Day08

And then it was Saturday.

After breakfast we go and see how Made is getting on with the bell. And the answer is – very well. He has a traditionally shaped sample to show us and a cow bell too. We prefer the more traditional sample he is working on.

Today we’re going to be brave and hit the Art Market again with our wishlist.

We want to see if he whose name must not be spoken has the DVDs ready for us, and pick up a book and maybe a few other bits and pieces at Discovery Mall.

We head down the beach and there is some huge religious ceremony on with all the participants wearing white silky sarongs. It is a stunning sight but we decide that for us to wander around taking photos would be intrusive and disrespectful.

So we head into the Art Market where there is not a lot to grab our interest as it happens until we meet a guy selling Zippo lookalikes ... and goodness only knows what else. We look at his lighters and pretty soon a deal is done.

Again all the neighbours join in with the negotiations … as we leave, another guy offers us some goods, so we go to his stall. Piegirl negotiates a good deal on some hats … and he tries very hard to sell her one of “those” wooden objects with a bottle opener on the end! Piegirl informs him that it just doesn’t measure up (and I concur, modestly). We end up owning one of those little decorative guitars instead. Oh that little guitar! (Stay with me for more guitar comment very soon.)

We visit the Commonwealth ATM and then head on to somewhere that we might find some DVDs and software. We are bailed up by a seller who recognises us from the other evening when we first came here but we manage to resist the temptation to visit his shop and look at his leather jackets.

Our order is waiting for us – packaged up in three DVD carrying cases ... but we buy some extra games and software. Pity the poor Pieboy and his overweight luggage in a few nights time.

And so to Discovery Mall.

We do the quick sprint through the mall – well a gentle stroll really because the power is somewhat reduced and the aircon is off – up to the bookshop upstairs – where on the way we see the same guitars as Piegirl has just bought. But for considerably less than she just paid at the Art Market. A third of the price in fact. Piegirl is not impressed one little bit.

We head back down to the coffee shop where we are recognised and welcomed and soon I’m sitting reading while Ibu Pie does a last minute wander through the OshKosh shop ... and finds an extra little something for her friend’s new baby. The staff remember her as the Candy Lady from last Sunday and more Chuppa Chups are dispensed.

Its not hard to catch a Bluebird outside the mall back to the hotel.

The skinny little low-fat low-cholesterol good-for-you Pieperson buried deep inside me says I should feel guilty because it is probably only about a 15 minute walk back to the hotel from the mall – tops. Guess what? No guilt about the taxi – at all. Not one iota. After all, the driver needed his tip – this is a guiltfree Pieboy.

This afternoon we hit Kuta Square – hunting for a couple extra things we need to take home and we think that Kuta Square is the place to find them.

It is also the place to find a potential little scam.

Piegirl pays for the clothes with all red 100,000 rupiah notes ... and one became, mysteriously, a purple 10,000 note and Piegirl was asked for more.

This caused some discussion (for want of a better word) ... in which Mrs Pie (no longer Piegirl, but Mrs Pie note) pointed out that she had paid using 100,000 notes ... that there was a scam going on ... that if they didn’t like it, just give her all her money back and she would go elsewhere.

No apologies was made but amazingly the correct money was found. The sale proceded smoothly from that point. Buyer beware in Kuta Square.

Dinner was at Poppies Restaurant. We couldn’t say “no” having read all the praise. And let it be known that Poppies Restaurant – behind a big wall and in a garden setting – certainly lived up to its reputation. It was green and restful and the food and service were just great! Piegirl had a chicken curry – which she pronounced “enak”! The Pieboy was tempted by a spicy Indonesian lamb dish – and typical of him – he can’t remember the name of the dish. Tender little strips of lamb in a spicy sauce enlivened with a medley of vegetables. We indulged ourselves with the most divine nasi goreng which we just happened to find on the menu as well. Bagus!

Of course Ibu Jari – the Relaxation Zone is just a few metres away so that was our next call for Piegirl’s daily reflexology.

These dudes are funny! After everyone had looked at all my photos another of the guys wandered in and immediately wanted his photo taken too. What a showman! He had everyone just cracking up with laughter. One of the girls is hobbling around in severe pain – she’s had a motor bike accident and can barely walk – but she gives us a restaurant recommendation for tomorrow night. She works there too. We promise to see her tomorrow night.

