We're flying with Virgin Australia on a B737, a 6.5 hour flight. I've come to really enjoy daytime flying. I find it less tiring and more interesting than night flying, and no longer mind missing out on a day/half day of holidays to do it. The view of the Australian earth crossing Queensland and the Northern Territory is quite awesome.
We had no problems checking in or getting through immigration. We were given an express pass (note to people following: you need one pass per traveller!) by the check in staff, but the normal line was just as fast this morning.
We organised our duty free, including the pick-up-on-return and our airport staff discount (10%), and enjoyed the convenience of the Air New Zealand lounge. We've been Virgin lounge members for years now but you can't access the international lounges unless your are a gold or higher frequent flyer. I made it to gold this year and love the priority check in and boarding lanes.
We departed on time in beautiful weather. The flight was smooth and on time until a little late vectoring by air traffic control! We were bussed from the aircraft to the new, unfinished terminal, where we paid USD25 for our 'Visa on Arrival'. When we first visited you had to have the US cash, but now they accept other currencies. Quick trip through immigration, and out to hundreds of people holding hand-written and printed signs, waiting for people. We found our man, Agun, and went out into the Balinese afternoon.
The trip to Seminyak took 25 minutes through steady traffic. There have been a few improvements to the road system since last I was here, but they're still masters of fitting way more vehicles side by side than there are lanes.
I am so pleased to be back in this fabulous place. It's such a mixture of old and new, traditional family life and tourism, poor and luxe. The constant is the lovely Balinese people.
Our accommodation is fabulous! A one bedroom villa at Cicada in Seminyak, tucked away down a quiet lane. We have a private courtyard with plunge pool, lounge, dining and kitchenette, bedroom, outdoor shower and bath. Breakfast each day and even a massage is included in the USD200 per night rate.
We had a refreshing swim and then headed out on foot to a bar/restaurant we liked last visit - Ku De Ta. It's such a treat to be able to walk to the beach and the restaurants. Seminyak is definitely the best place to be based.
The sun set into the Indian Ocean as we enjoyed a superb dinner with great service. So nice to be back. Fireworks lit our way back down the beach to home.
No comments:
Post a Comment