Here is my JBR, short as it may be. Sorry it took so long to get it online, but lots of things in work and life got in the way of getting this done sooner.
It was a great trip and Bali was wonderful. I would love to go back one day, but the lengthy flight, as well as lots of other destinations around the world to see, will keep it from happening any time soon. Maybe in a few years time I will make the long trip to Bali once again.
I was in Bali with a friend from March 9th to March 21st. We went there on a package booked through my travel agent and Silk Holidays. We stayed in the Nusa Dua and Benoa area. We stayed at the Grand Mirage. It was a wonderful hotel of which I have no complaints. Our package included daily breakfasts, five guided tours (3 full day and 2 half day) and hotel transfers. We also received a 90 minute massage at a spa, although we had to pay $10 for the round trip drive between the hotel and spa. I was very impressed with the English language abilities of many of the hotel employees, including the housekeeping staff. It was much easier to communicate with staff in Bali, than it has been the many times I have been to Mexico. We had numerous restaurants to choose from up and down the road right outside our hotel. Usually we could have lunches for about $5 to $7, and dinners for about $8 to $10, including drinks, taxes and tips. The food was nothing special...but there were many choices on the menus. Most of the restaurants in our area included a large menu selection of international options, but that being said, most of the restaurants all had very similar menus so the selections didn't really change from restaurant to restaurant. I actually found that I lost a couple of pounds between the lack of appetite due to the heat and the lack of too much food being in my face...lol. The beach was okay, although the staff did their best to make sure it was clean and comfortable. The only thing I didn't like was the constant sound of motor boats from the water sports that were going on all along the beach. But it was far from deal breaker as to whether I would ever go back to that resort. I definitely would stay at the same place if I went back to Bali through a package holiday.
Money was easy for me. I just took my bank card and used the bank machines to take out money as I needed it. Before I left, I set up a plan with my bank which cost me $17 and gave me 8 free international ATM withdrawls. If I had not done that, my bank would have charged me $4 per international transaction. And then for other purchases I just used my credit card. I never had to worry about dishonest money exchangers. And I never had any problems with the bank manchines, although I made sure I would use one that gave me smaller bill. If needed my hotel made change for the larger bills, with no charge or problems.
We did some shopping on this trip, although my favourite purchase hands down was a leather purse and coat made especially for me by Saga Tailor shop, located just across the road from the Grand Mirage. The boys that owned the shop were wonderful and very helpful. I had a purse that I wanted them to copy for me in black lambskin and they did it for about $35.00. Once I got the purse and was so happy with it, I ended up asking them to make me a mid-length, lined, black lambskin jacket. I got to choose the features that I wanted and they measured me so that it would fit perfectly....and it did. It cost an unbelievable $90, less than a quarter of what it would cost buy one here at home. My mother who is a seamstress looked it over and gave it thumbs ups. They did a very good job. The only problem I had with the purse was having to re-glue the lining in, but I suspect that had lots to do with the change in climate/weather etc. Once I re-glued the lining with a fabric/leather glue, which was really easy to do, it has been perfect. If anyone decides to go there and get something made, tell them Pam sent you.
The weather was okay. We did hit a few rain storms and it clouded over a fair amount, but we got some sun too. We were busy with tours many of the days, so it was not as relaxing as some of the other vacations I usually go on. There were many sights to see, and there is no question Bali is a beautiful location. I never seemed to get bored with the sights during the tours. On top of the tours we took that were included in our package, we booked a full day with a guide and driver to the Bali Safari and a couple of stops to get some specific items we were looking to buy (this day cost each of us $50, including entry into the Bali Safari, and we gave our guide and driver each $10 as a tip for the day.) The Bali Safari was good, but I probably wouldn't go back again if I ever went back. Once was good enough. If you are going with kids they would probably love this place and I would recommend going. The tours we took through our tour company that came with our package were also good, but I must admit I was a little sick of temples by the time the trip was over...lol.
Overall, I had a wonderful trip and I suspect I will go back someday. We had a 3 day layover in Japan on the way home. It was interesting, but next time I would choose a different city...once in Japan was enough for me.
Take care and for all those with trips planned to Bali...enjoy and have fun.