Here goes, been back just over a week now from two glorious weeks in bali. Flew AP, no problems, left on time, service, food fine by all 7 of us, returned flight back to Melbourne also fine except for having stopover in Sydney.
Booked our airfares and first 4 nights accommodation through San Michelle Travel in Melbourne (03 9660 3030), and would highly recommend them. Transfers for my family (myself, mother and two children) was $14.00 in total, airport to accommodation, accommodation to airport). Great package price too and great service.
Their tour representative in Bali was Oka, again would highly recommend him, he speak perfect English, very knowledgeable, friendly and not at all pushy. Organised travel to and from Ubud with him as well as a turtle island trip, going through San Michelle got huge discount and also did a couple of other tours with him, his charges were fantastic and to our embarassment on our last day he brought gifts for all seven of us.
First four nights we spent in the Jayakarta Residence, Legian. Enormous resort but not impersonal. This was our favourite accommodation. Seven of us (all family) travelled together and had 1 x two bedroom and 1 x one bedroom residence, rooms were very big, stylish, cleaned well everyday, great friendly, professional reception staff, excellent breakfast included in price, pools great, plenty of available sun lounges, not nearly enough for all guests, but at the same time no problems with guests reserving lounges all day and not using them, overall very consideration bunch of people.
We had a Kodak money change just across the road which we used often, no problems at all, but also used others in the area and again did not have any problems, we knew how much we should get back before entering and got exactly what we were meant to get without any slip-ups. All very, very honest.
Did a lot of walking whilst in Legian, beach right outside our back gate and restaurants and shops right outside our front gate. Went to Kopi Topi on first night reasonably priced and food quite good but nothing to shout out about, but because of the convenience would recommend it for first night when tired and emotion. Also tried The Legends restaurant, about 5 minute taxi ride away. Terrific food, cocktails, prices quite reasonable, excellent staff who double up as performers later in the night, impersonating Michael Jackson and transvestites, very funny show and would definitely recommend to all. Decided to walk home, bit of a hike, about 15 - 20 minutes. Also went to The Lokal Restaurant (not 100% sure of name), out the back gate and turn right, along the footpath, small double storey, open air restaurant Terrific food, prices, staff and nice and close. Kids decided to eat in this night so we ordered room service for them. We all had the odd drink/meal at the pool bar during the 4 days and found the resort prices reasonable. Spend one afternoon at the Melasti Beach Spa in Legian, 2 resorts down from Jayakarta and had 1/2 massage 45,000rp, pedicure 45,000rp and acrylic nail refills 150,000rp. These prices are all with the 50% discount they they are advertising at the moment, very classy service, airconditioned rooms and a lovely afternoon for us. There is another Melasti Beach Spa located in Kuta which offers the same service. Overall our stay in Legian was great. Next onto Ubud.................cont'd