If you want to be a millionaire, you should move to Indonesia. The exchange rate is 195IDR per 1 peso. The denomination of the bills are in thousands and let me tell you, I was eternally confused. My mind is wired to read only the first two numbers and the zeroes are really, really, really, confusing. Blame it on my "commoner" upbringing. I am not used to a lot of money. Haha.
After we have checked out of Immigration (scary scary - why? see previous post). We waited in line for a cab since Ai did not arrange for a hotel pick-up. I find that it is better to arrange for transfers whenever I travel as it lessens the hassle, but the waiting is not really long at the Den Pasar Airport, so it was ok this time.
After a 10 minute taxi ride, we have finally arrived at our hotel, Best Western Hotel in Bali. The hotel is in Kuta beach but not in the "happening" area. It is a good 10 min ride away from the beach. The hotel has a pool and our room is on the first floor near the resto and the pool.
There is a bar by the pool too.
We were all very hungry (mainly me) by the time we have checked in at the hotel so we ordered at the restaurant. The food is not very good but it is satisfying especially when you are hungry (again, mainly me).
Free breadsticks given while waiting for the food to be served. The poor bread did not even last 10 mins. Hungry hungry hungry! Haha.
We might have ordered too much though. We were not able to finish the pizza.
We rested a bit after eating and started to explore Bali. First agenda is Kuta Beach. This is where the biggest mall in Bali is found, Discovery Mall. The hotel has a free shuttle to and fro Kuta Beach. Since I am too lazy to memorize and/or type, I just took a photo of the sched. Turns out Ai and Jo did too. Haha. Weird minds think alike.
The Discovery Mall looks like a municipal building from afar. It is not high rise as it is by the beach. I tell you, it is no MOA. Haha.
The mall is right by the beach so after checking the mall, well, we actually just passed thru it, we walked by the beach.
I had to dial in at the daily con-call with my client at 4:30 so I was doing a call while walking at the beach.
We saw a wedding photoshoot while we were walking. Oooh frou frou.
Bali is dotted with temples and images of their gods and goddesses. Each god is almost always with an offering. This is supposed to bring them luck and more blessings.
The offering. Flower or sometimes food.
There is a tiangge near the beach. So naturally, we shopped. This is where we bought our bintang bali bags. The key with haggling in Bali is to pretend that you are leaving and is no longer interested, then, once they call you back, offer 70% off of the original price. I am telling you, it works. Parang divi lang. :)) But once you agreed to the price, you can no longer back out. So make sure to haggle for the lowest possible price before saying Yes.
We drank bintang beer by the shore while waiting for the sunset. Bintang is "d" Indonesian malt. It tastes bland though, San Mig is still better. :p
Look I am still in a call (spy the white headphone)!
Kuta beach is not really white sand (but it is white by their standards). It can't even hold a candle compared to Bora, however, their sunset, is resally really gorgeous.
This is where we met the golden running man. Bali sunset is beatiful!
After sunset, we ate at this very expensive resto where our tables are by the water.
Fierce pose (the-pretend-i-did-not-know-i-was-being-photographed-look) by Jo while waiting for the food.
They have really nice signs to distinguish the boy and girl tandas (washroom). This is for the men's washroom. See the penis? Haha
While this is for the girl's. Boobs! Haha
On our way back to the hotel, we bought chips, water and bread - breadtalk! (for me, mainly). Although a bit dissapointed with the beach, (this is it? no it can't be!) this was still a fun day. Key word? Men,men,men,men! Haha.
We have arranged for the kintamani tour from our hotel for the next day. Second day will be all about the balinese culture. For now, we rest (tour starts at 9:00am) Goodnight Bali!
More pikatures of our second day!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Eastwood Ave,Quezon City,Philippines
No comments:
Post a Comment