Our last leg of our stay was at the Casa Padma. We had booked 2 deluxe suites and ended up with rooms 102 and 202. These were great rooms, very large with two king size beds and a dressing room. Two air-conditioners in the rooms so we were super cool!!
The 102 room was right at the edge of the pool on the ground floor. Room 202 was directly above it and was a slightly different layout, and the only yucky bit of our room was our bathtub was pretty badly damaged it looked like the surface enamel had all chipped off. I had trouble getting hot water from the shower some days but it was so hot in Bali I didn't care.
I had heard some complaints on the forum about the noise from the Legian Bar Karaoke from across the road and our rooms were directly across from it. I have to admit it was pretty loud but our first night we had the TV on and it drowned out the noise and it wasn't noisy every night anyway. On the other nights where they had a live band we were often out later and it would be all finished by the time we were back. So this noise didn't really bother us, however we are the type of folk who like a bit of a sleep- in (9am ish) and for the first two mornings there were two large Indonesian families with a large number of kids who were in the pool directly in front of us at 7am in the morning screaming and laughing. Normally the sound of children playing doesn't bother me but it was so loud and I was so tired this was a real pain and it is because the small 'kiddy pool' section is right in front of these rooms. Literally like 5 meters from the bed!! My sister went out and asked them to keep it down (I think she must have looked like death warmed up as they didn't do it again and I got to sleep in!! YAY)
When my sister-in-law arrived they had booked room 205 which was over the other side of the hotel and their room also had a balcony (good for her as she smokes), and is also a deluxe suite. I think rooms 105 and 205 would be perfect as the lobby blocks any noise from the Bar and there is no kiddy pool over this side. For the cost I think this hotel is brilliant. If you want a very quiet getaway, maybe not, but if you want to be in heart of things its great. We got a free 15 minute massage on check in but no one in my room used it. My sister did but said they used it to try and get her to book and they seemed pretty desperate here but then quotes ridiculous prices to a couple that came up to take a look. Breakfast was OK, very slow on our last morning as they were understaffed.
On our second last day it was my birthday and I came up from breakfast to find rose petals all over my room, over the beds and in the bathroom. There was also fresh flowers on the table - awwww so sweet. I wanted to watch the sun go down from the beach and we headed out to the beach front of the Jayakarta where the guys have like bongo drum music, and there is a great atmosphere. Had another great dinner at the Flying Piano with another beautifully decorated birthday cake.
Hair and Spas
My girls wanted their hair highlighted and we had tried to get it done at Johnny Andreans but they had run out of product and didn't know when they would be getting any in and the Melasti was quoting double the price so they decided on just having a trim. We arrived at Johnny Andreans to find they now had the product in so both girls got foils, trim and hair straightened which took most of the morning but they looked great. Cost me 230000Rp each (bargain).
I gave a fish spa a go at Raisha beauty salon which is not far from the KFC in Kuta on Jl Pantai Kuta no 42B. It was 80000Rp here and there were lots of fish and they soak your feet in hot water before going into the tub with the fish, one of daugher's tried it on Legian street which was even cheaper but they had very few fish in the tank. The one at Mataharris is 100000rp and I didn't like the look of it as they have so many people going through it.
Had a great one hour massage at Melasti Spa 115000Rp including tax.
Shopping
Did loads of shopping at Ketuts fixed price shop off Garlic lane, which is near the Melasti street end just before the markets and down a little lane. She has so much stuff it is spread over 3 shops and does a roaring trade here. My mum and sister liked it as they had big sizes and fixed price.
Also another favourite fixed price shop of mine is Nyomen at the Kuta Art Market shop 111, another lovely lady and a pleasure to deal with.
Bought loads of stretchy singlets 25 000Rp, playsuits 30 000Rp, gathered strapless dresses 20 000rp, Bintang loose singlets 20 000Rp, Bintang Towels 30 000Rp, Bintang shorts, sunglasses 20000rp boys boardies for 30 000rp from all over. There is a shop in the Kuta art market as you walk up from the beach on the left on a little alley way which seems to sell mainly these tops and was easy to bargain with them.
My husband bought a keep out skull and cross bones for his shed on Garlic Lane for 40 000Rp. He also bought a hammock for 100 000rp and he has already put both up!!
Bought some brass bangles with names for my daughter's friends 25000Rp each from Wayan who is across from the Stadium bar.
Went to Sita Fashion on Jl Legian and bought a lovely welcome sign with a bluebird for a present 65000Rp
Bought two very large metal wall decorations from the Kuta Art market No 33, which I dropped off for cargo and can't wait until they get home 175 000Rp for both, and because I really wanted them was happy to pay the price as they were exactly what I was looking for. One was a very big single leaf the other like a whole gum tree branch. Wish I had more time here but my girls were impatient.
Got some lovely wooden sun faces (3) from the wood store near the Camplung Mas paid 25000rp each
Bought bali handbags 20 000rp and small satin ones for 10 000rp, Billabong leather purse for 50 000rp, knock off large cabin bags 100000rp, prada wallet with metal strip up the top for 70000Rp the ones without the metal were 30 000rp, a range of camera and cosmetic bags for 20000rp - 30000rp.
I purchase all my jewellery on the beach by a lovely lady called Mustang Sally who sits out the front of the Inna Kuta hotel (near the art market), she is such a lovely lady and not pushy like the others. I always go to her now and the other ladies leave me alone after they have a little sulk as they know I only buy from her. I always go back and visit her as she has such a lovely personality and is so lovely with my girls (always gives them free gifts when they buy stuff from her) and my daughter wanted to go back every day! Bought so many bangles 10 000rp, bracelets 15 000rp, threaded bracelets 5 000rp, necklaces 10 -15 000rp. Also some flower clips.
I bought two dresses from a shop on Jalan Padma which I hadn't seen anywhere else for 50 000rp each, one was batik and very floaty looking and another was white from soft t-shirt material with embroidered back.
We had our nails done for 30 000rp (60 000rp for toes and fingers) at the beach. Of the ladies was called Monkey and another Umi, both did a good job.
Went to a shop called Biarritz which is on Jl Sunset Road number 9, right next to Rudy Art Stone shop. It is a bit like Geneva but cleaner looking. Bought lots of souvenir type gifts here i.e. little flower clips for 1850rp!! And little bali turtle tags for 2000rp, fans 3000rp, coasters 20000rp etc etc. My mum dropped off a picture to Rudy Art of the stone features she had made their which she had fitted to her entrance on her driveway. This place is a must for anyone thinking of building and wanting to put great bathtub or sinks into their place.
Stocked up on Pantene shampoo as it smells so much nicer than the version we have in Australia, smells like rockmelon in Bali.
I was walking past the Bounty hotel one day and one of the ladies grabbed me and was literally pushing me into her shop, I had a flashback to one of Perth Dodgies postings and asked her her name - she enough it was Lisa! Ha ha ha, looks like she is still on the scene!.
Went to the surf outlet on the Bypass road, had a big sale but was so hot we only bought one top as it was too uncomfortable to shop in the heat.