Denpasar Dreaming.

[Deleted member]

I'm turning in early tonight so I haven't done the dining experience yet. Had a beer and some nasi goreng on the beach. Nice enough, and all I needed after today.



Another pano shot of the restaurant precinct.

The resort is a bit quiet, only about 60% occupancy, so it feels a bit weird. So looking forward to getting out and about.

 

[Deleted member]

It's amazing what a good night sleep will do for ones demeanor. Checking out the breakfast offering this morning the American breakfast ( complete with non Halal meat option) doesn't really do it for me ( a Good English might have)
However a slice of toast with my tea is a must


Many of you will be pleased with the butter option.
The milk for my tea looked a bit thin. But it tastes ok

I instead opt for the local option.


Nasi Goreng, veg curry. Beef curry and the ubiquitous roasted chicken.
Yum !!
May need to finish with some jam on my toast.

 

[sydstar]

A great read GPH!

Two questions about JQ:
1) Are the J seats similar to the QF Y+ seats? (if you've flown that) - they look quite similar
2) Did you get much of a look at Y? The mini cabin behind J seems like it might be a good spot if stuck in Y for these 787 legs

 

[Deleted member]

I've not flown Y+ on any airline.
I would equate them to the Jet Connect J seats teams Tasman. Nice and wide, with ( in my case) in arm rest IFE and tray. (Usual for row 1).
I didn't even need or want to recline on my 6 hour flight.
There were 7 across in J and either 9 or 10 across in Y. So a bit more room in the pointy end.
The fact that the CSM gave a warning about consuming (own carried on) alcohol including Duty free and that they would restrict consumption, gives you some idea of how out of touch I am. I haven't heard an announcement like that in years

 

[Deleted member]

Day 2: let's see Kuta !! After my Bali Breakfast, I moseyed on down to reception to grab a cab into Kuta. Somewhere I promised myself I wouldn't go after hearing all of the horror stories. .....
Mrs GPH gave me a book to read while on holiday its by Phil Jarratt . Titled: Bali , heaven and hell.
In one of the early chapters he talks about "Mads Lange" as his tomb / memorial is on the way into town, my obliging Taksi driver took me to check it out.



I'm not sure I get the significance of the Dalmatian Dogs though.
The them extends to his obelisk memorial


This has piqued my curiosity now, so I shall need to learn more.

After this brief stop I was dropped near the beach. It was very busy due to this week being the lead up to Balinese new year. Add to that the heat and my complete disorientation it was challenging to say the least.
This is when it gets interesting. Mrs GPH is constantly at me to NOT give touts eye contact.
Well come in spinner !!!!
Anyway I was convinced to open a "FREE" prize draw card. And lo and behold I was one of only 4 potential instant winners. Usually this is my cue to hot foot it in the opposite direction. However the unbridled joy displayed by said Tout was such that I hated to rain on his parade. So with a FREE taxi ride to seminyak off we went. Oh by the way I worked out my worse case scenario was a free T Shirt. It was as I had predicted , a time share scam. My special prize turned out to be a weeks accommodation at one of their properties in either Bali, Thailand etc. needless to say, there are numerous rules and conditions , one of which puts me out of contention once I turn 60. Anyway the Tout (I hope) got his special commission. It was a good opportunity to inspect the Villas that were involved in the promotion.
I can see why ex-pat Aussies like to buy something like this, they offer an oasis of calm in a world of sustained chaos and noise.

 

[Deleted member]

So after my education in the new world of time share I was dropped back to Kuta.
The place was noisy and interesting. The locals were on the beach in their hundreds, if not thousands.


I don't seem to be able to upload the video I took.
That gives you an idea of the noise and theatre involved.

Otherwise it's typical Kuta in the back streets.




I needed a watch ( I left all of my valuables at home) after a while I found a cheapish battery powered time piece which I am reliably informed will last at least 3 years !!!
Having left my hat behind I managed a dodgy straw thing that should do the trick ($5.00) a couple of bintang beach towels to round out the morning, and I'm off to the relative serenity of the resort.
"How's the serenity"?
So it is beside the pool I now find myself , wondering how I have managed to live in Queensland and have pasty white legs


I'm thinking they could be a nice shade of pink in the next few days.
Stay tuned for more fun and mayhem as I attempt to get conned into buying something else this evening as I head to the beach for a seafood experience.

 

[Deleted member]

A few random shots as I wandered about.

