Day 2 continue...
In the late afternoon, we went to Melasti Spa (near Kuta Art Market), the place is located on the 2nd floor. They hang a big banner at the bungalow entrance to tell everyone their service is currently 50% off. Before massage, you get to choose your favourite aromatherapy oil and type of body scrub powder. We took Javanese lulur and spend total 5 hours here including massage, scrub and cream bath, cost Rp450,000 (incl 21%). The service is professional but space is limited so we are separated in two rooms. Tel: 756 796
After Spa, we walk over to Discovery Mall and have little pastries and coffee break at Starbuck. The mall has enforced security in the premises, they search every single bag when you enter from the main entrance. Good news are, every shops is on sales, the most happening one should be Polo Ralph Lauren which was 50% off from normal prices or Rp249,000 for 3pcs of collar-T. Don't miss Centro Dept, they have good range of cosmetic, accessories and lingerie, you are entitled for a free drink coupon with a Rp300,000 spending. After our big swap, we have dinner at Celcius café (end of Centro), remember to grab the seat at the balcony area, the view is fantastic, overlooking the beach and the sunset was spectacular. We had mushroom pasta, seafood platter, Avocado espresso and cappuccino total bill Rp183,000 (free banana pancake with ice cream topping for dessert) we meet a Russian couple came around our table to have a chat, is a great breezy night of Bali.
Day 3- Jimbaran seafood
We work-up early in the morning to have the buffet breakfast, the café was set in traditional style next to the pool area. The atmosphere is rather peaceful, because no big crowd of travellers as compared to our last trip when we stay in Hardrock Kuta. Eric is complaining about the limited choice of food, here you see the pros & cons when stay in different type of resort. After breakfast, he can't wait to jump into Kuta beach to meet his surfing ppl and I stay off to enjoy myself in the pool area. I don't know how many people were in the resort but I only noticed a mother with children at the kid's pool, so I had the whole pool all by myself.
We head to Kuta Galleria in the afternoon and have a good lunch at Jali Jali restaurant (level 2 of GFS) they serve delicious ikan bakar and tumis kailan (fried vege). Tel:758 853. You can find most big brands in GFS, like Tiffany, Gucci & Burberry, but nothing in particular and the design is limited. Main shopper is Japanese and they provide free shutter service back to hotel with shopping purchase. Matahari is at the attached building of Galleria, is bigger and better selection of toiletries and confectionary compare to the one in Kuta. We bought some Bali peanuts & Bali coffee. Must buy items: lulur scrub around Rp6,000 (depends on size), Ginseng 3 in 1 cream bath Rp20,000 (hair treatment) both are strongly recommended by Balinese frend.
At night, Made pick us up from the hotel, this is a long wait dinner for both of us since the last trip. He has a cozy little restaurant called Georgia at Jimbaran Bay, we was happy to meet him and others in the place, we feel warm and welcome as they still remember us after a year long visit. We select our dinner, which consisted of a whole squid, 1kg of mussels, 1/2kg of crab and a whole lobster. They are giving corn soup, white rice and fried vege for free, all seafood was done on BBQ in Bali style, every bite of seafood is tender and juicy, our dinner is absolutely delightful! Can you believe the total bill came below Rp300,000 which did include fruit juices, coffee and fruits. As a regular, we know we can't get this price elsewhere in Jimbaran.
We caught-up with Made for a chat, while we ate, he said life is getting difficult after the bad incident, numbers of tourist are cut tremendously. Furthermore, after the raised of fuel charges, Indonesia government are now planning to increase the electricity charges, Balinese are desperate to make more money in order to survive the family. Made is a good example who work in the restaurant at night and driver in the day. He added, taxi and tour guide will request for meals and clothing on top of commission in exchange of bring customer to his restaurant. So next time, if you wanted a value meal of fresh seafood at Jimbaran, call the restaurant direct, dun go through third party or Made is happy to pick you up from any hotel in Bali, just tell him is recommended by Eric. (hp:081-2399 3345)
Day 4- going home
After breakfast, We went to another SPA called Alam Bali (Tel:766 852/3), not far walking distance from the hotel. The saloon is compact and plain setting but service is great, one of the best prices SPA, just remember to ask for discount. Eric paid Rp130,000 for 2 hrs massage, scrub, little facial & yorgut body mask (no tax).
We took the hotel shutter to Kuta and have lunch at Made's Warung, along Jl. Pantai Kuta. Food is normal and service is slow. Fried mee, pancake and 3 drinks cost Rp75,000. Continue shopping around the area, bought some sandals Rp30,000 -40,000 and beaded bags with bamboo handles Rp35,000 - 45,000, I guess you just can't have enough, commonly prices for street shopping are increased a bit compare to last year. We head back to the hotel and check-out from the room, snaps a few pictures before depart to the air-port, it marks the end of our holiday, we will love Bali and will definite come back next year.
Thanks to BTF for useful information, please feel free to post your question, will try my best to answer.