I haven't posted much in the last day or so.
I depart tomorrow evening, with mixed emotions about Bali and the resort.
I can easily see why many detest this place Kuta is a blot on the tourist map, the narrow ( poorly maintained) streets, the dirt, noise and hawkers accosting you every few feet becomes tiresome, add to that the ubiquitous Aussie (and Kiwi for that matter) Bogan, and have the potential for a holiday from hell.
Move out of Kuta, look below the surface and you get an understanding (we'll sort of) of what this place is. The disregard for rules, yet regard for authority adds to the confusing nature of the place, cheap massage with happy ending exists in what is on some levels a quite conservative society.
I think Charlie Chaplain said it best on his second visit. "Bali is Ruined"
I suspect that it just gets progressively worse, mind you how much worse can it get?
On the other hand if you pause for a moment to watch and listen, you can see how so much of the obsequious behavior is a mask to hide how desperate some are to make a living, I'm sure that doesn't apply to all, but you get my drift. I wanted some twine my daughter asked me to buy for her craft work, while I waited for the twine to be picked up from another place I interacted with the owner (father?) of the business. He was sitting on the floor, his left leg at an impossible angle receiving massage and manipulation for a scooter accident some four months ago, the open wound on his ankle was still evident, no scab or scarring yet. A not so clean bandage rolled up on the floor. I thought gosh, what price a decent Dr to sort this lot out?
The family seemed cheerful enough anyway.
The cotton twine arrived. More than I asked for at half the price I expected to pay ( and one sixth of back home) so I didn't barter. Moreover I paid a little extra toward the cost of the boy to ride to the supplier.
The resort is an interesting one. I am a few hundred yards down the beach from the IC. It looks pretty flash and had beachfront access. My resort doesn't , mind you it's only a hundred feet to access the beach and BBQ restaurants.
The rooms are excellent. Large, clean, well appointed. The building as I have just discovered is only 2 years old. The finish on parts makes it look much older. If you are two or three generations of family visiting, the pool etc is brilliant for small children .
This resort has a major drawback in that it requires a cab ride to go and go anything. About $7.00 into Kuta depending on traffic. The staff are eager to please. Almost too eager, I have to slow them down a bit in the restaurant so my food or drink doesn't get cold while I am still having a drink etc. the pool is clean. Can't fault it. Shallow , only 1.2 metres deep, which goes back to my point about small children.
They have missed the boat in terms of the swim up bar, cascading water makes it difficult to hold a conversation, the bar / pool seat height is badly mismatched.
The "Smookee" bar on the roof ( so named because of the wood and coconut husk fired BBQ pits across the road) is another good idea failing due to poor execution. It's bland very open, uncomfortable seating , no pot plants etc to soften the concrete. It's one redeeming feature is the view , which they have stuffed up by putting glass and wire in the way.
They have only one restaurant. This doesn't work except for breakfast. Plenty of small children making small child noise, is to be expected. But a more adult friendly dining alternative is needed. An eclectic mix of badly mismatched furniture which seems to identify a struggle between beach front and 1970's soft booth seating. Incongruous at best, down right confusing otherwise.
Will I come back to Bali? Yes (Mrs GPH has already booked) will I stay here again? Great rooms notwithstanding probably not.
I have made a great friendship with the executive chef. A Frenchman from the Basque region named David . We will catch up agin in July when I come back.
I think that travel enables us to make some amazing friendships and connections.
So on the whole, I will leave with positive emotions overall.
Maybe a second visit will be the deciding factor.
I believe we are staying in a villa in Nusa Dua next trip.
So keep an eye out for Denpasar Dreaming 2.0.
I will post some additional pics of the visit in no particular order.
