Bali - Day 1

Day 1 (16/1/2010)

Currency: RM1.00 = Rp 2700

We landed Ngurah Rai, Bali International Airport around 12.45pm. There is no time different between Bali and Malaysia. We hired Wayan Suparta and his partner and arranged 2 full days tour for our day 2 and 3. We are greeted by Wayan Ditta and being transferred to Tune Hotel in Legian. First day is our free and easy day. We plan to go Nusa Dua, lunch in Bamboo Corner at Poppies Lane 2, Dreamland, GWK, Bluepoint, Uluwatu, dinner in Jimbaran Lia Cafe and night having some street walk in Legian. Wow, that is our big big ambitious plan still not knowing the difficulties in finding way! Lolz. We wanted to go so many places within short period and without knowing a single road. Wahaha.. Crazy, aren’t we? So here is what we manage to do.

We took out all the maps we have, study the places, maps and Google direction which I downloaded back in Malaysia. We rented a motorbike which cost us Rp50k. Do the calculation yourself. Our first destination is Bamboo Corner to have our lunch. It was already 3pm when we headed out. Of course we got lost, no in fact very very lost and we ask around for direction from pedestrian, security, petrol attendant and anyone we set our eyes on. Haha. By the time we know the road to Bamboo Corner, it was already too late. Looking at the time, it was already 4.30pm so we decided to cancel off Nusa Dua, Bluepoint and Dreamland as well. We headed straight to Uluwatu thinking to catch the beautiful sunset on the cliff. Mind you, it wasn't easy travelling to Uluwatu and it was only our first day there. Everything is so alienated to us. Along the way to Uluwatu, we passed by GWK & Dreamland and took some photo outside the entrance. It was already 5.30pm that time.



We finally managed to reach Pura Uluwatu at 5.45pm. We heard and read a lot of time that we need to be extra careful of the monkey presence in Uluwatu. They will try to snatch anything from spectacles to tripod. Despite knowing the fact that they were being trained by the local to grab everything from you and expected a 'reward' in return yet I am still a victim. Yes, I know it well but still fall for it. Damn! I am rather cautious and not wearing my spectacle most of the time. But I wanted to see a clearer view from the high cliff and carefully I took out my spectacle and wear it with one hand holding it. It was only a second that I was caught guard down without my hand holding the spectacle. It happens like split second when the monkey grabs away my spectacle from behind coming out from nowhere. I tried to grab it back but the monkey jump down to a shallow cliff. It only took about 20 seconds for the local to grab it back from the monkey. Impressively well trained! As a token of 'reward', I gave him Rp20k. Spoiled little of my mood as the spectacle has a little scratches on the lens and loose on the hook. Anyway, a good experience though. Luckily it didn't broke off otherwise I am not sure how the hell should I ride the motorbike all the way back to Legian. The distance from Legian to Uluwatu is about 30km not including lost way. I will say somewhere about 50km or more inclusive losses of way. Oh btw, there is no sunset view as it was cloudy at that time.



Not wanting the spectacle issue to spoil my mood, we headed off to Jimbaran Bay and easily found our way to Lia Cafe at 7pm by getting direction from a few locals. Lia Cafe was highly recommended by forumer as it was the cheapest and taste good. We ordered package A which cost us Rp180k which consist of 7 oyster, 7 prawns, 0.5kg squid and a big fish. I heard that some other places charge as high as triple the amount we paid! The view is superb and 100% satisfaction guaranteed. How we feel in love with Jimbaran Bay. It was very relaxing for us. We headed back to Tune Legian around 8.30pm and call it a day.



Wow, what a messy journey we had. We really can't imagine ourselves getting so lost. We were suppose to head to Nusa Dua but ended up heading the wrong way to Sanur. It was really fun and adventurous. Somehow we still managed to go to Uluwatu and Jimbaran. Mind you, it was only our first day in Bali. Lolz