JBR
Are you ever a solo traveller on the Island of the Gods???
As most of you know doing home and garden renos is one of the most stressful undertakings... So after surviving them... JUST... I decided to reward myself with a quick trip to bali. As this was my 14th trip I was interested in eating/shopping and chilling, with a little drinking and a lot of chatting thrown in.
I read the forum religiously and feel I have to write a JBR, though not sure I have anything new or different to say???
I mostly ate in the usual places and did no touristing so this will be short.
I booked the MAHARTA hotel, sight unseen off the net and was very pleased with what $30 AUD bought me, a lovely canopy bed, lucky I like a hard matress, room spotlessly cleaned daily, TV,fridge and aircon that were all working well, and a large bathroom with a very comfy bath. Although I had no hot water one day, no complaints, as it was fixed immediately when I asked.
The staff were polite, but not very chatty.
The position of the hotel, Jalan Padma Utara, was great as well.
Being alone I walked A LOT, and believe me La Lucciola is further than it seems in a cab when you walk there along the beach.
Most afternoons I wandered down the beach road to S&S bar. I met many friendly forumites and their families as well as the lovely Sammy, Suzy and daughters. Among these were Dennis C and his lovely wife Carol and BaliBec, her parents and sister. These guys were fantastic and I never ate dinner alone unless I wished too. Their kind invites to eat with them were most appreciated and I hope to catch up with them again at S&S one afternoon. Also met Smudge, his insight into a completely different culture was both intriguing and entertaining, he is always looking for more kids clothes, so load up those bags with your kids hand-me-downs. (I met many other forumites as I wandered the streets and beach, but don't have their names, sorry. I hope the BIG get together on the 22nd went well and that the guys celebrating their anniversary had an excellent day.)
I ate at Indonational, the lobster mornay was superb and the entertainers played my requests, for a whole set, which was lovely.
Venue at the Moon was great again, thanks to the lovely people from Guyra NSW who asked me to join them.
Yutz was nice and they are correct, the beef and red wine is addictive.
Zanzibar, the squid was a bit chewy but tasty and beautiful grilled veges.
Ours, the toblerone cocktails at 2 for one were SOOOOOO yummy, Prawns were ordinary.
Blue Fin sushi, amazing as usual, but aussie prices.
La Luciola, Weekend Sweet Tooth breaky, worth the walk as usual.
Drops, very nice pizza, can recommend the chiefs special.
Green garden, Yummiest spring rolls in Bali as usual, chicken satays a bit gritty at lunch, maybe when they aren't cooked on the BBQ they aren't the same???
Used Sukma riski beautician on Jln Padma, they do hot waxing... very good and their manicure/pedicure was great... Bali flowers all round.
Had hot stone massage at melasti resort for less that $20 was amazing... literally floated out.
OK now I did say this would be short... many apologies for rambling.