Facing another long travel day, I gathered my wits and dove straight in. This one was a doozy, with a nine hour, middle of the night layover. Yuck. Travel day Osaka to Bali on Scoot via SIN was upon me. Lets go. This is a loooong door to door post.
Osaka Airport KIX
Having to check out of my hotel hours before my flight, I arrived at the airport early. I don’t really mind this, I like airports, it just made this 40 hour long journey feel endless.
I stayed outside at KIX for a few hours, walking around in circles. I did stop for snacks inside at the Lawson’s and went for a most delicious Japanese beef curry at The Pan Kobe in the departure’s terminal before security.
Scoot
First time flying this airline, budget to Singapore Airlines. The staff was super friendly and patient while I had to log onto my devices and find not only my visa for Bali, but my proof of flight leaving Indonesia. An error was located on my Bali Visa, ‘Canada’ had been spelled ‘Kanada’ and I was warned that this may cause problems at some point in the journey. I have read and heard that Bali is notoriously picky with EVERYTHING including the condition of your passport.
KIX Departure Lounge
This is a big airport, much larger than I had anticipated. There are many beautiful shops to see, lounge areas to relax in and services. When it was close to boarding time, I headed for my gate. Thank goodness I had given myself some bumper room. Turns out I had to hop on a train and head to another part of the airport for my gate!
Osaka to Singapore
I had a window seat on the Boeing 787, which I love and try hard to get each time, unless its just too expensive. The weather leaving Osaka was crap, like it had been for much of my time spent in the city. Views were blah.
Scoot does not allow you to bring outside food and beverages on the plane, so I had a cheeky mochi that I had purchased the day before, hiding it under my hand. This was a 6.5 hour flight and I was too cheap to purchase water. They provide nothing for free.
Singapore Airport SIN
I had high hopes that I would be off and running when I landed, and explore this world class airport. Plans changed quickly when I realized just how far would have to walk to see what I wanted to see, carrying my heavy carry-on tote bag. The info desks are set up with iPad’s, of which you call and speak with a human to ask any question you want, just like a FaceTime. How cool is that!
I was fading fast, it was midnight, and I began scouting out places to lay down. Having 9 hours to kill, I was hoping to catch a little shut eye to pass the time. Eventually I found a corner, hunkered down with my head laying on my tote and my arm jammed through the strap. I was able to doze off and on for about four hours.
In the wee hours of the morning I woke, found a Starbucks that was only one of a few places open. Coffee never tasted so good. For about $20 CAD I had a grande coffee, sandwich and goodie. Terminal 1 is beautiful, clean, not so bright, large gorgeous shops and a surprising amount of construction happening in the middle of the night, really loudly too. A fairly average looking airport though, nothing special.
SIN to DPS
Feeling loopy, the time eventually arrived for me to board my next flight. I flew Scoot again, this time from Singapore to Bali. The airplane was clean, nice wide seats, and comfy too (compared to the worn VietJet seats I had become accustomed to).
This flight was uneventful, just the way we like them. Before long, I was landing in Bali. The weather was mixed sun with puffy clouds. The airport has a traditional architectural exterior, very charming for a first-time visitor.
DPS
Inside the terminal, everything was efficient and fast. I had already applied for my visa online, so I was sent directly to the machines, bypassing the lines to apply for the visa on arrival. The immigration machines are new and super fast. Place your passport face down, a photo is taken of your face and the doors open and you are through!
I then proceeded to a desk where my passport was stamped and off to collect my bag. Yay it arrived but was unlocked! I have a carousel locking mechanism on my hard case where the two ends of the zipper click into and can only be opened with a code. Well both zipper ends were outside of the lock. Dude.
SIM Card
Having time to kill before I could check in, I took my time in the arrivals area. I found a place to get a SIM card, yes it was expensive but I did not want to navigate my way to my residence with no data. I bucked up and paid 250K for 18G from Telkosel ($21.25 CAD) for 30 days. TIP: Future visitors, walk another 500 feet and go to the next Telkosel desk and get 35G for the same price. 😂
Cash & Food
After this, I located an ATM easily, and withdrew some cash. There was no conversion question, so I was happy that the transaction was easy and simple.
My next stop, still having hours and hours to kill, was to head into, you guessed it, the next restaurant I found which was a Starbucks. A grande coffee and raisin scone warmed with butter was soooooo good.
Grab
Finally….time to head to my new Airbnb. I took a Grab up to Ubud for 450K or $38 CAD. On-line I had researched that the ride should take 1 hour and 25 minutes to traverse the 37KM. It took 2 hours and 10 minutes!
When we arrived into Ubud, it was so congested, they had reduced my street to one way traffic. My driver told me to hop out on the main road because he couldn’t get up the street. There I was with my suitcase, heavy tote and purse, surround by a throng of vehicles and motorbikes, not knowing where to go exactly.
Up the street I went and wouldn’t you know it? The skies opened and it began to pour, a torrential downpour. I stood under an overhang, getting drenched, exhausted and about to give up on life. My Airbnb was much farther than where I was told. I lugged my bag over broken sidewalks, through puddles, hand shed of skin.
I’m here, I’m in Bali.
