This is my very first JBR - so please be kind & apologies in advance if you spot any errors :)
We flew with J* - upgraded to Business Class due to partner having bad back. At $199 to upgrade, it was the best $199 we spent. We left Sydney @5:30pm and we both found the service in BC really good and arrived in Bali feeling great. The trip home not too bad either - partner was lucky to secure 4 seats across the middle of plane and stretched out all the way to Sydney. Apologies to the lady on the aisle next to him who had to continually give him a nudge as he was snoring so loud :)
We stayed at the O-ce-n Outrigger Legian from 11/2 -23/2 - beautiful rooms, amazing staff but for those of you wanting traditional Bali accomodation, probably not for you. We read on BTF before we went that the pool was not very good & the resort was ageing despite being completed in 2008 but I can assure you, it was beautiful. The pool was cool enough to relax you & the gardens were beautiful. The weather was great apart from two very wet days - the wet days were good for watching DVD's and on another wet day, we were stranded in the only bar with TAB facilities - Y Bar in Legian - for over three hours, the rain was that heavy. My partner was very happy that we were stranded there :) and I was happy they sold nice coffee! We purchased two ponchos(they must be good at rp80,000 each!)in the end or we would have had to book a room for the night - the rain was relentless.
We ate at some beautiful places - most of them have been mentioned on BTF previously but I will tell you about them anyway. Aussie Brazilian BBQ - opposite Kuta Townhouses(the original)was sensational. The concept is fun too. Basically, they bring out as much beef/chicken/pork/lamb/pineapple as you can eat, along with nice fresh salads for Rp100,000 per person. You will walk out of there very happy. Motzarella at the Magani was exceptional-staff/customer service,flavour and value for money. $53 for 2 (3 courses) and cocktails. Dejavu on Double Six - best Mushroom Risotto & other dishes delicious. Good value. Ultimo in Seminyak - Italian. Very nice setting although from the street, you wouldn't think so. We went to High Tea @ St Regis in Nusa Dua. In a word AMAZING! The buffet style High Tea was an endless array of treats with frozen latte & passionfruit tea to top it off (US$28 per person) Queen Tandoori in Seminyak was great value also - but if you like MILD indian, make sure you tell them as you order as the food is very authentic indian aka Spicy! We stopped at Deus Mechanica on the way to Echo Beach and I can vouch for the coffee there - one of the better cups I have had in Bali.
We went to the 911 Dental Clinic at Galleria & found it very clean and at $50 a filling, very cheap compared to dentists in Australia. Clean & Polish $40 and no up selling, no xrays or added extras. Didn't have an appointment and waited only 25 minutes.
I had my jewellery remodelled at Mrs Pak's at Bali Rani Hotel. Very good job and reasonable at $450 for two complete rings and 2 small repairs - I think I could have bartered more on the price but my excitement at getting them made got the better of me. At $450, I still think I came out in front.
We found there were a lot of children begging on Double Six this time round (trip 5 to Bali for us) As a Mum, I found it hard to ignore the little ones but instead of buying a leather band or giving them money, I would go into the Mini Mart and buy them a snack or drink. The staff at the Mini Mart helped me choose what to buy & agreed it was a way to ensure the kids were benefitting.
I had some treatment at Rejuvie Clinic (2nd time for me) again, very professional, clean and friendly staff.
We went to Ketut's in Garlic Lane for tshirts, denim shorts and womens pants. Bought from a lot of different stalls too - Bali is very quiet at the moment and the stall holders seem to be struggling more so than in May 2012 (our last trip)
I want to mention the little old man in a laneway off Garlic Lane that stands at the top of his lane & asks you to visit his shop on the lhs of lane. He is so hypo & wants to show you everything in his little stall - mostly stone products - but you cannot help but like him. My guess is he is around 60 years old and is so kind.i bought three bowls with lids and a wooden mask for $100,000 plus a genourous tip for my little mate.
We spent a lot of time at Carla Spa in Melasti St - great value and lots of staff so you usually don't wait long. Massages Rp50,000 for 1 hr. I had a facial, Pedicure and massage for Rp110,000.
Money changers - we went to one adjacent to a construction to the north of the entrance to Jayakarta. Run by a brother & sister, they always had an icy cold water for you & we never had a problem changing money there.
We went to Bali Collection in Nusa Dua - had never been there before and it is massive. It is a collection of fixed price stores selling everything from shoes, clothes, jewellery etc etc. Although fixed price, we did get discounts on things wehn we purchased more than one item. Worth a look but remember it is like a big open shopping mall.
I am looking forward to our next trip - thanks for reading my JBR.