VOA
Bought US dollars before leaving.
Process painless & quick.
3 counters this time -- 1 to pay, 1 to get the visa & 1 for immigration stamp.
Bags were last off as usual.
EXCHANGE RATE
Fluctuated between 6800 & 7000rp to the AUS dollar
WEATHER
Some rain mostly at night and heavy.
Very hot & humid. Better to walk around late afternoon or night...very oppressive during the day.
SHOPPING
Checked out the Centro shopping centre next to Kartika Plaza. Quite busy with lots of shops. Prices a bit dearer than other centres.
I think the centre is an eyesore but each to their own.
Ramayana & Tragia much the same.
Gold - Jln Hasanudin. Bought earings & rings (with stones set in them) @ 70%
Went from shop to shop to check out the price of gold per gram before buying
Kuta Galleria: A few more shops have set up but the complex at the moment is mainly restaurants/cafes/places to eat.
Emily The Strange & Ruby Gloom Gear.
Available from 'shock' stores. 5 outlets with a stall at Cenrto also.
T-Shirts, bags, wallets,notebooks.
Body Jewellery
Belly bars, nose pins available at a stall in Kuta Matahari (ground floor.)
Nice selection of belly bars, nose pins & tongue rings at a shop in Jalan Raya Legian. Reasonable prices (surgical steel/silver)
Evening Wear
Beaded long dresses at "Image" in Legian St for around $100+ AUS. New shop just opened opposite Tanaya's cafe/Kuta Galeri Keris
Also some nice clothes at the Centro store & a selection at Matahari.
Band/Metal T-shirts
Redline in Jln Padma Utara has a selection of Metallica, Sex Pistols, & Rancid etc.
Also sell jewellery & posters.
Bedspread/Quilt & Cushion Covers.
Had ours made up at Super Pillow IV in Rum Jungle Road.
Satin quilt, 2 curtains & satin/plain cushion covers.
Dreadlocks
Have a contact for those that are into dreddies. Done without wax or glue.
Takes 3 days.
HOTELS
*Legian Nirwana Hotel*
Hotel & pool closed. No sign of renos being done.
*14 Roses *
Nearing completion in the gang behind Intan Legian.
Average - good sized rooms all overlooking a central pool area.
Neat, new hotel in a great location but the gang is unpaved/sealed, narrrow & not well lit at night.
*Losari Hotel*
Construction underway again.
Long way from completion.
*Ibis Legian*
formerly the Dwira
Due to open early 2005 but is a long way from completion.
Still at the concrete shell stage.
*Casa Padma Suites*
Open for business
*Lokha Legian*
Formerly the Puri Damai located next to Casa Padma in Padma St.
Open for business.
Central pool area
Took photos of :
Sri Ratu
Je Je Resort
Legian Express
Puri Etnik
Dewi Ayu (Ubud)
Photos & reports will be added to my site when time permits.
Looked at Ubud Terrace, Sagitarius Inn & Pertiwi in Ubud
Stayed at Sri Ratu (14 nights) & Camplung Mas(4 nights)
Camplung generally same as before.
Room service not as good and has risen considerably in price.
Sheets still grey but clean.
Still a shortage of towels & have to wait til the laundry comes back.
Full hotel but still a quiet/private one depending on the room allocated.
Good value considering the price
Sri Ratu report & pics will appear on my site. Enjoyed it & will stay again.
NIGHTLIFE
Legends good for a meal/music/drag show before you move on elsewhere.
Bali Rock -- dead most nights.
MBarGo -- the place to go. Very popular, especially with Australians.
Paddy's --- also still popular.
Bounty--- Also much the same (depending on the night)
Apache-- Fairly busy. Popular with those that like Reggae.
Hulu Cafe was closed but had it's grand opening on 21-22 Jan.
Didn't make it there this time though.
RESTAURANTS
Not into Dining much but---
Legends food good & have Happy Hour 2 for 1 cocktails from 8pm
Bali Qui
Still good
Rum Jungle International Restaurant
Moved from Rum Jungle Rd to Padma Utara next to & shared owners with Je Je Resort.
Food & service good but limited menu.
Play music at night and have pool tables.
Usually empty.
Posers
Didnt eat there but generally full most nights as we walked past.
A&W's
If you want a western burger fix. Similar to Maccas but better in my opinion.
Nyoman Cafe (Jimbaran Bay)
Good food and atmosphere.
Wooden tables/chairs in the sand undercover with nice view of the water and cooling breeze. (Had an enjoyable 2 hour lunch here)
Naughty Nuris(Ubud)
Small place but busy with an extensive menu.
Enjoyed it.
Mozaic (Ubud)
Didn't eat but checked it out.
Lovely setting & atmosphere with good service.
Pricey.
Murni's Warung (Ubud)
Good food at reasonable prices with a great view.
Any questions feel free to ask.