Just back from a short 6 day shopping, eating and massage holiday. First trip in nine years for me and first trip to Bali for my daughter Veronica but I'm happy to report she is hooked so we are already planning a longer holiday next year. As both of us have recently moved into new homes and were on a mission to shop for home furnishings we had a ball. We flew Virgin out of Brisbane about 30 minutes late leaving and arrived about 45 minutes late. Flight good great service although they did run out of some food items. Don't forget to take water and food that can be purchased after clearing customs in Australia. But this can't be done when leaving Bali we had our water confiscated. On the way over Veronica was sitting next to a complete a-hole he had taken his own alcohol on board, ordered more got smashed and eventually was refused service but not before driving us both mad. In hind sight we should have asked to be seated somewhere else as there were spare seats - certainly would do this if we were ever in the situation again.
Did the VIP VOA as suggested by forum used Jyllian Anderson of Netfare based in Australia you can call her on 0411511043. Can't recommend it highly enough - what a great service saved us heaps of time we were off the plane and checking in at the Bali Gardens reception within 30 minutes of landing. It was the most stress-free arrival I have ever experienced in over 30 years of international travel. Cost $38 each and worth ever cent. We also did the Prada Lounge for 100,000rp on departure also excellent value.
First night dined at BGH Boardwalk Café and had the best meal and yes the Lamb Shanks do melt in your mouth. We enjoyed our stay at BGH and believe it is value for money and great location. Absolutely love the gardens and pool area vast improvement from my first stay there about 12 years ago. Didn't get one of the new refurbished rooms but was taken in to see one that had been completed. It looked great and the light colour scheme gave a very spacious appearance. The big plus at BGH are the staff who are all very friendly.
Other great meals included next door at kafe Batan Waru; Indo-national on Jl Padma; Aromas on Jl. Legian (love the loo's); fish café at Jimbaran Bay. Best experience joining the Balinese cooking class at Anika Guest House and then eating the wonderful food we helped cook. Other best was seeing the new baby elephants at the Elephant Safari Park in Taro, Ubud. And if you are a keen gardener you will love the immaculate and peaceful gardens. Worth every cent and we will go again.
Shopping at Geneva Jl. Raya Kerobokan No. 100, Kuta was great. We went twice and loved that everything was priced and we could shop till we dropped. Just get a taxi there and grab another as they drive past to get back to hotel. Great home wears good quality and cheaper than you can get in the markets. We also went to Unagi Jl Teuku Umar Barat/Marlboro No. 383 Dempasar and found it similarly priced as Geneva but didn't like to have to ask the attendant the price of everything. But it did have great home wears so would go again. Declared all items on return through customs and no problems everything got through ok.
Our driver for our day to Ubud was Sanny sannybalitours@hotmail.com cost for day out with Sanny RP450000. And we also had his brother for half a day at 250,000. Both very good and we will use again. Had plenty of massage but as I am involved in the spa industry I was not very impressed with some of the small salon spas. In past holidays I have only had beach massage (great) and resort spas also good. Having said that after a few not so good treatments in the street salon spa we finally found the best at Body Relax opposite Melasti Beach Bungalows, Jl. Dewi Sartika and just north of Waterbom. Ask for Chade (and her sister can't remember her name) we had the 1 hour foot massage for Rp 80,000 just over $9 and the 2 hour Royal Indonesia Massage for Rp 150.000 both were very good. But from what we could gather all the girls there are brilliant. Also had Penny from Eve Health Beauty Spa right next door and she's also very good and used just the right amount of pressure. The worst was a hot stone massage at Melasti Beach Bungalows Spa they really need to train their therapists before they let them loose. Veronica's therapist was ok but mine was just plain awful she bruised me by catching my skin between stones and grinding over bone, dropped stones and all in all it was a very unpleasant experience.
Had a wonderful night at the Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel including the buffet and show of Legong Balinese Dancers cost Rp 125,000 each. Where would you get dinner and show for $15 in Aussie??? Got some beautiful photos of the dancers who were all tiny and gorgeous.
Laundry at Simply Fresh on the second floor Jl Dewi Sartika just opposite Bali Ratu Spa and only a short stroll south of Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel. Rp 8,000 for 1 kilo which is about 10 pieces. But make sure you colour sort for them because I got some very pretty pink undies back they started out beige but my bright pink T shirt did a great colour job. And you even get to choose your own scent and your washing comes back smelling yummy.
Clothes shopping you can't go past the fixed price shops of Ketut Nurani Near the JL Melasti end of Jl. Sahadewa (Garlic lane) bit hard to find but worth the effort. She has about 3 or 4 shops together and we bought heaps including fake brand name ladies wallets ranging from Rp 35,000 up t0 90,000. T shirts Rp 40 000 for XL Also two other favourites are Rika Shop Jl Dewi Sartika this shop is run by a lovely young family and right next door is Dianne's opposite the Green Garden. Our advice is to go to these three shops when you first arrive and don't waste precious holiday time trying to bargain because they will all look after you and still be better priced than any at the markets.
Well our six day holiday went very fast but was heaps of fun and now to start saving till we go again next year.