The spa/hair salon industry has really taken off since our last visit - we collected most of the flyers and my hubby noticed one that advertised face shaving - special treatment for a man's face Rp 30,000! He thought this was great - I had visions of a good lather - sharp blade! Walking up Monkey Forest Road he found the spa that he was looking for (Mertha Nadhi Spa). Our daughter and I decided to look at the shops while he had the shave - we caught up about 20 mins later and poor Chris not what he expected - a little soap lathered onto the face and then a pink Bic shaver was brought out to do the shave (ouch) - he said his face was smarting!!!! No shaves again he said! Had a good laugh though.
As we were meeting up with relatives staying at Seminyak Villas we cut our stay short by one night. We had thought about going to Seminyak and then returning but it was simpler to leave much to our sadness we all really loved Waka Namya. It was also the AFL Grand Final so we headed for Kusnadi Hotel. The receptionist at WN organized a driver to take us for 300,000 rp we did think a little steep at the time. We had already booked our 11 night stay online and were happy with our choice. Our TA had originally suggested The Jayakarta in a one bedroom apartment, so glad we went with our decision - just what we needed, a small personal hotel, easy to get to everything - daughter was very impressed with the selection of tv channels. Our upstairs room had a view towards the pool area and had a great breeze across the balcony from 4pm onwards. We did ask for a extra mattress for Jaimie, rearranged the furniture - organized for the next 11 nights.
The men started watching the Grand Final at Kusnadi - then onto La Casa - not too many people there - good snacks and easy to get drinks. Our little group went to Jalan Melasti later for shopping shopping and more shopping - it had started! Ate at Sheppy's - good quality food and drinks.
Next day was Matahari to look at prices - we loved watching people having a fish spa - not for us though. Had taken a lot of photos already was told to go to the Fuji shop across the road to download photos to disk - good value! From BTF also went to Carrefour and Kuta Galeria.
Later that day to Poppies for drinks (booked the same table for later), then onto an old favourite of mine The Pub for more drinks, then back to Poppies. There was a street parade with floats, dancers, gamelans on our walk back for the Rock to Jazz and Blues Ethnic Fusion along Kuta and Legian Beach fronts. Poppies never disappoints and we had a special night to celebrate my brother's 50th.
The girls first experience at a spa was at The Spa & Tan next door to the new Permata Bank in Jalan Werkudara - pedicure and manicures.
We all spent a fair bit of time in Carla's Spa Jl Padma Utara No. 5 - it was soo good to be able to have my hair looking like normal it goes to frizz in the humidity - creambath (conditioning treatment)/blow dry and hair straighteners - head massage, arms massaged and shoulders for 100,000 rp, Alex and the girls were fantastic - husband enjoyed the body massages/body scrub and facials!!! Manicures/pedicures/foot massages very good.
Couldn't believe the increased amount of traffic and taxis - found walking along Jl Legian hard going with pavement works underway.
Ate at La Monde (daughter loved the garlic cheese bread and Shirley Temples), Uncle Norm's, Hard Rock, Kopi Pot (excellent iced coffees), Flying Piano, Yutz's, Lanai (before it closed for renos), Seaside, Ku De Ta (Sunday Family Day), Ryoshi , Gosha, Nine Bar, Aroma's Café to name a few. We usually grazed (little snacks) at times so we could try a variety of restaurants. Must also mention the dinner/food at Kusnadi was very good too.