Yes this will be long - so if you don't like long JBR's - please don't read. I gained so much information from people on this forum before my trip that I just have to provide as much info as possible. And hopefully pass it on. Email will be open should you have any questions. Apologies for delay. Sick computer when I got home - which is only just now up and running.
We stayed in Legian, Candidasa, Ubud and Tuban - so will split my JBRs as appropriate. Absolutely fabulous holiday (Champers Sweetie!!).
It has been nearly 6 years since my last visit. Must say I was mostly pleasantly surprised that Bali has remained the same. Yes - there have been some very unfortunate choices in architecture for some of the new resorts, but all in all the same cultural experience. I find it incredible that the Balinese can keep their beautiful culture so in tact when they have all us tourists to lead them astray.
A very big positive for me was that the footpaths are soooo much better than they were 6 years ago (still managed to do myself some damage at unexpected times though).
Travelling with Sister to celebrate my 50th (My 4th trip, 2nd for sis). It all went so perfectly. Must say we surprised ourselves with the way we handled the heat. We pretty much hit the ground running before the shops opened at 10.00am and came to a standstill most nights around 10.00pm. I was surprised by the lack of tourists given it was Aus school holidays. Took a photo on Jln Legian Kuta one day which showed a large staight area of street behind me and not a tourist in sight. Even though we ate very well, I actually lost 3 of my 65 kgs whilst there due to the amount of walking we did - so happy with that!!!.
Flue Pacific blue from Brisbane. Very happy with the flight. Plenty of leg room which meant my bad back could get lots of stretching - so no pain at all. Nice to have a direct flight from Brisbane which leaves and arrives at a civilised time of day (10.15am Sunday from Brisbane arriving Bali about 2.15pm their time).
We used VIP VOA. I can honestly say - I don't know that it saved us that much time - however at least the time was spent in comfort. There were so many flights arriving at the same time that we were taken by bus from the tarmac to the terminal. Took something like 40 minutes all up to get out even with VIP VOA.
Straight to Kuta Lagoon Resort. Chose this 3 star option for our first 5 nights due to great feedback on this forum and on trip advisor. I like to have something a bit more traditionally Bali than something resembling an American holiday resot. We also knew our first 5 days were going to be about arranging tailoring, leathergoods orders, ordering quilt covers curtains etc, and didn't think we would be spending much time in the resort. We were absolutely delighted with KLR. Thanks to some forum advice, I took over 2 swim rings. Absolutely lovely (during our shopping breaks) to loll about in the pool from our pool access room with a bintang in hand. (Also quickly visited Dianne's fixed price shop to get some Bintang Towells for the slippery verandah - 30000rp each from memory).
After dropping our bags, we set off for Star Disc on Jln Padma to organise our Bali Sim Cards. Friendly staff who did all the set up for us.
Next day we decided to check out the department stores before committing ourselves to numerous tailoring, leathermaking and bedroom doona covers, curtain making jobs etc. Matahari in Kuta was first stop. Majority of the goods not to our taste. However, we did have a great laugh at the Fish Spa. We tried the one outside the grocery store (what I would call the back entrance to Matahari?). It was extremely ticklish for the first 30 seconds or so - then just very pleasant. Would recommend it for a one off experience at least.
Went on to Discovery shopping centre. Clothing and shoes were closer to our taste. Did each buy a few things from Marks and Spencer. (Good quality work blouses for me that were approx AUD25). However all in all, clothing not for us. So - it was off to the tailors....
TAILOR:
House of Komangs - decided on this outlet after many positive feedback comments on this forum. We were totally happy with the experience and the result. Very professional. The materials available are pretty ordinary - so we decided to hit Alta Moda for the materials. That was an extremely pleasant surprise. For some reason I was expecting a dusty unairconditioned place. It is a beautifully presented two story airconditioned shop.
Total cost for me in AUD for my tailoring (including material) was approx AUD280. That was for 3 pairs or work pants, 1 work blouse, a black dress and covering jacket and a beautiful fully lined evening jacket made to order from a designer jacket picture I took with me. Sis had 4 dresses made that she was also very happy with.
PS: Our hotel driver took us to the wrong Galleria at first when we were looking for Alta Moda. The other Galleria was a bit more upmarket than Matahari Kuta etc - and did manage to buy some nice shoes there.
Will leave the leather/bedroom items/ outdoor furniture covers to a follow up JBR and get on to some other things we did whilst in Legian.
RESTAURANTS:
Mozzrella - Went here for our first night. Very pleasant meal. 3 courses for the two of us (including cocktail and beer) 350000rp. Nice start to our holiday we thought.
Nero - Nothing to rave about - however totally edible.
Posers - Had tried the sate here on my last trip (5 years ago). Had it again - and it was still great. This was the only restaurant we went to twice. After a long days shopping/walking etc, sometimes you just want that more straight forward meal without any fuss. I love it for that reason.
Gado Gado - Well. What can I say!!. I chose this at the last minute for my 50th birthday meal (and I do mean last minute, we were dressed up and deciding amongst numerous restaurants when I just decided that was the one) - and I was extremely happy that I did. Absolutely top notch. Beautiful atmosphere and beautiful food. It is a little bit up there in the price stakes - For the two of us it cost 1.3m rp - however that included 4 cocktails 3 courses and coffee etc. Compared to what you would get here in Aus for that money, it is still outstanding. There was only one other restaurant on our trip that gave them a serious run for their money (and I do mean run for their money given it was only about the third of the cost) But I will tell you about that when we hit Candidasa in the JBR stakes.
Black Canyon Coffee - We discovered this place on our first day when we went to check out Discovery shopping centre. We made a point of being regulars when we spent our last 3 nights in Tuban (easy walk). Great Coffee - I loved the Blackaccino Frappee which is an iced coffee - just gorgeous and very welcome on a hot day.
BUTTERFLY FARM
Went here on my birthday to start the day. Our driver took us for a beautiful drive through the countryside around Tabanan before that where we got to see Balinese Villages that weren't tourist orientated.
TANAH LOT SPA
3.5 hour spa here on my birthday. Beautifully relaxing. Great lunch served afterwards.
CARLA SPA - Jln Melasti
Hmmn - well I had a nice enough experience. Went there for a cream bath. I have short hair - so all well. But Sis has long fine hair and it turned out a bit of a disaster. They had it in total knots and were trying to comb it out - all I could hear was the ripping sound as they tore her hair trying to comb it out. After trying to be pleasant about it and telling them to stop - sis had to be quite firm and just take the comb from them and nicely tell them not to do any more.
DRIVER:
Very fortunate that we had another forum member recommend Wayan our driver. We used him for 4 days whilst there. On our second night in Bali we invited Wayan and his new wife for a drink (iced tea for them/ bintang for me) and got to know them a bit. He was absolutely wonderful. Great english, has travelled to Japan to work in an Irish Bar for 5 years when work was scarce after the bombings. Has a beautiful soul and enjoys a laugh. Absolutely highly recommend him, so please contact me for details if you are looking for a driver you can be very comfortable with, and who will very willingly share the culture. He also always was ready and waiting for us well before the agreed pick up time (not on Bali time). Modern, comfortable airconditioned car. I noticed also how well received he was by everyone when we were visting places (even places that we had chosen that were a first for him). Seemed to be a lot of respect.
OK - so this is long enough for JBR No1. I know it is a bit boring, however hopefully there are some things there that will assist future travellers. Please feel free to contact me if you would like further info.