Flew Pacific Blue arriving in Bali 11.30pm Friday. Horrendous immigration 1hr 40mins. Never used express service but may think twice next time. Was asked to fill out survey on this at the Hotel as they are aware of the problems - apparently New system at airport not working - no kidding!
KARTIKA PLAZA BEACHFRONT VILLAS - Stayed in one of the 2 bedroom villas on beach with your own pool which was great as it wasn't too cold like the main pool. They are very expensive I know but I have the means and we were only staying 5 nights. I must say they are fantastic. There are better value villas around Bali but we were not staying long and I wanted somewhere very central to what we wanted to do and I have stayed in the area before so familar territory. The ocean was just metres from the villa and the sound of the waves at night to go off to sleep was lovely. Everything was just perfect. I had a lovely massage in the garden gazebo with the sound of waves - very soothing.
It was my birthday whilst I was there and the Hotel staff made me a cake and sang happy birthday candles and all. It was lovely.
ON MY BIRTHDAY - organised a driver to take us to the Rock Bar at Ayana Jimbaran for cocktails prior to our dinner at The Kori RESTAURANT- Poppies 2. This was a great location although get there early as many people come around 5.30pm for sunset. Its about 20mins from Kuta in traffic. Didn't had to wait that long though to get seated. Unfortunately my husband had a fall as there was a pool of water on the last step - thongs didn't help! He has a very bad knee (Needs a replacement) and it got dislocated and cuts and bruises everywhere. The staff were extremely sorry and couldn't do enough. We had 1million worth of drinks for the cost of 100,000rp but it was at my poor husband's expense. His knee blew up and was abit of a problem for the rest of the trip unfortunely. He is tough though and wasn't going to let it spoil the evening, or the trip for that matter but was in alot of pain.
After getting help to get him out of the bar - many steps so if you have leg problems forget it, we continued to THE KORI RESTAURANT for dinner. We had a cabana tucked away and it was the best birthday for a long time. The food was great and at the end of our meal the staff came out banging pots and pans from the kitchen - one even had a large water drum. They weaved thru the restaurant singing hapi birthday and with what they had as instruments surprisingly sound really good. There were about 12 of them. They brought me a cake and candles too. Was such an amazing birthday. The Balinese are such beautiful people who made my day special.
Was alittle limited to what we could do with my husband injured so it was good to be in the villa where it was pure relaxation and a few DVD's.
The big kids went to waterbomb - new climax ride awesome apparently.
Did the usual shopping - DIANNES/JENNY"S next door - art markets, Discovery/Matahari's etc.
RESTAURANTS - Il Cielos - always good food, QUEENS of INDIA fabulous,
WAYAN 96 - off poppies - great pizza's very cheap, KORI - lovely ambience not cheap though, STADIUM (watched rugby) food not to my liking although other members of family thought ok.
Rate on streets - 7,900/8,000rp
Rained a fair bit whilst we were there - unusual and humid. Hot on last day typical. Still got alittle tan for only 6 days.
Flight home on time. Immigration very long but moved quickly. FYI Large lighters taken off us in Denpasar airport even with all lighter flued emptied out.
Now depressed and cold!!!