PERTH - SEMINYAK
We departed from Perth on Australian Airlines on time on Sat 10 September for 12 days of R and R. The flight was very empty, but weren't allowed much extra baggage allowance, so ended up leaving one bag of charity clothing at home - pity that AA won't be more accommodating, considering that the flight was so empty too!!! Through VOA within a quick 10 minutes - we always use the porters for 5,000 Rp each and wizzed us through Customs and to our transfers.
Within half an hour we were back in Seminyak - this time at the Dusun Villas, just off Jalan Laksmana, close to the beach/temple. Fantastic, private and quiet. We had a one-bedroom villa with a huge bathroom, an outdoor lounge/dining room and our own private L-shaped pool. Absolutely lovely. The villas are spotless and thankfully looked exactly like their website pictures - so we weren't disappointed! The staff are really lovely and we will definitely stay here again. The location is excellent too - directly across the road to Bodyworks and walking distance to some of the fantastic restaurants in the area. The 3 bedroom villas are HUGE and each room has its own bathroom, so recommend for 3 couples.
The plan for the next few days was to get all of our shopping out of the way.
The Dusun has a driver that will take you anywhere up to Kuta and then you just grab a taxi to return to Seminyak - very convenient service and we used this many times, even just around the corner to ‘Eat Street' for dinner - saves you getting all sweaty!
So headed to Kuta, Legian and Denpasar.
SHOPPING
DVD's
We used Sakura and only bought about 50, but tested them later on the trip and found nearly 20 of them weren't working. We had used the hotel delivery service last year, but this time went to the shop in Denpasar and I know that they cost next to nothing, but we won't bother with DVD's next trip - too frustrating to get to the end of the movie and miss the end or have it change to Russian language half way through. I expect lower quality on latest releases, but we intentionally did not pick these and found the older movies to be hit and miss quality.
QUILTS
St Isidor along Jalan Laksmana (opposite Wrap a Snapper)
Picked two beautiful saris and had queen size covers with two pillowcases made for 400,000 each. Unique, beautiful and colourful.
Very pleased with the quilts, I took measurements with me and they made them to order within a few days.
CLOTHING
The obligatory Bintang singlets (25,000 Rp) and embroidered wrap-around pants (60,000 Rp) were all purchased in Legian in the stalls. The colour did run on the pants on first washing, but since all bold colours, to be expected. All washed up well and lovely and cool to wear.
GARDEN GOODS
Trish recommended Balistones last trip, but they were closed for Nyepi, so we finally got there this trip. We purchased a black stone waterwall (1.7 million Rp) and fountain (750,000 Rp) and huge pots (up to 350,000 Rp)......excellent value. These will all be shipped back to Perth through Trish, so looking forward to their arrival. Balistones charge 20% on the price for packing and accept credit cards.
TABLE RUNNERS
Next to AWA Natural for blinds. Located at Jl. T. Perahu 70, Kerobokan.
Bought some lovely table runners - by the metre and can be made to any length, but wanted to just buy what they had in stock. Lestari was a very helpful sales lady.
FURNITURE
We couldn't go past Geneva on the ground floor for some bedroom furniture, including bedside tables (350,000 Rp) and drawers etc.
The quality here is good compared to others we had looked at.
Of course headed upstairs to buy some Buddha heads in wooden frames (26,000 Rp) and a few small beaded handbags (25,000 Rp)........didn't go overboard on handicrafts this time.
By this stage, the cases are getting full, so didn't do any more shopping!
Our driver - Made Mangku took us to our shopping spots over 2 days and picked up some goods we had ordered and dropped them off at Balistones to add to our shipment back to Perth. He is excellent and we highly recommend him.
EATING OUT
One of the reasons that we prefer to stay in Seminyak is the range of restaurants there and the wonderful food experiences.
The Living Room
We always make a point of having one dinner here at our old favourite - yes is expensive by Bali standards, but we enjoyed the frogs legs, duck crepes etc etc. washed down with champagne - we are on holidays so can enjoy a splurge!!
Khaima
Morrocan along Jalan Laksmana - belly dancing lesson was underway when we arrived, so something for the boys to look at as a pre-dinner entrée!
We shared stuffed calamari, some tanginess and all very tasty and savoury - highly recommend.
Punto and Basta
This is now our new favourite - fantastic authentic Italian.
I was skeptical that Balinese would be able to cook Italian - but we had two meals here and by far is the best Italian we have eaten in years. The scallopini was raved about.
Complimentary brushcetta to start. Yum. Excellent cosmopolitans here too.
Metro Sports Bar
Although we didn't eat here, we had many games of pool and had the entire bar to ourselves!
Good watering hole when in need of cold refreshing Bintangs.
SPA
Bodyworks is located across the road from the Dusun, so we went there every day - massages for 139,000 for an hour - absolute bliss. Manicures, pedicures and flowers painted onto my nails. I couldn't believe it took an hour to do my nails and they look sensational.
Costs 35,000 Rp for nail colour change for fingers and the same price for toes.
SEMINYAK - SAMBIRENTENG
The next 7 nights were booked at the most beautiful place in Bali - xxxxx xxxx xxxxxxx, located near the village of Sambirenteng, on the north east coast. Takes about 3 hours to drive there. In Ubud along the way, ordered some wooden carved desk plaques - with names and our company logo - they did a fanstastic job for 100,000 Rp and very happy with the results.
This was our third trip to ABN and rather than go into the detail, I would direct you to their website, which shows everything about the resort.
So for the next week, we lived in luxury, played tennis at the village, snorkeled, sat by the pool, made cocktails in our villa with our new blender from Makro and enjoyed peace and solitude.
In a nutshell, our trip to Bali was a very positive experience, the people that we met were really welcoming and we came home with many more fond memories.
We found the weather in September to be perfect! Average of 25 at night and 30 during the day - not a drop of rain, always sensational sunny skies. Our next trip is due in Feb - we have been in the wet season before and don't mind getting our toes wet, but will certainly book again for Sept next year.
Cheers,
Caroline