INDONESIA, BALI, KUTA - 20 september to 30 september 2015

The flight from Australia to Bali was okay. The best part was just after take-off as the plane circled around Sydney, we were treated to a nice sunset view.

Kuta

We spent ten nights in Kuta, Bali.

Hotel Lusa

We stayed at quiet hotel in Kuta called Hotel Lusa.

It had a nice pool and restaurant which serves basic but okay food. The staff in the restaurant and the reception were really nice and friendly. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble.

 

 

When we arrived, we changed rooms a few times - air con noisy, air con not working, air con working barely - but my daughter's room was fine. In the end, we decided to upgrade our rooms which didn't really cost much more.

 Wandering around the hotel yard - there were good views from the three storey building, old abandoned buildings and old gardens towards the rear of the hotel. They were fun to explore and wonder about their past and present useage

 

 The Beach

It was only a short walk to the beach from the hotel.

 

 On exiting the hotel, we had nice coffee with Amelia and her mother Vicky, who ran a van with a coffee machine. Across the road were two good massage places. The better looking one did haircuts as well. I had a great cut and wash for 50 000R.

Walking down the street towards the beach were a series of old shops on the left and new shops on the right. The ones on the right were mostly under construction.

 Crossing the main road, which ran parallel with the beach and then through a walled surrounded gateway and we were on the beach. This part of the beach was relatively quiet. The beach warungs were small with only a few chairs. We picked one with a nice old lady and had a few sunset beers there. It was very pleasant watching the sun set and the beach happenings silhouetted against a sinking sun.

 

I went down the beach early for either a walk or a surf. The surf was small, okay and fun. I had a few waves to myself early inm the morning but it didn't take long after sunrise for the breaks to become more and more crowded especially with surf schools. It was not the best of fun in the crowd  (loose boards and unpredictable learners but the water was warm and there were still a few waves.

 

 People watching was a great pastime on the beach. Watching the sellers ply their  goods, people sitting around on the sand, towels and on deck chairs, the learning to surf people learning and the experience surfers catching some good waves but dangerously close to other people, people quietly wandering the beach and a few who were spent a lot of time  looking at themselves or doing things to be noticed. It was amazing watching people doing something like handstands then looking around to see who was watching them.

 

 The Streets

The streets were filled with all types of businesses from food to services. There were numerous massage places and a number of restaurants. Most restaurants were good and some were not so good. The Balcony and the Smiling Frog were consistently very good with a nice atmosphere.

 

Thoughts

 I'm not a fan of long term stay in an urban environment but as circumstances made that a necessity it was generally a good place to stay... nice hotel, staff and pool, good coffee and massage across the road, a few close by good restaurants, a short walk to the beach and a pleasant quiet position on the beach with a few waves to ride in warm water.

INDONESIA - BALI - KUTA - JULY 2015

Nyoman and I left for Kuta from Balian at pick up at 2pm - 400 000R. We chatted along the way, mainly about his future aspirations.

I settled into Bali Sandy Resort and had a wander around the streets, beach and dinner.

I arranged a van for airport - pickup, wait, return - for 300 000R.

Meanwhile, the shuttle bus pick up the family and were on their way to the airport. the girls flew business class Jetstar Sydney to Bali 7:20 to 21:35. they loved the flight and the extra room. the plane arrived an hour late with the girls exiting at 11 pm.

 

Jacinta and I had an early walk down to the beach then breakfast and spent the day around pool.

I hired a motorbike @ 60 000R for 5 days = 300 000R as Kara needed transport to get to various venues because of chronic fatigue. It was fun and challenging to blend in with the Kuta traffic. Despite all the chaos people are very courteous.

Bali Sandy Resort

The rooms were nice, the pool nice, the gardens nice and the staff indifferent. On the first night the noise from bands kept me awake. this continued for the length of the stay. So I even though all was okay with the okay, I could never recommend it.

 

The food was very good and surprisingly it was the cheapest eat around the area.

Kuta

The beach - well, when I'm on my own it is pretty quiet but with the girls it was hawker heaven ... massage, bracelet, sarong, pineapple, etc. Still, we enjoyed the beach, the chairs, the sunset and the hawkers were entertaining.



Restaurants

We did a little shopping but outings were centred around food and different places to eat. We ate at ritzy looking places, warungs and bars to get a variety of experiences. The food was okay to good everywhere and their didn't seem to be a great difference in the price of meals.

 

I arranged transport  to Sanur and we checked out at12 noon.

Reflection Kuta

It was all good for an urban area - shops, food, amenities. Generally, I felt it was better at the northern end of Kuta as it was too noisy at noight at this end. We check out Hotel Lusa if we ever decide to stay in Kuta again.

