FLIGHTS / AIRPORTS
Flew Jet* both ways and didn't know what to expect as we had heard lots of grumbles on the forum about them. We couldn't have been happier. Friendly staff from start to finish both ways, flights on time, great flight times, all very civil.
Got off the plane in Bali and everything went fast. We were out in the foyer in around 10 minutes. A record for us! Took a while to find our driver in the sea of signs but we eventually found him and off we went.
ACCOMMODATION / TRANSPORT
We had 14 nights in Vila Surati II off Double Six in Legian. We had checked out the villa on our previous trip and we weren't disappointed. Every bit as nice as the website and the owners were there at the same time as us in Surati I next door. Nice and quiet yet close to the action! Ketut (the house girl) looked after our every wish and was there when needed, however, out of the way when not needed. All in all it was the perfect mix of attention and privacy. We rented a scooter whilst there (as we were childless, god bless Nanna!) for the whole time and we had a ball. Ketut organised the scooter to be delivered and picked up from the Villa. I had my international licence and we never got pulled over by the police once. All in all a great experience and I would recommend it to all who are experienced motor cycle riders.
FOOD
We tried to eat at a different place every night and below is a summary of each night with some scores and comments:
Beachfront Café - On the beach at the end of double six. It's the one that has the pool table on the same level as the bar. Nice food but expensive for the serving size. This was our first night and I can't for the life of me remember the name of the place. FOOD 8/10 VALUE FOR MONEY 5/10
ULTIMO - In Seminyak. This was recommended by the villa owners so we thought we'd give it a try. We were out the back where it is so dark you have to order by torchlight. I like to see what I am eating. We were a little disappointed with the serving sizes, especially for an Italian restaurant. FOOD 7/10 VFM 5/10
YUTZ - A forum favorite which didn't disappoint. Great steak! FOOD 8/10 VFM 8/10.
MADES WARUNG - Seminyak. This used to be one of our favourites. Disappointing this time Slow service, so-so food, expensive for serving size. FOOD 7/10 VFM 6/10
INDO-NATIONAL - An old favorite which is a safe bet. Still great service and great food at a great price. FOOD 8/10 VFM 9/10.
WARUNG ASIA - Off Double Six. What a great little Warung. Supurb curries at a superb price! The seafood curry is to die for! FOOD 9/10 VFM 9/10
BALI BAKERY - This was the find of the trip. We had never eaten dinner at Bali Bakery before. We didn't even know they did dinner. What a great menu, top food at a top price! FOOD 9/10 VFM 10/10.
B COUPLE - After the night before, what a let down! Expensive and slow! Food was not bad but the rest let it down. Cocktails expensive and small! FOOD 7/10 VFM 4/10.
THE BEACH HOUSE - Echo Beach. We went there with the villa owners. What a great venue! Food was great and reasonably priced. Great band too! FOOD 8/10 VFM 9/10
MA JOLLY'S - We went here because we had heard all about it. We picked the wrong night. The tables near the beach were full of a party of very loud people who were yelling and screaming and wrestling each other on the beach. Killed the atmosphere! The food was fantastic but I like a bit more on my plate, especially at those prices. FOOD 9/10 VFM 6/10.
WARUNG MURAH - Double Six. We decided to go here because we always saw that it was packed. They had a buffet which everyone else seemed to be going for but I had the echo in my ears of NEVER EAT A BUFFET IN BALI so we chose from the menu. Simple food but the cheapest meal we had in Bali. FOOD 6/10 VFM 10/10
RUMOURS - Seminyak. We ended up here by accident. We intended eating at La-Luciolas but we hadn't booked. No room! We stopped off here on the way home and we were glad we did. Food was great. Atmosphere great and prices great! The only downer was that the Wagu Beef was served in thin strips instead of a nice thick lump. FOOD 9/10 VFM 8/10.
PIZZA CAFÉ - Double Six. Again another one that's actual name escapes me. It's on the corner of Double six just up from Warung Asia. Nice Pizza's at a reasonable price. FOOD 7/10 VFM 8/10.
On the last night we went back to the Bali Bakery for dinner. It was just as impressive the second time!
SHOPPING/ACTIVITIES
We didn't plan to do a lot of activities this time round. We were childless (thanks again Nanna!) so we wanted to relax this trip. Villa Surati II was the perfect place for that, and we took full advantage. We went to Waterbom Park twice, Echo beach and Ubud, but that was about it. We did a bit of shopping. Got the usual t-shirts, shorts and tops at Mandy's off Poppies II. Kris brought a couple of handbags, beads, shoes and nick nacks off the street, and we spent a bit of time in Mataharis where she brought some clothes and musical instruments for the kids. We came back with kilos to spare which was great!
MASSAGES/SPAS
Had the 1.5 hours of foot reflexology at Cool in Seminyak. This is one of our favourite places which we would recommend to anyone! 120,000 for the 1.5 hours and if you think foot reflexology is just about the feet then you have got another thing coming. You even get a head massage!
We had the full body massage at Febris. That was great but a wish we had chosen the different varieties of massage instead of just the Balinese. It was still nice though!
Kris got a Manicure and Pedicure done at Reflections which is up the road from Bodyworks in Seminyak. She also got another one at a little place directly opposite IBUD tattoo which was OK.
GENERAL
We both got tattoos at IBUD tattoo. I got a full length shoulder to shoulder tribal design on my back and Kris got her first tattoo, Woody Woodpecker just above her butt in the centre. We were both happy with them and the price. Very clean studio too.
We took TRAVEL BUG tablets from a week before leaving, no troubles at all. I swear by those things. I was eating a lot of curries etc and not so much as a squishy belly. The good thing about them is they do not need to be kept in the fridge once you start using them, and last out of the fridge for a month. Thoroughly recommended!!
As usual, thanks to everyone on here for the advice and tips. You NEVER stop learning no matter how many times you travel!