Hi, thanks to all that answered my questions beforehand - some great money and time saving tips plus great advice received re accommodation shopping restaurants etc.
Mixed bunch this trip; myself and my partner, his brother (a first timer) and my schoolies week son. Bali was very busy and very hot - only rained once during the day we were there. Left 27 Nov, returned 13 December.
Air Asia - same as others have reported in that they are clean and on time. I had no problem with them except for the flight times. But, they are sticklers for overweight luggage and they do charge excess.
Hotel - we stayed at Kusnadi on recommendations from the forum. We have stayed at Kumala Pantai last two trips but decided to change because of price increases and that we needed 3 rooms - over 15 days this was a huge saving. We loved the hotel, location and staff - no complaints whatsoever and would definitely stay there again.
Restaurants:
All good except for Rumours which was a disappointment (maybe an off night - really enjoyed ourselves there last trip 2 years ago)
Breakfasts - Zanzibar, La Lucciola and Ku De Ta - all brilliant value and great location. It was good to have a break from the hotel breakfasts, though good were bit limited if you don't eat eggs.
Lunches - Gabah, Macaroni, Ryoshi and Drops (my favourite for the Bebek Betutu!) Lots of times we ate poolside at our hotel as the food was really good and very cheap. Had a buffet lunch in both Bedugal and Kintamani against my better judgement and both were surprisingly good though the names escape me?
Dinners - Ultimo's (loved the duck ravioli!) my definite favourite, Blue Ocean, Zanzibar, Lanai, Seaside, Ketupat, Bumbu Bali, Kumala Pantai (best pizza!) O-C-an and flying Fish was the men's favourite, Ratatouille in Sanur.
Bars: loved JP's, Blue Ocean, Bahiana and Sante Fe for the music.
Shopping:
Had covers and bolsters made for our day bed at home, plus matching chair cushions for the outdoor chairs at Jaya Pillows - thrilled with the work and price.
Leather motor bike jacket for the other half at French Leather in Garlic Lane - looks great, good leather and style and excellent price. He also had 2 new pairs of work pants and a zip repaired in an old pair from home at Bagus tailors. Again, all good.
Bought the grandson heaps of clothes from Matahari and various markets - took a tshirt and pair of shorts from home to get the right size - big help. Also had some photos printed on canvas there, which were about 30,000 for a print 30 x 40 cms - a cool gift for Mother in law that was appreciated!
A few cushion covers and stocking fillers etc from Geneva, DVDS from all over the place, copy handbags and purses for the girls around Rum Jungle Rd for Xmas which they all loved.
Carrefour - stocked up here soon as we arrived on room supplies and then again before we came home for toiletries - Nivea creams and men's face wash are so ridiculously cheap compared to home.
As we had the newbie with us we went with our driver up to Kintamani and Ubud one day, Muduk and Tanah Lot another day, and an afternoon drive over to 'the Rock Bar' (has to be seen to be believed - amazing!) for cocktails followed by the Kecak Dance at Uluwatu. All were really enjoyable trips. Also went for a day over to Sanur for a few quiet binnies at Bennos Café.
My partner and I hired a scooter for the 2nd week and went out early every morning exploring up the beach front. It was really lovely and the best fun. Next time we will get a bike for the whole time now that our confidence is there!
Tattoos - my son had an amazing tattoo across his upper back (his first) done at Mr Ibud and I had a small one on my shoulder at Mr Dolphin- both of us in celebration of different milestones! We are thrilled with the results, and recommend them both highly.
Dentist: for me the greatest thing I have done in a long time was to have a tooth implant done by Doctor Indra Guizoit. I have been researching this for about 18 months and I am so pleased I took the plunge. To throw my horrible much hated denture in the bin was a very happy ceremony in itself! His surgery was cleaner than the one I use here and the equipment was the latest. Happy to go into detail if anyone wants to contact me. One of the best things is that it was painless and didn't slow me down for a minute on my holiday! Thanks heaps to the forumites that emailed me with their experiences.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and again for all the help I got beforehand! Cheers