LEGIAN - BALI - 'THE END OF THE INDO TRIP' - 29 TO 31 OCTOBER 2019

COSTS

Car – Sanur to Legian  - 200 000r

Stay – Grand Kumala Hotel – 390 000R

Car – legian to airport – 200 000R

Surfboard – 6 000 000R

THE LEGIAN STORY

Once again the injury kept me out of the surf.

I spent my time:

Walking along the beach

Hanging around the hotel and hotel pool – swimming laps

Got my new surfboard.

My last day in Indonesia on this trip was the 31 October. It was a long and adventurous holiday. A brief summary:

Not good – virus, stomach parasite, numerous surf cuts, surf board chest injury.

Learning curve – getting a surfboard made in Bali, extending visas.

Surf – great waves in Balian and Sumba

Snorkelling – Goat Island, Bira Beach, Blue Lagoon.

Fun – motorbike riding, exploring, hiking, chatting, making new friends, catching up with old friends

LEGIAN, BALI - 'FEED ME' - 13 TO 14 SEPTEMBER 2019

LEGIAN 

COSTS

Car from hotel in Makassar to airport - 250 000R including all the tolls.

Flight Makassar to Bali 5:40 am with Citilink– approx. 2 300 000R for two adults – 20 kg luggage included.

Car from Bali domestic airport to Legian – 200 000R

Grand Kumala Hotel - standard room - 384 000R

Relaxation massage Sicilia Spa 112 000r for 1 hour

THE JOURNEY

We started the day with an early morning flight from Makassar to Bali.

We woke at 3:30am and Arus picked us up at 4:00am. The journey to the airport took about ½ hour as there was no traffic.

At the airport we checked into the Citilink counter. They were quick, efficient and professional. The fastest and most hassle free check in I’ve done at an Indonesian domestic airport. We had plenty of time for coffee and croissants.

Nyoman picked us up at Bali domestic airport and drove us to the Grand Kumala Hotel in Legian.

We checked in to the hotel, got our gear out of storage and had a 2^nd breakfast.

This was an eating day as we were keen to eat more western food and we were also over-tired. Pizza, Greek salad, garlic bread, etc. Haha

We had chores to do as well – cash money and buy supplies for Balian from the supermarket.

We relaxed with beers on the beach for sunset and earlier, I had a relaxing massage at Sicilia Spa.

The following day, Nyoman pick us up to drive us to Balian.

LEGIAN, BALI - SICK BUT DOING OUR BEST - 21 TO 26 AUGUST 2019

LEGIAN - 21 TO 26 AUGUST

COSTS

car from domestic airport to hotel in Legian - 200 000R

Grand Kumala Hotel standard room - 415 000R with good breakfast.


THE STORY

We arrived in Bali from Sumba flying with Wings Air - a good flight but leg room was poor. We picked up our bags and met Nyoman at the domestic airport exit. We drove to the Grand Kumala Hotel taking a scenic route through narrow streets and pass ‘rivers’ due to traffic flow changes.

We were very hungry so we popped the bags in the room and headed out to eat – pizza and Greek salad. We were feeling better after eating so we walked towards the main road and I had a haircut and Jacinta had a hair treatment.

I was still sick with the virus during our stay with the addition of diarrhea and Jacinta had picked up the virus as well.  

At night, we had a few dinners with live music playing and during the day we sat around the hotel pool and wandered down to the beach for sunset.

One night, we walked towards Padma and turned off just after the Jayakarta. We stopped to have dinner at a restaurant. It was very quiet then bam! Out came four guys dressed as clowns who started dancing to loud music. It was sort of entertaining but it had a limit. Eventually, they finished and we ate our meal and departed before their next bracket.

On another night, we ate a good meal and listened to a pleasant sounding duet. We met a pleasant guy there named Mark. He was from Dubbo and was a carpenter who worked in an office. Strange combo that he says worked well.

One of the days, we caught a taxi to Nusa Dua. Jacinta had a filling come out and so to the BIMC dental clinic we went. The place was ultra modern, clean, well organised and friendly. Jacinta had her gigi (tooth) fixed and back we drove to Legian.

LEGIAN - BALI - THE MERYLL'S BIRTHDAY - 17 JULY 2019

16 JULY

Nyoman picked us up at Balian and we drove the two hours to Legian.

At Legian, we settled quickly into the Grand Kumala hotel then out for lunch.

After lunch, we did our jobs – cashed money, brought boardshots and booties and some food at the Bintang Supermarket.

Back at the hotel we rested theen walked over to the Melasti Hotel for Meryl’s 60^th birthday,

A great night chatting, eating and drinking. Beacon organised a pig on the spit and Shelby Meryl’s daughter organised a chees chocolate cake. The night finished back at Beacon’s room for nibbleees and more drink. Jacinta and I finally called it a night and walked back to the Grand Kumala Hotel.

17 JULY

A good sleep, breakfast, more rest and a relaxation massage at Sicilian Spa.

