Have been back a week and have sorted out our "stuff" and back to to work for the next trip.
Had a wonderful stay at Ramada Bintang and very happy with the security of the resort. Everything was great at Ramada but the little fridge did play up trying to keep temperature right.
Went to Diannes first up (recommended) and brought a few shorts, tops etc to guage the local prices and then went on from there and had a great time bargaining with the locals.
The food in the restaurants was generally very good but some are starting to become a bit expensive so it pays to shop around. Some of the toilets at the restaurants are pretty smelly and not that clean.
Find the Bali Shop in Legian run by Made' who operates same style as Diannes in Tuban. Nice Lady and better quality "stuff" than Diannes.
Took us an hour to get thru the airport at 10.20pm which was not very impressive. (only 3 of the 8 Immigrasi booths were open with 4 planes arriving in the space of 30min) when compared to Perth which took a whole 10 min.
The beach sellers are rip-offs if you are not aware, you can do much better in the streets. Centro we thought is just like our big shopping centres in Australia and not cheap by any means......Top quality clothing etc but you get the same down under. Matahari's was OK and worth a visit when you first arrive.
Indicative prices outside the Resort;
Polo tee shirts R20,000 $2.50 AUD
Collar tee shirts R35,000 $4.38
Copy Watches (light weight) R20,000
Copy Watches (heavy weight) R35-50,000
Bintangs Sml (supermarket) R23,000 $2.88 AUD
Dresses R35-50,000
Surongs R20-50,000
Shorts (Boardies) R40,000
Big Nike sports bags R80,000 $10.00 AUD
Leather shoes made (copied) R272,000 $34.00 AUD
Leather Belts R50,000+ $6.00 AUD
Tailored trousers R256,000 $32.00 AUD
2 course meal with a bintang x 2 people Average R220,000 = $27.50 AUD.
Day trip with a driver 8hrs incl fuel R400,000 $50.00 AUD
Good tailor/shoe maker opposite Diannes to the RHS of the new Jap restaurant in Tuban.
All in all, had a great time....... and the info on this forum has been an immense help...... thanks to all who contribute........can you tell me what the weather is like in late October please?? as we want to go again SAP.