Hi all,
Back from Bali a week ago. Ho hum, now back to work to save for the next one. This report will just be writings as I think of them.
This time went with best friends and their 21 year old son. This was number ‘many trips' (I don't really know- 1st for me was 12 years ago and my partner Gary was 20 years ago.)
We flew Virgin Blue - we also flew with them in January. They were an hour late leaving then, this time they were about 2 hours late leaving Perth on the 10 May. They said it was because of storms in Bali.
We stayed at Melasti in Legian, which seemed to be full to overflowing. This was our third time staying here. I think it's time to move on. Breakfast was a little tired, it's buffet style, but with some strange things (to us) like fish sausages ?? and veggies which were usually a bit under done. Bacon was on the menu 3 times in 2 weeks.
We stayed at Puri Raja in January and are booked in there again for October.
We had no problems with staff at Melasti, they seemed to do a good job with a full house, but an acquaintance of our friends staying there did have problem. He had bought quite a few t-shirts over the first week (still in their plastic bags). Some disappeared from his room. He reported it to reception, who were non-committal on any favourable out-comes on recovery. The t-shirts turned up next day in his room without plastic bags and with the tags cut out. Oh well, he got them back !!
Also in the last week there was a new arrival absolutely going ballistic in reception, staff said he was peessed off the plane. The reception staff said he accused the staff of stealing from him. Police were called, nothing much else happened. He stayed in the resort. We thought - drunk guy, doesn't bloody know what's going on etc etc. It turns out he actually caught a staff member in his room, going thru his stuff. Hmmmm...
Anyway, we had no problems, nor did other friends staying there at the same time.
We swam in the smaller of the two pools with a pool bar. Less crowded than the big one, with a bit of shade. There was also heaps of kids there this time, not having kids myself, may be school holidays some where in Australia ? Had quite a few Bintangs and cocktails at the pool bar, quite well priced I think.
Looked at a few smaller resorts to book over the internet, I think the Adika Sari just up the road is for us next year.
Went down to Sammi and Suzies a few nights for a beer. Heaps of people there, Sammi will be retiring soon on all the profits ! He doesn't change, still the same genuine person as ever. Bought watches from Bali Boy and Gary got his thumbs and big toes painted in the Collingwood colours. oh well, I love him for all his OTHER great qualities !
Bali over-all seemed to be very full. A lot of resorts said they were booked out. Bars and restaurants had a lot of patrons.
Ate at a few favourites for dinner-
Sheppys on Melasti is always good. Cold beer and the best seafood Bruschetta.
Yut'z, Wayan & Friends and Poco Loco the same, a great meal.
La Casa over the road from Yut'z not so great. We thought we would share the love and not eat at Yut'z AGAIN, but tiny tasteless meals.
Ketumber on Melasti was again absolutely sensational.
Lunches were at Ours or Breeze on Garlic lane, and also Sheppys for a steak burger. We had to try them again to make sure it wasn't a fluke !
Also went to Tropical up past Jayakarta on Padma Utara on a recommendation. They had great burgers too and fun staff, I think the girls wanted to take Ryan (21 year old) home. In fact, all the massage girls and staff in restaurants wanted to know him ! even driving past a group of massage girls in Padma Utara (where his father and him had had a massage)they saw him in the bus and were all calling out to him. he kept blushing !!
Caught the AFL and Rugby at quite a few places as well. lots more places have sport now than a few years ago.
Billies was great for a few beers on the way home after dinner.
Spas - mainly went to Melasti Spa out the front of the resort. I got acrylic nails done for the first time in years. They are sensational, very very happy with them. Only had 1 full body massage, it was so hot and humid over there, the massage oil just seemed to stick. Made up for it in Pedicures, hair treatments etc. Also tried a few other small spas in the vicinity (to share the love !!) for reflexology, and foot massages.
Went white water rafting again as friends' 21 year old hadn't done it before, the 4 of us had done it 3 times before. Bought our tickets from Bali Aussie for around 230,000 R I think.
We went on the Telaga Waja (sp?) river I think. It seemed to be running faster this time (time of year ?) than years gone by. We went over the weir this time. My gosh, definitely an adrenalin boost. 21 year old bounced out and lost his $200 sunnies. He bought some $3.00 Bali ones to replace them !
Also did a push bike tour. We went with Bike-baik Tours which is locally owned and run. (the main reason we chose them) Much has been written on here about the quality of this tour, and we weren't disappointed. Great scenery, lots of fun, and a yummiest lunch at the end. And home with plenty of time for an afternoon Bintang !
Also went and had a look at Unagi (similar to Geneva) and yes, as reported before, well set out with lots of bargains on homewares.
Also bought 6 dining room chairs from a huge furniture place in seminyak to ship home. They had a fantastic selection of furniture, I could have spent a fortune.
Didn't do much other shopping, all our suitcases were under weight on the way home (unlike me !)
Virgin Blue were running an hour late on the way home. Is this a pattern forming ?
I know nothing new here, but hey I feel better for writing it !
We are back in Bali October in Candi Das and Legian and I can't wait. You always have to have something to look forward to !
Lois