Gousti (a friend of Nyoman) arrived to take us back to Balian at 12 noon.

LEGIAN - BALI - SELAMAT DATANG - 10 JULY 2019

LEGIAN

8 JULY

We landed in Bali in the night and it took ages for the baggage and my surfboards to appear at the carousel. We met Gousti (our driver) and off we drove in the Bali night. Strange though, the weather seemed very cool.

We settled into the hotel and then had a late dinner at an Italian restaurant.

9 JULY

I  woke early and had a walk along the beach.

Jacinta and I had breakfast then walked up to the Bintang supermarket for a few chores – change money, some groceries, wine, and data for my sim card.

Back at the hotel we had an easy afternoon then headed down to the beach for drinks and sunset.

10 JULY

We both had an early walk along the beach and stopped at the Melasti Hotel to catchup with Beacon, Meryl and Lexie.

Back at the hotel, we had breakfast and organised our bags. I went for a relation massage and Wal turned up to pick up his sanding parcel we brought over for him.

At 11:30 Nyoman arrived to take us to Balian.

INDONESIA - BALI - LEGIAN - 8 MARCH 2019

Last stop before heading back to Australia.



I booked a room for the night even though I was leaving that night as it works out better to be able to have a shower/rest before the last leg.

I did my last Bali things  - haircut, massage, eat and sunset beers on the beach.

INDONESIA - BALI AND MANADO, SULAWESI - 31 JANUARY TO 3 FEBRUARY 2019

31 January 2019

A very hot day. I was picked up by the shuttle bus at 12:20pm and soon enough I was at Sydney International Airport. I checked in, proceeded through customs and after an hour delay due to strong winds I was on my way to Bali, Indonesia.

This was to be a 5 week trip in Indonesia with most of the time spent in Morotai. Morotai is an island in the far north of Indonesia in the Maluku Island group. Sometimes trips do not go according to plan. Not that things went wrong just that they don't go to plan.

I arrived at Bali, was picked up by Nyoman (200 000R) and driven to my hotel in Legian, the Grand Kumala. It was late when I checked in so a had a quick bite to eat and went to sleep.

1 February 2019

I woke and had a long morning walk along the beach towards Kuta and back. There was a lot of plastic and other crap on the beach but on the way back there were a number of people cleaning the beach and placing the rubbish in large plastic bags. I was later to learn that the rubbish is taken to a rubbish tip in Bali and there it sits. There is recycling of some materials. Rubbish not taken to the tips is dumped illegally behind villages and in the rivers.

Back at the hotel, I had a great breakfast and set off for my beginning of trip jobs. I cashed my Australian dollars, bought a Telekomsel sim card and a small amount of data which I needed to top up in Morotai and food supplies in the Bintang Supermarket. At the market, I caught up with Kirki, who was from Sangihe. She was very surprised and happy that I visited Sangihe last year.

I had a massage but the oil was too thick. It took me three showers to get it off.

I had a tasty lunch at a Greek restaurant in Jalan Double Six.

During the course of the day, I met Katherina from Greece who was 70 years old and Richard and Tina from New York City who were now living in Miami.

I finished the day with beers on the beach and watched the sun set.

2 February 2019

I was going to have a morning shower but there was no water. There was also no internet. I let them know at reception and went for a very long beach walk and sit. When I got back an 1 1/2 hour later, I walked into a flooded bathroom with hot water gushing out the tap … I had left the tap on … Opps!

I had breakfast, sat around the pool and had a good massage at Sicilian Spa.

It was time to leave for my domestic flight to Manado.

There were no dramas. My flight stopped a short while in Makassar. At Manado, I got a taxi to the Novotel, which was close to the airport. The hotel and the room were nice. I was upgraded to a better room.

3 February 2019

I had a restless sleep and a good breakfast, then caught a taxi to the airport for my flight to Morotai.

INDONESIA, BALI, LEGIAN - MASSAGE AND REST - 10 OCTOBER 2018

9 OCTOBER 2018

It was a long drive from Balian to Legian due to a lot of traffic.

We settled into our hotel and booked a late check out for tomorrow.

The afternoon was a massage for me while Jacinta had a manicure and a pedicure.

At sunset, we had a couple of beers on the beach and dinner at a beachside restaurant.


10 OCTOBER 2018

Last day in Bali, last day in Indonesia.

We spent the day lazing by the pool, wandered down the beach, a final massage and then it like a click of the finger we were on our way home to Australia.

The following video consists of the various times we stopped in Legian over the past 3 months.



THOUGHTS

It was a long great trip. We met heaps of very nice people, had a lot of fun and did a lot of different things.

What stood out to me ...

listening to Pat's travel stories.

exploring Sangihe Island and meeting Michal and Ibha.

the deep drops offs while snorkeling in Bunaken

singing with my German friend Thomas

heaps of good fun size waves in Balian and Rote

the waterfalls in Laos

the views from Mount Phousi

70 km bike ride in the humidity and heat of Laos

riding bareback on an elephant

Mumma's satu, dua, tiga empat dance in Tahuna

laughing about our quirky Candidasa hotel

motorbike rides

chilling in Lovina

bird safari in Ubud

catching up with Wal/Desty and Sparra.

