Ideally we would have liked, no loved, to have spent and celebrated this milestone anniversary with all our family but as that is not possible, we decided to treat ourselves to a little holiday and chose Bali as our destination.
We left Perth on Boxing Day, the AirAsia flight was 20 minutes late leaving but we made up some time and landed at Denpasar at 10pm. There's not much to be said about the plane ride that hasn't been said before....after touching down, taxiing to our designated parking place, disembarking and bussing to the terminal, we faced a very long wait in one of three queues to go through immigration until Mike spotted a queue for people over 60, families with children under 5 and disabled persons so we quickly joined that queue for a significantly shorter wait. Once we were 'processed' and had been through the green customs line, we emerged to be greeted by a sea of people waving signs bearing names of passengers and hotels but after walking up and down and round about for roughly half an hour and not finding our driver, we took a $25 taxi ride to the Vira Bali. By this time it was almost midnight and though both tired, we weren't yet ready for bed so went for a short walk, stopping for a Bintang a couple of doors down. It was after 1am by the time we fell into bed, exhausted.
Day One : Thursday, 27/12/2018
We woke at about 6.30am having slept comfortably though not long enough. Unable to go back to sleep, we made tea which we drank on the balcony of our room (#212), sent messages to family, showered and dressed and went downstairs for breakfast, buffet style with Indonesian and Western dishes and eggs to order. A stroll down the lane opposite the hotel and to the beach helped us to familiarise ourselves with our surroundings though there have been many changes in the 9 years since we were here last and by the time we returned to the hotel, we were bathed in sweat so took advantage of the excellent pool to cool off. The rest of the day was spent lounging, in and out of the pool and in the afternoon when a sea breeze had arrived, we strolled back to the beach, found the restaurant we'd visited on a couple of occasions previously (currently having some renovations done but still operating), and enjoyed beers and crispy chicken in the cool breeze. We returned to the hotel via the supermarket in the LippoMall opposite, where we bought beer, coke and Pocari Sweat for the hotel fridge. Drinks on the balcony overlooking the pool and an early night to end our first day.
We woke at about 6.30am having slept comfortably though not long enough. Unable to go back to sleep, we made tea which we drank on the balcony of our room (#212), sent messages to family, showered and dressed and went downstairs for breakfast, buffet style with Indonesian and Western dishes and eggs to order. A stroll down the lane opposite the hotel and to the beach helped us to familiarise ourselves with our surroundings though there have been many changes in the 9 years since we were here last and by the time we returned to the hotel, we were bathed in sweat so took advantage of the excellent pool to cool off. The rest of the day was spent lounging, in and out of the pool and in the afternoon when a sea breeze had arrived, we strolled back to the beach, found the restaurant we'd visited on a couple of occasions previously (currently having some renovations done but still operating), and enjoyed beers and crispy chicken in the cool breeze. We returned to the hotel via the supermarket in the LippoMall opposite, where we bought beer, coke and Pocari Sweat for the hotel fridge. Drinks on the balcony overlooking the pool and an early night to end our first day.
Day Two : Friday, 28/12/2018
A Golden Day! Mike surprised me with a gift (which we weren't going to do!)....a tee shirt he'd had embroidered on the front with "emmanjay 50" and on the back with "281268", the date of our wedding, very cool.
We had messages through the day from family & friends and another surprise, for both of us, was when Paul rang with the news that he and Steph had deposited a sum of money into our bank in order to treat us to dinner at a restaurant they know just across the road....very thoughful and totally unexpected.
After breakfast we walked along the busy, busy street to the Centro mall, wandered around for a while, had frappes in Starbucks, then walked back to the hotel along the beach path. It was extremely windy but much cooler and trafficless so quite pleasant. We stopped in at the LippoMall, had snacks and mocktails at the cafe Warung Batun (?) and reserved a table there for 7pm for our anniversary dinner. A couple of hours pooltime, showers then cocktails in our hotel followed by an excellent dinner....all in all a happy anniversary. (At the restaurant, a woman sitting at the next table with her husband spoke to us, told me, while Mike exchanged pleasantries with the husband, that they live in Lesmurdie, were staying in the hotel next door, are going home on the same day we are but not on the same airline, had some complaint about their hotel which I couldn't quite catch.
