Just back today from almost 3 weeks in Bali. Never enough time- good excuse to go back AGAIN.
Stayed at Sari Beach in Legian, for over a week. Really enjoyed it for value, and location. With only 21 rooms, we found it quiet, private and always with a pool chair. The gardens made it feel very secluded. The restaurant on premises I think called Warung Bali was fine for basic meals. Would stay there again. A lot of our friends friends stayed at The Courtyard.
Went to Nusa Lembongan for 4 nights stayed at Playgrounds Resort. Went over with Scoot Cruises fast boat there and back. They pick you up from your hotel and return you to your next destination. Not the cheapest, but it provided what we needed. Playground accomodation we choose was Basic accomodation - family room. Location of Playgrounds resort was great. Bathroom could do with a little work as it had unusual odours at different times of the day. We ate most meals at Lembongan Reef resort restaurant as was right out the front, with variety on menu, so something always on menu for the 5 of us. The chicken schnitzel with cream and mushroom sauce was a treat. Snorkelling was magnificent, we found Mangroves for snorkelling the best, better than gamat bay and crystal bay for the time of day we were actually there. The current was too strong for us at Crystal Bay. Toured the whole island by boat. Easy for motor bike riding, as not many people on the island. Daughter got sick with an ear infection and so did I. We got some antibiotic ear drops from dispenser at hospital.
Very peaceful for a few days, over the water, and the place was not smelly with all the seaweed farms. It was interesting watching them as you sat in or by the pool, collecting or planting the seaweed in the water, in low tide, late afternoon. Walked to Mushroom Bay, checked out a few other resorts. Walked to Linda's restaurant for lunch one day, but too hot, and with a power cut we were limited to what we could eat, so stuck to around our resort area for food. Surf wasn't great when we were there, but my son still paddled to playgrounds and got a boat ride and surfed at shipwrecks.
The power cuts on the island were fine during the day, but made it a bit warm in your room at night when your AC or fan didn't work. Some places not affected as they have their own generator.
Came back to Bali and stayed at Rama Beach Resort and Villas in Tuban. Stayed in family Villa which accomodated 5 of us. That was our treat for the holiday, which included breakfast, chocolate turn down service daily, 1x afternoon tea and snacks, and a half hour leg massage each with the package. Pool clean, beautiful and plenty of beds at any time of day. Friendly staff and relaxing.
We ate at Echo Beach - easter sunday with a booking for 38 people at the seafood BBQ. Its their busiest night,with a band performing sunday nights only, the location and the temperature (were perfect (after the storm and downpour came) it was a great night. The seafood platter for 2 is a good meal for 1. Salad bar line long as was with seafood line. The Margharitas were great, and STRONG.
Went to a variety of places for dinner which included Tekor, Zanzibar, Queens Tandoor in Seminyak, Mykonos, Warung Asia (great Thai) Warung Murah, Cafe Marzano, Kafe Batan Waru (indo in Tuban) Gong, Poppies, SA Cafe, Il Cielo, Tommys' for great fresh salad and cornbeef rolls and great ice coffees. Wish I had time to go to Un's, Kori, Onde Onde but will have to go back.
Lots of shopping at Geneva, Biarritz, and of course market shopping for earrings, sunnies, clothes, shoes, wallets, bags dvds, cd's (3 of us being girls - of course plenty of shopping as you do)
Manicures, pedicures, foot reflexology, body massage - you got to love it! Hair braiding, the girls got about 12 braids underneath their long hair not up top- and of course ankle tattoos for them (pretend)
Back to work and start saving for the next trip.