Thanks to all members of BTF for all the info we got before we left.
Hope this jbr will be equally as useful.
Our first time in Bali 19 to 27 June. 2 persons, 1 60 yo male, 1 58 yo fm
ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE
Departed Brisbane almost 2 hrs late because Garuda redirected Sydney flight via BNE. Sydney people not pleased at 10 hr+ flight. First time we have flown Garuda. Can't complain about the service and leg room in economy, food good, drinks plentiful, and cabin crew friendly. Same on the way back.
Can complain about processing time on arrival at Bali, VOA very slow, (used $A no problem, change in RP) then to passport check, then to passport processing. Then to collect bags but that took no time nor did customs because most still in the VOA/immigration lines.
Customs fine. "Anything to declare?' "No". "OK".
Contrary to advice from BTF, had transfers arranged, that will not be the case next time, will take taksi as recommended.
Departure from Bali much better than arrival although Garuda counter very slow. Brisbane immigration and customs very smooth and quick. Had woodware to declare to quarantine, so did everyone else, (the adds seem to be working).It was the longest line but moved fast as they brought out more staff to speed processing.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel Santika Beach. First impressions were not great. They obviously couldn't find a room for us and when they did, it hadn't been cleaned since last occupant. We had booked deluxe room and had asked for 2nd floor but they put us on ground floor. Day 2, we decided not to change as ground floor definitely better with direct access to the pool and the aircon and fridge worked fine. So if you want to stay at HSB can recommend rooms 301 -328.
Staff very good and professional, any issues quickly dealt with. As good as or better than most hotels we have stayed throughout Asia.
Breakfast brilliant, heaps of variety, asian, european, fruits, cereals, sweets etc and the hot stuff was always hot. And the eggs cooked which ever way you wanted, scrambled, boiled, poached, fried or omelette. Didn't really need lunch after breakfast.
Pool outside room (there are 3) with swim-up bar and lots of lounges. Spent a lot of time there.
Also HSB has beach frontage and beach front restaurant.
Can highly recommend
SHOPPING
Did most of it between HSB and Kuta Square. Stall holders certainly seem to be doing it hard. I think we paid too much for some items but overall was happy, after all 10k rp = $A1.50.
WHAT WE PAID:
Sarongs 20k
1/2 sarong 15k
sarong pants 45k
watches 30k
kids top 15k, 20k
kids pants & top 25k, 45k
kids dress 20k
girls top 20k, 25k
mortar & pestle 30k
polo shirts (good quality) 30k
large mans wallet 40k
6 bintang stubbie holders 50k (which I latter found in the local supermarket for 15k - oh well!)
BARTERING
My experience in Thailand was that half the starting price was about the right result for both buyer and seller. That was not my experience in Bali; the first price is often outrageously high sometimes 3 or more times a realistic end price. This limits your flexibility to barter and we found that starting to walk away was often the only way to reach a realistic price.
SOFTWARE/DVDS
After 2 days of checking availability and quality decided SAKURA DVD just south of Art Market was best and all dvd's and software came in cases. In most shops the software range was limited and in some very much out of date e.g. versions which were released over 2 years ago.
DVD's 10k, buy 10 get 3 free etc.
software 20k per disk, buy 5 get 1 free.
I clearly specified that I didn't want "cinema copies". We've tried 10 or so, 1 wrong movie in case, 1 pre-release promo copy, rest good - another lesson learnt.
Bought 1 dvd-rom from the stall out front of Matahri, it didn't work, but thems the breaks.
On the day we were leaving a new Softcomp large shop was being stocked prior to opening in Discovery Mall. Suggest you check it out. The other outlet in the Mall "Two Stars" is more expensive (25k per software disk) but has a good range.
GLASSES
Wanted an eye test for reading glasses and 3 sets of lenses for my existing frames. In Discovery Mall Optik Sensis quoted me 700k per set of lenses and Optic Melawai quoted 300k - 3 sets of lenses 900k. So guess where I went. As previously reported on the forum testing immediate and comprehensive although it took 3 days to get the lenses because of what I needed.
Discovery Mall
So convenient, but prices a little higher. Centro is very expensive by Bali standards.
Bread Talk, as others have said, is very moreish, could do with some at home.
MONEY
Only changed $A. Rate was 6900 at start of week down to 6800 by the end.
WARNING Changed $100 at PT. CENTRAL in laneway to beach between Art Market and Kuta Square. Rate was 6875, cashier Aryandi tried to short me 2500rp.
EATING
Mostly, it's been said before. I can confirm that FEBRI'S opposite the HSB is good and cheap. We ate once at "Mini Restaurant" a little south of Fabri's one night, big place, food ok, service pushy, didn't like and drinks expensive. Scotch and soda 38.2k.
MOST USEFULL PHRASE
"tidak terima kasih" I found that the timeshare people immediately stopped pestering if I said this rather than "no thanks" in english.
IN SUMMARY, A MOST ENJOYABLE HOLIDAY AND WE WILL BE GOING BACK, DOING MORE AND STAYING AT THE HSB.