Returned home from Bali on May 31st. Had a fantastic time, as always!!
Flew Garuda and service was great, as always.
Rates at the Kodak for the 10 day stay were hovering on 8.800rp per AUD.
Streets of Kuta were lively and busy.
I wont do a day by day account of things, will just include some things which may be of interest to some.
We stayed at Bali Kuta Garden Villa (a villa in Kuta Royal Complex). This is our second home, and we love it here. The location is great with easy access to the shops and dining that Tuban and Kuta offer.
Took a first timer to Bali with me who was finding it hard to get into Bali mode, which was a little disappointing....but can understand, as after all it was her first time out of Australia. She did slowly get into the mode, so who know's maybe it will be the first of many trips for her.
First night on arrival, stopped in at The Stadium Bar and watched half of the State of Origin then visited friends to say 'hi I'm back!' and we partied until 5am, and had an enjoyable first night.
Next day we slept in and I took my girlfriend to Melasti Spa in Legian to get her hair braided, as she's always wanted to get this done. She has really long hair (almost to her bottom) and the girls at the Melasti did a fantastic job. It cost 200.000rp (included taxes)but well worth the cost since she got to sit in comfortable cool surroundings and had a professional job done. I got a manicure and pedicure and nails painted and had a little wander around whilst she was getting her hair done.
Got some really good bargains at the Billabong Outlet on Sunset Road and went back twice as friend couldn't resist as she has 5 children and 4 of them are boys who are all into the surf brands. I'd definately recommend this outlet to anyone wanting to purchase Billabong goods. There are 3 floors and each floor has good percentages off the initial prices which are shown on the tags. I got some nice hats for the kids, a belt and some thongs for myself, and a long sleeved hoodie top for my daughter...My friend, well, I think she almost bought the shop out hahehe.
We went to Ubud one day and I took my friend to the Monkey Forest, no matter how many times you may have seen monkeys they just always seem to amaze me. The monkeys here are very well behaved as long as you don't try to cuddle and pat them and don't take any food in with you....You will see some of the monkeys scuttle across your path and have a bit of a fight with each other but they are so used to tourists that it seems that they almost don't aknowledge your presence. They really are fascinating creatures and you got to love those cheeky little monkeys that put on a show for all and dive into the pond head first with their tails bobbing up above the water. They are just like little kids pushing and shoving each other off branches into the pond.
I went to Ganesha bookstore in Ubud and stocked up on more reading material. I really love this bookstore and always pay a visit when I'm in Bali, I'm gathering quite a good collection of Indonesion books now.
Speaking of books....I met a friend whilst at Bali and she is staying there for 9 months and about a week ago she met the author of 'Bali Moon'. If anyone has a copy of Bali Moon (like I do) hold onto it!! Apparently there are no more copies which can be published, so what ever is circulating around is all you will get. The author informed my friend that a copy of 'Bali Moon' is now worth $220.00. So in years to come it may be worth more. It's a very interesting read so if you are lucky enough to get your hands on a copy, definately hold onto it!
We went to Cafe Lotus after my book purchases and had an enjoyable meal then wandered through Ubud markets. On the way home we stopped at a kite manufacturer who had literally hundreds and hundreds of kites all packaged and ready to distribute to shops. My friend purchased 2 large kites to take back to her children. We have purchased quite a few kites in the past and have managed to get them all flying high up in the sky like you see them hovering in the skies at Bali. The only one we've never been able to get up was a 4 layered boat...oh well it's a good decoration :)
We went to Waterbom Park one day and just had a chill out relaxed day, lazing in the cabanna sipping Bali Kopi, eating and also drinking luscious fruit smoothies, swimming and doing endless laps of the lazy pool. Had a beautiful massage at Soul Assylum (located in Waterbom) so realxing that I was in a trance state until halfway through our massage my relaxed state of mind was funnily interupted by a man encountering his first ever massage. First I hear him say 'What is this?' the massage lady replies 'It's paper undies'. The guys say's 'Paper undies hahahah, I'll have to buy some of these for home' He was laughing for about 5 minutes then explaining how he'd never had a massage before. My friend and I were both trying not to laugh and after listening to him moaning and groaning it was very hard to wipe the smiles off our faces....finally he quitened down, thank god! The massage was bliss though and we returned the next day for another.
We purchased 100 dvd's and got 80 for free.
Got some music cd's all of which have been good sound quality.
My favourite purchase was my dragonfly silver ring, which has a little sparkly stone for the body...it's really cute. On my next visit I want to get a small dragonfly tattoo done, was going to do it this trip but just didn't get around to it. I also got a lovely chuncky silver ring with the white opalish looking stone which is in the shape of a triangle with rounded edges. I have that much silver jewellery now but I always look for something else to add to my collection.
I bought a very interesting carving from an old man. It's intricately carved and has a barong looking face in the middle of it. I purchased it because of the detailed work, but was unaware what it was made from. After purchasing I showed my Balinese friend who informed me it was a cow's bone!
All in all we had a fantastic time, ate lots of food, and at times we drank a few too many drinks :) We managed to accomplish our list of shopping requirements. This trip was mostly a shopping trip for my friend and we did quite a bit of partying. I took time out to converse with my balinese and indonesion friends and look forward to returning to see them all again in 5 weeks time. I will be taking my children and staying for a month. We have a list of things which we are looking forward to do as a family and it seems that no matter how many times we travel to Bali there's always something to put on your must do list for next time.
Will most likely do another report when I return from my next trip which will include tours.
We have been to Bali over 20 times now and our first visits were when my children were only 2 & 3 yrs old and they are now 9 & 10 and I feel that it's time to refresh their memories with some things we've done in the past and also do some new things such as the Safari Park etc....Can't wait! and the kids are counting down the weeks.
Thanks for reading if you got this far, and I hope I didn't bore you.