Just arrived back yesterday from 10nights. I'll try and pop down some of the highlights etc because I found them really informative before I went. Hope it's not too long and boring!
This was my first time in Bali and my first time out of Aus so what an experience. I headed over with my boyfriend who was also a first timer. Flew over with Garuda - Nothing to complain about there.
So overwhelming when you walk out of the airport and there is in excess of 100 drivers standing there waving signs!! Eventually found our driver and headed to Breezes Resort in Seminyak. More on Breezes later but I would not recommend it.
Within our first hour we paid 300,000RP for two Bintang singlets!! LOL! Like I said we were overwhelmed and confused!! But it was all part of the experience. Found Spa Bali and ended up there for a treatment nearly everyday. You pay a couple more dollars than a lot of other places but it is truly amazing. The girls and hairdresser guy are all lovely and the service is exceptional. The treatment rooms are gorgeous. Over the 11 days my boyfriend and I tried massages, hot stone massages, facial (better than any I have had in Australia), my acrylic nails, pedicure, waxing (best Brazilllian ever - my friend went a couple days later and couldn't believe how good the girl is at waxing!). My boyfriend (although he will not admit it) and I both had facials - We came out looking 5-10 years younger. I can't recommend Spa Bali more!! Didn't compare to any of the other places I saw. The one in Kuta looks like it is a fair bit smaller than the Seminyak one so I'd probably try out the one in Seminyak.
We had organised a driver for a tour on our 3rd day. His name is Kadek and he is amazing! His girlfriend is from Adelaide and has been living in Bali for about 18 months now. She is so great to talk to and has lots of information and advice. You can find these guys on toursofbali.com - Tell them you were recommended by Dale & Katrina and they will look after you! Kadek took us to Nusa Dua and we did jet skiing and the banana boat - Loved it! Wish I was brave enough to try the one that goes in the sky - Forgotten the name of it but you will see them doing it! Headed out to Sanur and saw a traditional Batik factory and a silver factory. In neither of these places were we pressured to buy anything and were given great info on the methods used. Really interesting. The jewellery was gorgeous and cheap compared to Aus but being only our 3rd day out of 11 I just wasn't sure if it would fit into the budget!
We then headed to the markets in Sanur. Kadek did all our bartering - Amazing!! Paid the cheapest prices for everything and had a great time! We got so so much stuff at the markets - Dresses, t-shirts, singlets, jewellery and didn't spend more than $100 Aus.
After Sanur Kadek took us out to see where the new Julia Roberts movie was filmed and out to Blue Point. The scenery is incredible. If you are organising a wedding in Bali please please check out Blue Point - It is amazing. A little more expensive than other places in Bali but so much cheaper still than Aus. I wish I could get married in Bali so I could do it there.
Then headed to JBS at Jimbaran Bay for dinner. Kadek has personally tried a huge number of restaurants in Jimbaran Bay and doesn't just take you there because of the commission like so many other drivers. We are massive seafood lovers and loved the experience here. A few nights later went with our friends to Boga Wista at Jimbaran Bay - Not as good. JBS doesn't have any non seafood options though - Neither did Boga Wista so I'm not sure what to do if you don't eat seafood.
Went water rafting with Sobek. 500 stairs down and 200 stairs up! Loved every second of the experience. You are on the river for 11km and it takes about 1.5hrs. The lunch they put on is so good! So good!! I would go back just for the food. The guides are all great and you only do about 10% of the actual rafting. The rest of the time the guide does all the work and you just sit back and enjoy the view!
We paid $70US for the rafting and organised this before we met Kadek. Kadek said he could have organised it much cheaper so might be worth asking him to organise it and would do that in the future.
Water Bom Park is so so much fun! The stairs are a killer but we had a couple breaks and hung out in the pool in between! You have to check this place out!! So cheap compared to Wet n Wild - A lot smaller but so much fun! I got stung by a bee and the staff and first aid staff were great. I was back in action within 10minutes!!
We hired scooters for 5 days through Kadek - His bikes are owned by an Aussie guy and have about 1000km's on them at the moment so brand new. Only 35,000RP per day. I was too scared to even attempt to drive but sat on the back the whole time! I can't tell you how much better it is having your own transport! For 5 days we used about $3Aus worth of petrol and got around so much faster and cheaper and less hassle than getting taxis or organising a driver. Don't be scared of driving on the crazy roads - They don't drive too fast and they are used to Aussies without experience on their roads!
There is so much more to write but I don't want to bore you all! Please feel free to ask me anymore questions. And I would definitely contact Kadek and Alison at toursofbali.com if you are heading over. They won't harrass you into buying or doing anything and know the BEST tailor and can get you local prices. I had Forever New dresses copied for about $30Aus - They are perfect. Dale's suit and shirts are incredible!
Heading back over next Easter with heaps of family and Kadek and Alison are going to organise suitable Villa's for us - Again, no commission - Just coz they are awesome!!