Well we are back...... :( and missing Bali already. We - myself and partner, 3x15 year old girls, 1x8 year old boy, 1x40 something male and grandma (76ish) spent a lovely holiday in the land of paradise and I would like to share some of our experiences.
Apon arrival at Denpasar airport I was dreading the new fingerprinting and photo at immigration. Everything was in place at every counter but they were only fingerprinting/photographing selected passengers. It still took an hour to get through, but I was happy as I was expecting a 3 hour wait.
We stayed at the Casa Padma in Legian. 2 x deluxe rooms and 1 x standard room. The duluxe rooms were HUGE! 2 king sized beds large living/dining area, dressing room and bathroom with seperate shower cubicle. The standard room was small and the bathroom was tiny, but it was all that was needed. Our room was on the ground floor with our elderly mother not able to climb the stairs (room 105). Great location and opened out onto the pool area. I was a little concerned from feedback that the pool wasnt very welcoming or big enough. We found it more than adequate. The greeny coloured tiles on the bottom of the pool were a bit off putting, but it was certainly big enough and very relaxing. The noise from the pub across the road could be heard, but usually stopped around midnight and with our tv on it wasnt a problem. The staff were so lovely and helpful and the breakfast was adequate. We also ate luch and dinner in the resturant there a few times and the food was lovely. The 2 air cons in the room were too cold most of the time, so we only had the one on. The only problem with our room was the shower tap handle came off (half way through shampooing my hair!) and the staff were there within 5 mins to fix it. Overall, we were very happy with the Casa Padma and would happily stay there again.
We ate at a few different resturants. Drops at the Casa Padma, as I said above - lovely food, lovely service. We ate a few times at the Indo-National. I know there have been complaints on here about this resturant, but we couldnt fault it, food was beautiful and service was excellent. We had a birthday dinner at Mozzeralla's. The staff here were so helpful, organising a birthday cake and all the staff came and sang happy birthday. The BEST carbonara I have ever tasted. We ate here a few other nights as well. Bali Beach Shack on Garlic lane was also beautiful, a welcome drink on arrival and the food delicious. Service was wonderful and we stayed and watched the baby balinese dancers on one night, so so cute! We had lucnh at Wayan and Friends which was lovely but we went back the next night for dinner and the food was terrible, the service was really bad also. So we are not sure if it was just a bad night, but we never went back. We also had lunch and dinner a few times at Sheppy's on Melasti street. Excellent service here and the food was so yummy.
We did the usual touristy things. Waterbom Park, Bali Safari Park etc and everyone had a wonderful time.
I got some cushion covers made for our outdoor cane setting for around $67 AUD for 1 large, 6 medium, 4 small covers and a table runner. Extremely happy with the results and price. They were from a shop in Garlic lane - Lely (right hand side near the Melasti street end).
We went to Biarritz Handicraft but wasnt overly impressed. They didnt seem to have much compared to Geneva, so the next day we went to Geneva and spent a few hours (oh and a few hundred dollars!)there. Love this place, lots of homewares and knick knacks!
I had a Tarot reading with a lovely guy I googled before going to Bali - Guru Shashi. 1 hour for RP450,000 or he will come to you for RP550,000. He was in Seminyak and I thoroughly enjoyed my hour with him. his email is onasis@indo.net.id tell him that Di sent you!
The rate on the street was around 8100 for most of the time we were there and the weather was lovely, with only a few days of rain in the afternoon.
Unfortunately Bali Belly has set in for 3 of us on arrival back to Australia (I still think its withdrawal symptoms from Bali, but my partner doesnt agree)with my youngest son having it the night before we left. Luckily by the time we got to the airport he was feeling a little better and today was full of life. Although he is complaining of stomach cramps tonight but that might be because he has school tomorrow! yes I am on to him :)
Well thats about all I can remember and I hope there is some info here that helps.
Please ask any questions......Thanks for reading,
Di