The smok'n trip to Bali

[Cruiser Elite]

Nope been going there since 94 - prolly 15 trips

Been to Nusa Dua twice in 1 trip - first and last time

Good thing we don’t all like the same girl huh?

 

[Pushka]

Nope been going there since 94 - prolly 15 trips

Been to Nusa Dua twice in 1 trip - first and last time

Good thing we don’t all like the same girl huh?

. We must meet sometime

 

[Cruiser Elite]

. We must meet sometime

Love to - but it won’t be in one of the jails in ND - let’s meet at About Us – Rustica Bali and enjoy an outing - Mama Luigina cooks every night and has done last 30 years

 

[Flyfrequently]

Opera singer in Plantation Grill (Flagship Restaurant in DOUBLE 6):
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And if you happen to have a bday whilst in attendance:
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Happy birthday @Cruiser Elite

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Happy birthday @Cruiser Elite

Months ago but tks

 

[Bayside Flyer]

I've never had an urge to visit Bali, although reports of holidays there have become nicer and nicer since I've followed AFFers TRs to there. I don't like beach or 'do nothing but laze about' holidays, reckoning that I can do that at home. However some friends said they were going to do a Luxury Escape trip there, up in the mountains and would I like to come along? They are rusted on Qantas flyers rolleyes, so I started looking at options, and quickly found that QF run B737s to Bali, and the returns are all overnight.# That's a hard no. Virgin has some day returns. Garuda? Would like to try them, but friends say no.

# Since announced some A330s later this year.

It is at this point of planning that, looking back, I must ask myself, what was I smoking at the time?

We agreed to fly Qantas to DPS from Melbourne and timed it so I could attend our annual AFF Rockford lunch in the Barossa (already booked). I thought I could visit my sister in Brisbane on the way back. Hmmm... options ..... keep looking ..... Ummmm - JetStar?!!?

A month ago, what I had found I had booked was:

HBA-SYD-ADL on VA, economy, revenue. I'm not really a believer in the AFF maxim "why fly direct when you can connect", so I don't know why I booked this routing. I've already requalified for VA Plat. I must have been smoking something at the time.

Then ADL-MEL-DPS on QF in J, revenue. When checking a month ago, I found that not only was ADL-MEL a Dash-8 (hand luggage restrictions - I was going HLO) but I was in economy!! I must have been toking on something very strong to accept that at the time. I think there was a very cheap fare and I thought it was a good idea at the time. I later changed my flight, getting J in a B737 and paying $200 change fee - which I duly declared in the travel mistakes thread.

DPS-BNE in JQ, business Max fare. Jetstar from Bali. What could possibly go wrong? Flighty app tells me it arrives in BNE late nearly 70% of the time, and more than 45 mins late 26% of the time.

BNE-SYD-HBA on VA rewards, economy max.

So this is what it looks like

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In Bali, its a 3 night LE package at Nandini Jungle by Hanging Gardens - north of Ubud, hopefully away from the madding crowds.

Nandini Jungle by Hanging Gardens

A dramatic hideaway nestled in the heart of the Payangan rainforest - Ubud, Nandini Jungle Resort and Spa is a captivating destination that blends smoothly with its natural surroundings.

www.nandinibali.com

Looks nice enough. I'm taking a book and my swimming togs.

Mrs GHP and I have had some really good "luxury escapes" experiences in Bali.

 

[Bayside Flyer]

The main reason for coming to Adelaide was to attend Buzz and my annual Rockford lunch. We started this about 10 years ago when we took advantage of our ability to ask three guests each to attend the lunch. Over the years, the guestlist has remained mainly the same, but we’ve had some newcomers and some occasional attendees. For a few years we actually had a second lunch with a different guestlist. This year we welcomed newcomer @billbro

As usual, Buzz organised the date and the transport and eight of us headed off from the Hilton Adelaide at 10:30 this morning for a leisurely trip to the Barossa.

Again, as usual, we started at noon with a lovely glass of Rockford Sparkling black Shiraz, and canapés in a tasting room, known as The Kennel, for reasons that escape me (well, I guess the pictures on the wall might be a giveaway). Our hosts doing a sterling job pouring the Sparkling Black Shiraz

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Then we moved to the dining room and found our menus. Looks adequate. There used to be 16 around the table, but currently there is 12, so we had the majority of the places. All of the veggies and fruit come from Rockford’s own garden on site.

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Second course ( after the canapes), the trout (I’ll let you follow along the wines from the menu above).

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Fat coughs (no, not talking about some of the diners)

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Pork belly, which most on the table regarded as the best they have ever had

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Beef pie and sirloin

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Dessert Panna Cotta

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And then, as per tradition, we repaired to the Stonewaller room to taste the full range of Rockford wines.

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it was a tough gig! Our bus arrived at 5 pm, and we decanted ourselves onto it, and had a rapid trip back to the city, where several had a plane to catch that evening. How did you go. @penegal ?

I definitely need to revisit the Stonewall lunch

 

[drron]

Normally wherever we are in the world I go out and walk around the non touristy areas except in those places where it is too hot and humid like Bali and Bangkok. However in Bangkok we have a month over December, January when the weather is much cooler and humidity lower. Now even though the footpaths in Bangkok are often in poor condition and there is loads of traffic both those are way ahead of Bali. We spent a day walking around Ubud this week. Pedestrian crossings meant absolutely nothing to the great majority of drivers. Much safer in Bangkok.
So in Bali where we have had about 20 visits starting in the early 70s and also done everything that we want to do so 3 days of complete relaxation in our resort in Bali.

