Day 25 - 34 (30/01 -09/02/2011) Phuket - Thailand

We finally arrived in Phuket. Because we didn’t plan the trip to Bali from the beginning we booked a return flight to Jakarta where we would catch the plane to Phuket. Unfortunately we had to wait 7 hours in between at the airport. Not so much fun, but hey, I was drunk when we made this plan, so nothing else to expect.

As soon as we arrived we picked a mini bus to bring us to our hotel. I pre-booked one night as I knew that we would arrive very late in the evening and it would make no sense to search upon arrival for accommodation. When we arrived the reception explained that there was no room booked under my name and that they don’t have any rooms available. A bit disappointed we called Marina’s friend Lama who managed to find a hotel on short notice. The hotel (Patong Terrace Boutique Hotel) just opened a day before, so we were one of the first guests to stay there. The only thing on our minds was a nice shower, very quickly I realised that the water didn’t run off and the bathroom was flooded very quickly. Just dressed in a towel I informed the reception, Marina had the same issue. So we moved rooms, but the same problem here again. We moved room again, still dressed just in a towel, it was a little bit embarrassing :S.

Finally we had a room and got ready for dinner around the Bangla Road. Very nice and happy to have arrived we fall asleep quickly that night.

 

We decided that the last few days from our holidays are proper lazy days and didn’t plan anything at all. Mostly we went to the beach over the day and out in the evenings. We really enjoyed the cocktails ‘to go’ on the beach. So calm at night and beautiful. One night we actually did go swimming and it was amazing, I just loved it.

One day I decided as well to go for the (actually very expensive) jet ski and parasailing activity, that was really fun and I could have done it every day again.

One thing I enjoyed as well on the site was watching the hot beach boys, running around half naked and serving cocktails :D

One night Marina’s friends in Phuket decided to take us out for a karaoke night, arriving at a complete empty bar, it was a bit disappointing, but actually we laughed about it.

On the 07/02/2012 we changed our plans and made a safari tour with water rafting, ATV, elephant tracking through the jungle, fish spa and flying fox. We visited as well another waterfall, so great again. I actually want one when I am back home! Amazing and exhausting day.

 I actually burned myself on the ATV and my leg skin came in contact with the tyres, very painful.

 

Later in the evening we found ourselves back at the beach and lit up balloons with personal messages for our beloved ones at home.

I could write so much more funny stories but I don’t want to make this blog too long. I think the pictures tell enough of a story.

HAPPY TRAVELS

Day 23-24 (28-29/01/2011) Bali

Around 8am in the morning we got picked up for our country site tour through Bali. We decided against the Island hoping as we will do that already in Thailand. We were again lucky that no one else booked that tour for the day and we had a private tour guide and driver.

First we visited a school with loads of little kids asking questions and practicing their english, very cute and I realized again that I am not very good with kids...

After that we got to a place where little bikes where waiting for us. They brought us to the nearby rice fields. We would have preferred the motorbikes that passed us, but it seems that we got the full tourist programme for the day.

As soon as we arrived at the fields we wandered through with the guide explaining what and how the famers to their day to day business. It was really interesting. We arrived at a field that was specially made for the tourist and the guide offered that we could hop on the wooden made plough and do the farming. So I got in, got dirty, got out. Loads of fun…..NEVER AGAIN.

After that the guide brought us to the house of spices and showed us the natural plants that provide the usual spices used for Indonesian food. It was very nice to see. We tried to create some of the Balinese ornaments that they give as gifts during praying and that you can find all over the city on the streets.

After that we went to a tasting of tea, coffee and chocolate. Very interesting and yummy. The lemon grass was the best, but I knew that I am not allowed to import this into Australia, such a shame.

I did enjoy the trip, unfortunately it was made very touristy and I had the feeling that this was more faked than the real Bali. I know that some people are still doing it the old way, but this wasn’t real…..so my feelings.

In the evening we went out to Kuta THE place for party in Bali. You can find loads of Australians and other foreigners. We first had cocktails and checked the situation and what we felt like to do and where to go. We decided against a club and went to a bar that offered live music. The band was very entertaining so we sat down and enjoyed the evening. We actually stayed until the bar closed and went with some people we met there to a club at the opposite. We found loads of drunken people and because we arrived late, the club closed just half an hour later. Not sooo much fun, but it was ok.

