What I learned in Bali -- Lesson #1

I ♥ BALI very quickly became the theme of our 9-person 6D/5N tour of the island of Bali -- just look at the excitement on the faces of Tracy, Heather, Sameena, Lauren and Kerry:

LESSON #1 -- It is (almost) too easy to get out of Singapore, get into Singapore and travel around the general Singapore area.

Heather, Kerry and I caught an early morning flight from Singapore to Bali on Tuesday, September 1.   As we took off I reviewed the events of the morning in awe -- could things have really gone that well?  Two minute walk from PGP Residence to bus stop, bus arrives a few minutes later, 5 minute bus ride to the MRT metro ($0.40)**, we wait 3 minutes, 40 minute air-conditioned MRT ride to the airport ($0.91), follow the very clear signs to the departures terminal sky-shuttle, shuttle is waiting for us when we get there, two minutes later we're in the Air Asia line to check in for our $59 flight to Bali, we arrive at the gate 20 minutes before boarding which gives us enough time to find the ladies room and check email, the plane departs on time!!! 

If that wasn't good enough, we arrived in Bali to find our FREE shuttle into Kuta (10 minute ride) and were greeted by this:

We were dropped of on the doorstep of the very classy ($11/night) Simpang Inn, checked in for 8 people (one person would join us the following day) and went in hunt of lunch.  Yes, it all went too well.  

I should say now that getting back to Singapore was equally easy.  We hired a van-taxi that took five of us direct to the airport for a grand total of $5/person,  checked in for our $96 flight, relaxed in a cozy cafe with $2.40 large americano misto w/ skim milk (almost impossible to find in any SE Asia cafe), proceeded through security with only a few minor liquids/gels losses (the disadvantage of traveling w/ carry-on luggage) and slept for the duration of the 2.5 hour flight.   I had my wallet stolen the last night we were in Kuta, which included the loss of my Student VISA Pass that is required to enter/exit Singapore, but I walked right up to the immigration booth, showed them my Bali police report and marched straight into the country without batting an eye.  TOO EASY!

Finally, if air travel is not your thing, you can take public transit from PGP residence, get across  boarder security and be in Malaysia in a grand total of 3 hours (and that's if you hit massive lines at immigration) -- cost $3.00.  From there, you can take a 6 hour 2nd class train with a window view to Kuala Lumpur for $10.34!  From KL you can find transportation connections to anywhere in Malaysia, Thailand and beyond.  But really, why would you go by land when you can find a flight from KL to Singapore on Tiger Airways for $7.73?

** All prices in CDN.