Better late than never, so here goes:
Left Melbourne Saturday 3/6.
Two sisters and myself (me on Standby) - Marion (49), Helen (41) & me (44) (Angela).
Plane left Melbourne at 8.30am (I was at the airport at 3.30am). Well needless to say plane was full and I didn't get on, waved goodbye to my sisters and said I would see them there at some stage. I ended up flying to Perth and catching the 6.30pm flight to Bali, finally arriving at hotel 22 hours later. Apparently reason why plane was full is that Australian Airlines is using Qantas planes and the seating capacity is about 60 seats less. After waking up in the morning it was like all the hassles of the day before never existed. This is what Bali does for me.
Week 1
We stayed at the Niksoma in Legian Room 326 with Ocean View. The three flights of stairs didn't bother me at all with my younger sister appointing herself as my personal trainer with morning walks (for me) and running for her. I did break out into a run at one stage and she said something about me being Bo Derek (for all of those who met me over there you can stop laughing now), followed by a session at the gym.
The service here was excellent, the staff did everything for you, even carrying towels to your chairs and setting them out for you. Breakfast by the ocean each day was lovely, with a variety of foods to choose from. I love eating spring rolls for breakfast. Also had a complimentary 4 course dinner there one night, being mushroom soup, chicken salad, prawn hakini & banana fritters all of it was fantastic.
We enjoyed many massages at The Padma Day Spa (www.sariprada.com)
$75,000 rup for one hour (for 1st visit, then discounts for all future visits).
We also had the Padma Paradise which was a 3 hour package for $185,000 rup, this included: Aromatherapy footbath, Lavender Body Wash, Traditional Balinese Massage, Facial Refresher, Body Scrub (I went for a clay one), Body Conditioning, Flower Petal Bath, Ginger Tea & Cookies. It was absolutely fantastic.
Did a little bit of shopping, i.e. a couple of sarongs, bags and also went up to Geneva & Kerobokan.
Some of the funny moments this week:
1. After too many drinks poolside I decided it was time to have a beach massage. Well I paid $250,000 rup. They all thought Christmas had come at once but I felt good about it.
2. While all dressed up ready to go out one night we were walking along when one of the Balinese says to younger sister - you look like Jessica Simpson, then to me he mumbled something about Nicole Kidman, then older sister asked what about her and he replied 'you have hour glass figure - sorrrrrry time running out'.
Some of the places we ate at included:
Ours (J1 Sahadewa, Garlic Lane)
Lumpia (Spring rolls), garlic bread, Thai beef salad, beef stroganoff, peppercorn steak & 3 cocktails ($219,000 rup - no tax)
There was a wedding upstairs that night - congratulations beautiful Barbara & Bob who seemed to be having a really good time. The staff here are excellent. A big hello to Henry, George, Jimmy, Sair, Agun (previously Legian Garden staff), Ayu & Alice (Legends) & Nike (Bali Aussie).
Zanzibar (J1 Arjuna, Pantai Legian)
Mezze of dips, chicken curry, calamari, seafood pasta ($100,000 rup, 5% tax). Meals were delicious and we broke our rule of never eating at the same place twice. It might pay to spray your legs to keep the mozzies at bay.
Yutz (J1 Werkudara, Rum Jungle Rd - Padma St end)
Red Schnapper x 2, Fillet steak - $115,000, no tax)
Again we had an excellent meal with very good service.
Wayan & Friends (J1 Padma)
Chicken curry, mee goreng, chicken salad, drinks ($97,500 rup)
Basic menu although food quite nice.
Week two will come shortly.
Angela