You count down for a year and before you know it you are back from Bali. Why is the trip to paradise over so quickly. It just isn't fair. This is my fourth trip to Bali but the first time with the kids (16 & 14) and another family of 6. I have only previously been for 3 or 4 days due to work constraints and I wanted the kids to be old enough to appreciate Bali for what it really is.
I have always read the forum but this time have taken a particular interest and thought we would test out the info and report back.
Flew Air Paradise who are a great option flying out of Adelaide. In Bali by lunchtime. They are currently refitting their aircraft and have leased a 737-800 from KLM. Not ideal for overseas travel but it's only a five hour flight. Not the best coming home but going over you can't complain because you are in Bali by lunchtime. They would be classed as average at the moment but to be fair they are running ½ Balinese crew and ½ Dutch because of the lease agreement.
VOA is not a problem. I really don't think the VIP service is worth worrying about. I have traveled quite a lot around the world and I would have to say that this would have been the easiest arrival into any airport I have flown in to.
Change some money at the airport. The exchange rate is nearly the same as on the streets.
Once again paid for the the taxi at the pre-paid counter. 25,000rp to Kuta. We needed 4 as there were 10 of us. They called the taxis and we were away. Tipped the taxi driver another 20,000rp when we arrived at the Istana Rama and I felt guilty it was only $3 when I saw his smile. It was priceless.
This is my 3rd stay at The Istana Rama and I find the location hard to beat. The staff are lovely and the swim up pool bar a winner. The rooms are looking a little tired but they are in the process of being renovated. Saw one of the reno rooms. Very classy. This is going to take about 12 months. The pool area lacks extra lounges and sun umbrellas and the pool is quite warm would be minor criticisms, but the location is great.
The highlights:
Go to Geneva first thing. If not the day you arrive then next morning. Avoid the temptation of buying first day and go to Geneva the next morning. You should be able to get transport there, have the guy wait for you and bring you back to Kuta for 50,000rp. There is everything there and it is CHEAP. Put this at the top of your list.
Kori's - If you go here first everything else will be judged by it. Absolutely fantastic. Huge menu and the sizzling steak is mouth watering with Hollandaise sauce to die for.
A great setting for a marriage proposal. My mate and I (both married 20+ years) proposed to our wives again. It's just as well we said yes because we had organized the wedding before we left home. More on that later.
TJ's - Great Cal-Mex food. Loved it and found a great tailor nearby.
Poppies - If you have dined here or seen the setting you will know this place is quite special too. A fabulous experience for our last night in Kuta before traveling to Candi Dasa.
Papa's - Very nice setting but over priced for what it is.
Bubba Gump's - A bit the same really. They appear to have dropped their prices by up to 30% but from what I have read in the forum It would appear the size of the meals may have done the same.
I wouldn't go back to either of these 2 on my next trip but you have to experience it for yourself.
Rainbow Café in Poppies 2 - Always busy for a reason. Great food and real cheap. Great local food. The Special Nasi Goreng for about $3 is fantastic.
There are also some similar places in Poppies 1 as well. The Bamboo corner near TJ's looked great but everytime we walked pass it was too busy for a group of 10. oh well, there will be a next time.
Everyone has a good tailor to recommend and I am no exception. We used Jalo in Poppies 2. Had 2 made for my wife and I for $90 and $100 respectively. Great quality worked. My 16yo son had a suit made at Dendy Tailor and Leather Fashion at the Legian Street end of Poppies 1. 500,000rp for a black 3 button suit. Didn't even haggle over the price. Qulaity and finish were excellent. My mate had a black jacket made for 350,000rp.
Again, why haggle over such a small amount and risk the tailor cutting corners (no pun intended). Would recommend both highly.
Sightseeing:
Sobek WWR. Great day out but do the morning raft. It can get quite hot in the afternoon. We had 4 adults in one raft and 6 kids in another. They had a ball going under waterfalls and crashing into their poor parents. Booked and paid for it here. You can get it a bit cheaper in Bali but I organized it here and just had to ring and confirm the pick up time.
Sobek Cycling from Mt Batur - A real highlight. 2 ½ hours of downhill cycling (except for 10 minutes spreand over the whole time) through villages, rice paddies and back roads. The only thing I can say is DO IT. It will be the highlight of your trip. The kids running out of their houses screaming hello and wanting high fives as you ride past is quite special.
Bali High Reef Cruise - If you have cruised on Quicksilver to the GBR then you would say this is not quite as good but at about ½ the price and all the banana boating you can handle it is a real winner. A good day out.
After a week in Kuta we had 3 days in Candi Dasa staying at Villa Gading. What an Oasis!! There are only two Villas on the property, a pool and you are right on the beach. The villas are 2 storey with a huge king size bed upstairs and living area and outdoor shower downstairs. There is a local family that runs it and a couple of them live on the premises and will do the cooking and cleaning whilst you are there. This is a brilliant way to end a stay in Bali. The best food we ate was whilst we were here. They have an extensive menu and an honour system with the bar. For 10 people for drinks for 3 days and 6 meals it worked out to about $25 per person excluding the wedding feast.
The wedding:
I had organized this prior to departing Australia. For those of you who have looked into Bali weddings you will know this can be quite expensive. For the cost of the wedding (don't read ahead) we got:
The girls had a massage and lulur at the local spa
The villa decorated with offerings everywhere
Make up and tradition dress for the wives as well as tradition dress for everybody else
(including all the kids)
A fabulous ceremony with the local priest and all the family of the people that run the villa
A huge banquet after the wedding with the highlight being the baked snapper.
The cost?? - USD400 for the lot. About $260 per couple. It was the best experience I have ever had in all my years of travel. I cannot speak highly enough of what was done for us. It was a real festive occasion and the locals really have a laugh at the weddings and it is great fun. If you are thinking of a blessing ceremony because this is not official in the true sense of the word, then please consider this. It is not a commercial operartion, the money paid goes to the local community and family and is just wonderful.
The Villa is called Villa Gading and is only available through the internet or through myself (I am a travel agent and have an arrangement with them through a contact in Australia). They are not in any travel brochures. I was blown away by Villa Gading and know that a similar thing anywhere else would cost $500+ per night. The cost here is $100 per villa per night. If there are only 2 of you you can pay $200 and have the place to yourselves.
I wont add any shopping details here because most of you already know but I am happy to answer any questions. This is the first visit to Bali in 4 years and I found it very quiet. The locals are still hurting over the bombing. Please go to Bali and spend your money. Don't stand in the sun haggling over 50c. Just pay the money and be happy in your heart that you can help this kind, gentle and lovely people in some way.