May 3, 2015
NEGOMBO, Sri Lanka to DENPASAR (KUTA) Indonesia
Air Asia via Kuala Lumpur, 4329 km, 9 hours, $204 each
Best Western Kuta Villa 470104.47 IDR- scary number but only translates to $36.32... and was a great value for an air con deluxe double with buffet breakfast 

$1=13000 IDR ([Indonesian Rupee) avg

Leaving Sri Lanka

Caro, our Tuktuk driver, arrived punctually at 9 am to take us to the airport. The road was lined with police and military because the president was due to arrive. John Kerry was in town to meet him.

Air Asia check-in went smooth..... our dutifully printed out boarding passes were torn up and replaced. We even got seated together (at least for the first leg) There is an additional seat selection charge if you want to sit together when you check in online (which they recommend you do if you do not want to be charged for airline staff to "help" you). We had purchased extra luggage weight allowance and, in the end, didn't need it. Oh well.
 
In Kuala Lumpur, at the new KLIA2 (replaced the Low Cost Carrier Terminal), we had a 2 hour 40 minute layover. We bought our 1 liter each of liquor allowance for Bali. It was cheaper here than at Colombo's Duty free. The prices of meals at the airport restaurants were very reasonable. Our Malaysian chicken-rice dish, accompanied by bean sprout salad and soup, set us back a mere $5.33 each.

The onward flight to Bali was delayed because of technical difficulties, always a bit disconcerting. We had seats across the isle from each other. A guy was occupying my seat to bewitch his wife and daughter. When he pointed out that his seat was on the window behind them, I didn't mind switching. The flight attendant didn't waste any time to come over and check our tickets. She sternly told me if I wanted to sit there, in an exit row with more leg room, I have to pay extra. Apparently, the guy who I switched seats with had told me a little fib and his seat was way in the back of the plane. I wasn't willing after all to switch with him. The two exit rows (the premium seats) remained unoccupied for the entire flight. Our seats didn't recline because of there being exit rows behind us (no discount for that privilege)
 

Midnight Plane to Kuta
 
But.....we made it to Denpasar without incident at quarter past midnight. Dave had mistakenly left the US currency we had, in checked-in luggage. We needed $35 per person cash for our Indonesian Visa on arrival. We were happy to find out there was a ATM before customs. But our happiness was short lived when none of the 4 machines seem to work. Dave who usually keeps his cool to the nth degree, lost it. And when he gave the machine a couple of good whacks, I envisioned the eyes in the sky taking notice and half expected to be doubly scrutinized by customs. (Later we found out that our bank locked our card on a fraud alert.)   It had been a long day. In the end, we were able to charge the visa fee on a credit card for an extra 7%. We had arranged a hotel pickup at the airport which, if you arrive before 11 pm, it is free of charge. The 100000 IDR ($7.72) pick-up charge for our late arrival was well worth the piece of mind. 
 



May 4-6, 2015
KUTA
Best Western Kuta Villa

After breakfast, we planted ourselves on a lounge chairs by the pool. We had the pool to ourselves for the better part of the morning. This is just what the doctor ordered. And not what one envisions when thinking about Kuta, the bang out party Mecca for Australians. 

Several times a day, the Best Western hotel shuttle drives a route with several popular drop off points: Discovery Mall, Kuta Beach and the water park. Today we timed our outing to Kuta Beach so we could take the 2 pm shuttle. 

The beach is popular with sun-worshipers and surfers. And since we belong to neither, we had a quick look-see before making our way down the lively narrow alley (Popies1) lined with touristy shops and restaurants to the Tree House Cafe which promised Dutch treats like croquettes, bitterballen and meatballs. I was after the croquettes, savory meaty-ragout filled and served with mustard. Dave loves them too. We were in heaven. They were not the best but nevertheless, a real treat. The bitterballen are same but bite sized little balls and not, in the least bit, bitter. Next we walked miles (working off those calories) on the way to Carrefour and found a Lebanese restaurant that we'll have to try one day. It's nice to have so many choices again. After we had our fill, we taxied back to the hotel.