9/12 2009

Had a big brekky of bacon and eggs (luckily as they change the menu daily and we haven’t had it since!), croissants, fruit, coffee and juice - all included with our room fee. Of course today we got hijacked immediately with the ‘free prize’. I lasted 40 years without being taken in by a time-share con but today was our day. Luckily we knew what was going on and only lost a few hours of our time and came out of it with our groceries paid for and a free taxi tour of the Kuta area (courtesy of the taxi driver who was lost on his first week on the job). Now we are much better at saying NO. Afterwards we wandered down Kuta Beach to see what all the fuss was about. Plenty of hawkers but not many tourists - the kites were amazing. That afternoon Tracey had a Balinese massage for $10 and Grahame chatted with Rob from Colorado in the pool. After a great meal of Chilli Seafood, Sate and Spring Rolls (plus a few super-strong, super cheap cocktails) we meandered down to ‘Nine Pool Hall’ to sink a few balls and drink yet more Bintang. This was after we gate-crashed a private function and saw some locals perform a dance routine!

8/12/2009
Got up early & drove to Nan’s to pick up Phil & then drove to the airport. A quick coffee then we had to say goodbye to Phil & Mum. Had time for a quick duty free shop – alcohol! & then we were up, up  away. Virgin flight was only a third full & even though you had to pay for everything – movies, tv, food & drink – the service was good & the flight was very calm.

Well Bali customs are a breeze - we paid our visa fee, had our passports stamped & were immediately swamped by the money changing hawkers. Our transport was waiting at the gate – two men & a minibus just for us – in fact we didn’t queue for anything all day – even at Sydney Airport.

Arrived in Kuta & got straight into the 50m pool outside our door. Met another Aussie, Michelle in the pool – she flew from Perth for a short break – for her it is cheaper than holidaying in Australia. Had our first of many Sate Nasi Goreng (fried rice satay) & a few Bintang in a local restaurant. A perfect first day & a great birthday present for Grahame!

Well made it

well Bali is a good a place as any to start off .. obviuosly     its a bit of a tourist trap and i hate to say it stupid me has stuffed up and been dudded buying fuel off the street !!! sorry Andy i have let the team down and probably did not make those guys cry .. more likely madee them laugh all the way to the bank >>>!!!  also got duuded by the time share promo but at least we got some free beer and a bit of a tour outta those guys.. still has not rained yet which apparently is unusual for this time of year but is great for us. having a crack at the sort of local eats but a lot of the places are catering for the drunken aussies so we will try and hit the back streets to get down and dirty into the really cheapo food.. lets see if we get Bali belly !!!!  spent about 6 hours on a moped today .. sore arse and really wild driving conditions but a great way to cover a lot of ground and see some real Bali..!!!  an boy oh boy  some of them do it hard so we have nothing to whinge about,,

anyway gotta luv ya and leave ya .. will see if i can get some picks up in the next few days

G &  T    XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Where we are REALLY going?

Graz is upset that we have a photo of Africa when we are heading to Asia first so we have to change it immediately!!! Here is our first leg - starting in Bali, Indonesia we will head north through Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand & beyond...


Does anyone know of an interactive map online that we can use to show where we are at any time or where we have been?

Finally we have a plan!!!

Well we will finally start off on our adventure as of Tuesday the 8th December (also Grahame's birthday). We fly out of Sydney at around midday & will arrive in Bali mid afternoon. We just finished packing & of course I have more kg than Graz but my bag was heavier to start with & he doesn't have to carry a hair dryer & makeup! We left Buddy at Donna & Darren's yesterday which was very sad but hopefully they will fall in love with him as we did - & he is a 'love-sponge' according to G! Diva is happy at Myrle & Glen's & apparently may not want to come home as she is being so spoilt there!