 

[Pushka]

You fell for the time share lottery scam.

 

[Deleted member]

You fell for the time share lottery scam.

Yep. Well I kinda knew something was up. But I had nothing better to do

 

[Deleted member]

After a few beers at pool bar
I need a nana nap.
Beach restaurant tonight I shall probably overdo it.

 

[ALH]

Great TR so far. I feel guilty I'm not doing one in Vietnam

 

[mannej]

A great read GPH!

Two questions about JQ:
1) Are the J seats similar to the QF Y+ seats? (if you've flown that) - they look quite similar
2) Did you get much of a look at Y? The mini cabin behind J seems like it might be a good spot if stuck in Y for these 787 legs

I haven't been on the 787 but the seats look exactly the same as the J seats on the QF 332's that have the middle "workstation".

 

[pagingjoan]

Great TR so far. I feel guilty I'm not doing one in Vietnam

And your excuse is?

 

[Buzzard]

If you don't have a "programme" for the day it can be a bit of fun going with the touts and see where you end up. I remember buying Tag something watch in Bali years ago. I still have it and it still works

 

[sydstar]

I haven't been on the 787 but the seats look exactly the same as the J seats on the QF 332's that have the middle "workstation".

I thought they looked very similar to something I'd seen on QF, but I just wasn't sure which product they were!

On a related note, it will be interesting to see how JQ goes on the DPS runs now, considering the entry of XT, and the extra number of cheap seats to flood the market.

 

[ALH]

And your excuse is?

Too lazy & too intoxicated. My golden rule in Asia is; coughtails every day. NB. Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake gave 3 of us Club Access for $ 70 USD. The Daiquiri's are seriously good and non stop

 

[pagingjoan]

Too lazy & too intoxicated. My golden rule in Asia is; coughtails every day. NB. Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake gave 3 of us Club Access for $ 70 USD. The Daiquiri's are seriously good and non stop

Now that seems a perfectly acceptable response!

 

[ALH]

Now that seems a perfectly acceptable response!

It's the best I can come up with

 

[Deleted member]

Day 2 evening : it's bern an interesting day. I may have been less than discerning in choosing this week to visit Bali, as the week long lead up to Balinese new year is disruptive in parts.
That being said, any new cultural experience is a valuable addition to life's experiences. ( I should have thought more about that when I made sure we weren't in Rome for Easter a few years back........I'm never going to live that one down!! ) tonight I tried beach dinner ver 2.00. I managed to find a spot with a view of the beach and assembled multitudes as they feasted on various seafood delights.


I sat at a table next to a couple from Victoria , they had ordered and cautioned me against anything BBQ'd.
Since that constituted 95% of the menu, I instead opted for the calamari dish. Not adventurous I know, but tasty none the less.
I decided to try something different as they have Balinese wine available.


However upon closer inspection it's not all that it claims to be.



It was nice all things considered.
I'm sure it won't make the "Nice wines I have drink" thread

Anyway the evening turned out to be more about the company than anything else.


The usual touts were out in force with the latest must have light toys. Laser's seem to still be very popular.
Not sure I would want to even try and get one back into oz. Not sure I even need one !!


Watched a few lanterns floating upwards to perhaps crash land on someone's house or garden and maybe start a small fire ....,,
That's all for today. I'm not sure about tomorrow , I'm planning on getting out of town.
There is more to Bali than surf, Kuta markets and bogans I'm discovering.
Ciao for now.

 

[Deleted member]

About to head out.
Had breakfast



Time for a resort critique.
The room is excellent. I really can't complain.
However if I were to make some design adjustments they would be.
1. If you have enough space to build a Roman bath house. Separate the toilet from the barroom / shower. And leave out the glass walls and doors.
I don't care how much you love your spouse , it's not ideal to lose that kind of privacy.
2. If you want to have sleek design as your trademark. Check how the hand basin shape works with the taps. The need to put a wash cloth in the basin do the water doesn't end up gown your trousers is an unnecessary lapse.
3. Put the TV opposite the bed. In all my life, I have NEVER sat on a hotel chair to watch the TV !
4. Split level rooms. They look nice on the cover of vogue. But when stumbling about in the dark at night .....well you get my drift.

Some rooms have pool access. It has up and down sides. Access "Up"
Privacy "Down"




I haven't yet tried the (only) restaurant in the resort for dinner. But I do have some vouchers to use. So watch this space.
Ciao. I'm off to see the real bali.