After a number of ‘dramas' prior to our flying out to Bali, including a home invasion - (amongst other things, our travel documents were also stolen), I must say it was a relief to arrive in Paradise (my 26th trip, hubby's 24th) on the 20th March. We instantly relaxed - why wouldn't we!!!
We flew Garuda again - absolutely great. Stayed at Dynasty (again, fantastic).
Pleasantly surprised at the exchange rate on the streets - at least Rp8000 for Aus $. Dropped to about Rp7800 by the time we left yesterday.
Friday evening we met friends for dinner at Bali Garden Beach Resort. I think the restaurant was called the ‘Boardwalk - very very nice, and reasonable.
Saturday - Safari/Marine Park - we thoroughly enjoyed our day there. Our only advice would be - go early!!!! It gets pretty hot there in the afternoon. We had dinner at Bubba Gumps - fabulous - Hubby got the ‘birthday treatment' which was a huge laugh. Beautiful meal again.
Sunday - shopping at Carefour and Kuta Galleria. Just bought a few essentials and had a good look around. This was not a shopping trip but rather a ‘relaxation' trip.
Dinner at Bali Colada (Centro) - yum - they certainly know how to make a delicious prawn salad. I love this place and it's reasonably priced as well.
Monday - we were invited to a Melasti Ceremony in our friend's small village in the Tabanan district. This meant an early start (picked up from hotel at 5.30am). What an amazing experience. We joined the procession to the beach (black sand) and observed the cleansing in the ocean. Then we proceeded to the Temple (about 1km). It was a beautiful ceremony topped off by lunch at our friend's home. Returned to hotel early afternoon. Dinner at il Cealo (?spelling).
Tuesday - lazy day - why not????
Wednesday afternoon/evening we joined other guests, staff and management at Dynasty for the Ogah Ogah procession. This was fantastic!!
Of course Thursday being Nyepi (one of the main reasons we chose to go to Bali at this time), was just a lovely, relaxing, quiet day. Friday, (not many shops open) - just went for a drive to Tanah Lot. The tide was in so the Temple wasn't accessible - still a pleasant day though.
It's very hot and humid in Bali at the moment. We only had one lot of rain (and man, it rained early hours of Friday morning!!!).
Flight home was on time and uneventful. Back to reality now and back to work tomorrow!!!! Next trip, hopefully around November.
Cheers, Cath