It was rather a spontaneous last minute arrangement for a short island escape with a dear friend of mine. Bought the AirAsia ticket a week before, with promo rate! (lucky me). My flight to Bali were schedule at 2030hours, but was delayed 30 minutes. A 3hour flight with good weather, accompanied by a charming voice of the 1st officer. Reached Ngurah Rai International Airport Bali slightly after midnight. Get off from the plane, took the shuttle bus and reach the arrival terminal. We had a little trouble at the luggage clearance. What was look like a curious packet was actually our Malaysian famous instant noodle! As we walked out the arrival gate, I was greeted with a placard with my name on it, by Ceria Transport (provided by Tune Hotel Kuta). A one way transfer at midnight hour cost us Rp60,900 per taxi. (there are airport taxi as well -> http://www.baliairport.com/transportation). Check-in and we decided to call off the night!
0600 - sunrise! (though Kuala Lumpur sit in the same time zone as Bali)
Walked along the Kuta Beach street (Jln Pantai Kuta) and stopped at The Breeze cafe for breakfast (tune does not include breakfast in the room package). Nice cozy place with reasonable breakfast set (ranging from Rp 30,000 - Rp 50,000). Shops around this area open as early as 9am. Done with our breakfast, we walked to Kuta Beach. Beautiful white sandy beach, blue sea and quite a big wave slamming the beach. Few red flag had been raise to warn the public the danger of swimming. As most traveller/tourist a photo taken at the Hard Rock Cafe Bali is a must! Check-out from Tune hotel Kuta at 10am and waited for Irwan (recommended taxi driver from a friend of mine) to pick us up. We booked him for a good 10hours!
Tanah Lot - About an hour drive from Kuta. Entrance fee is Rp30,000 each and Rp5,000 per car for parking. From the entrance gate, we walked pass the locals market (selling all sort of gift merchandise). I don't bother to have a look since Im on a very tight budget (it was an adhoc trip - remember?) & tight schedule. After a few minutes walking, finally I reached at the epic Tanah Lot pura. The tide was high and tourist are reminded not to stand to near to the edge, though some of them keep ignoring these warnings. Strategically situated a few metres from the land, the view was simply amazing!
Kg Celuk - where the silver and gold jewellery handmade was being produced. As we entered one of it massive mansion shops, we were greeted by a boy. He opened our doors and show us the jewellery process. All item were sold in USD and it was not cheap either! However we managed to bought 2 rings (after about 15minutes trying on a few dozens of rings) at a very good discounted price. We learnt a new Indonesian word - 'gedek - gedek' means bigger.
Uluwatu Pura - It was nearly about 2hour trip from previous destination. Irwan the taxi driver, remind us to converse well in Indonesia slang to get a cheaper entrance ticket. And, yes we did! The ticket price is RP15,000 each. There were warning signs around the registration counter to keep your sunglasses and hair clips safe from the mischievous monkeys scattering around the pura area. The lady at the registration hut handed us a yellow sash, which are to be tied along your waist. For those wearing shorts they will ask you to wear sarong provided by them. Walked along the high bushy trees for few minutes and we were greeted with a stunning view! Uluwatu pura was situated on top of a high cliff with oceans beneath it. I did not stay longer to watch their famous Kechak Dance. We had to rush to Jimbaran for seafood with a sunset view. Don't forget to return your sash/sarong to the lady.
Jimbaran seafood - famous seafood spot among tourist.
Irwan brought us to the Blue Ocean restaurant (there were endless of seafood restaurant along the beach in Jimbaran). A neighbouring restaurant was celebrating a wedding. Magical! May the both of live happily ever after. In a few minutes the sun has disappear behind the horizontal. The seafood was a bit too expansive if comparing with our locals seafood. Dine for two cost us Rp440,000 (total)! Had a short night walk along the Kuta Discovery area. Did not manage to go up till Hard Rock Hotel area due to the low energy, having spent the entire day moving from one places to another.
Roaming the little Kuta Beach area - I had the whole day to myself as my partner in crime where attending conference in Kartika Discovery Resort. Had breakfast at the Breeze cafe, again and set off to wander around. Met plenty of locals (
ringan mulut sungguh depa ni) asking me where I am from, "Singapore or Malaysia?" As for being polite, I had a few minutes talking to these nice lovely people.
My flight bound for KUL was schedule at 1910hour. Asked the receiption counter for a booking, and manage to get it for Rp50,000 (instead of Rp76,000). In less than 10 minutes I've arrived in Ngurai Rai airport. Walked in straight to security checking & passport clearance. Gate 9 is quite a walk. I bought a bottle water, and have to thrown it away as there was another security checking as you enter gate 9. My flight was right on schedule and reached KUL 3hours later.
*Remember to save Rp150,000 cash for airport tax (Rp40,000 for domestic flight)
These are few information that I manage to collect
- Learn to surf for Rp200,000 for 1.5hours (May is good time to learn. Big waves in June-July)
- Foot massage from Rp55,000 for 1hour
- Bali massage from RM65,000 for 1hour
- Diving for beginners either in Tembulan / Nusa Dua area
- shops at Krishna for cheaper souvenir gifts
- Nyepi day is celebrated in silence (nyepi - sepi)
And I will definitely visit this awesome island again, with longer itenary.
Budget
AA return flight RM280++
1Night stay in Tune Kuta Rp413,000 per room
one way shuttle airport RM60,900 per car - midnight rate (http://www.ceriatransport.com)
1day taxi hire Rp350,000 per car
Tanah Lot entrance Rp30,000 per person
Uluwatu entrance Rp15,000 per person
one way taxi from Kartika Discovery Resort to Airport Rp50,000
airport tax Rp150,000
** and I only have Rp1,000,000 for this short trip
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