Hi Everyone. Returned on 7th May from a fantastic 4 weeks in Bali. This trip was to celebrate my 50th Birthday so had a few family and friends join us which was great. Flew Air Asia from the Gold Coast and found them fine. New planes for the 4 flights and good service.
Spent our time between Legian and Lembongan. Our friends with their 5 kids were already at the hotel so great to catch up with them, only see them in Bali at the moment as they are travelling Australia and living in Geraldton at the moment. Arrived and spent 2 days at Lumbung Sari in Legian. A lovely small hotel in three brother's lane, 170,000rp for a double room, 220,000rp for a family room and 400,000rp for the deluxe bungalow. Family rooms have a king single and queen bed, and the deluxe bungalow has Queen Room downstairs, double on the 1st floor and another double on the 2nd floor, includes 2 bathrooms and a lounge area. Staff are great and the price includes continental breakfast. A lot of Europeans stay there with a few Aussies and new Zealanders thrown in.
Following the 2 days we then caught the Perama over to Lembongan, good trip but swell quite huge as we got closer to Lembongan. Stayed at the Puri Nusa and was great to catch up with all our Island friends. Most days the surf was good with one day being too big to surf. Spent most of the time relaxing, chatting, reading, eating and drinking. Went snorkelling with Captain Aqua one day and had a great time as usual. Captain throws some bread into the water and this encourages the fish to swim around you and then he gives you some bread and we handfeed the fish! Had some great meals at Ketut's Warung, she cooks good Thai food, Mainski has really nice food as well, more western but great when you feel like a Greek Salad, Thai Beef Salad or a Barbeque.
After seven days we returned to Legian to pick up our daughter and Hubbies best friend and too take our friends eldest daughter back to the Airport. Stayed at Lumbung Sari again for 3 nights, also hired a car to make all the backwards and forwards to the airport easier. Spent a night at Uncle Norms for our friends daughter's 19th Birthday, balloons and streamers were up when we arrived and the staff had also organised a birthday cake, she was really surprised. Boys went surfing most days and had a day up to Batubalan and Ubud to do some silver shopping at Komong Adi. This place is so cheap, it's a whole sale place but they also sell individual pieces. Examples of price are - Shell and mother of pearl chunky pendants 35,000 to 40,000rp, sets with pendant and earrings 45,000rp, brooches 45,000rp, Earrings 35,000rp, silver chokers to put the pendants on 57,000rp, fine silver chain 50,000rp, the younger girls went crazy and I bought some lovely pieces for our other daughter. I have the address and phone number if anyone interested. Also did a trip to Billabong Factory and got some great buys- Billabong denim shorts 220,000, Sloppy Joe 300,000, Kids Billabong Tshirts 60,000rp and Mens Tshirts 120,000rp.
Left Legian after the 3 days and returned to Lembongan for another 10 days of general relaxing. Went snorkelling again, boys and daughter surfed most days, and my son and daughter went scuba diving with Made Gareng from Lembongan Dive. Made took his camera and took some great photos and wow the fish and coral was amazing.
Spent my 50th on Lembongan. Organised for Ketut's Warung to cook up bulk amount of Thai and Fish with Balinese sauce. We invited around 30 locals including their wives and children and everyone enjoyed the food. Following dinner the tables were cleared and the dancing and drinking started, danced until 2am with all the Puri Nusa staff and managed to drink our way through 6 crates of Bintang. I had the absolutely best 50th a person could have, couldn't stop smiling all night.
Went back to Legian the morning after the party, hired a car at Sanur and booked back into Lumbung Sari in the Deluxe Bungalow. Our daughter lives in Thredbo and had some friends in Bali from Thredbo who were also celebrating birthdays, she went off celebrating and we joined a Brazilian friend and his girlfriend for a great dinner at Munching Inn in Kuta. This restaurant does have really nice food especially the Laksa and curries.
Spent a day going up to Kintamani and also a day at Ulluwatu. The rest of the days we did a little shopping, went to Geneva, Ketut's and Miss Debbie's. The boys surfed a few days. Bought our DVD's from our friend Danny who sells at Ulluwatu. And spent a lot of time just chatting around the pool at the hotel.
Flight home was good and can't wait until next trip. Took advantage of the free Air Asia seats and have booked for the end of January to travel to Bali for 2 weeks and then have booked flights to Vietnam for 17 days landing in Hanoi and leaving from Ho Chi Min. Only cost $470 per person. Counting down the weeks.
Any questions please ask.