Day 6 (Monday) out bright and early to get Canvas prints from Hardys........so I thought! 'Sorry Printer not working' aaaarrrrrggggg! Oh well I guess I wasn't supposed to get them re done.
We had organized with a driver Made Wira to collect us from Puri Dalem and take us to Ubud, we were going there for our last two days.
I asked for a driver on here a month or so back, got several recommendations and am glad I chose Made Wira. What a great guy he is! Awesome English and couldn't have been more helpful. I had pre arranged everything by email before I left, he sent me his mobile so I could contact him a few days before pick up which I did. He then contacted me the day before to re confirm. On the day of pick up, we had arranged for him to collect us at 12noon, I got a call from him at 11.50 to say he was on his way but may be 5 mins late, how polite is that!
When he arrived I knew we were in safe hands! He was so polite and a beautifully clean vehicle. He really takes pride in his job!
So off to Ubud we go. We wanted to have a look at bed covers on the way, no problem at all. We found some we liked at the first place but wanted to look at others too, he said no problem if you do not find anything I can stop on the way back to the airport......he was providing Airport transfer from Ubud for us.
We got to Ubud and hadn't found any but we knew we had the option up our sleeve to go back. After checking in at our hotel Made then took us to Tegallangan - spelling may not be correct! We asked him to join us for lunch, which he eventually agreed to. We made it back to our hotel 45 mins after the agreed time that we said we would be out for so paid him an extra 50,000. As I was getting out of the car he called out that I had paid him too much! I couldn't believe it! I think he was a little embarrassed as we had taken him out to lunch also but I insisted that he take it.
Got the mandatory massage and cocktails and spent the evening beside the pool at the hotel. Stayed at Artini 2 cottages, there was no fridge in our room so we bribed the staff with Bourbon to keep our Coke cold in their fridge!
Day 7 (Tuesday) went off to Ubud markets and had a lot of fun. I bargained for a canvas picture, they started at 300, after haggling I got it for 120 which I thought was good, my daughter then got a set of three paintings same size as mine for 90! I nearly cried....oh well I hope he has kids and a wife to feed so I know the money went to good hands!
Decided not to worry about the pamper that day as tomorrow we were going to have the works, it was our last day ☹
Went out to see some night life, stopped in at a couple of places that had live bands, and tried out some more cocktails. Wandered back to the hotel around 10pm and had a swim. We still had drinks to finish off so made our best attempt. Had to admit defeat and leave the remainder for the next day.
Day 8 (Wednesday) started the day with brekky and a swim, then went through all our shopping to make sure we had enough gifts for everyone, oh no we were short! A quick dash back to the markets to pick up some extras then back to the hotel to pack! We had a timeline as we wanted the works before we left and needed to allow 3 hours.
Mostly packed and off for our last pamper at 2.30. The next three hours were bliss! Massage, body scrub.... That part hurt but was worth it! Facial and relaxing bath, they put something in the water that made it black, looked disgusting but our skin was softer than a baby's bum by the end of it! Lastly a Pedicure for me and a Hair creme bath for Sara!
Quick dash back to the hotel to put the remaining items in our bags, skull the last of our drinks then off to the airport.
Made arrived on time and we asked if we could make a couple of stops, We hadn't been able to find any bed covers and wanted to go back to the shop that we had stopped at on the way to Ubud. When we got there it was closed, oh no! It looked like the family lived out the back, sure enough they did and Made asked them if they would open for us. Of course they weren't going to turn away a customer! Back on the road again with 2 bed covers in toe.
Next stop Hardys, we had bought some handbags from there, when we were packing we noticed that 2 of them had bits missing off them. Made talked to the assistant and told her what had happened and asked if we could swap them, they still had their tags on them. No problem at all.....thanks Made!
Eventually made it to the Airport but with the bed covers we now had to repack.
Made had fulfilled his duty and dropped us off, so there we were tucked away in a corner repacking our bags, only to get to check in and be told we are 4 kg's between us overweight! 2kg's each, they wanted to charge us $100AU! At Christmas my hubby and I were 5.2 over and they never batted an eyelid!
We quickly took out the DVD's and 2 handbags which still left us 1.5kg over but they let it go.
Off upstairs to the lounges. Decided to try the Prada lounge, the girl outside had a sign showing you what you get for your 155,000rp. Asked if they had Jim Beam, yes she smiled so off we went. Paid the money and went inside aarrgghh no seats! Found a table and chairs for 2 so claimed that then went to get some food. Blimey the servery was empty and what was there was cold! Ok we will try for a drink then.....sorry no Jim Beam WHAT! Ok this is not going well. I asked for our money back and we went off to the Dewa lounge. Better seating, better food and yes Jim Beam! And only 125,000rp! Spent our last few hours in Bali here, 10pm boarding call had to walk to other end of airport to gate 1.
On the plane and now for some shut eye..... not according to the baby that screamed all the way!
Darwin airport, breezed through customs. We had already sorted our bags so all the to declare was together, they weren't really that interested in what we had anyway. Spent the next 3 hours chilling out on the lounges trying to get some rest. Boarding call yippee. On the plane and ready to taxi out when a gentleman takes ill and has to be removed from the plane. Out come the baggage handlers to find his bags. I can see them out of the window throwing the bags around, oh no that's my bag that just hit the tarmac! Finally on our way 1 hour later but still arrived in Brisbane only 10 mins late! Brilliant tail wind.
Now it all feels like a distant memory, and am suffering Bali withdrawal symptoms! Might have to plan my next trip!
If anyone would like details for Made Wira, I cannot recommend him enough, my email is open.
Hope I haven't bored you too much!