Got back just over a week ago. Travelling party of 5 - 4 women and 1 man - he now hates shoe shopping - LOL
Flight over and return from Brisbane was nearly full and uneventful.
Stayed 10 nights at Grand Mirage in Tanjung Benoa, and boy is that place impressive.
Yes it is large, but it did not feel big and inpersonal at all. The staff are just fantastic, the resort rooms great, the breakfast is to die for, you name it they had it. Ground superb, pool and bar,- well we visited most days to make sure it was all ok and the cocktails up to scratch, which they were.
The pool and bar great. We had an all inclusive deal, all meals, drinks (cocktails too), laundry, massage daily, jetski, banana boat, speed boat, 60 min thalasso (spelling ??)pool treatment (boy this pool was utterly unreal) all laundry, trip to lembogan (spelling) island for the day, so most meals were at the resort, and they were all excellent.
Would stay here again anytime, staff really friendly,
Did the shopping in Denpassar (Ramanyana ??? Matahari, Kuta (Discovery, Legian St, Markets, Kuta Square), and Tanjung Benoa shops along the road and the Nusa/Tanjung markets) and Geneva's. Went over with nearly empty suitcases, came back with 24kg and 8 kilo in cabin case each, so we did our bit to support Bali.
Had elephant ride, went to Ubud, monkey forest, Celak etc.
Stayed last 3 nights in Bali Garden and unfortunatley should have gone there 1st as going there after Grand Mirage, it was a bit of a let down with the resort and the breakfasts, but I am not saying it had anything wrong, just when you stay at somewhere like the Mirage you really notice the little things, and the amount of rats we saw there was a bit concerting to women who hate rats.
Will stay at Kuta/tuban first next time.
Went to see Dr Ian at ARC and had the aqamid filler and going back next year for the Aptos thread treatment, heaps cheaper than Australia and I am happy with the result so far.
Hopefull back again next November/December with same travellers plus another 4 want to go.