Back to the real world now but a quick report on our trip covering the basics (not a day by day)
7.15am Garuda flight from Perth departed and arrived on time (Thursday 23rd October.) Flight was full - perhaps only 6 empty seats.
We were the only international flight landing in Bali at 10.35am. Not a trolley in sight but plenty of porters if required. VOA was paid in Australian dollars $164.00 for 4 people. I gave them $165.00 and got no change. Customs and immigration was fairly quick and easy - a few white chalk marks uncovered our Pepsi Max , again no problems once they sighted what it was.
Taxi outside airport to Kuta Townhouses was 50,000rp per taxi
Accommodation was at Kuta Townhouses. For those of you that have stayed when the building of the new section was going on you will be very pleased to know that it is now complete and you can relax by the pool to the sound of sport on TV's, instead of hammers, saws and drills. Whilst we were there they equipped the Gym with weights, bikes, treadmills and walkers. I believe that it is open to the public at 50,000rp per hour for 1st hour(then 30,000 per hour) including use of the 25m lap pool. The new section looks absolutely fantastic. I think that occupancy was running at about 60% whilst we were there. The staff at Kuta townhouses were excellent, food and service was great as usual. Love those club sandwiches and Home made spring rolls in the afternoon with a glass of wine.
Speaking of wine - alcohol was very short in Bali, most places had put their prices up on what spirits they did have and many cocktails were just not available.
Money - The day we arrived (Thursday) the rate was 6570rp dropping to 5950 on the Sunday. It gradually increased from here on in and the rate when we left 14 days later was 7200rp.
We ate at a different restaurant for most meal s (occasionally returning to a favourite for a second visit)- some of my favourites were Zanzibar, Lanai, Seaside, The Treehouse in Poppies 1 and The Sky Garden. Many other little places we ate at were the little places around the Townhouses - Basil Leaves, Tom Yum , Kuta Steakhouse, Secret Garden, Havana's. Melbourne Cup lunch at the Bali Rock and so many more. If you are a coffee lover we found a great new Coffee shop - AMINO CAFE just opposite the Barong in Poppies 2.
We hired a car from Made just outside the Kuta Townhouses - Toyota Avanza for 4 days and then bikes for the next 10 days.
Drove ourselves to the Safari Park - if you are driving yourself there is plenty of signage and we had no problems getting there or back.
Spread our money around shopping throughout our stay at different shops and restaurants. Watched a few sunsets down the beach from various restaurants or just sitting on the beach.
Left Bali on Thursday 6th Nov on the 12.40pm (lunchtime) flight. Very strict on weight allowance - We were 9 kgs over (between 2 people) and was charged $63 US dollars. Once again flight was pretty full.
We were the only flight landed in Perth and were fairly quick through customs, declaring our wood etc with no problems.
Martyn and Julie