INDONESIA - BALI - LEGIAN - 19 to 21 September 2014 - TANAH THE LOT'

My journey

I left Balian for Legian after a fun but red stinging jellyfish surf.

I settled into the Grand Kumala Hotel and slept most of the afternoon as the stings had made me sleepy.

The next day, I had breakfast with Scotty at Legian. It was his last day!

After that it was shopping day – Tommy’s for leather bag, t shirts, hats, singlets, music. It didn’t take long and I returned back to the hotel and back my bags then went for a few drinks at the Spider Bar.

 

I had a massage and wandered around the beach and went down Kuta for a few beers and the Espresso Bar. The Espresso Bar was packed so I opted for Paddy’s and sat near the front and people watched for ages – 3 fights, two guys fell off a motorbike, tourist got into hassle with group of Indo guys, a couple argued for ages then kissed and made up at the end.

 

The last day!!! Usually, I sit somewhere quiet and think about the trip. This time I booked a car for Tanah Lot and had a great time wandering around. After that, it was a rest, dinner and then I had to go. Before you can say ‘Saya harus pergi’ I was at the airport. I had a lot of gear so I used a porter. I think I will use one from now on as it does make it heaps easier. I checked in at Jetstar business class as I had upgraded my ticket earlier for $80.

The flight was more comfortable and I slept a little bit. In the morning I was back in Australia and waiting for a shuttle bus to the Central Coast. The weather was warm and sunny.

By lunch time I was home and dazed! It was good to be home and at the same time I was missing Indonesia.

 

I think I’m always like that after a trip. I like what I’m doing wherever I am but I also miss what I am not doing elsewhere.

Anyway, here I am and there I was! The words of a song drift through my mind ‘they say in the end it was the blink of an eye…’

INDONESIA - BALI - KUTA AND LEGIAN - 23 JUNE TO 2 JULY 2014 - 'BUSY, BUSY, BUSY'

Info

Taxi from Bali domestic airport to Kuta - 70 000R – fixed price at taxi stand.

 

Letos Kubu 2 - Jalan Benasari, Kuta – 0361759908 or 0361767109 – 200 000R air con room.

 

Bike ride - Bintang tours – 300 000R –transport to start at Kintamani, lunch and return transport.

Grand Kumala hotel – superior – R450 000

 

New phone – Nokia - 350 000R

 

Haircut 60 000R – Lida Spa – Padma Utara – 081357539987

 

Taxi to airport using meter – 50 000R

 

Taxi from airport to Legian - 80 000R - taxi stand

 

Driver Made – Legian to Balian - 350 000R – 0816570626

 

My journey

On my way from Makassar, Sulawesi to Bali.

The flight was about an hour. I caught a taxi from the airport to my hotel in Kuta -

Letos Kubu 2. It was a big, windowless, very clean room with bathroom, big bed and aircon. No breakfast.

 

I went out for dinner and a few drinks. Not a good night, as unfortunately, I seemed to be a target for aggressive and/or stupid people.

 

The next day, I woke with a cold. Over the next few days, I was miserable with a runny nose, sore throat, etc.  I did manage to do a few beach walks, massages and caught up with my German friends from Sulawesi - Pascal and Julia.

The cold eased off so I went on a downhill cycle tour with Bintang Tours – 300 000R. It was a good ride – rice fields, threshed some rice, and visited a house and temple. I wouldn’t recommend this company as the bikes were old and needed new tires and maintenance work.

I went to dinner then a quiet drink and met some western real estate scammers and had a few drinks. Didn’t get scammed but had a lot of free drinks so it wasn’t a bad night.

The following day, I moved hotels to Legian – Grand Kumala.  I couldn’t find my phone so I bought a new phone – 350 000R

Later, I watched the sunset on Legian Beach.

 

The next day, I walked to Seminyak and stopped at a Greek restaurant for lunch.

Later, I had a haircut and had dinner with some friends at the Skygardens, Kuta. They have a 2 hour drink/meal deal for 50 000R. Good food!

 

Later still, I caught a taxi to the international airport to pick up my wife. It was so good to be with her again after a month on my own.

 

The following day, we cashed money @ 11 230R which equalled to a lot of indo cash.

We spent the day wandering around and in the afternoon we had beer on beach, then dinner and crash.

 

We drove to Denpasar to get Jacinta’s glasses fixed – Henry – Wina Optical near the Supernova – 03618570970 – www.winaoptic.co.id

 

We sat down the beach and I had a short surf. My toe was okay so we decided to go surfing at Balian tomorrow.

 

The next day, we were off to Balian.

INDONESIA - BALI - KUTA - 28 July to 12 September 2013

This trip was very different. Most things didn’t seem to go to plan. I found myself going from one place to another and not quite sure if that was where I wanted to be.

