Hi all
Just returned from my first trip to Bali in 18 years. This is my first ever JBR, please no nasty comments and also please ignore bad spelling.
I travelled with 2 girlfriends, all late 30's. This was a mummy's holiday about relaxing, shopping, chilling out and enjoying a short 7 day break from the kids. We have all done the temples, monkeys and kintamani before so didn't book any day trips etc.
We flew Jet* from Sydney Monday 11th May. Plan was full and flight left about 40 minutes late. Once in the air excitement set in. Flight over was fine, they mixed up our prepaid meals but once we showed or original paperwork meals where forth coming was well worth the extra $19 as included a hot meal with a little salad, bread bun, snack size chocolate and unlimited non alcoholic beverages. Arrived in Bali stepped off the plane warm night and the smell of Bali was fabulous. Was keen to get through the airport and start our holiday but Bali airport had other ideas. We had to line up for 1hr from time we got off plane to get to the VOA desk as they where spraying all passenger I assume in relation to swine flu. They only had one spray frame so one by one we waited to be sprayed, no one told us what it was just hope in line and wait your turn. We did not do VIP and some people we met on plane that did the VIP where still in the airport as we walked through customs so on the night the VIP was no faster as there was no queue hoping in the disinfecting spray line. Found my bags and negotiated 20,000 for a porter to take my bags. It was worth the money we where walked straight through customs. No white chalk on my bags although I did have a small 2ltr cask of wine in my bag. I must have got lucky. Once out of customs off to book a taxi. The queue for the pre pay taxi was about 30 people long so we decided to haggle with a taxi driver. As it was so busy no one would go under 100,000 to Legian we were so hot and tired we just paid the money and got our taxi.
Driving through the streets I was overwhelmed with all the shops and lights, so different from my last visit 18years ago. We stayed at Legian Beach hotel. We had beach front bungalow 6A which was very close to the pool and restaurant. The room was very basic for the money but location and hotel facilities were great. It was midnight by the time we got to our room so shower and sleep. Next day had a driver booked for some running around, I had to order some printing for my business, check out a few shops, buy some sewing supplies etc. I had a list of place to get to and our driver Made was fabulous, my uncle and his wife had used him many times so we booked him for lots of running around. On the first day my friends bailed out as they day got hotter and I went on with arranging a few more things for my business on my own and I felt very safe with my driver. I was a little nervous changing my money at the kuta art market so I asked my driver to come in with me. Got some Moto GP shirts for hubby and son at Oxford shop in Kuta art market. Also ordered soccer jerseys with our surname for my son. They did a great job although possibly a little overpriced really need to haggle hard here. Don't pay over 80,000 for the Moto gp shirts. I got overcharged on the first few purchases but I wasn't too upset as was still a bargain to me just learnt to haggle a little more, it was all coming back to me. I was a bit disappointed as I had taken some gold and hoped to get Mrs Pak to make me some gold Pandora charms. She was not at the shop so they called her and we made an appointment. When I came back for appointment she had been and gone even though I was on time. She just left a message for me 500,000 per charm and that was with my gold. Needless to say I didn't bother. Will try another jeweller next time.
After a long day of shopping and soaking up the atmosphere we walked down Melasti Street to a restaurant called Ketumba. We had a great meal there and lots of cold Heineken, bill was about 350,000 for 3 of us including drinks and our waitress Sari was lovely so we gave her a nice tip before walking down to indulgence spa for a 1hr foot and neck massage. It was a divine way to end the night and was only 50,000, we were so impressed tipped again. I realised tipping it is not necessary but I just like to. The Balinese seem to live on so little, I thought a few dollars from us would make a difference so we pretty much tipped everywhere we ate and spa'd except at the hotel bar and restaurant.
Day 2 had a few appointments and then went up to Unagi. Was a little frustrated that you had to ask price of everything but a young girl followed me around offering assistance the whole time I was there. I bought some happy flags, wooden platters and bowl and the buy of the day was a 6 piece woven napkin set with beaded coasters and napkin rings for 60,000. Being a shopper- holic I was in my element and loving Bali. Filled a few bags at Unagi and headed back down to Legian. Got some nice silver earrings at silver boat 150,000 Jl Legian and a lovely Pandora style bracelet for my daughter at Silverberry, 230,000 along with some lovely glass charms 27,000 and silver between 30,000 and 70,000. This was my favourite of all the silver shops for Pandora. I thought there quality was great. I did buy a few silver Pandora charms at Silver Instinct and Indocoral but I did not think they were finished as nice as Silverberry. Just my opinion.
Second night we walked down along beach road towards Seminyak and stopped at Sea View for dinner. We had a fab meal, shared some spring rolls and satay sticks followed by a nice red curry chicken, some fish and nasi goreng. Washed down with more beer which seemed to be the most refreshing and reasonable priced beverage so beer it was. Dinner was really nice restaurant was busy lots of Aussies. Looked out over the beach just a really nice relaxed place. I think it cost around 380,000 for 3 including all the beer.
Day 3 went to Febris day spa had a 3 hours package for 300,000 was great all 3 ladies together in an outdoor room and it was a really nice girls day out. Very relaxing and was nice to be pampered. There was some noise in the background from workmen, as a new Febris hotel being built next door, but this did not bother us just kind of added to the Bali experience. We did giggle that where else but Bali would you be laying naked outdoors in a bath with rose petals sipping ginger tea listening to the hammer tinkering away. Was a great day. I can say by now I am really relaxing and thinking this is the life...After the spa went to Bali Joe and ordered a nice leather jacket. Tried to get a hair crème bath and straighten at Johnny Andreni. We had enquired day before and told no appointment just turn up but when we arrived despite many staff sitting around they said it would be a ½ wait and then they could only do one at a time. With 3 of us was going to be hours so we gave it a miss. I was a bit disappointed but we got one later in the week at Spa indulgence on Jl Melasti. I think I struggled a bit with accepting Bali time for those first few days. I am always rushing around in Australia and running to a schedule. The Balinese are very relaxed and no rushing, by the end of the week I was very relaxed and accepted that 10 minutes always meant at least ½ hr...which I just referred to as Bali time.... back to the hotel for a relax in the pool followed by massage and nail painting on the beach and of course with a few cold Bintang.
