Friday 1st March 2013
ADELAIDE Weather: (7:30am) 18 degrees | (3:00pm) 27 degrees | Sunny
ADELAIDE Petrol Price: 159.9 cents per litre OMG!!!
As usual, not much quality rest on the midnight flight home. Even with the spare aisle seat, there is just not enough recline on the seats to be comfortable and you are always conscious of snoring or farting in your sleep so only doze. Lights on as we prepare to land, wide awake now but with a massive sleep deprived headache. Suddenly, we suffer the worst ever turbulance I have endured in a big plane - I FEEL ILL! Deep breathing, bracing the seat in front, hot and clammy, considering pulling out the bag. Finally, wheels touch the ground and I can't wait to escape the confinement.
Regardless of the mishap with our tickets/gates at Denpasar, we arrive to Adelaide about 15 minutes early. Relatively quick escape to the front of the airport, detour via Duty Free to collect our pre-purchased goodies, first time using the "smart passport" option thing which worked no problem, however we still managed to be one of the last ones out of customs. I don't know if this is because we are too honest, or simply buy way too many declarable items. We made sure we packed well this time, so everything was easliy accessible, but still... The only items we lost were some coasters (not worth paying for treatment) bought from Biarritz, still in packaging that had some insects come out when the Customs Officer banged on the counter (at least we know what to do next time). I was actually surprised the bamboo steamer Alex's wife purchased from the market for us was allowed in, but we made sure it was washed before we packed it.
Out the front, a quick phone call an Mum 1 and 2 are already at the drop zone to collect us and take us back home for a shower and nap before collecting Miss 7 from school - the most exciting thing about coming back home! It's 2:30pm and we can't wait any longer. Short drive to the school was quicker than the wait in the carpark. With five minutes before the bell, we wander to her classroom and she spots us out the open door. With total disregard to classroom ettiquite, she bounds out the door and flies into my arms, sobbing happy tears onto my shoulder. Kisses all over, a wipe of her face, an embrace with dad and she's laughing away her tears back into class. As bittersweet as it was going on this trip without her, that moment of reuniting makes the absence all the more worth it.
So... what now... well the household whiteboard has already been updated to show "359-ish days to Bali" and Miss 7 is helping with this count down.
And... the "Three Step Plan to Beat Bali Blues" is underway:
1. Re-read blog to assist with Trip Advisor Reviews
2. Submit Trip Advisor Reviews on visited properties and attractions
3. Commence planning for next Bali holiday!
Monday, 4 March 2013
Day 11 - Sampai Jumpa
Weather: 32 degrees | sunny| 88% humidity
Exchange: 9690 Rupiah = $1AUD (hotel)
We sleep-in for our last Bali morning and lazily wander down to breakfast. Same boring selection, but boy do I love those Indonesian coconut jelly type dessert things - I just know all that walking will not be enough...
I have booked for a facial at the hotel spa and am lucky enough to get Widia for a second time. We chatted indepth at my first appointment with her, sharing some intimate stories about difficulties with conceiving - we really connected. After this, every time I pass her in the hotel during our stay, we stop to chat. She is happy to see me and I am happy to be receiving my last Bali pamper session from her. The facial was amazing and she even gave my foot a quick massage when she noticed one of my feet were uncomfortable. The hour went too quick and when it was time to say goodbye, she hugged me so tight and began crying so much that she made me start to cry. She told me how much she liked me and was very sad that I am leaving. Obviously, I felt the exact same way.
Back to the room to finish packing, which was definitely going to be a little bit like putting a puzzle together. Hubby and I shift items from one case to another in an attempt to get the weight limits correct. Thank goodness we found that luggage scale or we would have been in big trouble at the airport. We finally get our two carry-ons to 7kg exact and our two check-ins to pretty much 23kg (give or take)... fingers crossed!
Time to check out of the hotel, I search for Widia to say our final goodbyes, but she must be busy with a client. I ask for a piece of paper/envelope from the reception staff and write her a letter, leaving her a small bracelet to remember me by and my email address if she wishes to keep in contact. Our friend Alex, is already here waiting to take us to his home for a delicious lunch cooked by his wife. On the way, we stop off at Alex's Aunty's Villa for us to check out as a possible accommodation option for our next trip. Lovely complex of three double storey villas with a pool to share for around $100 p/n - not bad.