 

[laffer]

On the topic of Bali, is food and drink, apart from tap water, generally considered safe in the large international chain hotels (e.g sofitel, hyatt etc). I have a short two day stop in Bali and then onwards and am a little concerned about Bali belly bringing the next leg crashing down.

 

[RooFlyer]

On the topic of Bali, is food and drink, apart from tap water, generally considered safe in the large international chain hotels (e.g sofitel, hyatt etc). I have a short two day stop in Bali and then onwards and am a little concerned about Bali belly bringing the next leg crashing down.

Limited experience only, but in my resort, out in the country a bit (where things may slip through more than big hotels in the city), I had no hesitation in eating and drinking anything put in front of me. Water was provided via refillable stop-top bottles, which I was a bit hesitant about, but turned out no problem too.

 

[Pushka]

On the topic of Bali, is food and drink, apart from tap water, generally considered safe in the large international chain hotels (e.g sofitel, hyatt etc). I have a short two day stop in Bali and then onwards and am a little concerned about Bali belly bringing the next leg crashing down.

Yes. But if you are still worried, avoid salads and things on the buffet that have seen better days. Try for recently cooked hot food (if it is served hot). Keep your mouth shut in the shower and use the provided bottled water to clean your teeth and rinse off the toothbrush. The times we've caught the belly was once from undercooked chicken in a street restaurant, I should have known better than to eat it at the time.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Yes. But if you are still worried, avoid salads and things on the buffet that have seen better days. Try for recently cooked hot food (if it is served hot). Keep your mouth shut in the shower and use the provided bottled water to clean your teeth and rinse off the toothbrush. The times we've caught the belly was once from undercooked chicken in a street restaurant, I should have known better than to eat it at the time.

Good advice from @Pushka
Would also add, avoid buffets fullstop @laffer
If you have breakfast included, use the freshly cooked to order egg station - less folk handling shared utensils the better.

Happy travels

 

[laffer]

Thanks very much for your helpful tips. It has been a while since I was in Bali (and did get sick on the way home) so I am getting a bit paranoid about it affecting the onward journey.

Avoid tap water. Close mouth in shower and stick to the cooked stuff. Sounds like a plan. Its only a few days. How hard could it be (without totally ruining the few days I have there).

 

[Pushka]

Thanks very much for your helpful tips. It has been a while since I was in Bali (and did get sick on the way home) so I am getting a bit paranoid about it affecting the onward journey.

Avoid tap water. Close mouth in shower and stick to the cooked stuff. Sounds like a plan. Its only a few days. How hard could it be (without totally ruining the few days I have there).

you will be fine in the big hotels. Maybe don't duck your head under in the swimming pool either. More for ear infections than for gastro ones.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Thanks very much for your helpful tips. It has been a while since I was in Bali (and did get sick on the way home) so I am getting a bit paranoid about it affecting the onward journey.

Avoid tap water. Close mouth in shower and stick to the cooked stuff. Sounds like a plan. Its only a few days. How hard could it be (without totally ruining the few days I have there).

Also, perhaps steer clear of anyone who is coughing - have a mask and sanitiser in your pocket
As @Pushka says, you will be fine

 

[Major]

Jeez...it's not that bad. Just drink Bintang, and bottled water if you must.

Mostly use common sense.

 

[Pushka]

Jeez...it's not that bad. Just drink Bintang, and bottled water if you must.

Mostly use common sense.

Given we had a 7.2 earthquake last time we were there a couple of months ago (thank goodness a very deep one ) then I guess I shouldn't mention that's my main fear these days....

 

[RooFlyer]

Given we had a 7.2 earthquake last time we were there a couple of months ago (thank goodness a very deep one ) then I guess I shouldn't mention that's my main fear these days....

Tell me about it, I’m acutely aware of earthquake zones.

I recall mentioning in my trip report of the Stans when we were going through the infamous 'Iranian tunnel' (basically very dodgily built) in the mountains of Tajikistan, which is a highly seismic area, that I was a bit concerned. And this was scoffed at by a number of AFFers who shall remain nameless here.

anyone planning to go to Vancouver, have a look at the historical seismicity map. There is a nice gap right where Vancouver is. Statistically speaking it’s a bit of a sitting duck.

Seismic guidelines underestimate impact of ‘The Big One’ on Metro Vancouver buildings - UBC News

Scientists examining the effects of a megathrust earthquake in the Pacific Northwest say tall buildings across Metro Vancouver will experience greater shaking than currently accounted for by Canada’s national seismic hazard model.

news.ubc.ca

 

[Quickstatus]

There is another way to reinforce the stomach

Its all about immunising against Bali Belly. You can do it the natural way - ie get Bali Belly enough that you become immune

Or get This (but does not cover all the causes of Bali Belly). Especially recommended if you have IBS, inflammatory bowel disease or diabetes.

 

[Daver6]

On the topic of Bali, is food and drink, apart from tap water, generally considered safe in the large international chain hotels (e.g sofitel, hyatt etc). I have a short two day stop in Bali and then onwards and am a little concerned about Bali belly bringing the next leg crashing down.

Can't hurt to carry Immodium too. Worst case scenario, you're sorted.