I have just returned from a 10 day trip - I had such a good time & decided to share my experiences in a JBR. I did a lot of research before I left - I had been reading the forum for a couple of months beforehand, checking out websites looking at maps, accommodation, restaurants & downloading a couple of ‘Bali bibles'. I have been to Bali more than a dozen times, but my last trip was 3 years ago & I thought that I needed updated information.
My flight with Garuda was a revelation. I hadn't flown with them for about 10 years and was a bit nervous, from past experiences. I was very pleasantly surprised! The airline staff were smiling & gracious, the seats comfortable with increased leg room (not that I need it!). What I did need, that I have never used before, was a seat-belt extender! Hmmm, seems I have put on a bit of weight since I last flew! Fortunately the hostess was discreet & no-one was any the wiser of my girth problems! I had a window seat to myself.
I arrived in Bali early afternoon. The plane was only 2/3 full, so going through customs was no drama at all. I had bought $25USD with me for my tourist visa. I used a porter to help with my suitcase, which he carried all the way to taxi. I paid the set price of Rp55,000 to go to my hotel in Seminyak.
Incidentally, I had read that you should only use the bluebird taxis, to avoid getting ripped off. Taxis in Bali have government issued licences & the driver should have his licence on display for you take down his details if dissatisfied with the service provided. I did not discriminate about which taxi company I used, as long as it had a taxi light on the roof & a working meter I was happy & have no complaints.
Checked into the Kumala Pantai Hotel. Very nice. My room was on the first floor (as ground floor is called 1st floor in Bali, technically I was on the 2nd floor). The room was in the NS block - clean, nice furnishings, lovely bathroom, TV, tea/coffee making facilities & a room safe. My only complaint would be the dim lighting - not good to read by. If I was staying there longer, I would probably invest in a stronger watt light globe for the bedside lamps.
The pool was huge, & partly shaded depending on the time of day. Lots of sun lounges around it & a small bar where you could borrow a pool towel to use or order drinks & light snacks.
Breakfast was good, too. From my research, I read that some people weren't satisfied with the breakfasts here. How could you not? There was cereal, fresh fruit - whole sliced or chopped, 2 types of fruit juice, do-it-yourself toast, bacon (well done, just as I like it!), sausages, pancakes & a few other things in food warmers. There was also a short-order chef to cook your eggs anyway you wanted them, with cheese, tomato, ham, mushroom & onion to choose from it you wanted anything added. You could sit inside the restaurant or outside under umbrellas & you were offered tea or coffee by the waiters.
I chose outside, so I could sneak some bacon rind to the 2 or 3 cats that always appeared
around mealtimes. So if you are there getting mewed at by some hungry cats, it is all my fault!
I had 130 dvds I had ordered via email before I left, delivered to my hotel at 10am. Talk about service with a smile! Not only did he deliver, he brought 2 free zip up cases to hold them, plus some free dvds. Outstanding. His dvds are in plastic sleeves, with the movie cover - more space saving. I went to his shop again before I left & bought another 50! At Rp10,000 ea, you can't go wrong! He also warned me which of the new release dvds were of poor quality & left it up to me whether or not to try them. Some I did & he was right! I had bought my laptop with me, so I could play a dvd every now & then. The dvds are so much better than 3 years ago & cheaper!
I had been looking in a few of the surf shops but found their t-shirts to be expensive.
I went to Yanthi Clothing that afternoon, as recommended by another BTF reader. The owner Wayan, is a teacher & supplements her income by selling good quality t-shirts, shorts & polos in her house. I was very impressed with the quality of the t-shirts - thick & soft, all for a fixed price of Rp45,000! I bought about 15 t-shirts with Billabong, Quicksilver & Roxy logos. To find her, just walk down the left side of Jl. Sahadewa from the Jl. Melasti end & you will see her sign after only a few shops. It is down a small laneway.
I had dinner at Papa's which was very nice. Warning - their pizzas are huge! I am rapt that so many restaurants in Bali now offer wine by the glass. For a single traveller like me, who only wants a glass or two with a meal, it's heaven.
The next day I went to Centro as I figured I needed some cabin luggage for my return trip home. Picked up a bargain, but felt a bit of a dill walking around with a small suitcase! I had my eyes tested at Opti Melawai - a very thorough job, & free. I bought a pair of prescription reading glasses - lenses were Rp300,000 & the Armani frames were Rp 885,000. So I got my new glasses for around $180 AUD. Ready in 1 hour! Brilliant! My last pair of glasses cost me $475 at home.
Happy with my purchases, I return my suitcase to the hotel before going out for dinner. I chose Kori's in Poppies 2, which you guys have raved about. I got electronically scanned before entering, which a bit over the top. The lighting was very dim & I noticed the waitress handing out torches so patron's could read the menu! I had 2 entrees - a prawn cocktail & chicken sate , which was more than sufficient plus a yummy frozen margarita. Mmmm!
Took a taxi back to the hotel. I do smile at the security guy checking inside the boot of the taxi - I presume for bombs. A terrorist would be an idiot for putting one in the boot of a taxi, surely? I noticed on one of my walks that the security at the Bali Mandira use a long mirror to check under the taxi before letting them enter. I suppose it is reassuring to some to see that level of security. Personally, I felt quite safe in & was never nervous. The taxi drivers talk constantly about the Australian Government travel warnings hurting tourism in Bali.
Off to Ubud the next day to stay for 6 days. I chose a driver recommended by this forum. I was going to Singaraja for the opening of the Helen Flavel Learning Centre the next day & to meet my sponsored child. I offered the driver the job of taking me there because I knew he had family up there he could visit while I was at the centre. He had a nice, clean car - a Honda Avanza I think, with aircon. He agreed to pick me up at 7am the next morning.
More to follow on another day......