We arrive back at Alex's home and greeted warmly by his wife, who is busy on the kitchen floor preparing sweet cakes to sell at tomorrow's market, with the help of her sister. Alex's daughter is hiding in the shadows, but unfortunately we are still not able to meet his son who is at school. The power is out, so we sit in the front room and swelter. Hubby is offered a Large Bintang - Alex knows him too well already. Soon Alex's wife presents us with a tray of her home cooked Balinese food, including rice, fish and chicken sates, vegetable salad, and meatballs steamed in banana leaves. I ask how she managed to prepare with no power, and of course it is no problem when you're cooking with gas. We encourage Alex to join us - it's weird him watching us eat, but who knows if he is even hungry as our scheduled eating times don't always flow with Balinese culture. However, he grabs a plate and again food brings us together. He asks if "too spicy"? My lips are tingling, but the spice is just right for me and it is delicious - hubby says "not spicy enough". Alex tells us his wife "did not make so spicy".
I attempt many times to befriend Alex's daughter, but she is so shy and still quite scared of the big white couple in her house. Actually, I think it would have more to do with the big white hairy man :-) I try to take a photo, but she won't even look at me. Eventually Alex is able to capture a photo with my camera. I suggest to Alex that next time we visit, perhaps he can bring her along on one of our trips - maybe to Butterfly Park (she has never been), when our daughter will be with us and maybe they will connect. Here's hoping...
Fed and full, we say many thanks to Alex's wife and farewell our new found friendly Balinese family home. As we drive back past the house, I finally get a wave from Alex's daughter... slowly cracking that shell. We are now really just trying to find things to do to kill time before going to the airport for our midnight flight home. Alex takes us out to Sanur, as we have never really been out there and are considering staying for a few days next trip. We drive around and decide to check out a few hotels. A look through the Griya Santrian and Puri Santrian, both nice hotels/resorts in their own right with pros and cons for both, but we are not overly fussed. I write down a few names of places we pass and know that I will spend the next few months researching Trip Advisor for the best value for money stay in Sanur.
We then decide to drive out to Uluwatu and get there with plenty of time to make the Kecak dance. This was really a spur of the moment thing, but seeing as we didn't get the chance to do this in Ubud, and we still have at least four hours before we could check-in at the airport, we thought "why not". So, into the temple area we go - hubby worried he would have to wear another sarong, but we get away with a simple sash this time. We buy the dance tickets and begin to climb the stairs to get a closer look at the temple. A way up and we can see the seating area for the dance is already starting to fill up, so I suggest to Alex that we make our way over there instead.
What a fun way to end our night! The dance was interesting and very entertaining, the naughty white monkey Hanoman certainly gets the crowd laughing. I also got a great view of that wonderful Bali sunset for our last evening in Paradise.
When the show is finished, we locate Alex out front and meet his cousin. We jump back in the car and with another couple of hours still to kill, he asks "where to now?". I tell Alex I must have one last Avocado Juice before we go, so we stop at a Warung somewhere between Uluwatu and Jimbaren called Mak Jo. Still full from our delicious lunch, we are not ready to eat but just know the food here would have been delicious. It goes without saying that my juice definitely was! For two juices and a coffee, we paid less than I would have just for one coffee back home.
We know we could think of a million more things to do, but... Alex drives us to the airport, pointing out his Aunty's house as we pass, where he needs to return the car after he drops us off. We wind down the windows and shout out hello's to his Uncle and cousins manning the street market stall right alongside the house. Last year, we passed his dad in the streets of Ubud and we encouraged Alex to pull over to say hello. Already, we have met so many of Alex's family - you just know when you are supposed to be in somebody's life; whatever the reason.
We pull up to the drop off, say our genuine and heartfelt farewells - but there are no tears, as we will definitely keep in touch and see each other again soon. One last wave goodbye as Alex drives away and we only have a half hour to wait before we can check-in. Everything seems to go smoothly, our luggage slightly (within 1kg) over, but the staff member didn't even blink an eye, puts a heavy tag on each piece and marks one at 23kg, the other 22kg (maybe their scales are out?). One counter after the other, we head towards immigration and eventually we see the duty free shop and know it's only a little while before we board the plane. As our tickets indicate, we head down to Gate 1 and grab a drink in the cafe close by.
