Puri Raja for the last few days and what a delight. On arrival profuse apologies as room not quite ready , we were a little early. Reception soon realized we were mother and daughter, I had only been able to book Queen bed online with request for rollaway, they sent us off to pool bar for complimentary drink and said they would have twin beds ready soon . By the end of Toblerone Feast......highly addictive Bali Moon cocktail and room ready, 205 near to beach end, balcony and overlooking frangipani tree so the fragrance wafted through the room. Staff here were absolutely fantastic, from the lovely woman who let me into the room several times when daughter disappeared with key to the pool bar worker who would wait for me to settle on a lounge and give me big grin and wave Bali Moon cocktail list at me. Fantastic manicure and pedicure from girls at pool. I watched how attentive they were to some of the families with young girls, went out of their way to make them feel special, they do some of the best braids I saw around. And the great guys who cleaned rooms and corrected my Bahasa Indonesian.
Melasti was next door, well how could you not have a facial and a massage and reflexology, small point here don't buy MT here double the price of Supernova. There is almost a magical feeling as you push open the carved window doors and enter the quiet of the spa. Always busy but they try and fit people in then and there.
The surfing lessons recommenced with one mishap. Second day she lost the money that she had zipped into board shorts in the surf, tears and consternation. Lovely surf instructors gave her cool drinks and whisked her off to hotel on motor bike and left her with ,' you pay another time'. Not my girl off she went and bought Bintangs and headed back in taxi, everyone got big tips and multiple Bintangs consumed all round , she appeared very merry at end of day.... Still traveling on back of bike.
DVD store over road provide player at half cost of hotel, were also very good about telling us which were poor copies.
Laundry down the lane...... we took the HGH stuff along with whole lot more, Kate thought it would be great of she didn't have to do any laundry when she got home. Everything came back absolutely spotless.
Meals ? I had not been going to try Seaside, rough review from forumite just before we left put me off but friends at home said it was a must. American owner was great settled us into quiet corner made suggestions from the menu which we tried, shared Eggplant and Tofu starter, sounds odd but marinated and then deep fried in feather light batter served drizzled with sweet soy sauce..... fantastic. I did the prawns, huge, and K had the Mahi Mahi on potato cake with hollandaise... so impressed we came back here for our last meal. Oh did I mention the Classic Daiquiri, they are so considerate here they feature a cocktail each night. Classic daiquiri, shaken not frozen, owners recommendation, two and I was fine... silly me I went for three, you know that feeling when you stand up, oops, sure I wobbled home. Hysterical laughter down phone lines to younger sister. 'Ma got pissed', no respect.....
Panterei, so glad we went here, Greek, very impressive restaurant, loved the artwork, food sensational, evening made by 'Jeffrey' waiter from East Timor all his customers were made to feel special. Noticed head waiter collecting bills and pocketing tips......made sure when we left, tip went into Jeffrey's pocket....also had great live band. They made up special mixed platter for us as daughter doesn't eat pork. Security guy did the stop the traffic thing so we could pick up cab on other side of road, that way we would save on the trip home... his kind idea....
Trattoria... a low point.... Busy noisy... food so, so , and you know I am so spoilt here in Brisbane I never have to share a meal with other peoples smoke......the tables were tight the English girls on next table chain smoked through meals waving cigarettes around ... comment from German couple as they left said it all ... ‘piggish'.
Blue Ocean for lunch, gotta try the daybeds , lying back on cushions, we stretched this meal out for hours.
Kate said it was one of the best Indo meals she had, not too spicy and they had been careful to ask if she wanted things hot. Great juices, even the coffee wasn't bad.
We did breakfast at La Lucchiola's another forum favourite, wonderful the location was marvellous, memo to myself might stay this end of beach next time. Eggs Bennidct, great, corn fritters with tomatoes and mushrooms, fantastic, coffee... not bad at all
Geneva..... now don't flame me here, not a huge fan. Some nice things but honestly also a lot of tat, didn't buy much wouldn't bother again.
A final spa trip after picking up last of suits, Shinkei on corner of Poppies 2 and JL Legian, lovely. Empty when I arrived, all the workers were practicing reflexology, also training school they told me... all jumped up together seconds later had ginger drink and organized the crème bath hair thing.... Why didn't I have more of these. About seven other groups came in after me. When I went to pay they gave me 10% discount as they thought I had brought good luck... how nice!
Sad trip to airport Kate texted work colleague, might stay a few more days, ‘dream on' reply fixed that. I had 100,000rph in passport as booking in, dead on target weight wise, smile from check in man, ‘Thanks lady, don't need Bintang money today' and handed back passport. Family in next aisle had teenagers with spiky hat things who were being fairly noisy, they paid over a thousand US for overweight, Dad didn't looked very pleased, poor chap. We tried the Prada Lounge, talked our way in for 100,000, microwave not working so body tried nasi goring but drinks were free, chairs were comfortable, easy way to wait for flight.