July 1 direct J* flight from Sydney. We are a family with three kids, 16,14 and 9 traveiling to Bali after a 5yr break.
Good flight, no dramas in Airport, Mr Banbang was waiting outside to take us to Tamu Seseh in the Suzuki micro bus.
5 nights in villa #2 and few other guests we felt like royalty.
Seseh is a lovely quiet village. But I couldn't help but wake before the sun each morning. Views across the rice fields and walks to the beach before breakfast were exquisite. Bike rides around the neighbourhood. We did a day trip to Kuta to stock up on DVDs and other 'bargains", half day to Ubud, an evening trip to Seminyak, la Lucciola etc and as an evening trip to Tanah Lot and Echo Beach for dinner. The Tamu Seseh people even organised a Bali feast one night for our 14 yo birthday. Melinda the manager was very helpful.
Accom purchased on ebay.
Lombok for the next5 nights were booked into IMAJ at Sengiggi Lombok. Its a 20 minute flight or many hours in a ferry (and you would have to get to Padang Bay. We took Merpati Air. Uji the Imaj manager was at Mataram airport to meet us. He is a great guy. Imaj is high on a hill. Batu Layar a three bedroom west facing timber house with its own pool. Newer and probably more luxurious than what we expected, typical Indo maintenace issues appearing. Sengiggi is smaller and less developed than what we anticipated but great for a family get away. Again accom bought on Ebay. These guys do gough a bit on the catering and extras but still cheaper than Aussie prices and they claim to have a chef trained at Oberoi.
We did a day trip to Gillis and a car trip throught he touristy stuff, pottery, weaving, art etc and then to Kuta and the South.
The infrastructure of the South is ordinary and there are very few tourists.
After 5 nights at Imaj we flew back to Bali for 4 nights in Febris. All squeezed in a family unit was hard to take after the luxury we were uset to. But Tuban is a great base and we did the usual, waterbom park, markets, beach, restaurants and the WARM STONE masages at Febris were divine. Nights were mild, days pleasantly warm.
Flew home J* full flight. Quite a shock to hit Sydney and the coldest week for 20 years. brrr.
Thanks for reading.
Michael