With 20 minutes or so to board, we find a seat near the gate entrance and begin chatting with a lovely couple also returning to Adelaide and swap Trip Advisor nicknames. We are close to boarding time, other Australian cities are being called but not Adelaide. As I am most observant (some refer to me as nosy, but I call it attention to detail), I overhear a couple in panic saying something about their ticket saying Gate 1, but the electronic board saying Gate 8 and final boarding is being called. I nudge hubby and the couple sitting with us and say we better get moving... FAST! A quick check of the board and yes, we need to hot foot it right down the other end of the airport... urrrggghhh! I feel sick at the thought of not being there to collect Miss 7 from school as we had promised and the fact that I haven't had to move this fast in a very long time. Luckily we get to the gate with 10 minutes to spare and with a smile on their face, the staff have absolutely no explanation to my ranting about Gate Satu (1) now Gate Delapan (8) - WHAT HAPPENED!!! Flustered but relieved, we board the plane and hope to get some shut eye over the next five hours.
Exchange: 9690 Rupiah = $1AUD (hotel)
We sleep-in for our last Bali morning and lazily wander down to breakfast. Same boring selection, but boy do I love those Indonesian coconut jelly type dessert things - I just know all that walking will not be enough...
I have booked for a facial at the hotel spa and am lucky enough to get Widia for a second time. We chatted indepth at my first appointment with her, sharing some intimate stories about difficulties with conceiving - we really connected. After this, every time I pass her in the hotel during our stay, we stop to chat. She is happy to see me and I am happy to be receiving my last Bali pamper session from her. The facial was amazing and she even gave my foot a quick massage when she noticed one of my feet were uncomfortable. The hour went too quick and when it was time to say goodbye, she hugged me so tight and began crying so much that she made me start to cry. She told me how much she liked me and was very sad that I am leaving. Obviously, I felt the exact same way.
Back to the room to finish packing, which was definitely going to be a little bit like putting a puzzle together. Hubby and I shift items from one case to another in an attempt to get the weight limits correct. Thank goodness we found that luggage scale or we would have been in big trouble at the airport. We finally get our two carry-ons to 7kg exact and our two check-ins to pretty much 23kg (give or take)... fingers crossed!
Time to check out of the hotel, I search for Widia to say our final goodbyes, but she must be busy with a client. I ask for a piece of paper/envelope from the reception staff and write her a letter, leaving her a small bracelet to remember me by and my email address if she wishes to keep in contact. Our friend Alex, is already here waiting to take us to his home for a delicious lunch cooked by his wife. On the way, we stop off at Alex's Aunty's Villa for us to check out as a possible accommodation option for our next trip. Lovely complex of three double storey villas with a pool to share for around $100 p/n - not bad.
I attempt many times to befriend Alex's daughter, but she is so shy and still quite scared of the big white couple in her house. Actually, I think it would have more to do with the big white hairy man :-) I try to take a photo, but she won't even look at me. Eventually Alex is able to capture a photo with my camera. I suggest to Alex that next time we visit, perhaps he can bring her along on one of our trips - maybe to Butterfly Park (she has never been), when our daughter will be with us and maybe they will connect. Here's hoping...
Fed and full, we say many thanks to Alex's wife and farewell our new found friendly Balinese family home. As we drive back past the house, I finally get a wave from Alex's daughter... slowly cracking that shell. We are now really just trying to find things to do to kill time before going to the airport for our midnight flight home. Alex takes us out to Sanur, as we have never really been out there and are considering staying for a few days next trip. We drive around and decide to check out a few hotels. A look through the Griya Santrian and Puri Santrian, both nice hotels/resorts in their own right with pros and cons for both, but we are not overly fussed. I write down a few names of places we pass and know that I will spend the next few months researching Trip Advisor for the best value for money stay in Sanur.
We then decide to drive out to Uluwatu and get there with plenty of time to make the Kecak dance. This was really a spur of the moment thing, but seeing as we didn't get the chance to do this in Ubud, and we still have at least four hours before we could check-in at the airport, we thought "why not". So, into the temple area we go - hubby worried he would have to wear another sarong, but we get away with a simple sash this time. We buy the dance tickets and begin to climb the stairs to get a closer look at the temple. A way up and we can see the seating area for the dance is already starting to fill up, so I suggest to Alex that we make our way over there instead. What a fun way to end our night! The dance was interesting and very entertaining, the naughty white monkey Hanoman certainly gets the crowd laughing. I also got a great view of that wonderful Bali sunset for our last evening in Paradise.
