HI to all my new friends. Had a great time at S&S with Lynne, Ben, John, Bob, Bob and please forgive me I know I have forgotten who else was there. Sorry I didn't get to catch up with you Ben, again, possibilites of toy boy was endless..... haha. John, hope your trip north went well.
Also to my new 'Bali Buddies' Georgina, Chloe and Sebastian (Spirros as well. You made my holiday so worthwhile.
I have gotten the bug bad. Am re-booking for easter 2005 and will take my 14 y o son.
DO'S
Get your hair braided; shop till you drop but be guided by prices listed on this site; buy dvd's and cd's - all have worked well so far; go white water rafting (BAHAMA - 400 steps down and 200 back up); book any activites through anywhere other than your hotel - they charge a lot extra; stay/shop at Sanur - great markets as good as Kuta but not as pushy and business is very down at the moment but prices just as good; be friendly to all - helps you make great friends - hey Georgina!!!!!!; eat at the best little restaurant in Sanur Beach called "Seven Seas" just down from the Sinduh Beach Markets - brand new, opened last week and had the best fresh mango juice made by 'Slim' the barman (Say Janet said hello for me)and the food good and cheap; go to Sammy and Suzis for a sunset and bintang and dinner at the Legend; have a manicure or pedicure or two - great chance to chat to the locals; careful what you eat or drink - I managed to cop a bout of Bali Belly rearing its ugly head on the way home from the airport - perhaps food on the plane????; stay at the Inna Grand Bali Beach - Sanur - but don't book thru Agents do it direct on the net and you save heaps - $50 US approx includes breakfast; get a henna tattoo.
DONT'S
Wouldn't bother with Bali Hai dinner cruise again; let taxis/drivers start the trip without finding out what possible price will be; let shopkeepers grab you by the arm or touch you as they become very manipulative; buy fake watches - fun to look at but mine don't work anymore; triple check all money exchanges (appear to ALWAYS try and short change you); bother to take too many clothes - a couple of changes will do and buy the rest;
I have tried to shorten my JBR - had a ball - not so good however when the hotel got a message from my mother mixed up and I thought that my father had died but my fridge had instead.
Hotel was very good for the money - $300 aus for 7 nights and then that even included breakfast and tower room with king size bed. Security also very good.
Can hardly wait till next time but I won't do it on my own again.
Cheers.