This is a combined JBR as we went twice within 5 weeks. It wasn't planned that way, it just happened because of some unexpected good luck, we were there in May/June this year as well, so 3 times in 6 months was a bonus.
We went end October/November for 1 week to do the Christmas shopping and get hubbys dreadlocks redone at the roots. Got Qantas F/F seats and had the business class seats both ways which was good.
Stayed in a Villa in Legian this time. We usually stay up the Tuban end in a villa but decided to have a change. The villa in Legian was lovely but I prefer the Tuban end.
Had booked an appointment with Dr. Rudy the Dentist for hubby to have a denture plate made. Found it easily thanks to the Girly directions. Took 5 minutes for initial appointment then back 4 days later to pick up denture. Met a few aussies in the surgery both times. Hubby very happy with denture which consisted of 2 teeth on a plate, $142.00 a bargain.
Tooks clothes over to be copied from Brisbane Tailor & Aristo Tailor but both closed due to Ramandan holidays. Went to Geneva, got a few cushion covers but found it a bit disappointing. Had quilt covers made at St. Isidor which were excellent. Got everyones Christmas presents at good prices. Went to Ketuts fixed price shop in Legian, what a lovely lady, spent a fortune on certain T/Shirts, Bali Pants, fishermans pants etc. I wanted 3 pairs of bali pants and she only had one pair in the size I wanted, so I got the other 2 pairs elsewhere and her husband took the hems up for nothing as well and putting in 2 new zippers on some cushion covers I took over to be repaired. She didn't want any money for the cushion covers either but I made her take the money for both. Usually they try to rip you off in some places, which is normal, but this time I found the opposite, they were giving instead of taking.
We had great breakfasts at Tommys in Rum Jungle Road, can't rave about this place enough. Tried Hot Mango at Courtyard Hotel for breaky one morning and was disappointed. Had dinners at Seaside twice, Indo National, Ketumber, Bali Colada in Discovery Mall which was the worst meal I have ever had in Bali, we walked out and went to Ma Joly, loved this place, looked at their adjoining hotel The Sandi Phala, what a gem.
Got some great kids and babies clothes in a shop in Disovery Mall, so cheap and very different. Also Osh Kosh in Bali Galleria, great price difference compared to Australia.
Also went to Diannes fixed price shop in Tuban and bought a Bali Bag. She fancied my hubby and told me so, kept looking at his muscles and dreadlocks and said how lucky I was to have a big strong man as Bali men only have "little bananas". I found her quite amusing.
Bali - 10th-15th December.
Going back to Bali 5 weeks after we returned came as a shock to us seeing it was so close to Christmas. But someone has to do it, I just didn't think it would be us as we have booked for May/June 07. We were unexpectedly given a free trip so couldn't not go. Flew Jetstar on their 2nd flight from Sydney, flew Starclass which was pretty good, especially when your're not paying for it.
We stayed at Sandi Phala Hotel this time and it was amazing. We had the pool to ourselves all the time, breakfast were good. Although we liked this hotel, we prefer to stay in a villa and have our own space, especially as we have Balinese friends, staying in a villa makes it easier for them to call in.
Thought we would just relax for 5 days and last time we rushed around doing all the Christmas shopping. Wrong. We took the clothes again for the tailors and got our things copied this time. Good job as usual. Got mosquito net made for a babys cot and 2 more bedcovers made in sari material, bought jeans, tops, shoes, sarongs etc.
Went to Alta Moda to get fabric to have a coat copied, bought 1 metre of Lycra for Bikinis for $5 as well. Went to Ace Hardware and hubby replaced at lot of his tools which got stolen from a job site the week before we went away. Lucky we had an allowance of 30 kgs. each flying starclass as the tools weighed 12 kgs.
Had some great meals at Dewi Sri seafood in Jl. Kartika Plaza, Ketaput which we thought was average despite other peoples opinions, Camplung Mas, had the Cap Cay, (average), Mades Warung, excellent, Pantai, excellent, Ma Joly, excellent. But the best meals were at Bamboo Corner in Poppys Lane 1. What a gem of a place. Had 3 entrees, 3 mixed fruit juices, 2 main corses ($7.40) for 2 of us. We ate here several times and will surely be going back again.
Noticed several Just Jeans shops this time, same logo as here, same plastic bags as here but different stock. Also Gloria Jeans coffee has opened at Kuta Galleria, near Ace Hardware.
It was very hot and humid, no rain, even the Balinese were complaining about the heat.
That's about it for now.