We know we could think of a million more things to do, but... Alex drives us to the airport, pointing out his Aunty's house as we pass, where he needs to return the car after he drops us off. We wind down the windows and shout out hello's to his Uncle and cousins manning the street market stall right alongside the house. Last year, we passed his dad in the streets of Ubud and we encouraged Alex to pull over to say hello. Already, we have met so many of Alex's family - you just know when you are supposed to be in somebody's life; whatever the reason.
We pull up to the drop off, say our genuine and heartfelt farewells - but there are no tears, as we will definitely keep in touch and see each other again soon. One last wave goodbye as Alex drives away and we only have a half hour to wait before we can check-in. Everything seems to go smoothly, our luggage slightly (within 1kg) over, but the staff member didn't even blink an eye, puts a heavy tag on each piece and marks one at 23kg, the other 22kg (maybe their scales are out?). One counter after the other, we head towards immigration and eventually we see the duty free shop and know it's only a little while before we board the plane. As our tickets indicate, we head down to Gate 1 and grab a drink in the cafe close by.
With 20 minutes or so to board, we find a seat near the gate entrance and begin chatting with a lovely couple also returning to Adelaide and swap Trip Advisor nicknames. We are close to boarding time, other Australian cities are being called but not Adelaide. As I am most observant (some refer to me as nosy, but I call it attention to detail), I overhear a couple in panic saying something about their ticket saying Gate 1, but the electronic board saying Gate 8 and final boarding is being called. I nudge hubby and the couple sitting with us and say we better get moving... FAST! A quick check of the board and yes, we need to hot foot it right down the other end of the airport... urrrggghhh! I feel sick at the thought of not being there to collect Miss 7 from school as we had promised and the fact that I haven't had to move this fast in a very long time. Luckily we get to the gate with 10 minutes to spare and with a smile on their face, the staff have absolutely no explanation to my ranting about Gate Satu (1) now Gate Delapan (8) - WHAT HAPPENED!!! Flustered but relieved, we board the plane and hope to get some shut eye over the next five hours.
Friday, 1 March 2013
Day 10 - A little time to myself...
Weather: 31 degrees | patchy cloud/rain | 77%
humidity
Exchange: 9690 Rupiah = $1AUD (hotel)
No rush today... no plans, hubby wants to relax on our last full day at the hotel, but I'm not one to sit around idle. I'm also not a big fan of hanging out at the pool, unless it's really warm and to sit at the swim-up bar and I'm not in the mood for drinking... yet.
After brekkie I decide to head into Legian/Kuta by myself for some "last chance-uninterrupted-hubby not groaning in the background-shopping". I ask for the taxi to take me to Banjar, but I must have confused him when I said to turn towards Seminyak on Jl. Legian and then he confused me and I forgot where Banjar was. I finally asked him to pull over and I'll walk, on a mission to get to (Jo's Shop) "B Design" (I had already been to the shop at Kerobokan, but we had a driver waiting and hubby breathing down my neck). I couldn't believe it! When I finally reached the shop, TETUP (closed) with a sign saying "due to renovations, visit shop in Kerobokan". Oh well, wasn't meant to be.
So, I just kept walking until I reached my favourite moziac shop "Patola Ratu" for one last look. There's nothing here that you couldn't find in other similar shops, but I really like the lady owner. She delivered items as promised to me at the hotel last year and remembered me as soon as I walked in to the shop on my first visit earlier this trip. I buy a small pair of chalk stone Balinese couple and an antique looking welcome sign (total 200,000 Rupiah). She gave me a small moziac plate as a gift before leaving. I chat with her about designing a mirror for our bathroom (I bought one from her in 2011 for 120,000 Rupiah that looks gorgeous in our ensuite) and emailing her the details for her to make ready for our next visit (TBA).
With some money still in my purse to spend, I head back to Ketut's for a better look. I spy a cute pair of bathers for Miss 7 and grab 6 more singlets for hubby and dad, various logos, e.g. Hot Tuna, Fox Racing, Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, and of course Bintang. It didn't matter what was on the singlet, price was for sizing: 3XL = 25,000 Rupiah and 4XL = 40,000 Rupiah. I introduced myself to Ketut, told her how famous she was and scored myself a bottle of water. With not much to play with in the purse, I decide to head back to the hotel to find Hubby relaxing in the air conditioned room, reading his book.
