Just back on Sunday AM after two fantastic weeks on the island paradise. This was our third visit and this time we took our 17 yo daughter and her girlfriend. Great company! We flew qantas, Adel. to Melb. and Jet* Melb to Denp. and the same on the way home. No complaints, jet* flights all left within 15 mins of planned time and we were allocated the seating that we had requested. In fact the only hold up was on the return qantas flight where we were slow to get thru customs at Melb. and the flight was delayed in order for our baggage to be loaded. Apologies to any forumites who may have also been on this flight, he he.
Once again, we stayed at the Ramada Bintang in Tuban. We love this spot, good restaurants around and nice and quiet without being too far from all the action. The staff in this place are fantastic too.
The eating experience was very good again this time, Garis Garis, Febris, Green Garden and the Pantai a few faves. We also ate at Ma Joly, wow, this place is beautful and the food was exceptional. The best steak I've had in Bali, without doubt and not as expensive as I thought it would be, main course for four (with hors duvers? (sp) and breads), sweets for two and a few cocktails for each all for about $A115.
A few firsts for this trip, 1/ wife was struck by a car in Poppies 2, (bloody tourist and didn't stop) bruised arm and embarassed.
2/ Our driver was pulled over in order to finance the local constabulary's coffee break (10,000R)
3/ Rode an elephant, patted a lion cub and cuddled baby orangutan, great fun.
Obviously we did the Safari Park, excellent value.
Weather was hot and a little humid with a nice afternoon sea breeze most days, a few showers overnight but no bother.
Best tip I discovered on this trip, when engaging the services of a taksi driver, you can hire him for one hour for a maximum price of 30,000R (or two for 60,000 and so on) This is particularly usefull when cruising the surf factory outlets and so on.(we did this twice, very handy)
Obviously we did the surf factory outlets, excellent value.
The girls wanted to try their hand at para-sailing, so off to Tanjung Benoa. They were pleased with themselves, very high.
We didn't hear about those poor women who were killed there until we got home, one was two days before we were there and the other was a few days after. We didn't think much of the beach at Tanjung Benoa, maybe it was a bad day.(mind you the beach outside the Ramada isn't too flash at the moment either)
The girls hit the shops very hard this year, handbags (200,000)that's rupiah, not items, shoes galore and all the usual stuff.
I even had some new artwork done at Redskin Tattoo, Agus is a great guy and I'm very pleased with his efforts.
So all in all, too much shopping, too much food, too many cocktails, too much relaxation, too many laughs and too many good people.
Sounds like yet another perfect holiday to me!
Steve