We thought we might suggest we all have a drink together when we'd finished our meals......however, I overheard Mrs Lesmurdie tell the waitress that her meal was terrible and not worth the price charged, there was more but I couldn't hear it all, he stormed off and she quickly followed so that was that!)
Mike and I wandered over the road to the "jail" where we had banana fritters with ice cream and Bintang to complete our big day....
A Golden Day! Mike surprised me with a gift (which we weren't going to do!)....a tee shirt he'd had embroidered on the front with "emmanjay 50" and on the back with "281268", the date of our wedding, very cool.
We had messages through the day from family & friends and another surprise, for both of us, was when Paul rang with the news that he and Steph had deposited a sum of money into our bank in order to treat us to dinner at a restaurant they know just across the road....very thoughful and totally unexpected.
After breakfast we walked along the busy, busy street to the Centro mall, wandered around for a while, had frappes in Starbucks, then walked back to the hotel along the beach path. It was extremely windy but much cooler and trafficless so quite pleasant. We stopped in at the LippoMall, had snacks and mocktails at the cafe Warung Batun (?) and reserved a table there for 7pm for our anniversary dinner. A couple of hours pooltime, showers then cocktails in our hotel followed by an excellent dinner....all in all a happy anniversary. (At the restaurant, a woman sitting at the next table with her husband spoke to us, told me, while Mike exchanged pleasantries with the husband, that they live in Lesmurdie, were staying in the hotel next door, are going home on the same day we are but not on the same airline, had some complaint about their hotel which I couldn't quite catch.
We thought we might suggest we all have a drink together when we'd finished our meals......however, I overheard Mrs Lesmurdie tell the waitress that her meal was terrible and not worth the price charged, there was more but I couldn't hear it all, he stormed off and she quickly followed so that was that!)
Mike and I wandered over the road to the "jail" where we had banana fritters with ice cream and Bintang to complete our big day....
Day Three : Saturday, 29/12/2018
Today we hired a car and driver, Bagus, to take us to the rice terraces and Ubud, roughly 50kms from here. It was bumper to bumper for most of the journey which took 2-1/2 hours....the volume of traffic and the number of motor scooters on the roads have surprised us, it was so much quieter when we were last here 9 years ago and we are sure there was more open country....that's progress for you!
Bagus dropped us off and went to a car park to wait while we strolled along the street, had a bite to eat while admiring the view of the terraces and strolled back down the street to meet him. He then drove us back down the hill to Ubud, which was crowded (no surprise there, everywhere is crowded), dropped us off and went to a car park as before and we walked to the Warung Bernadette, recommended by Paul for the best ever beef rendang. It was excellent, washed down with Bintang then we made our way back to our meeting place through the markets, and the crowds. Another 2-1/2 drive back to the hotel, a long day most of which was spent in the car and we didn't envy Bagus at all.
We strolled down the lane to the Pantai restaurant in the evening for drinks in the cool of the sea breeze and got talking to a Canadian couple who'd been waving to us from their balcony. An interesting pair who live and work in Doha and have travelled extensively but never to Australia....as yet.
Today we hired a car and driver, Bagus, to take us to the rice terraces and Ubud, roughly 50kms from here. It was bumper to bumper for most of the journey which took 2-1/2 hours....the volume of traffic and the number of motor scooters on the roads have surprised us, it was so much quieter when we were last here 9 years ago and we are sure there was more open country....that's progress for you!
Bagus dropped us off and went to a car park to wait while we strolled along the street, had a bite to eat while admiring the view of the terraces and strolled back down the street to meet him. He then drove us back down the hill to Ubud, which was crowded (no surprise there, everywhere is crowded), dropped us off and went to a car park as before and we walked to the Warung Bernadette, recommended by Paul for the best ever beef rendang. It was excellent, washed down with Bintang then we made our way back to our meeting place through the markets, and the crowds. Another 2-1/2 drive back to the hotel, a long day most of which was spent in the car and we didn't envy Bagus at all.
