wow, i go away for a few days and this thread balloons. just got back to sin after five great days in penang, and now resting up for the big adventure in bangkok with bob, peter, pook, and the rest of the gang.

hope you all will have time to stop by for some cheap wine, and bob's nuts. lol

<<hope you all will have time to stop by for some cheap wine, and bob's nuts.>>

Not sure I want to know about this get together!

Ken, a gtg with you would not be the same w/o my nuts..

I had the great pleasure to be able to meet up with Bob and Karen while we were in Bali, with the extra bonus of having Peter and Linda come along too. For years, I have followed Bob’s travels, mostly in the Asia area, and have used many of his suggestions. I have been one of the guilty ones, not acknowledging the help I have received from him and many of others of you. It stops here-the time and effort it takes all of you is deeply appreciated more than you know. There is something special about sharing your experiences as you see them, and we get to decide how to use them. Any time I see anything that I think may interest me in the future, I cut and paste it in a file that I keep with different places. It’s not surprising that many of those have Bob’s name on them. He continues to share all information -in what I feel is a very fair way. As we were enjoying lunch, it really became apparent how many people, especially in Thailand that we share, and guess where I found those names? Now in Bali, I have the pleasure of having Putu helping me, and what a tremendous help he is to me. I could not conduct business in Bali without him.
Loved, loved, loved our time together, Bob, Karen, Peter, and Linda-it’s been one of the highlights of this trip. Bob, thank you so much again for all the trip reports and advice and please, please, please, never stop! I am so excited that I get to follow the rest of your trip, and I’m am hoping our paths will cross again.

Yipes! I can'r believe Lombok is that built up now. 1.5 hours from Qunci to the airport??

Pook, if the only food I could have when visiting England was English food, I'd starve!

Peter and Linda, enjoy your jewelry shopping. We haven't seen Lily for several years, but please do assure her that we will be back!

Errr guys, I think you'll find "English" food is just fine........

Loving the updates Bob.

lol- Smeagol, just kidding.

Vodka martinis n nuts Ken :)

Love spotted dick smeagol ;)

Aloha!

Lancaster lad
Because we enjoy doing it and have the means to do so. I would never limit myself to eating the local food on vacation. Do you just eat local food while you are at home? Didn't think so. To limit yourself to one food during a vacation is a very boring and an extremely boring way to travel IMHO . Enjoy your time in the Bali hostels!

Pook,
My weakness? Belvedere vodka served straight up shaken very hard with a lemon twist ;)
Aloha!

They went all the way to Lombok -- and still no photos.....

Glad to hear and read you are doing well. Have a great time. And you can go a bit more in depth on the food descriptions. We all live vicariously.
Hope to see you both soon.
Tengo

Rob't-- befriend K on Facebook and you will see pics..

I have about reached my limit with nasi goering for this trip, so maybe back to some western foods with some had thai and laab thrown in...

Gale it was our pleasure to have FINALLY met you. Too bad we are missing you in bkk.

Kathie, there is a new airport in Lombok much further away, so that is why it takes so long... Time for a return visit for you guys.

Putu was here before 11... We headed out to east Bali, refining our destinations along the way. first stop was the cloth market ---same town where the "old court of justice" and museum are located. we have been to the court twice before but never knew of the cloth market directly across the street, just behind the parking lot... It is huge. K bought two 2.4 meter pieces of Bali cotton to have made into shirts in bkk (490,000rp for the two--about $45.).... Both are very high quality. Tough bargaining, down from 600,000. One is green tones with geometric design, the other more rust tones. I love the green one, I first spotted it. after an hour there we continued north west to Candidasa Beach where we ate on a terrace above a beautiful beach, with some rock formations offshore to marvel at. Puri Pandan.

from there we headed to the nearby historic town of Tenganan (sp). Small admission donation to enter town where these indigenous people continue an earn earlier lifestyle. They create intricate art work on what I can only describe a miniature Venetian blind structures. I regretted not buying one in the past so bought a medium sized one this time with a very detailed figure on it... It probably is 12" wide and has maybe 8 "blinds" that unfold downward.

We visited an inkat weaving shop but bought nothing... K did buy a number of woven baskets just outside the village... Very nice quality and reasonable for the quality.

Next we had scheduled a stop at Uuwaltu for the temple visit, followed by a fire dance presentation. Putu was concerned we would not make it in time so suggested another fire dance show at Sahadewa (100,000 each). We actually preferred this show to the Uuwaltu show--45. Min. On the way there we stopped at the bat caves at a temple.

after the show we drove to Jimbaran and had two fresh fish grilled over an open flame of coconut husks and served at tables on the beach.... Maybe 20 restaurants line the beach next to the four seasons resort. Fish, rice, spinach plus drinks. One snapper and one firmer white fish whose name I have forgotten. 580,000. We all stunk of smoke after we left there.

Back to the hotel by 10... P&I had some desserts as the fish was not enough for me and P does not eat fish.

Today is a lazy day. Breakfast at 9... Girls have gone shopping for a few hours... P is having a massage and I am doing what I do best--nothing.

Lunch today in the hotel's Japanese restaurant I think.

At 4:30 we are invited to marmot's house for a drink, which we very much look forward to. this means that K&I will have had the pleasure of meeting the 3 most, non-USA, prolific contributors to the Asian forum---Cicerone, Hanuman and Marmot... Lucky us.

It's so good to hear you're having a great time. Lovely Jimbaran with toes in the sand, and no doubt a dodgy mariachi band to entertain you !

Thanks for all the pieces of information, they can enhance the experience for those who follow. We booked Putu on your recommendation, thanks for that too !

I don't know if I know about that cloth market. I will have to put that on my Putu list for next time. If that price is for the 5 yards, I think its a good price. Was it a hand painted fabric?

Putu says you go to that mkt...

Not sure if it is hand painted. I'll ask K.

Very good lunch at the stones today so I am feeling better about the place... Hotel cleared out quite a bit yesterday so it is quieter. I can endorse the hotel now, but honestly the area is just too commercialized. The beach is directly across the street however... In the evening there is wayyyyyy too much traffic and going is slow. I am renting out Australians if you have any need for one. Girls are at the huge pool for an hour.

OMG, another fabulous Fodorite. We spent a couple of hours today with Marmot and her husband at their lovely villa in Bali.

They are both charming and shared with us their experiences as expats in Asia for over 20 years. she served us some delicious goodies and lovely drinks.

It was sad to depart but we had a 7PM res for dinner at Biku, which turned out to be delicious and fun. Put it on your Seminyak list...

Just checked in for our flt on air Asia tomorrow to bangkok.

Putu comes for us today about 10 for a last touring day.. This time some of west bali.

we have had a great time here on Bali and Lombok and very much look forward to almost a month upcoming in Thailand. Our friend Pat and her sister Kathleen will join us tomorrow in bkk, as will Ken and his wife jackie. It should be tons of fun...

Looking forward to seeing all you guys in Thailand! Lots of rain at the moment with some street flooding after a heavy downpour but clears away in a few hours. Might be difficult to BBQ!

Bob, you're slipping! Are you vegging in Bangkok now!? Are you on the river, usual location?