My partener and I have just come back from our first ever overseas trip and it was to Beautiful Bali. We had 10 night stay - first 5 Resor Seminyak (we fell in love with it) and 2nd 5 nights Bali Niksoma in Legian.
After arriving at the airport in the early afternoon, we finally found out way out to customs. AAAGGGHHH.. .my bag had white chalk marks on it.. was too scared to wipe off with baby wipes as mentioned in the forum before I went. So my partner took care of things. We proceeded to customs check out.. started to just walk through and he pulled us up. Wanted to see in my bag. They knew I had some alcohol in there. (they had too). I had taken 3 bottles of bubbly as had been told how expensive it was there. Had it wrapped up well so wouldnt break in my clothes. He asked how many we said 3.. he asked how much worth we say $5.00 (really $10 but he didnt even look at them to see what it actually was). He said over the limit and would have to destroy.. we said OK.. no probs.. (just wanted to get out of the place). He didnt really like that idea.. so HE suggested we pay him. $10 aust for the 3 bottles and we could keep them and go, no more questions asked.. Come to my office he said to my partner.. so off they go to a secluded area.. hand of $10 aust.. and off we go.. AMAZING>... phewww.. got out of there.. and guess what.. didnt even drink them after all.. the cocktails and bintang.. were really good and cheap. So we gave a bottle to our guide on our last trip and also to a couple waiting patiently to get our room on the last night.. long story... had to help out a couple from aus in medical need(hospitalization etc).. so we were able to check out later.
Anyway.. arrived at Resor... what a beautiful place.. rooms not 5 star flashy things.. but clean.. cool.. and quite nice. Pool bar staff here GREAT... Niki (Ketut) John and Gian Tri.. fabulous people.
Dinner first night at Resor with english couple we met at pool bar when we first arrived.. (this place was great to chat with other people). Before we left Resor we had had dinner with 3 different couples we had only just met. We ate a some really nice places here. but favourite was La Luciola, then The living room.. Reflections and Ku De Ta.(over rated and pricy). Two pools here.. and the most lovely gardens and situated on the beach too. Breakfasts good too, good variety.
2nd week to Bali NIksoma... great room.. great view (prob best room in whole hotel). Poos nice.. but water toooo warm...very concrete area.. only small garden area.. and not enough shade and greenery. NO swim up pool bar.. so not much socializing here. Didnt eat here, but were introduced to a beaut little place just at the end of the lane to Niksoma.. called PETITE CAFE.. was great.. cheap.. and really nice people. Dodi head guy is so nice.. and very friendly. Also ate at Poco Loco.. (Im not much of a mexican fan but partner is and he enjoyed it). Also ate at Gosha.. very nice.. and on our second last night we ate a a beautiful oasis in the middle of "hell" called Poppies.. this place is amazing.. hidden behind high walls you step into the most beautiful garden/water ponds area and have a great meaL.. Apparently poppies lane and poppies lane 2 are named after the restaurant.
We had a couple of tours but wont go into them right now.. but must mention.. that next time we go back we will definitely be staying in UBUD... Hopefully a place called Alila... this area is sooo lovely... and the market is great too.. cheaper than in kuta and legian.
Did most of our shopping in the last week... as it was closer to where we were staying.. got the hang of bartering after a while.. not so bad really.. once you get the idea. Will be better next time round.
Wont go this time of year again though.. far too hot... will prob go sometime between july and nov we think and have been told is better time not so hot.
Love bali... love the people.... and cant wait to go back....