Returned from Bali on Monday night. This was our first trip there and will not be our last.
We flew with AP from Perth and had no problems at all. Paid the VOA in $US, and went to collect our bags. My hubby collected our bags, then we left the terminal building, turned right and walked to the taxi window, paid 20,000RP and were off to our hotel.
The Ramada Bintang was lovely, we had been upgraded to a deluxe room which was great. It was on the 2nd floor, and near to the pool.
We loved our stay there. I couldn't find fault with anything at all.
We had breakfast every day and didn't normally have lunch as we were still full from brekkie. The staff were all friendly and helpful.
I had hurt my back a couple of days before leaving, so a lot of our holiday was spent lying around the pool, swimming and drinking Bintangs (sad i know), but definately something that we adapted to very well.
Managed to do some shopping, bought some t-shirts, boardshorts, watches, bags and dvd's. Happy with what i bought, the watches are still working, and the dvd's that we've looked at so far are good quality. I don't barter that well, but got better at it as the days went by, found a shop round the corner from the hotel where i didn't need to barter, probably could have got some things a bit cheaper but we would have been talking only a few dollars so for stress free shopping it suited me.
For eating out, we had a few really nice meals, We ate at the Green Garden which appears very popular, and is cheap. Alot of families seem to go there.
Gracie Kelly's the irish pub in the Dynasty was great, very attentive, friendly staff (staff outnumbering customers) I was talked into the fish and chips as the boss said it was as good as Cicerellos and promised me the fish would have no head, or tail or bones. It was as promised very nice, my hubby had chilli and enjoyed it too.
Bubba Gumps was fun, the waiters were all a laugh and loved you to join in with the Run Forest Run, and Stop Forest Stop bit. We just had burgers and chips, but it was nice.
Kori's in Poppies Lane2 was one of the best we ate in, it had a wooden bridge over a lotus pond and our table was in a garden setting. We loved it, i had satay and hubby had swordfish, and it was delicious. Can't fault it.
Our favourite was Pappas. Big restaurant and busy on the night we were there. Great choice on the menu. We had pizza, then i had satay,
(i know, what a mix) but i wanted to try them both, hubby had pasta
and everything was great.
We did go to an indian restaurant one night, my butter chicken was fine but hubby's lamb balti was like a vindaloo. There was a cat going in and out of the place where the nan breads were being made up so that sort of put me off to be honest, hubby was not too well the next day, it probably was the fact the curry was a bit too spicy but who knows.
Pricewise our meals ranged from 37,000RP for 2 steak and chips and 2 Bintangs in a restaurant in Poppies lane1 the name of which i can't remember to 260,000RP for an entree, main course, couple of beers and coffee in a really flash restaurant (Great Value)
Best Laugh was after a few bintangs each, finding my way into a nightclub next to Paddy's, think it was called the bounty. Hubby could not believe i was being serious as i dragged him in the door. We were in Bali to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary and have not been in a nightclub for years.
It was a great laugh,simply watching my hubbie's face as i tried to copy the pole dancer's moves and trying to get him to dance in a cage with me, however he said that if i behaved myself i could have another bintang, so the cage it is next time.
We had no problems with money changers or anyone else for that matter. Security guards were present at the entrances to the hotels on our strip checking out vehicles coming in.
On leaving we did not know that we had to pay 100,000RP each, as we had used up all the RP giving tips to staff, only keeping enough for a taxi to the airport, we had to change more money,(just as well we had some left). We always used the light blue taxis with meters whilst there and going back to the airport from the hotel only cost 6,500RP, we gave the driver 10,000RP.
At security checks, a number of people were having lighters that they had bought taken off them which they were not too happy about, but there was a sign up on the scanners saying they were not allowed, so they were taken off them.
Overall a fabulous holiday, loved the place, and the beautiful friendly people so would not hesitate in going back.
As a first timer to Bali i had the same doubts as many of you waiting to go. Go and enjoy!
Luv Lulu xx