I travelled from Kalimantan to West Timor, seemingly going from one disaster to another. So here’s the story…

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I put Kuta last in this blog series on Indo even though I started in Kuta as I went back a number of times and finished in Kuta...

 Bali - 28 July to 30 July

I started in Bali. I usually meet up with Nyoman. He drives me around and gives me advice on where I’m thinking of going on this trip. He wasn’t at the airport so I caught a taxi.

I stayed in Kuta at Hotel Lusa for two nights. I went to nightclubs that night – met Steve who works at mines in WA and listened to good music.

The following day I booked a flight with Ruri - A travel agent just down the street from Hotel Lusa- to Balikpapan in Kalimantan  via Surabaya with Lion/Wings – 1 020 000R – 10:30 to 14:10. I booked the Ibis hotel in Balikpapan for 500 000R per night. I cashed a lot of dollars for rupiah for a number of reasons – 1 I like to have cash and didn’t know how long I was going to be in Kalimantan. 2 banks were going to close or trade at reduce rates because of the end of Ramadan.

Had great massage opposite Hotel Lusa with Ayu 50 000R. Talked with Shanti in Hotel Lusa who told me her ‘sad’ story (I heard a lot of sad stories this trip all with the same ending of giving them money) which was basically, she wanted me to give her 2 000 000R for her kid’s school. She owned a new motor bike and had a blackberry in her hand. Hard life! She told me that a number of guys from Europe and Australia sent her money every month to ‘help’ her. I explained I worked for my money and I just don’t give it away. Smile ended! Am I becoming cynical, hard or apa pun?

Went to the clubs again… good music. Had lots of hellos and want ‘massage’ on the way home from the darkened shadows and crevices of buildings. A motor bike pulled up behind in a quiet dark part of the street… here comes to robbery… luckily, a group of people came around the corner and away he/she went.

In the morning, I couldn’t open the safe, which was a big problem as I was flying out that day and they couldn’t open it to the afternoon. Luckily, the owner came especially and my problem was solved.

I put my bag and boards in storage and caught a taxi to Domestic airport 50 000R. I definitely need a new small bag for lighter travel Domestic departure tax 40 000. Met Ed, who had worked in Balikpapan for 5 years.

Kuta – 6 august to 8 august

Nyoman was there to meet me at the domestic airport in Bali. We checked out a hotel he had heard about but it was too far along a narrow unlit lane so I settled for the Kumala Indah I. It had an air con new room for 170 000R. A friend from home Michael was staying there. I also met Sid and Yafit who were friends of Michael.

Michael and I motor biked it to somewhere to eat. We were supposed to meet with Sid but it didn’t happen.

The next morning, I spent the day checking out flights, eating, massage and hanging around the beach.

Later that night I did the clubs at Kuta. I had a great night at the Expresso Bar sitting at the back and listening to good music and drinking beer for 20 000R a bottle.

The next morning, I just had to go. Balian seemed closest and relaxing. Yafit shared the car and off I went to Balian 400 000R.
 

Kuta 13 august to 16 august

Settled into the Kumala Indah I hotel. Nyoman hung with me most o the day while we did things around Kuta. I went to the BMCI clinic to check up on the fever in Balian. A blood test was negative so I was right to move on to other parts of Indo.

I went to dinner that night at the warung Indonesia. It took a long time to get there as I kept having chats with all sorts of interesting people. Made, an Australian, was so funny and he had heaps and heaps of stories to tell. We had a few beers. I ran into made two more times that night at different places.

I arrived at the Warung Indonesia just as Fransi, Steven and Yafit were walking out. We end up having a big night out drinking, dancing and singing. It was so much fun!!!. It was also so great going out and not having to watch up back all night.

I wandered around –m cashed money for Rote, massage, pulsa and checked again on flights.

I did the beach 'have a beer scene' and enjoyed it.

Later, I went to Kuta clubs and Bali Bobs (ladyboys club), it was really good fun and relaxing.

The next day, I decided to go to rote. I organised flight 3 200 000R returns to Kupang with Garuda at 11:05am; booked accommodation in Kupang at hotel on the Rocks and Rote with Lualembar Homestay; organised pick up and fast book drop in Kupang with Joshua; and finally booked a car pick up in Ba’a, Rote to Nemberala. Too easy!

Clubbed it at Kuta again! Always good music!

Off to West Timor day – I put gear in storage and caught a taxi to domestic 100 000R. No domestic tax as I was flying with Garuda 30kg bag allowance. Great for surfboards.

Kuta 1 September to 12 September

 

I got to Bali from Kupang and checked into the Grand Kumala and taxied it to the clinic. On arrival they hospitalised me for the next four days. They were concerned that I bleed from the brain or go into shock/coma as my blood pressure was erratic and very low.