We strolled down the lane to the Pantai restaurant in the evening for drinks in the cool of the sea breeze and got talking to a Canadian couple who'd been waving to us from their balcony. An interesting pair who live and work in Doha and have travelled extensively but never to Australia....as yet.
Day Four : Sunday, 30/12/2018
After Saturday's outing, having spent much of the day sitting in a car, in traffic, we decided that for the rest of our time in Bali, we'd stay close to "home". With that in mind, after breakfast we secured two lounges in the shade by the pool and spent a couple of hours swimming, lounging and reading, then strolled along the beach path to the CentroMall for frappes at Starbucks then shared an excellent pizza and had a delicious detox energy drink each at Coco's before strolling back to the hotel.
There we had a hour or two resting & reading in the room & on the balcony, then had another stint at the pool before having an excellent meal at jboutique hotel just up the road, followed by a short walk to Pantai for drinks in the cool of the evening.
After Saturday's outing, having spent much of the day sitting in a car, in traffic, we decided that for the rest of our time in Bali, we'd stay close to "home". With that in mind, after breakfast we secured two lounges in the shade by the pool and spent a couple of hours swimming, lounging and reading, then strolled along the beach path to the CentroMall for frappes at Starbucks then shared an excellent pizza and had a delicious detox energy drink each at Coco's before strolling back to the hotel.
There we had a hour or two resting & reading in the room & on the balcony, then had another stint at the pool before having an excellent meal at jboutique hotel just up the road, followed by a short walk to Pantai for drinks in the cool of the evening.
Day Five : Monday, 31/12/2018
A very similar day to yesterday. We stayed by the pool till around midday by which time our shade had disappeared and things were becoming a little too warm so we retired to our room, showered and dressed and wandered across the road to the mall where there is an air conditioned food court on the top floor, had a claypot chicken dish each, bought some supplies from the supermarket and returned to our room where we remained for the afternoon.
At around 5 o'clock there was a heavy rainfall which lasted about 10 minutes, then another which cooled things down a bit, we had drinks and satays in the "jail", then strolled around the corner for vegetable spring rolls kati rolls and beer at Nuka restaurant, then back home, to celebrate the new year by sleeping! Tomorrow is another day, another year......Happy New Year!
A very similar day to yesterday. We stayed by the pool till around midday by which time our shade had disappeared and things were becoming a little too warm so we retired to our room, showered and dressed and wandered across the road to the mall where there is an air conditioned food court on the top floor, had a claypot chicken dish each, bought some supplies from the supermarket and returned to our room where we remained for the afternoon.
At around 5 o'clock there was a heavy rainfall which lasted about 10 minutes, then another which cooled things down a bit, we had drinks and satays in the "jail", then strolled around the corner for vegetable spring rolls kati rolls and beer at Nuka restaurant, then back home, to celebrate the new year by sleeping! Tomorrow is another day, another year......Happy New Year!
Day Six : Tuesday, 1/1/2019
A rather steamy day. A walk to Centro along the beach path, a smoked salmon pita roll to share and a detox drink each, a stroll through the mall and return to the hotel for a long swim and a chat to Mr & Mrs Rockingham, on holiday with their grandson.
Dinner was at the outdoor food market near the corner statue, food market prices, a good meal in the cool garden, close to the road but not too noisy. There was a resident rat walking up and down the garden edge....it would have freaked me out once upon a time but it didn't bother me as he kept his distance! On the walk back home, we called in to the mini mart and bought ice cream!
A rather steamy day. A walk to Centro along the beach path, a smoked salmon pita roll to share and a detox drink each, a stroll through the mall and return to the hotel for a long swim and a chat to Mr & Mrs Rockingham, on holiday with their grandson.
Dinner was at the outdoor food market near the corner statue, food market prices, a good meal in the cool garden, close to the road but not too noisy. There was a resident rat walking up and down the garden edge....it would have freaked me out once upon a time but it didn't bother me as he kept his distance! On the walk back home, we called in to the mini mart and bought ice cream!