Of course, there was heaps more and we have had time to think of more to do. :)

Selamat jalan :)

INDONESIA, BALI, LEGIAN - SELAMAT JALAN - 7 SEPTEMBER 2018

6 SEPTEMBER 2018

Finally, at the Grand Kumala Hotel in Legian. Checked in, then food was the priority. After a late lunch, I had a haircut and cashed money. Meanwhile at the hairdresser, Jacinta had some hair dying and foils done.

We had dinner at the Kumala Pantai while listening to country western music. A fun night!

7 SEPTEMBER 2018

An early walk down to the beach for my stretching and shoulder exercises. Back for breakfast with Jacinta, packed our bags for Bangkok and I had a great relaxing massage at Sicilian Spa in Jalan Double 6.

We checked out, had lunch and Gusti arrived to take us to the International Airport.

See ya in a couple of weeks Indonesia.

INDONESIA - BALI - LEGIAN - 'FAREWELL KARA' - 29 AUGUST 2018

28 AUGUST 2018

An hour or so drive from Ubud and we were back in Legian at the Grand Kumala Hotel.

This time we stayed in a 'better' room but the shower dribbled water, under the bed was filthy and bathroom was grotty.

We had massages and hair cleaning then down to the beach for dinner and a few beers.

Kara and Jacinta were driven to the International airport as Kara was flying home and Jacinta wanted to see her off.

29 AUGUST 2018

We woke, packed, had breakfast and met a nice couple from Bawley Point who had winged it around Rajah Empat. They had good pictures, stories and information. Maybe a side trip next year!!!!

All too soon, we were leaving Legian for Lovina.

INDONESIA, BALI, LEGIAN - TOGETHER AGAIN FOR A SHORT WHILE - 5 AUGUST 2018

4 AUGUST 2018

Gusti met us at the domestic airport and drove us to the Grand Kumala Hotel for 200 000R. The room at the Kumala was 400 000R.

We caught up with Kara and Chloe, our daughters, for lunch. It was so nice to see them and talk about our travels.

We said our goodbyes to Chloe as she was catching a flight to Australia at 3pm. Jacinta went to the airport with her while I had an amazing relaxing massage at the Silician Spa in Jalan double 6.

We went down the beach for sunset drinks and were joined firstly by Kara and a little later long time friend Wal and Desty. We chatted and had fun. We walked to the Kumala Pantai Restaurant for dinner and continued drinking and eating. Kara had an awesome seafood pizza.

5 AUGUST 2018

I woke feeling pretty ordinary. the red wine just didn't settle to well. We lazed around the hotel.

At 11:00am, Gusti arrived to drive us to Balian (400 000R). We picked up Kara at her hotel, stopped at the Bintang supermarket for supplies and I cashed some money at the bank.

INDONESIA - BALI, LEGIAN - ON THE ROAD AGAIN - 12 JULY 2018

A relatively very cold winter in Australia. We had been waiting a long time for our next overseas trip and it always seems so far away but then the next thing you know you are there.

A shuttle bus to the International airport, check in, customs, boarding, flying, Indonesian customs, baggage, a car pick up by Nyoman (200 000R) and check in into the hotel. We are here!

We stayed two nights in Legian, Bali at the Grand Kumala Hotel (375 000R).

We arrived late but in the morning, we cashed money ($1 = 10 510 R), picked up some supplies at the Bintang Supermarket and I had a haircut and a massage.

We spent the day around the pool relaxing and in the afternoon we walked to the beach for the sunset, a few beers and a caught up with long time friend Wal and Desty. A great afternoon and dinner.

The next morning, we set off for Balian. Our driver was Nyoman, who we have employed a number of times. (400 000R)

INSIGHTS

The old staff at the Grand Kumala had all quit. The receptionist wouldn't tell me why but they all quit on mass.

Indonesia uses meter readings to pay for electricity and water. In addition, they can also pay for electricity as a credit system.

BALI, LEGIAN - THE END OF THE INDONESIAN ROAD - 9 AUGUST 2017

7 AUGUST 2017



We got to Legian and were pretty tired after the morning surf sessions and the long drive in traffic.

We cruised the rest of the day, spending most of the day around the hotel pool.

The traffic was amazing loud and offensive after the quiet of Balian.

8 AUGUST 2017

Kara and I had a massage and the rest of the day as sitting by the pool.

We had beers down at the beach at sunset and caught up with Wal and Desty.

After that, we had a nice dinner at Kumala Pantai restaurant and listened to some pleasant music.

9 AUGUST 2017

We all did a bit of shopping then spent the day around the hotel pool.

We gradually packed our gear for the flight home then had an early dinner.

We were picked up by Nyoman at 7pm and got to the airport in plenty of time.

Business class seats on the flight. Worth it, for an all nighter flight.

Our flight left 10:35 pm.