We drove to the Quest Hotel which isn't far, still in Tuban. However they didn't have our booking and i still hadn't received the booking confirmation email, so we headed out to Simpang Siu to shop while waiting.
I can't believe the change at Galleria. So much more upmarket now and full of western and very rich Indonesian tourists. Prices too have risen but the variety is better. Found an amazing shop which sold everything and reminded me of Big W, but with much more class! As usual, Graemedia shone and i had a ball going through the books available there for Indonesian students. Found a couple of really great books on the bargain table and ran into the Mann's! Great minds etc.
At 2pm, we met up at Starbucks for its free wifi where i discovered an email saying my paypal payment for the hotel booking had been declined.
Herein lies the information i wish to warn all potential overseas travelers about: notify your bank before you travel overseas! My credit card was frozen after my 3rd ATM withdrawal and this has been incredibly frustrating. I acknowledge the security aspect but wish i'd known about it before i travelled. Luckily i am traveling in a large group and also that i put a bit of money on my travelers cash card before leaving Aust and that i can still transfer money into it via internet banking. However there is a 1-4 day clearance time! My first payment took 4 days, my 2nd took 1 day and the 3rd 2 days! I transferred some money in yesterday and have my fingers crossed it goes through today as i have only $19 left and have to pay car rental today and a hotel bill to pay on Saturday.
2 hours later.....
I bit the bullet and rang my credit union in Australia and after about half an hour on hold, verified my identity and then was put straight through to ASC who unblocked my card instantly. My visit to a nearby ATM reintroduced me to the lovely sound of money being counted inside and then being delivered through the slot. How sweet the sound!
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