Just returned from two weeks. Had a great time as usual. Highlights include:
Accommodation - usually stay at KP but worried about noise from nearby construction so this time stayed at Puri Raja. I know there has been lots of discussion about which is best. Here goes my assessment: Pool - KP bigger but often hard to get a lounge unless you 'book' early. PR has two pools, both ok but not much natural shade. The PR pool near beach side with swim up bar has plenty of lounges and umbrellas, but the music from the bar is a turn off to some if you want some peace and quiet. Room: similar, KP slightly larger (room standard equivalent). PR better shower and fantastic water pressure. Food: similar breakfasts, KP buffet and PR order, but not much to separate. Other food KP might be slightly cheaper but again I don't think much in it. Location: depends what you are after but both have stock up shops nearby and cheap laundries just a step or two away. Gardens: similar. Price: PR maybe ~AUD20 per night more expensve. Conclusion: For us - KP wins, but not much in it.
Clothes: bought lots of clothes for family. One of us bargained hard, and then when paying the other one usually gave then an extra 20% depending on value! They soon worked out who to work on.
Mens jean shorts - 120,000. Quality can vary so be careful.
Army style shorts and similar - 70,000
Board shorts, t shirts etc - similar prices to already reported elswhere.
Got AFL stuff at Bigboys, Poppies Lane 1 just down a small lane near Secret Garden and Cafe. Fixed price. OK value, quality mixed.
Restaurants: YUTZ - fantastic, OURS - great, SATE BALI - outstanding, best nasi goreng we have had anywhere in several visits. The find of our trip this time was QUEENS TANDOR in Seminyak (just up from Mades Warung). Food was outstanding, about 400,000 for two with drinks. Not usually a fan of Indian food but this was just spectacular.
For something different: Visited new private Botanic Garden in Ubud. Can't remember where it is, but just ask like we did and you get there. Really interesting gardens and well worth the 50,000 entry fee. Also went to the Bali Botanic Garden in Bedegal. A recently new attraction for kids (and adults) is the Treetop Adventure Park. Has different circuts depending on age, skill and fear level. Great fun for a couple of hours with high flying swings, nets and some great long flying foxes. Adults USD 20 and children USD 13. Well supervised and closed in shoes advised. Wish we had one over in Oz, but guess insurance companies would price it out of business.