This was my 1st trip back in 26 years and Debs 1st time. Left Perth at 8.00am on 13th Nov and arrived in at 11.30am. It was a Garuda flight so with its poor service, very basic food and unsmiling hostesses, it is rather obvious why it doesn't make the top 20 airlines in the world. But, it did get us there in one piece!!!
Outside terminal a few metres just to the right, caught Blue Bird taxi at set rate from Airport to Legian - 60,000rp - 10 days and nights is the duration for our trip and as it was a package, we stayed at the Padma Hotel in Legian. For you 1st timers, this is a hotel I can VERY HIGHLY recommend! The staff is friendly, it is very well laid out with all the amenities, the aircon in the room is extremely good (and cold) and it must have the very best breakfasts in Bali - so much choice.
Took a couple of trips in Kuta from hotel to explore - Once again, for 1st timers, stick to the Blue Bird taxis as they are metered (around 17,000 to 20,000rp) for one way trips. Kuta is a shop to you drop experience - I bought 4 nice Bali cotton t-shirts for 100,000rp.
FOOD - Besides Western breakfast at the Padma, and I run a restaurant by trade, We committed wholly to Indonesian food EVERY night of our stay so a couple of places stand out.
1/ KORI restaurant in Gang Poppies 2 - I was cheeky enough to barge into the kitchen and ask the chef for something special, in other words, surprise me!... I got a Balinese lamb curry (which wasn't on the menu) ...Outstanding!...I returned again for it 3 nights later.
2/ Bali Cyber Café - Kuta (www.balicyber.net)....top notch very clean place with excellent choice and range of Western and Indonesian food ...the owner is a very friendly Singaporean by the name of Harry....runs a tight ship...very popular place for internet, coffee, Bintang and food. Popped in here 3 times such was the hospitality. The last night just before airport we dined here, we were purposely NOT charged for lots of Bintang consumption. Thank you Harry!
3/ Ma Jolly (2 visits) for a VERY ICY COLD beer and fantastic setting to watch that sunset go down! (will try the food...next time!)
5/ Recommended by Komang (see driver below) - Sumartran food at 12.45am at some highway at some very local warung after getting hazy lotsa 15 (or 20!) Bintang evening.
Had Nasi Campur (2500rp)...Total bill for 3 meals and 1 more Bintang (groan)...15,500rp!....Great rustic, no frills local food!
6/ 2 places over rated with robot staff and excessive western influence (Yuppish?!)....Mades Warung 2 and La Lucciola - it is however a magic spot for a nightcap in a too perfect setting.
DRIVER - Thanks to A via Bali forum on her personal recommendation, we had a driver pre-arranged via email before the trip ready to take us on a day trip up through the island to the touristy places to see Kintamani volcano. This was a basic trip to get our bearings but was awesome to experience the land and its people. KOMANG is the drivers name and he became more than a driver and guide for us...we have become firm friends. What was intentionally just to hire him for 1 day, it ended up 3 days (Au$60.00 per day) plus a half-day (at no charge).... We dined, travelled, drank Bintang and Aruk, snorkelling and diving, laughed, cried and played guitar with Komang. When we go back to Bali, Komang will be at the top of the list!
I make special mention of a place to stay in Bali - BLUE MOON VILLAS in Ahmed on the east coast of Bali. Komangs brother, John owns this place and we were just going for lunch to see it, ended up we stayed there for the night such was the view, quietness, beautiful villas, wonderful hospitality, diving and snorkelling and top food. Our next trip will be to stay at this place for 5 nights as soon as we get off the plane!
SUMMARY - This a basic JBR as we will hold the rest of our experiences within us forever. Tourism is the LIFE BLOOD of Bali and those bombs have literally devastated the industry that they rely on so much. Such is the warmth of the Balinese people during our visit, we will always revisit Bali in future years to come, bombs or not, so we can help give our lifeblood in the form of $$ to which they need and..... timeless friendship.