Well this is the first one I've written. Have just cleared the pile of work off my desk & thought I better not put this off any longer... Just wanted to contribute my bit back.
We're a 40 'ish couple of DINKS from Brizzy, plus 19 yr old Nephew.
It was our 8th trip to Bali & was great (as usual) plus best ever exchange rate!
Flew Australian Airlines, & never again. Over was OK, but on the way back the flight was half full of staff & for full fare paying passengers we were definately treated second rate. We have flown with everyone over the years, including Ansett & from now on it's only Garuda...
Stayed at Resor Seminyak (as usual) & for a change this time there wernt too many unfriendly Germans which was even better. (I have nothing against them & found them great in their homeland, but they seem to always be very sad & grumpy in Bali for some reason). Over the years we have stayed at Sanur, Legian, Tanjung Benoa, Lombok & Nusa Lembongan, but always come back to Resor. As It was only 2 weeks for me this time, I just stayed there. My husband & Nephew went a week earlier to surf & for their first week stayed at Kumala Pantani & Nusa Lembongan.
SPAS
Went back to Bodyworks, they were very busy & mostly booked out but nice & close to Resor, went back to Melasti - another 'never again' for a massage & facial, but had the best massages, manicures & pedicures at COSY.
FOOD
Sooo many good restaurants in the Yak now, we hardly ate any indo food, which I feel bad a bout since coming back. Went to Pauls Place, Reflections, Mykanos & the Living Room quite a few times & an old favourite TJ's in Kuta a couple of times. Also gave the Deli (opposite Bintang supermarket) a bit of a flogging for lunch.
COOKING CLASS
Did another cooking class at Casa Luna, we wanted to take our nephew (first time to Bali) as he has ideas of being a chef, he was so blown away by EVERYTHING & was prety much like a soaked up sponge by the time he got home, as he has never been out of Coffs Harbour. The market tour was great, & I bought a couple of things to take home (palm sugar & satay paste - no probs with customs) the cooking class was OK.
CURTAINS
Had curtains made for the whole house from "AYU" Jl. Petitenget No. 882, almost opposite the 'Living Room' Ayu speaks great English & is a tailor as well, not that I had any suits made for work this year but have in the past, definately recommended.
MONEY
Used ATM's all the time, LIPPO bank at Fabio's opposite Bintang Supermarket gives 2 000 000 RP.
We all managed to have the flu for a couple of days while we were there, there was a cool wind nearly every day, so didnt get much time swimming. One of the main reasons we go to Bali is for the surf for my husband - me for the relax & massage :-) We all took turns of having a couple of days in bed, but the numerous cocktails at happy hour mixed with the cold tablets worked a treat! Bought lots of beautiful silver jewellery as usual, and a few more things for the house, but it's pretty much full of Bali artifacts already.
So thats about it till next year.
Oh I almost forgot, at no time did we not feel safe. Please go, spend your money & have a great holiday. The Balinese need us as :-)