A friend, Michael arrived in Bali and visited me and got some things from the hotel for me. The hotel had put my gear in storage. Nyoman visited. An a few days later my wife arrived from Australia.

Eventually, I was out of hospital and was moving around slowly. Lost heaps of weight.

We spent time around the hotel pool and in the afternoons went down the beach. Jacinta had a few beers and I watched.

I started feeling more mobile. We went to a Beatles night that was excellent and danced my head off.  Sat at the cocoon and drank cocktails. Ate a number of restaurants. Went to Kuta nightclubs one night but Jacinta thought the music too loud. Fine to me but then again I am half deaf.

We shopped and I bought a ‘my wife is awesome’ T-shirt and wore it around the hotel and Kuta. I copped heaps from guys but true is true.

Back in Australia and it took another two weeks before my energy levels were back to normal.

Retrospect Kuta

1.       Fun place to go out at night

2.       Watch your back when you go out at night.

3.       Avoid dark quiet areas at night.

4.       Getting sick is not fun

5.       Heaps of great eats

6.       Sunset beer the best

7.       The stories told to me were varied, amazing and some were just bullsxxt

8.       Beware the smiles and stories as it leads to ‘why you should give me money’. It’s okay to say ‘no’ and not feel bad after all did you work hard for your money.

9.       Easy to be critical of the bullsxxt but then again everyone wants a better life.

10.   My wife is awesome. 

 

 

 

 

INDONESIA - LOMBOK - 'THE SOUTH' - April 2013

This part of the trip was a mixture of events.

I started off at Heaven on the Planet.

I arranged a motorbike and checked out the surf breaks on the southern coast but it was tiny. Still, it was a good fun ride.

I left after the first night. Why??? A number of reasons. Firstly, after making a deal with the price of the room and checking three times before I got there, the owners decided to change the deal and charge me more ie April is now high season (there was two of us there). secondly they upgraded to a 'better' room but it rain that night and water poured from the roof all over the room and deck. Luckily, it missed my bag and camera gear. Thirdly, the shower was no stronger than a leaky tap. Fourthly, the surf was flat. So with those reasons I left for Kuta, Lombok. I arranged a car pickup which took most of the day to arrive.

I arrived at Kuta Paradise Bungalows in Kuta, Lombok. On arrival, some guy out the front asked me if I wanted a motorbike. I had said no. I settled into my room and made transport arrangements with Talim. He couldn't finalise the arrangements until we settled with the guy out the front. I was greeted by a  ridiculous barrage of whinging and aggressiveness by the guy which I took no notice of and left it for Talim to sort out. After awhile it was sorted and the guy left. Overall, my the rest of my stay was great. The rooms were clean, comfortable and safe.

Well, it wasn't looking good for the Lombok trip but maybe it was a series of unfortunate events.

Now that I was mobile with a bike, I was able to get around. I had a few surfs and scooted around Kuta and along the coast to the east and the west.

A surfed at Segar a few times. The waves were great with only a few surfers out.

I motorbiked to Awang on another day and caught a boat to Ekas. The swell was bigger but the waves at Outside Ekas were good but sectioning too much. The boat was 300 000R

On a number of days, I biked around the area. The scenery at South Lombok is varied and very pretty - beaches, bays, headlands, massive hills, reefs. The roads were fair to atrocious. While on one trip, I met an old guy whose front yard I parked in (hard to tell track from yard). He wore a conical hat and I was wearing a gath helmet with go pro camera. It would have been a contrasting sight to an observer.

The beach at Kuta was nice and fine for a swim. There were a number of restaurants along the beach. Each one that I ate at had good food. The sellers were in abundance. They asked the 'you buy' routine a number of times, then walk off, return and started again. It was a bit annoying but because it goes on a lot it is best not to react negatively. I was lucky and met Julianna. We had some good chats regarding the luckiness of life and the good that can be found within it no matter what life you have. We made a deal that I would buy from her only on the last day. After the promise, it was easier to dissuade the others.

I met a number of tourists briefly while in Kuta from all parts of the world. They all had a good story to tell.

Impressions

Beautiful scenery.

A motorbike is a must.

Getting to the surf was a journey.

Food was great and cheap.

My first impressions of the locals was that making money from you was an obvious motivation.

My second impression was that the locals took the time to sit and chat.

My third impression of the locals was that they listened thoughtfully.

Selling, which is mainly by kids is relentless at times - if they don't sell, most finish quietly or show annoyance and a rare few are totally rude.

Did I like it???? Hmmm, not sure, there were good points and some not so good points.

In the words of Arny 'I'll be back' as I think I need to give it another go!