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Published: April 12th 2011
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A 4.30am start to the day then down to the bus stop for the 5.21 airport bus. I must admit living so close to the bus route has saved us a lot of money over the years. We were through immigration by 6.30am and spent a little bit of time in duty free before boarding our flight, we paid extra for the seats over the wing because there is more leg room and fortunately the third seat was empty so we could spread out a bit. We had a special lesson on how to assist our fellow passengers out the emergency exit, LOL, I think I will be worrying more about my own escape.
Virgin Pacific charge for literally everything including water and there is no in flight entertainment unless you pay fortunately the payment system broke down so everyone got it for free, 5 hours to Bali not bad that. The seats are also seriously uncomfortable as the plane is really only meant for short hops.
We arrived in Denpasar just before 11am Bali time and went through the madness of getting a visa at the airport AUD$27 each, they dont charge for visa's in other Indonesian airports
so I was suprised. I was even more suprised at the Commonwealth Banks huge move into the Bali market, there were signs all through the airport and an ATM next to the baggage claim. Doesnt get much easier than that.
Our Hotel "The Alit" had organised a driver to pick us up which was a luxury for me, the hotel was located in Tuban which was about five minutes away and was a little dated but pleasant and designed in a traditional Balinese style. The bathroom was great as it was open to a small private courtyard and pretty garden. After settling in we returned to reception to wait for a courier from the travel agency to deliver the airline tickets to Flores which I had ordered by email weeks before. Once we had the tickets we caught the free shuttle to a mall on the edge of Kuta and indulged in Swiss Mushroom Burgers from Burger King which were seriously good.
After a walk along Kuta beach with a brief stop in a bar for a couple of cold bintangs we caught a cab back to the hotel, Ruth took a long nap while I watched the
end of a movie, before taking a walk into the back alley's around the hotel where I had a bit of fun chatting to the local families before finding a little hairdressers shop where I had my hair shaved off, the razor was pretty blunt so it took quite a while Ruth got a little shock when she woke to find me hairless.
About 4.30pm we headed out into the traffic and the noise of the main roads to find a restaurant, Bali is Asia and the sidewalks are dangerous, it would be easy to disappear down some of the open drains never to be seen again. Eventually we found a nice little warung where we were each able to order a really good Nasi Campur and a couple of rounds of drinks for $13 all up, not bad at all.
It is really hot walking around, even in the early evenings so the walk back was a little unpleasant, a short stop at a supermarket to buy some beach towels then back to the hotel, we have an early start tomorrow.
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