Beautiful Bali - the arrival...

Right. So I've not been 'in Asia' for three months and a tiny bit. So you would think I would be quite good at this travelling lark by now. Right?

Oh no sireee. Not at all.

I literally ran out of the office for my Gaurada flight (yes, the airline only recently re-permitted to fly into European air space due to safety concerns). As I ran I had an enormous cream and red stripey sun hat on my head and my parting words to my colleagues were "I'd say goodbye but I'll see you in a couple of weeks and I'm running a little bit late for my flight".

I say this over and over again but I am genuinely NEVER leaving for a holiday on a work day again. It just results in complete chaos. The day started badly with the 'apartment' promising to call me a cab, then advising they couldn't (man I really really do not like that place). Then my bag straps broke on the way to get a cab, then work security decided they didn't like the look of my UK pass (I've only been going into the building with it for three months) THEN my jeans ripped - right across the bum. A great look for the office. Nice.

Anyway, we made it to the airport, I hastily downed white wine in an attempt to forget all, mentally put myself in a position where I felt unable to look at my bberry and to get in the 'holiday spirit'. A few gulps of some (nasty tasting) dubious German white 'wine of the month'(actually the only wine available) and all looked as though it would go well.

To be fair, I would fly Garuda again. Unlike BA (don't get me started there) their response to the negative press appears to be to improve the service so people want to fly. They were lovely! (and there were no screaming children - I guess concerned parents would not use this airline - a bonus in my eyes!)

We (Mr Williams) and I arrive at Bali airport, clutching visa and customs forms. Alcohol and uncensored dvds (of any variety) are not permitted. Hmm, we have 4 bottles of champagne and two of (my favourite) red wine in the luggage - but surely we can chance it???

Ah, those would be the customs x-ray machines. So dutifully through the red channel we go - the customs form kindly advises you that alcohol will be destroyed (much better than the Malaysian form which kindly tells you drug trafficking is punishable by death). The customs men did not know what to do with us. We declared and asked if we could pay duty (not an option). There is a bucket to empty such contraband into (oh the waste) and we were pointed in its direction. Our explanations that it was very nice wine and would they not prefer to have it themselves (we were in good humour about this - these things happen and it is the holidays) were met with complete amusement / bafflement and resulted in a conflab of the customs chaps. Now I have to admit, such things do cause me stress (much to the amusement of DW) so at this point I was convinced we were about to be had up for trying to bribe a customs official. However, the result was one bottle of red (I still weep) emptied in the contraband-bucket, and we were waved on our way with a 'don't do it again next visit'. Phew! (and brilliant!). I remain thoroughly relieved that I did not pack the CSI box-set - not sure I could have handed that over!

To put the 'scariness' of the arrival process in perspective I think it is only fair I tell you that the officers in passport control had staff passes with neck straps sponsored by Billabong (mum, that is a surf brand).

So, we finally hit 'arrivals' and were met without incident by the taxi to our hotel - who provided cold towels and bottled water. Despite it being 10pm it was still 34 degrees. This set the tone nicely for arrival at our hotel .

Now, I had low expectations for the hotel. It cost (comparative) buttons, was difficult to book (no online reservation on the website, no response to emails, and booked via a random tour operator), recommended by the surf school and cheaper than anywhere else I could find. Overall a high risk strategy.

However, we arrived to tropical loveliness, a reception filled with ornate carvings, a stunning pool set in the middle of a central garden and a bar with a sea view playing suitably holiday-like tunes such as "Islands in a Stream" - go Dolly. Absolutely heavenly. (Hotel Kumala Pantai if you're thinking of a visit).

Whilst straight to bed would have been the sensible approach (DW is ill) we opted to head to the bar next door for the most delicious seafood you can imagine, free flowing bintang beer and a live 'band'. Hurrah.