I'm going to make it short but to the point. All those shared conversations and changes of underwear are not my style (although I do enjoy reading other peoples' JBRs).
On arrival, we were picked up by Raul (great driver, highly recommended, mobile no: +6281338748194), who took us straight to the Shangrila at Candidasa. CD was nice, quiet, but the Shangrila was a serious disappointment. The rooms appear to have been furnished straight from St Vinnies (nothing matched), there was no such thing as a comfortable chair, our room didn't even have a verandah to sit on, and the food and drinks were hideously expensive (compared to what we're used to in Sanur). But, I must say, the bed was the most comfortable I've ever slept on in Bali). Our favourite eating spot on the main street was Friends (seriously good food). We went to the water palace at Tirtangangga (fantastic), the floating palace at Ujung (ditto) and the Safari Park which was the highlight of the whole trip. Unfortunately, I'd have to agree with previous posters who said that the lion appears to be sedated. Got a great picture whilst nursing a baby orang-utan, participated in the bird show, fed and patted an elephant, and generally had a wonderful time. Highly recommended. We also went snorkelling at the Blue Lagoon, which again was well worth it. Had to beat the fish off with a stick!
Then off to do some serious relaxing at the Sari Sanur Resort, obviously in Sanur. Our usual home away from home, the Griya Santrian, has renovated itself out of our price range, and when we wandered through for a look there were many, many, many children, strollers, babies and Europeans. I like my own grandchildren, not other people's (call me grumpy! LOL). The Sari Sanur is very basic but very nice. Don't even consider going there if you've got children. There's nothing for them to do. It is a rooms only kinda place, with no restaurant or bar. They deliver breakfast to your verandah, but after that you're on your own. We likened it to an "over 50's" resort. Lots of Dutchies!
We didn't feel the need to shop as much as in previous years, but we did squeeze in a trip to Kuta and then the Bali Galleria. The supermarket below Matahari (at the Galleria) is gone, and I honestly can't tell you what's in its place. But there is a Hypermart upstairs which was fantastic. Almost as good as Carrefour, except for the bakery. But then there's Breadtalk downstairs, and we stocked up on yummies in there.
That will do for now. If you want details of anything, I'll be happy to tell you.