Fina - trainee at Mercure, view to Discovery Mall from Mercure, Wie - Mercure front office



	And then it was Saturday. After breakfast we go and see how Made is getting on with the bell. And the answer is – very well. He has a traditionally shaped sample to show us and a cow bell too. We prefer the more traditional sample he is working on. Today we’re going to be brave and hit the Art Market again with our wishlist. We want to see if he whose name must not be spoken has the DVDs ready for us, and pick up a book and maybe a few other bits and pieces at Discovery Mall. We head down the beach and there is some huge religious ceremony on with all the participants wearing white silky sarongs. It is a stunning sight but we decide that for us to wander around taking photos would be intrusive and disrespectful. So we head into the Art Market where there is not a lot to grab our interest as it happens until we meet a guy selling Zippo lookalikes ... and goodness only knows what else. We look at his lighters and pretty soon a deal is done. Again all the neighbours join in with the negotiations … as we leave, another guy offers us some goods, so we go to his stall. Piegirl negotiates a good deal on some hats … and he tries very hard to sell her one of “those” wooden objects with a bottle opener on the end! Piegirl informs him that it just doesn’t measure up (and I concur, modestly). We end up owning one of those little decorative guitars instead. Oh that little guitar! (Stay with me for more guitar comment very soon.) We visit the Commonwealth ATM and then head on to somewhere that we might find some DVDs and software. We are bailed up by a seller who recognises us from the other evening when we first came here but we manage to resist the temptation to visit his shop and look at his leather jackets. Our order is waiting for us – packaged up in three DVD carrying cases ... but we buy some extra games and software. Pity the poor Pieboy and his overweight luggage in a few nights time. And so to Discovery Mall. We do the quick sprint through the mall – well a gentle stroll really because the power is somewhat reduced and the aircon is off – up to the bookshop upstairs – where on the way we see the same guitars as Piegirl has just bought. But for considerably less than she just paid at the Art Market. A third of the price in fact. Piegirl is not impressed one little bit. We head back down to the coffee shop where we are recognised and welcomed and soon I’m sitting reading while Ibu Pie does a last minute wander through the OshKosh shop ... and finds an extra little something for her friend’s new baby. The staff remember her as the Candy Lady from last Sunday and more Chuppa Chups are dispensed. Its not hard to catch a Bluebird outside the mall back to the hotel. The skinny little low-fat low-cholesterol good-for-you Pieperson buried deep inside me says I should feel guilty because it is probably only about a 15 minute walk back to the hotel from the mall – tops. Guess what? No guilt about the taxi – at all. Not one iota. After all, the driver needed his tip – this is a guiltfree Pieboy. This afternoon we hit Kuta Square – hunting for a couple extra things we need to take home and we think that Kuta Square is the place to find them. It is also the place to find a potential little scam. Piegirl pays for the clothes with all red 100,000 rupiah notes ... and one became, mysteriously, a purple 10,000 note and Piegirl was asked for more. This caused some discussion (for want of a better word) ... in which Mrs Pie (no longer Piegirl, but Mrs Pie note) pointed out that she had paid using 100,000 notes ... that there was a scam going on ... that if they didn’t like it, just give her all her money back and she would go elsewhere. No apologies was made but amazingly the correct money was found. The sale proceded smoothly from that point. Buyer beware in Kuta Square. Dinner was at Poppies Restaurant. We couldn’t say “no” having read all the praise. And let it be known that Poppies Restaurant – behind a big wall and in a garden setting – certainly lived up to its reputation. It was green and restful and the food and service were just great! Piegirl had a chicken curry – which she pronounced “enak”! The Pieboy was tempted by a spicy Indonesian lamb dish – and typical of him – he can’t remember the name of the dish. Tender little strips of lamb in a spicy sauce enlivened with a medley of vegetables. We indulged ourselves with the most divine nasi goreng which we just happened to find on the menu as well. Bagus! Of course Ibu Jari – the Relaxation Zone is just a few metres away so that was our next call for Piegirl’s daily reflexology. These dudes are funny! After everyone had looked at all my photos another of the guys wandered in and immediately wanted his photo taken too. What a showman! He had everyone just cracking up with laughter. One of the girls is hobbling around in severe pain – she’s had a motor bike accident and can barely walk – but she gives us a restaurant recommendation for tomorrow night. She works there too. We promise to see her tomorrow night. Fina - trainee at Mercure, view to Discovery Mall from Mercure, Wie - Mercure front office See these pictures and others on today's picture gallery.