This is the first week of a 7 week stay.
Our Garuda flight was on time, and we were the only plane to land at Ngurah Rai, and just walked off the plane straight thru. Our 8 bottles of wine cost us an extra $50 (worth it to us on the long stay), probably lucky it wasnt confiscated.
Staying at the Intercontinental, Jim Bay, in Singarajah king room, daughter, her hubby and 2 grandsons in Singarajah Duplex. The duplex is great for the fam, they have the kids downstairs, mum and dad up. Nice and roomy. 2 bathrooms, 2 tellies. Only prob is walking up 4 sets of stairs all the time.
This hotel would not be for everyone because its just so big. But this also converts to us as not bumping into people all day long. The beach out front is mostly safe, we had a little swell, and at high tide, many non-aussies were being dumped on the shoreline. (sorry, but to our amusement)
Food is also v expensive within hotel, altho kids meals not too bad. Breakfast is fantastic, and huge. We ate down the beach at Seafood Cafes,(do not recommend "Beluga") and across road at "Balique" which was delish and a stylish restaurant.
Took the whole fam up to Gianyar to Bali Tubing,in little rubber rafts, no paddles, which was really great fun. A little rough, but the 10 and 8yo handled it all fine. Even me, the 56yo had a great old laugh. Approx $60 for adults and $45 kids, lunch and transport included.
Visited Jengalla Ceramics and splurged on a few new items. Not much tho, its just such a pain to transport home. Taxied down to Nusa Dua to Bali collection and you could have fired a gun in this place and not hit another tourist. Nice for a walk around and Sogo had a few bargains.
Started to get some nasty stomach cramps one night, and in house Doc was called, there within twenty minutes. Nice young Doctor, accompanied by the sweetest little nurse, complete with nurses cap and white kebaya. Plenty of drugs administerd, cost au$80, complete with Doc's certificate. (all better now)
Daughter and I ventured in to Seminyak in a shopping frenzy. We are both tall, and 14/16, and find it hard to buy anything to fit us. Got the kids loads of Insight, Religion and Hurley stuff. Dragged ourselves all the way down to Double 6, and thankfully found some great handbags to make us feel much better.
Sadly, family left yesterday, we are now over at (Arr)...Sanur. Staying at a 6 room B&B, much much cheaper and homier and trying to organise our trip to Flores and Komodo. Sanur is under construction as well, new buildings up all over the place. So much has changed in just 9 months.
Exchange rate fantastic, sun is out, have been able to have a few swims and footy to watch tonite!