Just back after 16 glorious days. Left way back on July 17th, if you go on the direct Pacific Blue flight that leaves Adelaide at 9:35am on a Friday, unless the schedule at the airport in Bali changes, you will have no problem getting through customs. After a smooth & straight forward flight (apart from the news of the Jakarta bombings appearing on our TV screen mid flight, not the kind of thing you want to see on your way to Indonesia!)We arrived approx 1:15pm and were through VOA and immigration within 20 minutes & out the door - no VIP needed (we weren't going to do that anyway but now we're very glad we didn't spend any unnecessary money). Straight to our Hotel "Ramada Bintang" in Tuban. Ahhh the familiar sights, smells and sounds of the Island that we all love. Blue skies, warm sunshine, smells of incense and frangipanis welcomed us. The Ramada Bintang was terrific, gorgeous gardens, fantastic pool, and pig-out breakfasts!! My husband & I could go through to dinner time but of course the kids (girls aged 12 & 15) were always ready for lunch. This Resort is BIG & it was fully booked but not at any time did it seem crowded it was very strange, always got a spot by the pool and if those lounges were full there were more on the lawned area beside the pool that looked over the beach.....Fantastic! This was our 4th trip but our girls first, watching their faces was priceless. My eldest, who doesn't like shopping ......yes that's right a teenage girl that doesn't like shopping.......well, something snapped inside her and she was bartering with the best of them and bought more than any of us, quite funny to watch. Quick rundown, found a couple of restaurants that we liked and stuck to them (plus a few old favorites) Mudi's just to the right of the Ramada, cheap & yummy, I had the best Gado Gado and another night great Beef Satays. Febris was terrific too and you get a complimentary 10 min. massage why you are waiting for your meal. Our old favourite TJ's Mexican in Poppies Lane, great food and quick service (even though they were very busy) Our resort gave us a book of vouchers so we went to a restaurant Ifori near Waterbom Park, Pasta was the best and had fire dancers to entertain. Usual bargains, sandals 30,000, Billabong/Roxy T shirts 25- 30,000. Large 'Jimmy Choo' leather handbag 100,000, Sarongs 15,000 or up near Ubud Batik Sarongs for 8,000. Necklaces/bangles from 5,000 - 10,000. Rate was about 8,195 when we were there. Did a lot of relaxing had a Spa treatment at M & M's (main strip heading toward Kuta from Tuban) 225,000 (about $25) for a 1hr massage, hair treatment (including Avocado mask) facial and pedicure, all in all a total of 3 hours - my girls thought they were in heaven! Went to Ulluwatu (surfing) Sanur/Nusa Dua where the girls did Parasailing, so many things now in $US, including entry into the Safari Park, we had a nice time here but wouldn't go back, it really was just a trip around the park in a Safari car where the animals were, a photo with an Orangutan - which was wonderful I must say & then we went to where the rides were for the kids and we thought they could go on as many rides as they wanted but no, they just had to choose one and anymore we had to pay for so it turned out quite expensive. Waterbom Park was loads of fun, we hired a Cabana but in the end didn't really need it because we hardly used it as were out doing all the rides and walking around most of the time. Had a great driver Antoro, he & his girlfriend are saving to get married and he says it will take another year before they can afford to. If you would like his email let me know - he is stationed outside the Ramada Bintang in Tuban, very fair 300,00 for a whole day wherever we wanted to go + excellent English. Well I'm sure there is much more I could tell you but just recapping it gives me the Bali Blues big time.....my husband is still over there until next Friday on a Catamaran with 5 mates surfing somewhere around Lombok & Sumbawa.....lucky bugga! So until next time........back to work and start saving!!!! Thanks to all that helped me prior to our trip. Hope I can help someone in return.