Headed down to Seminyak to Mades Warong for Dinner. What a find this place was. Great atmosphere, good food and cold beer. They had samba dancing display and then the dancers got some people (including me and my friend) up for a Samba lesson. It was a real highlight lots of fun. Dinner was about 400,000 for 3 people 2 courses and beer.
Next day a bit of exploring around the streets of Legian and a nice swim in the pool, some time on the beach for a massage and few cold beers. Did a bit of beach shopping and met some lovely ladies on the beach front of LBH. Had great massages from Nami no.5, nails by Christine and Susan had some lovely jewellery for sale. Nancy was the lady to see for clothes and she would even get the correct size etc for the next day, Nancy is a real character and happy just to chat no pushy sales. Tommy got me some watched I wanted and the sunnies where only 20,000 on the beach and no haggling just 20,000. Drank at Sudra's bar, beer was always cold 13,000 each and great service. Really enjoyed this part of the holiday. The Balinese people are so friendly and I really enjoyed chatting with them on the beach each day. Once they got to know us and we had bought things form them earlier in the week the was no harassment just happy chatting and relaxing. Finished the day with drinks in the Sunset bar LBH. This is the best location to watch the sun set lying on the loungers. Bar staff at LBH where great. The sunset lounge and the pool are the highlight of the hotel.
Friday we took a drive out to Noosa Dua. There was a nice restaurant precinct we had a quite lunch. Noosa Dua is very different to Legian. Manicured gardens proper footpaths and very quiet. It was almost hard t believe we were in the same country. No scooters zooming around and we barely saw anyone. Probably nice for a day or 2 relaxation but I definitely like the hustle of Legian much better.
Back to Legian for a nice afternoon once again on beach with a massage and cold drinks. Followed by a lovely diner at the LBH's Indonesian Restaurant. We had a table overlooking the beach under a pavilion. Was just the perfect location. This was our dearest dinner of the trip came in at 590,000 for 3 people 2 courses and beer. Lovely food and great presentation and service.
On Saturday we had a wonder through Legian markets. Got some great cushion covers 4 covers for 100,000 was the buy of the day. Lovely modern designs for the lounge and also some lovely beaded organza cushions for the bedroom. Spent a few hours buy the pool and another massage on the beach. Headed down to Queens of India at the Dynasty for dinner. Great restaurant very modern decor and most of all great Indian food. Was great sitting road side watching the activity on the streets of Tuban. I ate too much and couldn't fit in desert needed to walk off that dinner. We then Headed down to Bali Joe to pick up the leather jackets we ordered. They fitted perfectly my mid thigh length jacket was about 850,000 my friend had one made well past the knee for 1,300,000.
Sunday was a lazy day late breakfast. Buffet at LBH was great. Pancake station and egg station plenty of fresh fruit and hot food. The banana bread was a highlight for me on the breakfast menu, omelettes where pretty good too. Laid by the pool and read my book just took it easy. Had lunch at the sunset lounge at LBH. Great Pizza and Garlic bread. I wished we were staying longer but had to accept tomorrow was to me my last day.
After a massage on the beach, yes again.... this had become the afternoon ritual to pop down the beach chat to the locals a few cold beers while having a shoulder and head massage. Then we had a few cocktails at the sunset lounge LBH soaking up our last full night in Bali as we watched the sun set over Legian beach. We enjoyed Mades Warong so much we went for our last night in Bali. When we arrived place was packed managed to get a table. They had Balinese dancing which was great and the Moto Gp was on the big screen. We asked our waiter if we could move to a table near the dance floor. He moved us as soon as one came available and we had a close up view of the dancing which was fabulous. A great way to spend our last night in Bali.
Monday 18th May was our last day. I got up and had early breakfast on the road by 9am. Went and picked up my printing which has been done just as requested. Picked up the personalised soccer shirts I had ordered, canvas painting and a few last bits and pieces. Headed back to hotel before lunch and spent a few hours lazing by the pool before one last massage on the beach. Said farwell to all the lovely people we had befriended on the beach. Packed our bags and check out of our room. Walked down Melasti Street to Uncle Norms Bistro for final meal. Had some happy hour cocktails at 27,000 cheapest we had in Bali. Then shared some satay sticks, nasi goreng and calamari. This was our cheapest meal in Bali less than 300,000 including drinks. Was so sad to be leaving, I was just relaxing and getting into the Bali spirit and already time to leave. Note to self -Must stay longer next time.
Our driver took us to the airport. Seemed to go through many security checks and had to show passport about 7 times which seemed crazy but anyway we then got to our departure gate. They don't let you take any water in but there are no drinks for sale once inside. Found this a bit frustrating in the heat and by this time I was tired and wanted to be on the plane and attempt some sleep. After a false start on the boarding we finally got on. Were a few empty seats on the plane. Managed to score an empty one to next me but still had only a little sleep. Landed in Sydney on time and progressed through the airport fairly quickly after grabbing some duty free and declaring my wooden items all of which I was allowed to keep. Was cold and rainy in Sydney and made me miss Bali even more. I hope my next visit is sooner rather than later.