Flew out Nov.4th Qantas flight out of Melbourne, direct flight so there by 11.30 am. Through VOA and customs in about 20 minutes(quickest ever).
Our wonderful driver Made was there to meet us with the biggest smile and drove us straight to Bali Garden Hotel in Tuban where we had a 4 night package with breakfast.
This is a great hotel, wonderful location, friendly staff and the yummiest bananna pancackes on Bali.
First 4 days we shopped at Centro and spent time down on the beach with the girls, had a few beach massages and brought the usual jewellery and nick nacks.
Went to Febris spa for hot stone massage (out of this world), leg wax and pedicure. This spa is wonderful and the hygeine was excellent with very professional staff. Would not hesitate to return.
Some restaurants we ate at While in Tuban were:
Green Garden (always a favourite), Bubba Gumps, Impala (yummy pizza),Melasti cafe, Black Canyon at Centro, and Kafe' Butan.
Headed down to S&S on the Monday afternoon where we met a few forumites and Smudge who is doing such an amazing job for the people especially the kids.
We always use the same two tailors in Bali. Forrest who we ordered trousers for work and evening wear and Nanni who made our leather jackets we ordered for the kids. Beautiful work as always they can be found on Gang Samudra(off Kartika Plaza just past Ramada Bingtang.
We dropped our jewellery off to miss Pak (Toko jewellers at Bali Hai hotel).
That was our last day so the next day we headed off to Lovina for 1 night. We stayed at 'Melka Resort'. What can we say about this beautiful place it is a credit to the owner and the staff.
Swam with 'John Wayne' which was the highlight of our trip.
Headed back down to Sanur where originally we were only going to stay 2 nights but ended up staying the duration of our stay.
We stayed 3 nights at Griya Santrian which is a nice resort but a bit pricey for us. so we high-tailed it down the road and stumbled across 'Tamukami' a lovely little oasis, very private only 18 bungalows, a lovely pool area and beautiful restaurant. We got an excellent walk in rate. This property can be found on Jalan Danau Tamblingan (opposite enterance to La Taverna)friendly staff and a magnificent breakfast. Would stay there again no problem.
Earlier while we were in Tuban we had made an appointment to all have our hair done at "Celebs" in Legian.
So we made our way over and what can we say, we walked in dragons, walked out beauty queens.
Poppy did all our hair and made us feel beautiful. Price was amazing i think from memory we all had cut, colour (foils)and blow dry, for the two with short hair i think around 200.000 and for me with much longer hair 300.000.
There seemed to be a lot of staff at the salon considering it was not very busy. Poppy went on to tell us how busy the salon used to be before the 2nd bomb, but sadly since, business is less than half.
She told us how she didn't have the heart to put anyone off and she would rather keep everyone on rather than put anyone off.She wanted to keep the faith for the future. She really is a beutiful soul.
While in Sanur we visited the main office for the "John Fawcett" foundation. The wonderful staff there showed us the work they are doing for not just the patients with eye problems but burns victims, cleft palate children and paraplegics. There work is truly inspiring.
Some places we ate while in Sanur: Zoo, Bonsai cafe, Besakhi restaurant, Bennos and spirit on the beach and JJ's. All delicious.
Most of our shopping was done at Hardy's and Jenny's (no 29).
Hardy's is amazing and there is no gift im sure that you couldn't find .
Before summing up we would like to thank all the forumites on here for your valuable information, espcially Don Ron for your price guide, Tina G for your post (which Karina laminated) detailing the numbers to use when ringing home, and your wonderful little find with the "Glad ice cube Bags" Tina we toasted you many a night on the balcony with the duty free they worked a treat. (for anyone staying in room 208 at Griya Santrian we left a couple for you in the freezer lol)and to Tuberose for your reccomendation for Toko jewellers at Bali Hai. They did beautiful restoration to everything we gave them and were very happy. Miss Pak even drove over to Sanur to deliver to us to save us driving over. She informed us that they also have a shop inside the Bali Rani in Tuban which we didnt know about.
Overall this was the best trip to Bali we have ever had. Roll on next September we will be ready for another dose of wonderful magic.
Cheers Shelly, Karina and Trish.