BALI JBR - 23rd July -5th Aug
HOW WE GOT THERE
A group of 8 - none of whom were first timers. Travelled Garuda from Melbourne.
2 hours and 50 minutes to get through immigration upon arrival in Bali. Took the shine off the excitement of arriving in Bali.
WHERE WE STAYED
Inna Grand Bali Beach Sanur - ground floor pool facing Garden Wing rooms. The hotel is in need of TLC but the rooms were clean, the grounds are spacious and we had all stayed there before so knew what to expect. Dogs wandering the grounds were a concern and after many complaints to management they did make some attempt to address the problem.
WHERE WE SHOPPED
Mostly at the Sanur beach markets - Tootsies fixed price shop is as good as anywhere. Also good to catch up with Mulie (Ketut) again after the sad loss of her husband last year. Her new shop looks great.
Hardy's supermarket for 'happy hour' supplies. Also shops at the front of Hardy's for DVD's and Martha Tilaar products.
Kuta market, Poppies Lane 2, Alto Mode (fabric), and Matahari's (great for make - up and kids clothes and shoes)
After reading (on the forum) about Ketut's fixed price shop in Garlic Lane we went there but found it no better than Tootsies in Sanur.
Silverberry for 'Pandora' beads and silver chains.
WHERE WE ATE
Tootsies, Bonsai (worth it just to look at all the bonsai specimens at the back of the restaurant), Benno's (all on the beach at Sanur). Arena, Stars Bar & Bistro, Lemon Swaztika, Ratatouille - food and service at all was great and very reasonably priced.
HOW WE GOT AROUND
Found a lovely young man (Wayan Dana) who managed (with a bit of Balines ingenuity) to fit 8 of us in his van. He was a very careful driver, spoke good English and was always prepared to wait for us.
WHAT WE DID
Apart from some rest and relaxation around the pool we went to Ubud - drove through the paddy fields and marvelled at the way every piece of land is used for growing a crop of some kind. Gave the markets at Ubud and Sukawati a miss this time.
Went to Tanah Lot for the sunset - years since any of us had been there, little has changed but still a magnificent environment to watch the sunset.
Some of our group also indulged in massages and facials - how do small Balinese girls have such strong hands?
Wandered around the Sanur Village festival which started a couple of days before we left for home.
SOME OBSERVATIONS
Surprised by the number of new cars and motor bikes on the roads. Traffic in and around Kuta and Denpasar is horrendous. Bali bombing memorial could do with some work - looking tired and unkempt. The Balinese people are still so friendly and welcoming.
COMING HOME
Garuda flight to Melbourne. Got through immigration at Melbourne very quickly. Then outside to the cold and rain and the drive home to reality - another Bali experience over but great memories to treasure.
Thanks to forum contributors for their insight and advice.