Thursday, November 02, 2006
1st November In which bowling makes a surprise appearance
1st November
Decided to have a lazy day so hung around the pool and made a nuisance of myself. We have guests from many countries here, Wim and Carrie from the Netherlands, who used to work in Indonesia and Malaysia, a German couple who I think do not talk to the other guests, an Indonesian couple and their young daughters who also do not talk to other guests, 2 Scottish couples now naturalised in Oz who make up for the other people who don’t talk and constantly remind us of the all the places they go using their impressive portfolio of timeshsare, Peter and Geraldine of whom I have already written, an English (possibly) couple and shock horror a couple with an horological separation disadvantage.
Many staff at the hotel but they can afford them based on the salaries paid generally in Bali. 2 shifts daily 7am until 3pm and 3 until 11pm with night watchman security. All the girls and boys are extremely attentive, helpful, generous and genuine in their desire to provide everything the guests need. They love to hear stories of all our different countries and customs and are very serious when it comes to learning our languages, especially English.
Decided at the last minute not to have the resort barbecue dinner and took a taxi to Kuta, location of the first Bali bombing. Got dropped off at Kuta Central,
“Shopping Centre Mata Hari is good shopping Mr Derek your girlfriend and daughter love it when you bring them when come back. You visit and see” Yes they probably would so good job they are not here.
Kuta is exactly the same as any European tourist holiday resort where shopping and some frankly disgusting looking restaurants all vie for your dollar or Rupiah. However stumbled across Paradiso Bowling, 18 lanes and with a pro shop. Obviously would have been rude to not have at least had a game to try the lanes. Had to use house ball and (the only reason any of us go bowling at all) wear those out there fashion items, bowling shoes. No 16lb balls so made do with 14lb. Lanes were wooden and condition much better than I expected, but regrettable did not fare too well with a 178 and 168 pair of game scores. Better than I generally do at Croughton though! Went back up to the main road after and walked into the first restaurant I came to. Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Factory! I kid you not. Based loosely on the Forrest Gump film (which plays on a never ending loop on the TV mounted in view of every table) it is, never the less fast, fun, and with surprisingly, reasonably good food. On your visit do remember to turn over the car license(sic) plate from “RUN FORREST RUN” to “STOP FORREST STOP” to call your waiter/waitress remembering also to shout the phrase as well. They shout back to you and appear at your table immediately. Order a Margherita and be prepared for an ear splitting rendition of something akin to a song? from all staff. One member of the serving team was a good card magician and entertained each table with different tricks and jokes. If on honeymoon avoid it like the plague. Trust me. They were Japanese and she looked terrified.
All in all a good value evenings dinner and entertainment. Not bad for a lucky dip choice.
Decided to have a lazy day so hung around the pool and made a nuisance of myself. We have guests from many countries here, Wim and Carrie from the Netherlands, who used to work in Indonesia and Malaysia, a German couple who I think do not talk to the other guests, an Indonesian couple and their young daughters who also do not talk to other guests, 2 Scottish couples now naturalised in Oz who make up for the other people who don’t talk and constantly remind us of the all the places they go using their impressive portfolio of timeshsare, Peter and Geraldine of whom I have already written, an English (possibly) couple and shock horror a couple with an horological separation disadvantage.
Many staff at the hotel but they can afford them based on the salaries paid generally in Bali. 2 shifts daily 7am until 3pm and 3 until 11pm with night watchman security. All the girls and boys are extremely attentive, helpful, generous and genuine in their desire to provide everything the guests need. They love to hear stories of all our different countries and customs and are very serious when it comes to learning our languages, especially English.
Decided at the last minute not to have the resort barbecue dinner and took a taxi to Kuta, location of the first Bali bombing. Got dropped off at Kuta Central,
“Shopping Centre Mata Hari is good shopping Mr Derek your girlfriend and daughter love it when you bring them when come back. You visit and see” Yes they probably would so good job they are not here.
Kuta is exactly the same as any European tourist holiday resort where shopping and some frankly disgusting looking restaurants all vie for your dollar or Rupiah. However stumbled across Paradiso Bowling, 18 lanes and with a pro shop. Obviously would have been rude to not have at least had a game to try the lanes. Had to use house ball and (the only reason any of us go bowling at all) wear those out there fashion items, bowling shoes. No 16lb balls so made do with 14lb. Lanes were wooden and condition much better than I expected, but regrettable did not fare too well with a 178 and 168 pair of game scores. Better than I generally do at Croughton though! Went back up to the main road after and walked into the first restaurant I came to. Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Factory! I kid you not. Based loosely on the Forrest Gump film (which plays on a never ending loop on the TV mounted in view of every table) it is, never the less fast, fun, and with surprisingly, reasonably good food. On your visit do remember to turn over the car license(sic) plate from “RUN FORREST RUN” to “STOP FORREST STOP” to call your waiter/waitress remembering also to shout the phrase as well. They shout back to you and appear at your table immediately. Order a Margherita and be prepared for an ear splitting rendition of something akin to a song? from all staff. One member of the serving team was a good card magician and entertained each table with different tricks and jokes. If on honeymoon avoid it like the plague. Trust me. They were Japanese and she looked terrified.
All in all a good value evenings dinner and entertainment. Not bad for a lucky dip choice.
# posted by desmond22 @ 3:26 pm 
