Bali, Day 1: A Mother-Daughter Trip

Today's weather: a bit of overcast, but warm and breezy

Today's exchange rate: IDR 9200 per Aussie $ at the airport, IDR 9450 on the streets

Mum and I snagged these cheap flights with Jetstar's Boxing Day Sale. They cost about $200 to Bali, and a whole $37 to come back. The original plan was to have a short 5 night trip to celebrate Mum's birthday but it wasn't long before we both agreed that 5 nights was simply not long enough so I made the call and gave over the credit card details to extend our trip another 3 nights as well as adding on 15kg of check-in luggage for our return flight. It put up the price of what was originally a 5 night, cheapo trip, but who's going to complain about an extra 3 nights?!

We decided to have those extra 3 nights at the well known Pearl Hotel in Seminyak; a small, boutique hotel that has a very welcome no under 15's rule. The remaining 5 nights were to be spent at the Tamukami in Sanur. This was until Mum fell in love with the Mercure Resort in South Sanur after visiting friends there last month. We then decided to cut our 5 nights at the Tamukami to 3 and have the last 2 nights at the Mercure. Neither Mum or myself have stayed in South Sanur so it is a welcome change, that will entice us to try a few new restaurants that we otherwise wouldn't, but still be able to visit our central Sanur favourites, such as Mona Lisa and Warung Pregina.

Our flight with Jetstar was a 9:30am one, meaning we were up at 6:00. Knowing that I'm going to Bali sure makes it easier to get up early, especially when it's so cold. Dad was kind enough to volunteer his taxi services to us and we arrived at the airport just before 7:00. The check-in line was short, as was immigration and we were soon sitting at the gate and the 2 hour wait for our flight began.

We boarded the plane just before 9:00 and took our seats in the first row. I had paid extra for this small luxury, but it meant a bit of extra leg room and of course, being first off the plane. Even though the first row seats are technically exit rows, I didn't have to pay the $30 per person exit row fee for them, but rather a $9 per person fee to be seated at the front of the plane. Not long after take off, the Captain informed us that we would be arriving in Bali at roughly 1:15pm and that the weather was expected to be fine, at 28 degrees. Exactly what we were hoping for.

Saying goodbye to a beautiful Winter day in Perth

The flight was uneventful, but nice and smooth. Mum had packed us some snacks the day before to save us having to buy anything to ease our rumbling tummies. It wasn't too long before the Captain was announcing that we would be arriving about 15 minutes early. We had a slight delay after landing because another plane was in the way, but before long we were off the plane and making our way to immigration. We bought our visa's quickly and lined up for immigration. The wait was only about 5 minutes and we were on our way. What a great feeling it was to be able to walk straight past the luggage carousels and through to customs! Our forms were checked without a second look and we were out of the airport in just under 25 minutes. I had organised with the Pearl Hotel last week to have a driver to come pick us up for IDR150.000. We had a quick look at the names on the all the signs and didn't see ours. We figured that it was because we had arrived ahead of schedule, so maybe he wasn't here yet. I was keeping my fingers crossed that there was someone coming for as because I hadn't bothered to confirm at all. I had a couple more walk-throughs to try and find my name, but to no avail. Mum decided to have a walk-through and what do you know; she found our driver straight away. And I was standing directly behind him. We all had a little laugh about it before heading over to the car. The driver that picked us up was called Nyoman, and was an indepedent driver that was based right next door to the Pearl Hotel. He explained to us that he lived next door and was able to get the work through the hotel as his uncle owned the land that the hotel sits upon. The drive to the hotel took only about 15 minutes before he pulled into the hotel drive away. It's tucked away just off Jalan Double 6. If you didn't know it was there, you would walk straight past it.

Our check-in was quick and we were pleasantly surprised (I was anyway, Mum had already seen the hotel) by what the hotel looked like. It's very quaint and cosy, but very comfortable. The pool is small, but the hotel only has about 16 rooms. It felt like we had left civilisation behind; you could barely hear anything from Jalan Double 6 nor the busy Jalan Legian a couple of blocks away. The hotel was so quiet, and there was no one else around. Even as I write this, Mum and I are the only two people sitting around the pool.

We were shown our room, which we were once again very pleased with. It's what Mum calls "shabby-chic". The rooms are a bit on the small side, but oh-so inviting. A fantastic verandah and a beautiful bed with mosquitoe nets around it. Behind the bedroom is a small dressing room area, or walk-through wardrobe, which also houses the fridge and safe. This leads to a spacious semi outdoor bathroom. We were both very happy.

Walking into our room from the pool

By this time, it was about 2:30 and I was absolutely starving. We decided to go get some money changed, get lunch and stock up with a few things from the Bintang Supermarket, which is about a 5 minute walk away. We stopped at a money changer along the way which had an exchange rate of IDR 9450 per Aussie $. We then continued walking North along Jalan Legian to the Bintang Supermarket. We decided to just have lunch next door at Cafe Seminyak because we were both very hungry by this point. We ordered 2 ice lemon tea's, I had Mie Goreng and Mum ordered Nasi Goreng. Both arrived very quickly and we devoured every last bit of our meals. There's nothing like your first meal when you first arrive in Bali. Our bill came to about IDR140.000.

