't try any. It has a smokers area (enclosed) and 2 computers for the internet. We were delayed on the plane before take off for nearly an hour which mean the DRW-BNE flight was also delayed as we were on the same plane. You get in really early in the morning so I napped on a lounge until our flight went, and I can never normally sleep on a plane but slept nearly all the way back to brissy.
Well that is about all I think, sorry it so long! Any questions ask away
PS My ears were still stuffed on the return trip home, so I don't know if ear planes/sudofed helped but did not want to risk not using them!