I had a terrible time sleeping last night. It was so hot in my murder room and the air was so stale.
I got up and took a couple of showers just to cool myself off so I could get sleep. I finally drifted off and maybe got four hours.
But the desire for coffee is real. I got on the WiFi and found a "five star" rated coffee shop a four minute walk away. OK, I can do this.
Since I would be off WiFi and not on a network, I took screenshots of the map of how to get to Blakmok.
Then I decided to invite the others. We met down in the lobby. And as I was thinking about our getaway to the nicer hotel, Neo Eltari I realized that I could not get Grab taxis for all five of us and our luggage.
So when all four of them joined me, I had Rick and Jacque download Grab and walked them through how to sign up. OK, I am proud of myself that I thought ahead.
Then we went a walking. At least the air was moving and we were all so grateful to be out of the room.
I got us there, but not without a little detour. However it was a very small detour and all the locals were super friendly.
I even took a screenshot of the outside of Blakmok with pink pillars and a distinctive fence design. There weren't many pink pillars... then Jacque mentioned that maybe it was repainted. OMG, it totally was repainted blue. We found the place!
There was absolutely NO SIGNAGE. And it looked like someone's house. There was this little old lady in her seventies who was sweeping the driveway. She barely eeeked the fence open for us and invited us in and up these really steep stairs to a room that was a very cluttered cafe, but it showed promise.
There was a true coffee machine and a price list so we were hopeful.
But there was nobody in there and there was no barista. Then we saw the little old lady knock on a suspicious door in the back. We heard some rustling and wondered what was going on.
Eventually, a young guy emerged. I think she woke him up to serve us! OMG.
I confirmed we could pay by credit card and then we ordered three lattes and a coffee. Each one was about 25,000 rupiah which is $1.40.
We were SO PLEASANTLY surprised!
He made the prettiest designs on each latte. And it tasted delicious.
Mine and Ellen's were in ceramic cups, but Jacque and Rick got theirs in plastic cups, but they took theirs to go so that was fine.
I went to pay for everyone (since it was so cheap) and he was struggling with the payment devices. So I asked him if it was easier if I paid with rupiah... and he said yes. So I just did that.
We sat and finished our drinks. He then also brought cookies.
We loved it so much. It raised our spirits so high.
Then as we went to leave, Jacque wanted to tip him more and gave him a $10 bill. He went ecstatic!!!
We then walked back to the slaughterhouse hotel and decided to just pack up and head over to the Neo.
Once we were all back in our murder rooms, we packed everything up and met in the lobby. I helped to ensure that Rick and Jacque got their Grabs working properly. And then we had to bring our huge bags down these dozen stairs or so.
Jacque and I have almost the same dive bag and I grabbed hers by mistake. But luckily I caught it before taking off.
It was almost $3 to get to the next hotel in the grab. I started the checking and pre registered our three rooms (of the eight on hold), but they weren't able to check us in yet. Which was OK since we need to get breakfast anyway.
We were so happy to be at the NEO. The food wasn't great but we were able to cobble together enough from the $4.47 buffet.
And check out the omelette!
Some are going on a cultural tour today as well as caves and waterfalls. Not my thing, but I may meet up with them for dinner later. I came to dive. If I was totally bored and rested I would go. But I am not. I need a cool room and some rest alone.
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