Mie Goreng

Nasi Goreng

It was then onto the Bintang Supermarket to stock up on water, shampoo, condition, toothpaste and a few other basics, all of which cost us about the same as our lunch. We made our way back to the hotel for our pedicure appointment, which I had made for us via e-mail a couple of weeks in advance. The spa room is tucked away, behind the rooms and is very nice and quiet. They had some relaxing music playing and there was very little chatter going on between the girls. I only knew they were talking because I happened to have my eyes open at the time, otherwise I never would have known. Mum and I both nearly dozed off, which is strange for me necause my feet are VERY tickilish. I didn't even realise how tired I was until I laid down on the massage table.

The pedicure was, as is the usual Bali standard, done with cheap nail polish that doesn't last, but the massage and just the general atmosphere of the spa, was fantastic. We've booked in for a quick foot massage (which is complimentary) tomorrow afternoon.

The spa room

When our pedicures were finished, it was about 5:00. This meant only one thing: it was time to sit down and relax. For me anyway. Mum went on a quick walk to a Circle K, while I plonked myself on one of the daybeds next to the pool. Once again, the pool was desserted. So I made myself comfortable until Mum got back and joined me for an ice milo. Mum cheats with a little bit with her gluten-intolerace while in Bali and allows herself the treat of an ice milo. They are delicious after all. While sitting by the pool, I wondered aloud where the Pearl Hotel's rabbit was, and just like magic he appeared. What a lucky bunny he is, to be hopping around all day with endless grass to munch on and people giving him endless affection. What a life.

Before I knew it, it was 6:00 and time for Mum and I to start getting ready for dinner. Mum had made a reservation for us at the Pearl Restaurant; a popular French restaurant that's on the grounds of the hotel. It's a dinner we had been looking forward to for the last month. When we were ready, we wondered on over to the restaurant and we greeted by very friendly waiters who directed us to our table. What a beautiful setting; dimly lit by lights throughout the garden and candles on the table. Our table was directly underneath a beautiful canopy from a nearby tree and was twinkling beautifully from fairy lights that were entwined through the tree. We were greeted by Anthony, whose parents own the hotel and whose brother is the chef. May I just say; ooh-la-la. I had unbeknowningly organised our stay with him, as well as confirmed our dinner reservation. If I had known the responder was a good-looking French guy not too much older than I am, I would have changed the style of my e-mails slightly.

He was very helpful, and was very understanding of Mum's gluten-intolerance. He went to the kitchen and checked with the chef what dishes Mum would be able to have and came back with numerous options for her. She was very pleased. But first, it was time for a cocktail. We both ordered the Pearl Sensation, and a sensation it was. Beautiful tropical flavours and not too strong. We then both decided to order starters and mains and agreed we would see how we felt after this before deciding whether or not to have dessert. I ordered for my starter Grilled Scallops wrapped in Parma ham with asparagus mousse while Mum had Aspragus veloute with blue cheese-Roquefort mousse. The presentation for both dishes were fantastic. Very simple, but sophisticated. We both thoroughly enjoyed our starters and were ready for our mains. I had ordered Duck breast with mushroom and roasted potatoes, caramel and balsamic reduction infused with bay leaves. Mum had order the Fish of the Day, which was Barramundi, that was served in a lemongrass reduction, cauliflower puree and lemongrass infused bourghoul. Once again, two beautifully presented dishes that were absolutely delicious. We finished every last bite and were deliriously content (and full).

The couple that was seated next to us were having their dessert at around this time, and although we were both quite full, we wanted to get the most out of this delicious meal. So it was decided. The menu's were returned to us, and after a quick check in the kitchen of what Mum could have we decided on Three flavours Creme Brulee for Mum and Chef's Trilogy Chocolate Moelleux for myself. We had a decent amount of time before our dessert came which meant we were able to enjoy every last bit of another delicious dish. Neither of us could fault this restaurant. It had a great ambience, very friendly staff that were attentive, but not overly so, amazing food and a couple of hot French guys. Now I'm not admitting to anything, but there may or may not have been some googly eyes made in their direction. It was a perfect first dinner in Bali and the Pearl Restaurant is one I would reccomend to anyone. You can see their menu here.

My grilled scallops

Mum's asparagus soup

My duck breast

Mum's fish

Mum's Creme Brulee

My chocolate trilogy

Our bill came to about $100 for both of us. That included a cocktail each, a bottle of water each, and a 3-course meal. Very good value for money considering what we got. We happily charged the bill to our room and Mum left quite a generous tip.

We decided on a short stroll to work off some of our dinner before heading to bed. We walked a short way down Double 6, before coming back and getting ready for bed. It's days like these I wish time moved much slower.

 

 

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