Smeagol

Great report, Like the "Muffin" reference....
Looking forward to the next instalment.

Craig

I am amused by your driving experiences although you handled the cops well - I can't believe you drove after dark.

I am getting very hungry reading about all the restaurants you've been to...

Without Gpanda and bookchick's posts, this 220 reply thread would have about 15...

Did I mention that we need to return to Bali?

Looking forward to more, esp. Malaysia.

bookchick

Craig, on behalf of Gpanda and myself, our sincere thanks. We cannot, however, overlook Rizzuto's myriad contributions to this thread, some of which may or may not have been travel-related. My excuse is that I'm jobless and currently car-less.

I am also looking forward to the Malayasian segment of the trip, since my former room-mate is from KL, and has been living in Toronto now for some time. (But she always tells me if I want to go to KL, to let her know!)

BC

rhkkmk

i guess i am wondering if all my prattle is worth the effort, but then this trip is pretty boring in comparison to others

simpsonc510

"boring..."??? Surely not, Bob. I never ever get bored on my 20 trips to Bangkok, where I might stay put in one place for two weeks. No moving around from place to place for me. (I think you two are just missing Andy and Beth and maybe Maureen)

I'm really glad you are seeing some 'real' scenes along the way, rather than only touristy areas. Good for you!!

marmot

The Balinese police may have been soliciting a bribe (it happens, unfortunately) or they may have just wanted you to use your seatbelts. It's the law. That they're trying to enforce it is a good thing as most traffic regulations are considered "suggestions".

Sorry that we weren't able to meet up during your time in Indonesia. I had hoped to be in Bali this week, but had to delay a bit. I would have loved to taken you shopping and eating in Seminyak! Maybe next time.

Our big question right now is whether President Obama will come to Indonesia or postpone again. I can sure understand why a trip to Bali might not be his or the country's (America's, I mean) top priority, but I feel for the Indonesians and the Official Americans who have prepared and prepared, twice.

Bokhara2

I'm enjoying your "prattle" very much! Police stopping western drivers in Bali is pretty much par for the course, Bob.

Unless I missed the bit (or you were too discreet to elaborate) where you parted with Rp, these two might just have been genuinely trying to get you to buckle up. Bali also has a reasonably grim record of "orang asing" (Foreigners) being injured when driving or riding motor cycles. Just giving them the benefit of the doubt (LOL).

As an aside, aren't seatbelts mandatory in the US? They are in Australia & it's just automatic for me to put one on whenever I'm in a vehicle.

Bokhara2

Talk on the wires in Australia this morning that President Obama is about to drop his June trip to Australia,so Indonesia might miss out too, marmot.

bookchick

The BP oil crisis, now in its 45th day, is really commanding the President's attention, and he's taking a lot of heat for it, although I understand today he presented BP a rather sizeable bill for the clean-up thus far.

Bob, Bob, Bob, keep it coming! Your report is as close as I'm going to get to a vacation this year, and perhaps ever. I'm feeling a bit low as I was rejected for yet another job today. So please, please, keep writing pleasant things!

BC

LAleslie

While searching for Niman Ranch meats, also look for Nueske's bacon. THEEEEE best.

kmkrnn

Bob...aka Mr cheap, did not hand over even 1 Rp to the police. Just a big smile and the seat belt looped around his shoulder and we were off. Another hard day at the pool today as it is our last in Bali. Did go and get our laundry before turning the car in. Now I have to try and get all this shopping into our bags for the Air Asia flight.

rhkkmk

Mar---we would have loved to meet up with you... you are the indonesian expert after all...

yes seat belts are required in MA but we do not use them---its a long story, but we have a reason...

we cannot imagine how a US presidential motorcade would work here... the first motorbike who pulled out in front of the limo would be shot... plus just the size of the huge SUV's and car #1... Maybe putu can drive him around...

Waiting for the car guy and then i'll hit the pool for the afternoon...

marmot

Any one who claims to be an Indonesian expert hasn't been here very long. The more you learn, the less you know.

I enjoy your affectionate ruminations on Bali even the negatives. It's all valid: the good the bad and the non-touristy ugly.

marmot

Just heard that President Obama's cancelled. Officially we're disappointed, but personally relieved as my son is due to arrive on the same day and I wasn't looking forward to the mother of all traffic snarls.

rhkkmk

indonesia is better for it...

bookchick

Hey, be careful, I do hear traffic's somewhat nightmarish in KL, too.

"Mr. Cheap"? Karen, it's more like "Mr. Thrifty"---his Boy Scout quality is, after all, what's enabled you to fund these great trips! Stay out of trouble, you two!

BC

Gpanda

Only one motorbike spashed you? They must have been kind. If you had been in Cambridge, there would have been a parade liking up to splash the Needhamites.

Let's see. Two hotels, two general managers. I'm glad to report that I have not met the general manager in most of the hotels at which I've stayed. Of course, I'm not always sucking up for an upgrade or oter gift. While I know it's the GM's job to interface with the Needhamite Moocher, it seems like a thankless task. A few kind words on Fodors couldn't possibly make up for the real time discomfort.

It's only fitting that someone who believes in a police state, e.g., His Bobness, should get the opportunity to interact with the local gendarmes. We've heard his lame seat belt excuse and it's no better in Bali than in Massachusetts. He's a scofflaw in both jurisdictions.

bookchick

Hey, Andy, remember the story he told at the GTG brunch a few years ago about the cop trying to pull him over here in the States, and he just kept driving??? Also, wasn't he in trouble in Egypt over taking photographs somewhere?? Bob really doesn't strike me as the "Dennis Hopper" type, as he's a Republican, but he has a "problem with authority", if you know what I mean! "Cool Hand Bob"!!

BC

rhkkmk

I AM AN INDEPENDENT... just wait for november!!

rhkkmk

Friday

our last full day in bali...

we did nothing!!

breakfast... a quick trip outside the hotel to pick up our laundry... the rental company came for the car a day early as we no longer needed it (i paid for the full rental)...
pool... reading... lunch at the pool restaurant: hamby and tuna steak sandwiches..... more pool... more reading...

K packed everything up and even got all our stuff into the suitcases...

going to dinner now... italian rest. again as there is a big set dinner in the thai rest. tonight which we have no interest in...

we leave the hotel, by hotel car, at 11AM for our flt to penang via K/L on air asia--2 seperate flts with plenty of time in between....don't look forward to the lcct at K/L

hope we have wi-fi in penang..