For the convenience, I go downstairs to change some more money then walk around the corner to the little (cheap) spa I found "Beauty Corner". I choose Paket 3 consisting of a Hair Creme Bath, Manicure and Pedicure for 150,000 Rupiah. I paid an extra 40,000 Rupiah for the Opi brand silver nail polish, that I really wished I had bought from them and will now search to see if I can buy online. I really loved that polish, but wouldn't go back to Beauty Corner. The location is very secluded and not at all in the tourist path. The only tourists who would find this place, is those shopping at ACE Hardware or drinking coffee at Gloria Jeans across the road, or those staying at Kuta Central Park and the service is much better at the hotel - you get what you pay for.
When I get back to the hotel room, I try desperately to Skype Miss 7 for the last time, but finally the hotel internet connection has decided to misbehave. A quick phone call instead, then we take a taxi to Jl. Padma and decide to eat our last evening meal at Indo-National. Fairly well rated on Trip Advisor and Aussie owned, we thought this would be a good choice for steak, but were slightly disappointed. At least I finally got to drink a Bali Cider - YUM!
Back to the hotel, we begin packing our treasures and have a few beverages to toast our amazing time... again... in Bali - I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S ALMOST OVER!
Exchange: 9690 Rupiah = $1AUD (hotel)
No rush today... no plans, hubby wants to relax on our last full day at the hotel, but I'm not one to sit around idle. I'm also not a big fan of hanging out at the pool, unless it's really warm and to sit at the swim-up bar and I'm not in the mood for drinking... yet.
After brekkie I decide to head into Legian/Kuta by myself for some "last chance-uninterrupted-hubby not groaning in the background-shopping". I ask for the taxi to take me to Banjar, but I must have confused him when I said to turn towards Seminyak on Jl. Legian and then he confused me and I forgot where Banjar was. I finally asked him to pull over and I'll walk, on a mission to get to (Jo's Shop) "B Design" (I had already been to the shop at Kerobokan, but we had a driver waiting and hubby breathing down my neck). I couldn't believe it! When I finally reached the shop, TETUP (closed) with a sign saying "due to renovations, visit shop in Kerobokan". Oh well, wasn't meant to be.
So, I just kept walking until I reached my favourite moziac shop "Patola Ratu" for one last look. There's nothing here that you couldn't find in other similar shops, but I really like the lady owner. She delivered items as promised to me at the hotel last year and remembered me as soon as I walked in to the shop on my first visit earlier this trip. I buy a small pair of chalk stone Balinese couple and an antique looking welcome sign (total 200,000 Rupiah). She gave me a small moziac plate as a gift before leaving. I chat with her about designing a mirror for our bathroom (I bought one from her in 2011 for 120,000 Rupiah that looks gorgeous in our ensuite) and emailing her the details for her to make ready for our next visit (TBA).
With some money still in my purse to spend, I head back to Ketut's for a better look. I spy a cute pair of bathers for Miss 7 and grab 6 more singlets for hubby and dad, various logos, e.g. Hot Tuna, Fox Racing, Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, and of course Bintang. It didn't matter what was on the singlet, price was for sizing: 3XL = 25,000 Rupiah and 4XL = 40,000 Rupiah. I introduced myself to Ketut, told her how famous she was and scored myself a bottle of water. With not much to play with in the purse, I decide to head back to the hotel to find Hubby relaxing in the air conditioned room, reading his book.
For the convenience, I go downstairs to change some more money then walk around the corner to the little (cheap) spa I found "Beauty Corner". I choose Paket 3 consisting of a Hair Creme Bath, Manicure and Pedicure for 150,000 Rupiah. I paid an extra 40,000 Rupiah for the Opi brand silver nail polish, that I really wished I had bought from them and will now search to see if I can buy online. I really loved that polish, but wouldn't go back to Beauty Corner. The location is very secluded and not at all in the tourist path. The only tourists who would find this place, is those shopping at ACE Hardware or drinking coffee at Gloria Jeans across the road, or those staying at Kuta Central Park and the service is much better at the hotel - you get what you pay for.
When I get back to the hotel room, I try desperately to Skype Miss 7 for the last time, but finally the hotel internet connection has decided to misbehave. A quick phone call instead, then we take a taxi to Jl. Padma and decide to eat our last evening meal at Indo-National. Fairly well rated on Trip Advisor and Aussie owned, we thought this would be a good choice for steak, but were slightly disappointed. At least I finally got to drink a Bali Cider - YUM!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)