5th trip to Bali with our 6yo daughter.. Stayed at the Bali Dynasty again and will be back again in July..
I'll try and make this as brief as possible so as not to bore you with all the holiday stories - but I have to stress that it has not been affected in any way by the Tsunami... Had it not been for TV we would not have known anything about it..
We revisted our favourite restaurants SA Cafe (bit disappointing actually) Green Garden, Impala, Pantai, Golden Lotus Chinese and Gracie Kelly's Irish Pub (both inside the Dynasty Hotel) Golden Lotus is still the best chinese we've ever had ANYWHERE. Gracie Kelly's was for New Years Eve and had a fantastic band, great food and good prices. Had Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day Lunch at the hotel which did a really good job..
Bubba Gump Shrimp - this was great seafood in a fantastic fun atmosphere - to watch all the staff yell "Stop Forrest Stop" when you want something is quite comical - Taste of India.. Great if you are into Indian food and if you arent ( like my daughter and myself) ask for not hot.. It was beautiful. Mamas in Legian.. What a find that was.. Hubby had a huge swein hauxen (something like that anyway!) which translates into Pork Knuckle.. MMMM So much crackling on it.. Promised to get back but never made it.. La Lucciola (sorry if thats not the right spelling) Have to say that the last time we went there was pretty ordinary.. but they have increased the menu and its fantastic (except no garlic bread??)
Always changed our money at the Kodak shop next to the Dynasty.. Never have had a problem there.. Over the 2 1/2 weeks got between 7000 to 7150rp per aussie dollar.
Ladies and kids shirts/shorts/skirts were between 25,000 - 35,000. Mens shirts, shorts between 30,000 - 40,000.. When it comes down to it why squabble over $1.40.. They need it more than I do..
The new Centro - Discovery is fantastic.. I found a lot of the prices cheaper than Mataharis.. Not as much of a range but when its air conditioning is working and Mataharis isnt.. When the toilets are clean and fresh smelling as opposed to smelly and not flushing.. Well you make the call!! We loved it..
Opposite the Green Garden is a small alleyway with a few stalls there. We caught up with a guy who used to work in the DVD shop. He and his brother are selling paintings that they have done. Very bright and funky, not like the normal 'bali' paintings. We took heaps of photos if anyone likes the bright reds/blues/yellows..He also does family portraits if you leave him a photo.. They did a really nice one of the Beatles..
Anyway.. So much for being short! Anyone going over - Have fun - We'll be back soon!