A big thank you to all the info I have picked up from the BTF contributers, I took my little black book compilled with hints on restaurants and shopping ideas etc and am most appreciative of all the advice.
Single older female travelling alone from Bris, arrived ex Darwin on Qantas Nov 23 into the humidity and didnt have any rain for relief until it rained on my last day Dec 4 - so a VERY hot trip. Nearly got tricked at the airport taxi stand when a porter posing as the taxi driver tried to wheel my cases to the car, rather sneaky no wonder people on their first trip get caught unawares.
My first few days were at Suriwathi in Legian, I now consider this my comfort zone and would not hesitate to recommend it. I brought back a DVD by Antoni(the manager and professional singer) so I can have background music and memories whenever the Bali blues strike.Had a few visits to S&S and was impressed by the pearl jewellery seller and made a purchase, glad I did, have had a few compliments already.Had my first ever trip to Geneva thanks to BTF, also Supernova, dare I say it to stock up on the MT makeup range. Also found it at Hardys Sanur but more expensive.
At Sanur I choose the Sari Sanur for its location but it also prooved to be very popular with a family of rats living in the ceiling. If I put the lights on at night the rats went quiet but this didnt reslove the problem as they resumed their disco once the lights went off.So in the early hours in defeat, I went to reception and got keys to another room so ended up with a day room and a night room lol.
Next stop Ubud and stayed at Fibra Inn on Monkey Forest Road. Have stayed there before ,its the home of a well known Balinese dancer and has lots of family photos and statues etc so its a bit like a family compound. I seemed to be the only guest so was made very welcome and shared their ceremonial food for breakfast.I dont think they are getting many tourists. Once again when I put the lights out I found I was sharing with local nocturnal wildlife.This time there were heaps of cockroaches that came to life in the big cobblestone and garden mandi.This meant a visit to reception for insect spray in the early hours.My highlight in Ubud from my BTF homework was to be BabiGuling near the palace. Walked all the way there only to find it closed due to Galungan. Lots of things closed due to a week of ceromonies but the highlight was travelling next day to Candi Dasa (their main ceremony day)and seeing the locals dressed in their finest clothes going to the temples and all the wonderfull penjor bamboo poles decorating the streets.
Stayed a few days at Bali Santi budget losmans beachside at Candi Dasa. Very quiet but a great place to chillout.
Spent the last few days back at Suriwathi and some friends from Candi Dasa that I travelled back with booked rooms there as well and dragged me out with them to the bars/nightclubs. It meant this was a very different stay as I am not usually a night owl at all but enjoyed taking advantage of different opportunities.This included "sex on the bar", this was actually a very nice cocktail at the Q bar so if anyone knows the ingredients of the drink could they please let me know.
Most days had a massage, cream hairbath or reflexology, took advantage of shopping for xmas and tried to patronise as many restauants as possible. Well someone has to do it..
By the time I got back to Oz I had the flu and still seem to have it a week later, so have been taking it easy since my return. Wouldnt race off to Bali again Nov/Dec due to the heat but even the locals were complaining and saying the monsoon rain was usually there by then.
Therefore will have to plan a trip for the dry season to make up for it.....Something to look forward to.