hi all, well after nearly a month in Bali, we are both very relaxed. This was the ?5th trip, but 1st without kids - what fun!! Booked our package-requiremnet days at the MBR, ok, but too big and 'australian' to really be our cup of tea. I nearly threw a wobbly on our 3rd stay there to be greated with room 3??, after having requested each time a ground floor one, and they found us one by the pool. Much better.
We spent the first few days at Waka Nusa, at Nusa Lembongan, which was lovely and relaxing. A bit of an extravagence, but there are cheaper options if we decide on a return visit. Nothing much to do but read, walk and swim, so did plenty of them all.
From there we joined a 8 day gekko tour around Bali, another new experience. There were 7 others, plus a great guide, plus driver. Climbed Mt. Batur, an experience i have no wish to repeat!!, saw the dolphins at Lovina, went to the hotsprings at Banjar, snorkled at Pulau Menjangen, swam in a waterfall at Muncen, etc etc.
Overall a wonderful time, and a great way to get to some of the more out of the way places.
Next stop was Ubud, a week for me and a couple of days for Ian. Lots of shopping, eating and general indulging! The highlight there was the Casa Luna cooking school, well worth it if you can manage. Started with a tour of the market, then came back to Honeymoon Guesthouse [where we were staying - wonderful also], for a morning tea feast. Then we cooked and had a lunch feast.....!
From Ubud a friend and I drove to join Ian at Lipah, where he'd been scuba diving. Beautiful black sand beach, lots of friendly locals, and a variety of accom and eateries to suit all budgets. Will definitely go back there next time. Its our new best beach place, with a bit more variety than Nusa Lembongan to keep us busy, or as relaxed as we want.
Stopped a night at Candi Dasa on the way past, for a little bit more R&R. I've never felt so sorry for all the restaurants - all beautifully set up, with no one to dine there. We wanted to eat in them all.... Think next time that's the first night off the plane, rather than go all the way to Lipah in one go. Only another 2 years!!
Back to MBR again after all that, for the big shopping expedition. As they wanted to charge us an extra US$25 for our last night - till 6pm - we decided to go instead to a little place on Poppies 1. Called La'Walon, and perfectly comfortable, 150,000rp, about $23 oz, until we left at 9pm.