Got back last week from 10 days in Ubud and Kuta. Was my 7th trip but first since 2000. Went with a mate for a boys relaxing holiday.
Started with 6 nights in Udud at the Villa Chempaka. Got a set price cab from Ngurah Rai which was 115,000. Villa Chempaka is located on Jalan Bisma about 300 metres from the main road through Ubud. Chempaka was empty except for ourselves and that was the case until our last night - so we had the pool and staff to ourselves. The villas are located in the midst of rice paddies and are very quiet at night except for the frogs, geckos, ducks and occassional cricket !!
Villas were very nice and clean and had nice gardens and ponds. Pool was small but perfect to cool off after a hard day buying cheap dvd's or getting a massage.
Ate at several great places whilst in Ubud. Ary's Warung was good and became our favourite spot for a few cold beers (although not the cheapest beer in Ubud). The main barmen, Abi and Surya, were great hosts and were always up for a chat. Abi has worked on cruise ships for Disney and is quite a character. The food at Ary's is very good. Also tried Warung Enak that was absolutely brilliant - one of the prawn dishes i had here was the best dish i have ever had - anywhere !!!! Highly recommended for good, authentic Indo food. Their sister restaurant Lamaks was also very good but more of a fusion menu. Cafe Lotus was excellent for lunch. Dirty Duck was still good but not brilliant. Also spent happy hour one arvo at Indus drinking the whole cocktail menu and then having a superb meal. Whilst in Ubud we went white water rafting and cycling with Sobek. Rafting was great but the steps were killer for someone who has had 5 knee operations - but i made it just the same. Cycling was also good but the brecky before hand and lunch after is a waste of time.
Had a few massages and treatments at the Buana Spa which is opposite the Honeymoon Guest House on Jalan Bisma - was 40% 'soft opening specials' so it was good value. also did the half day cooking school an Casa Luna on our last day and that was as good as i remember it - made and ate some great food and my mate got a little bit of Balinese culture so he was also pleased.
After 6 nights we got a lift down to Kuta from Abi (barman at Ary's) to the Barong Hotel. This was part of the cheap 4 night package i booked and then extended so we could stay in Ubud. The Barong was well located and fairly quiet whilst we were there but its not the sort of place i would normally stay as it was a bit run down and dirty. Still we were only sleeping there and the main pool was nice so it was OK.
In Kuta did heaps of shopping - bought 200 dvd's, 50 PS2 games and 50 cd's. didnt check any of them whislt there and so far have found that about half the PS2 games are duds and 1 in 10 of the dvd's wont work on my player. Had a leather motorbike jacket made at Charisma Leather on Poppies 1 - did a great job and was very please with the reulst at only $110 aussie dollars. Had it made in cows leather for a little extra toughness.
Whilst in Kuta we ate at TJ's which hasnt changed since i started going there in the late 80's. Ate lunch at Maccaroni a few times which was excellent !!!! Had one seafood meal at some place on the main drag that was crap but cant remember the name. Had many beers at Bagus Bar which still has the coldest beer in Kuta - the bar staff are aslo great here and they still show movies in the evening and sport during the day.
Spent a half day at waterbom Park which was fun except the chlorine in the water was min bogglingly strong.
Flew Air Paradise from Perth and hd no delays and a spare seat between us in both directions so all up was very pleasing. Had no trouble getting dvd's etc thru customs even though i was searched.
Thats all i can think of for now.
Summary:
Ubud is still great although much more development has occurred since 2000 but its still great as it is that little bit quieter that Kuta in the evenings.
Bali was fairly quiet with many hotesl at 30% occupancy.
The Balinese are still the most beautiful and friendly people and it goes to prove that they have the correct mix of priorities in their lives to keep them eternally happy.
Bali is still a place, even after 7 visits, where i would be more than happy to go back as you can have whatever type of holiday you like whilst there.
Thanks to all forumites for their info and comments prior to this visit - was very helpful.
If any questions just let me know.
Cheers Zabowskee