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Friday, July 2, 2010

Bali (Part 2) - An Exciting Start!

Our vacation started off pretty excitingly.  First, I accidentally checked-in Terri's unlock luggage (which she didn't want to have it check in) and secondly, upon arrival in Ngurah Rai Airport, we were both being asked to go into a special room behind the immigration counters *scary*.

Due to some transportation hiccups, Terri arrived at LCCT as I was queuing up to check-in our tickets.  As she was on the phone throughout, I signaled to her that I'll do the checking-in and she can go continue her phone conversation outside.  Leaving behind her luggage, I assumed it was to be check-in.  And so, I did, just that.  When I met her outside later, she was still on the phone.  Halfway thru she dropped her phone suddenly and went... 

Terri: "You checked-in my luggage also??  I got no lock.  Shit..." 
Me: "Huh?  I didn't know.  Checked-in already, nevermind la... anything expensive inside?"
Terri: "Not really la..."
Me: "Worst worst only your undies... the immigration officer will have a great time sniffing them... hahahaha...."
Terri: "Iiiye....shit...!"
The weather was really bright and sunny when we touched down in Ngurah Rai at 12:45pm.  When it was our turn at the immigration counter, instead of getting our passports stamped and move along like others, we were asked to go into this little office behind the counters.  We were like... o.O *wtf!*

In my head I was like... "Did they found anything illegal in our luggages?" even though the most illegal thing that I can think of for a muslim country are just my g-strings... :p "Or maybe something is wrong with our passports?"... hmm...

We entered the office as we were told and a fierce looking officer came over, took away our passports without saying another words.   As we sat nervously in the office, glancing around not knowing what to expect, I spotted a sign on top of the door way of another smaller room in the office that reads "Kepala Seksi".  I nudged Teri. "Kepala Seksi"?? (Sexy Head??)... That's when we started our giggling.  We just finds it extreme funny.  Sexy Head????  Maybe we are called into this office because we are sexy?  We looked around, there were another 2 person in the room and they were no where near sexy.  Then we thought, the head of Sexy Department must be super sexy.  Just then, a man walked thru that door way.  He was anything but sexy.  We have another bout of giggling...

There we were, gone all mad, coming up with all sorts of explanation for the sign - self entertaining.  Were giggling non-stop.  Tried to stifle our giggles but it only made it worst.  Lols.... As I was wiping away my tears, another officer emerged and handed back our passports and we were told that we are good to go.  Thank God!  He must have thought those were tears of fright!  Lols.....

We found out later that what happened was, we were supposed to get a visa on arrival first prior to queuing up at the immigration counter.  Assuming that Indonesia & Malaysia are abang alik (brothers), we happily skipped the 'visa on arrival' counters and went straight to the immigration counter.  Naturally when it was our turn, we were not allowed to pass.  So, instead of asking us to queue all over again, the officer just help us to sort it out while we waited. :p

NOTE: Queue for the 'Visa on Arrival' first.  Only after that, queue for immigration clearance.

Collected our luggages after that.  Yeah, Terri's undies are still there.  No traces of being sniffed before.  Hehehehehe...
Got a cab and headed for our hotel in Kuta - The Adhi Jaya Hotel.  I know, I know.  It sounded like some budget 'ciplak' (lousy) hotel.  But really, it was alright.  Exterior nicely landscaped.  Interior adequately furnished.  Could be better.  Smacked right in the middle of Kuta, within walking distance to everywhere.  Super convenient lor...
Note:  If you did not make any prior arrangement for airport pick up, you can easily grab a cab from the airport.  Just go to the taxi counter on your right as you walk out of the airport (situated among money changers/car rental counters).  The taxi fare are fixed and pretty reasonable.

Upon checking in, we were given a pile of vouchers - breakfast la, tea la, welcoming drink la, discount vouchers la... After dropping our luggages in the room, we headed straight to it's restaurant to redeem our welcoming drink.  Since it was already way past lunch, we decided to redeem for 'tea time' too!

We had 'Creme Caramel Tea'.  Though smelled heavenly, tasted so-so only.  Nevertheless, I thought it was lovely. Terri thought it tasted kinda like suin suin sook sook (sourish).  :p  We waited patiently for them to serve some snacks to go with our tea.  Waited and waited... until we couldnt wait any longer  and stopped a waitress who were walking passed,  "Is that all or will there be any light snacks served?".  She replied... "Erm... that's all.".

That's all.  Our tea time.  Just these stale tasting miserable chocolate chips cookies.  One for each of us... *gulp*.  Must han han eat... (eat slowly).  We could've order some food but neither of us were hungry.  I guess we were more excited to explore Kuta!
We scouted around for a spa after that.  Made appointments for our pampering sessions at a later hour and off we went, out exploring Kuta town.  Terri kept exclaiming "I love Bali already!".  Hahaha... We walked around and window shopped to gauge their prices as we nibbled on some super yummy seaweed tempura junk food.  I really do hope they sell them here too.  Super love it lor...  
Spotted these - "Bagus Watch".  The good fake watch.  Hehehe...

It was pampering sessions after that.  To be precise, 4 hours long pampering session which include body massages, scrub, wrap, flower bath, pedi & mani.  And all those only for less than RM140/person.  We felt like a queen!


The treatment room have two beds and two tubs.  After all the kneading, scrubbing and wrapping, we soaked ourselves in the drawn hot water bath with flower petals, chit chatted while enjoying our hot tea.  Total bliss!

Note for spa virgins: In case it is your first time and not sure what to expect, fret not.  Strip and changed into the disposable undies provided and lie face down on the bed.  The masseurs will guide you thru the rest of the session. ;) - I am talking about strictly 'Ladies' Only' spa ok.  I am not sure what goes on behind the closed doors of 'Gentlemen's Spas'. :p  You know, those that have 'extra services'.  But one thing for sure is, don't think they have a need for a disposable undies. :p

Terri having her mani and pedicure done after the blissful session.
And me, opted for 'hair treatment' and foot torturing (reflexology) instead of mani & pedi. You should see that piece of THING (torturing equipment) she used to poke my feet.  
Our new found friend, Michelle.  She was there with her mommy.  They are Mongolians based in Beijing.  I tell you, her mommy is so pretty.  Even after 3 kids.  And now I have a reason to believe that all Mongolians look like Altantuya.
After all the pampering, we went for some good dinner at this seafood restaurant opposite Paradiso Hotel.  We were famished.
We had this... some kind of deep fried brinjal.  Yummy!

And this of course, Bali's famous Gurame Fish.

And this too, if I remembered correctly, some kind of 'Fan Clam'.  It was a good dinner.  We sat there a little while longer, watched all the happenings around us - tourists walking up & down, restaurants calling out to tourists, horse carriages clinking past.  And Terri went again... "I love Bali.  We should make this a yearly affair!"... hehehe...

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