Because I wasn’t really tired, I went to the beach and dreamed away…it was nice and we got home later in the morning. Not at all what we had planned, but as you know a plan always changes when you at least expect it.

Day 23 (29/01/2011) Bali

We actually had planned to go the Gili Island today, but because we didn’t sleep that night and I was more sleepy than awake, we went instead for a relaxed day and didn’t do anything. We enjoyed the pool and the weather and made some plans for coming back to Bali with some more time on our hands and different locations. Not much to write, so I am not going to bore you anymore ;)

Day 22 (27/01/2011) Bali

What a traumatic start into the day, one I will never forget. We ordered a cab to bring us to the airport. Very tired ourselves we checked out and started our way.

On the way we saw that the driver did make some very weird movements but didn’t think anything about it. His driving style wasn’t that unusual, as they do drive as they want in Indonesia anyway. After a while the car started to drive towards the highway wall, first thinking that the driver wanted to change the lanes, but he didn’t seem to stop and the wall came closer and closer. Realizing what just happened I started to scream. The driver actually fell asleep….. Just a centimetre further and we would have crushed. Luckily the driver woke up from my screaming and turned around the wheel not a second too late. That was not a very good start into a day. I started to shout at the driver and was scared to death….that was UNBELIEVABLE.

We arrived at Bali and calmed down and were happy to see the sun and not so busy city ahead of us.

As soon as we arrived at the hotel in Sanur (a very cute cottage) we explored the city and made plans for the following days. After that the beach called our name, so we sat down for a few hours and relaxed, enjoyed the smell, sand and sound.

Unfortunately a little bit later it started to rain, so we went to our rooms and got ready for a night out in Sanur. We found a cute little restaurant directly at the beach and listened to a band playing reggae. The cocktail did it rest for a nearly perfect evening. Welcome to Bali :)

Day 21 (26/01/2011) Jakarta

Because we got home quite early in the morning we didn't leave the beds before one in the afternoon, which changed our plans we made the previous day.

We left the hotel and went through the city to see at least something from the city. The first and last object was the Monument of Independency. Very impressive and the park around the monument was such a change to the rest of the city, really quite and not as smelly. We enjoyed the sun and the view above the city.

A few people asked if they could take a picture with us, not sure why they wanted it, but we did them the favour and hopefully made them happy.

We spend a little bit time in the park before checking out the golden triangle. The streets were full of cars and motorbikes and I really could understand why some people wear the mouth protection.

We were happy that we decided to go for Bali instead of spending 5 days around this city. Next time we will be more outside and more of Java in general. Such a shame if you only have a few days…

Because we booked a flight around six in the morning for Bali, we had to check out around 3 am, which meant that we went to bed very early and just enjoyed a dinner out.

I would say that it was nice to have been to Jakarta, but I would not do it again.

Day 20 Part 2 (25/01/2011) Jakarta

We finally arrived at Jakarta, a rather large airport. As soon as we left the arrival hall a bunch of cab drivers approached us and wildly gestured that they offer transport. We decided to go with one of the companies instead of the private driver (as recommended).

My first impression as soon as we approached the city was not really great. It was a grey and smelly city. The roads were blocked with traffic. I really hoped that it would get better. The only positive thing so far was that we were finally millionaires :)

We quickly dropped our luggage at the hotel and went straight to the next food mile which was just a 5 minute walk. It smelled everywhere very badly and we were a bit afraid as everyone seems to offer something, worse than in the other Asian countries we have been to. We tried our best to ignore everyone.

After the delicious meal we went to one of the bars nearby. Because we arrived already late, the bar was already busy and filled up with locals and travellers, looked really like a bunch of nice people. So we sat down and not one minute later a guy who worked there (that’s at least what he said) sat down and we enjoyed the evening with a few beers.

A little bit later we went on to a club, called Stadium. Other travellers told us that this is basically the only place in Jakarta where you could go when you want to party long.

We forgot that we were wearing flip flops. As soon as the ladies at the entry told us that we could not enter the club with them and offered shoes for rent, we actually wanted to leave, but our company managed to convince the ladies to let us is anyway. Very early we realized that they sold a lot including drugs. We were not really impressed. The music was ok, but our mood didn’t go up and we left an hour later to head towards our hotel for some sleep.

All in all a fun night out, but I wouldn’t do that again.