Arrived back yesterday after 6 days in beautiful Bali. Flight was great, allocated Business class seats as no one had booked business class, Night at the Museum with Ben Stiller was a very funny movie and just what i needed to relax. We paid arrival tax in Australian $10 US for under 7 days, normally I change money into US but took advise from forum and it was fine. No queues .Changed a $50 into Indo money and went straight to taxi office ( turn right out of airport ) ordered taxi to hotel for set price and pay for it there. Taxi driver escorts you over to his taxi.
Stayed at Ramada Bintang, I really like this hotel as it is on the beach ( no road in front) and is a good 4-5 star without the prices of the delux hotels ( except Spa which is divine but completely over the top in what they charge). I had emailed hotel and asked for the location of the room and for the first time ever i got exactly what i wanted.
I had a spa and treatment each day but due to hotel spa going very upmarket I only used it once and went out to others in Tuban area. Ate at my favourite restaurants ...la Lucciola, Ma Jolly and Kepupat. Disappointed in Poppies but have been going there for so long we always have to have a meal there. Ladies on beach are wonderful and dont get angry if you dont buy and just want to talk. i aways give them the hotel thongs and other stuff that i buy or bring up from Perth. If you do buy just decide how much you want to pay and then have fun bargaining , what ever you pay will be to much.
We hired a driver for 5 hours and went to Blue Point Villa for lunch ( amazing view) Looked at Dreamland , GWK park and a cocktail and sqizz at the latest in absolute luxury at $1400 US a night !!! Bvlgari resort at Ullawatu. It is featured in latest Gourmet magazine
I did the Kintamarni tour on the wettest day ever but it was fun even if we couldnt see the volcano. We stopped at a coffee plantation, silver workshop, wood work place and a water temple plus saw the Barong dance. i had done it all before but not for years and Qantas holidays had given it to us for free.
I purchased a beautiful new Polo suitcase from Matahari, gave my old one to bell boy who was delighted. arrived back home to have the handles fall off the new case in front of crowd at taxi stand.( both handles as they were just pop riveted on )