Day Seven : Wednesday, 2/1/2019
It has been raining through the night and there is more threatening. Mike went out to the street to find a driver to take us to Jimbaran and perhaps to Dreamland but there were none about yet and security officer Surini told him that Jimbaran was just the same as Tuban.....we decided that we'd maybe go to Jimbaran later in the arvo, watch the sunset and have dinner; in the meantime we'd take a taxi ride into Kuta, walk along the beach and through the markets. Although there was still plenty of traffic about it seemed to be a little quieter, a little less chaotic. We walked quite a way along the beach, stopping at one of the many drink stops, had a Sprite each and talked to Nick the drink seller who spoke very good English, with a slight Australian accent!
After our walk through the extensive markets, we stopped for cold drinks at Gloria Jean's and then returned by taksi to the hotel.
We stayed in the cool of the hotel after an afternoon swim and when trying to find, on the interweb, a place to eat in Jimbaran, nothing appealed so we walked up the street towards Centro and found an excellent restaurant called Garis Garis where we ate our last supper.
It has been raining through the night and there is more threatening. Mike went out to the street to find a driver to take us to Jimbaran and perhaps to Dreamland but there were none about yet and security officer Surini told him that Jimbaran was just the same as Tuban.....we decided that we'd maybe go to Jimbaran later in the arvo, watch the sunset and have dinner; in the meantime we'd take a taxi ride into Kuta, walk along the beach and through the markets. Although there was still plenty of traffic about it seemed to be a little quieter, a little less chaotic. We walked quite a way along the beach, stopping at one of the many drink stops, had a Sprite each and talked to Nick the drink seller who spoke very good English, with a slight Australian accent!
After our walk through the extensive markets, we stopped for cold drinks at Gloria Jean's and then returned by taksi to the hotel.
We stayed in the cool of the hotel after an afternoon swim and when trying to find, on the interweb, a place to eat in Jimbaran, nothing appealed so we walked up the street towards Centro and found an excellent restaurant called Garis Garis where we ate our last supper.
Day Eight : Thursday, 3/1/2019
Last day.....with only carry on bags it didn't take long to pack. We had time to kill after breakfast, walked up the street to the Bamboo Bar & Grill, had cold drinks and watched cricket for a while (Aust vs India Test Match in Sydney) on one of several tv screens until it was time to stroll back home. It had just started to rain when we left, just a little spit to begin with but became heavier so we took shelter in the Eden Hotel forecourt until it eased. Back at the Vira Bali I talked to Sandra from Mauritius, on holiday with her husband while we waited for our car and driver, which we shared with the Mauritians, for the short drive to the airport.
Once through the formalities, we shared a club sandwich at one of the airport cafes then made our way down to the gate, our bags were checked (again) by a couple of security people and then we waited, and waited to begin boarding. Our 2pm departure became 3.30pm, we were on the last shuttle bus to the plane, which was full, and had an uneventful flight to Perth, arriving 1-1/2 hours late. An Emirates flight had arrived around the same time so we had to queue for a long time and although we had nothing to declare and had marked our cards so, the grumpy old customs man sent us to the goods declared queue for another wait and then another bag scan.
Finally through all that, we emerged from the airport to the cold wind but had not long to wait for our uber drive home.
Last day.....with only carry on bags it didn't take long to pack. We had time to kill after breakfast, walked up the street to the Bamboo Bar & Grill, had cold drinks and watched cricket for a while (Aust vs India Test Match in Sydney) on one of several tv screens until it was time to stroll back home. It had just started to rain when we left, just a little spit to begin with but became heavier so we took shelter in the Eden Hotel forecourt until it eased. Back at the Vira Bali I talked to Sandra from Mauritius, on holiday with her husband while we waited for our car and driver, which we shared with the Mauritians, for the short drive to the airport.
Once through the formalities, we shared a club sandwich at one of the airport cafes then made our way down to the gate, our bags were checked (again) by a couple of security people and then we waited, and waited to begin boarding. Our 2pm departure became 3.30pm, we were on the last shuttle bus to the plane, which was full, and had an uneventful flight to Perth, arriving 1-1/2 hours late. An Emirates flight had arrived around the same time so we had to queue for a long time and although we had nothing to declare and had marked our cards so, the grumpy old customs man sent us to the goods declared queue for another wait and then another bag scan.
Finally through all that, we emerged from the airport to the cold wind but had not long to wait for our uber drive home.
