Hello all,
Been in Bali now 7 days. Flew from Bris via Darwin with Jetstar - thanks goodness going back direct with Virgin. Haven't been since March so happy happy happy...
Frist 2 nights Vira Hotel in Tuban - what a very nice surprise this place is. Great vibe - good gardens and pool and great brekky. Also the menu for other food well priced and high quality. If you like the samller places then this is a ripper. Also really close to the beach so you can walk to Kuta or back towards Holiday Inn end so great for a beachside sticky beak.
First day we went to Serangan for surf as Kon was desperate for a wave. I had a massage - he surfed - everybody happy.. Then went to Sanur and had a bit too eat and bought all the Pandora charrns and bracelets for Christmas list. Was a lovely day - hot but that's fine with me.
Went back to hotel for some pool time and then out and about for a looky. Had dinner at Treehouse where we met after saying hellos to mates in poppies 1. Grabbed a pile of shorts and t-shorts form my friends Ketut - shop name Suenormie and then home to bed - so tired..
Next morning before check out I walked through Ramada Bintang onto beach walk and down to Kuta. Went to Bagus watches for more Christmas shopping and as usaul bling heaven. Not all about the watches in there - upstairs is where the magic happens - for us girls any way.
Money changed at Matahari and sim card loaded so now contactable. Had a fantastic lunch at Vira as lady who runs it is a friend and wanted to shout so fine with us.
Then onto Padma for three days. Renos in there are good but I'm not a fan of the brekky restaurant being moved upstairs as you can't sit beside the gorgeous fish ponds any more. Downstairs they have new spa and a bigger better kids club. Rooms are looking wonderful.
We then shot off to our favourite grotty but Greek in Dyana Pura - Bestest Cafe. Never disappoints and the best Greek Grub we've had since we were in Greece....
Off to Sammy and Suzies for usual sunset drinks and catch up. S & S were off to ceremony for a few says so just caught them. Dennis C was there as was Geoff & Mark B. While I think of you Mark I had a chat to that hotel about that wiring problem and is being dealt with urgently..... Always good at S&S - relaxing and feels like you are truly back in Bali. Sadly though Smudge is still very ill so trying to catch up with him at his house when we get back over there.
Later we went to Bali Deli for a Desert as didn't need dinner. Lemon Merangue pie 16.000rp and an awesome coffee - Love that you can get what ever you want in Bali at any given time.... Took Kon over to Prana Spa just blow him away. Although super expenisve I call this a holiday inside your holiday. Is like a theme park massage.... Don't think we'll spend the money this trip - maybe in April as a treat when we marry.
Had two full on days of villa and hotel inspections as Bali once again has changed and grown more properties. Had a friend with me wanting to marry next year like myself so we scoured everything including restaurants. You know who Cracker..... All went well. KT is now a Bali convert and loves it like all of us. Still no idea where we will tie the knot or should I say too many ideas......
Met up with some friends and had dinner at Ultimo - still magnificent and cheap. Nice chance to frock up a bit but you MUST make a reservation. While at the bar I saw a guy try and bribe his way in with 400.000rp and no joy. Little low on the actual spirits in drinks though I though.
We were going to have after dinner drinks at Hu'u which is looking awesome but all too tired..... Not quite the party pigs we were 20 years ago. Think we were out cold at 9.30pm.
After check out at Padma we left our stuff at Lokha while Kon went to buy new surf booties - lost his that morning on the beach - Ouch $50 and I went to Kenko for a massage. Love Kenko and now am quite partial to the full 1 hour massage as no oil used just towel and pressure stuff so you feel really limber when you leave and not oily and wanitng an urgent shower. Noticed new retaurant that I had not seen just beside Indo National - want to give it a whirl some time soon. I like the massage chair near the window at kenko as you can watch it all whoosh past you while in A/C and getting the treatment.
We then wandered about Legian on the bike stopping here and there as needed a few morethings. Have regulars I buy from as it's just too hot to bargain. Lots of new dresses and fabrics. Seems those strapless dresses that are really shorts are all the go. Very practical if you are on a bike.
We then had a quick bite at Lokha and caught up with more firends and then off to Nusa Dua. We have just had 2 nights at Putri Bali part of the Inna group so an older resort. 7 Hectares..... Any way did not like the room in 4 storey wing although after a look they have some great suites there that will bre great for families nad at a great price. We moved to a bungalow and is steps from the sand and pool. Just gorgeous as is old world Bali style.
This place gives peole on a moderate budget a chance to do some Nusa Dua time. There are more and more Warungs popping up on beach also so there are cheap places to eat and drink. This is a great new dynamic for Nusa Dua. Is just a great way to kill an hour walking up the beach late afternoon and checking out the mega resorts as they truly are magnificent albeit mostly unafforfable to most. We were ushered in to see the fire ceremoney at St Regis - thought that was nice as we were clearly not guests there and looked like grubs. St Regis is probabaly the top 5 star in Bali right now and words are not enough...... Again very exy.
Yesterday we had a day pass to Club Med so had the Club Med expereince. Got to look at rooms and they are nice but seen better. The property and facilities though are just gobsmacking. We ate as much as we could and drank until we had to have a little siesta then did it all agian. They were near full house so someone somewhere has a lot of money as this all inclusive meals and drinks and activities will cost a small fortune.
No need for dinner at our hotel although very affordable from rooms service - good cheap senisble menu. Strait to the pool bar for a couple of Binnies and to bed. Agaan about 9pm......
So off to another place today for 2 nights - will do another JBR soon. Then onto Lombok and Gilli-T for 4 days then back to Seminyak. Will then be time to power shop and finish the Christmas shopping. Bestter rest so I am shopping fit.....
Happy Travels
Nicno xx