Hi there,
Late with this because I came home with the flu, had work coming out of my ears and then a house full of visitors. Not to mention of course the dreaded Bali Post Holiday Depression.
Well flew Air Paradise for the first time and loved it. No delays, excellent service, nice big plane. VOA and everything else at airport all good too.
Arrived at Legian Beach Hotel to be put in a horrible room. Stayed there because there were 4 of us and it's one of the few places that has quad share with 4 x single beds. As I had the first symptoms of my flu being a migraine I was too ill to argue about the awful room. Took lots of drugs and soldiered on.
As I was with my neighbour and this was her first trip anywhere EVER... she of course was keen so out we went. Walked and looked about Kuta until bed time. Head thumping......
Next morning after brekky I tackled maangement about the awful room and they moved us. We went one floor up into a family loft which is enormous and much better as it gets sunlight so isn't dark, dank and depressing like the first room below. Don't ever accept a ground floor room there in the main building. For that matter pay more and stay in a bugalow.
As the two other women had a boyfriend and a husband in the mens part of our group at Kumala Pantai (where we couldn't get a room) they disappeared for the rest of the trip so we had this enormous room to ourselves. We all hooked up here and there but didn't stay together.
Really like the location of LBH, brekky is great and the pools are lovely. Not a party property which suits me fine as I like to stay somewhere I can sleep. I party elsewhere... Can't say that it's a very talkative social crowd though.
As this was a business trip I went and saw numerous properties. Most of which have been reported on the BTF time and time again which is why I needed to eyeball them myself. The one that rates the biggest mention though is the Lokha in Legian. This property is only 3months old and I loved it. It is a boutique style hotel so doesn't have huge sprawling grounds, but is compact and very nice. It's diagonally opposite Rama Gardens and right next door to Casa Padma. I would strongly recommend this place to anyone who's OK about being a 5 min walk to the beach. It really is a class act and the staff have been poached from all over and are lovely. It's on Mic's site so have a look. About a three star and well priced.
Managed only one S&S and met Smudge, Ken B and a few others - sorry too much Bintang, can't remember names. Hi to all though especially Smudge, Sorry we didn't get back again. Did stop by a few times and hang out with Sammie and Suizie. Love sitting down there under the trees. Suizie really does give the best foot massage/heel scrub. Man I needed some pampering in the heat fighting the flu.
Had my share of massages and cream baths. Had one reflexology and cream bath in a salon at the top of Robinsons. Was 22.000rp for both and was about an hour. The reflexology was excruciatingly painful. I'm over it now. Don't care how good it is for you, I bruise easy. The other three agree.
Went out on the Saturdaynight to Santa Fe. Only lasted until 2am. Must be getting old. Was a good night but yes... the dreaded flu was like a hand brake on my life. Most other nights we wandered around Kuta or Legian and ate very late with a couple of well earned Bintangs. Was invited to the Padma free of charge for dinner and the Legong Dance which was lovely.
One of the hilights for me was a visit to Sukawati where I love to buy paintings and of course more umberellas. There was a procession walk through while we were there. It was a whole village doing their walk to the beach pre-Nyepi. The lady in my favourite umberella stall/shop explained it all to us. I had goose bumps and tears in my eyes. Stupid hormonal woman I am. I love those Bali moments that are unplanned and catch you so off guard. Was like a cremation ceremony we found last year - just amazing.
Feel like this is getting too long now.... Other things I did there in breif..
Geneva - love that place.
Prison visit twice to see my good friend.
Big splurge at Mataharis on kids clothes - cleaned up on Revlon also.
Denpasar Department stores - ok no big deals this time
Shoes from Jocelyn in Jln Melasti - sensational and of course perfume from there as it's the best knock off stuff to be found.
Black Market Billabong now available for women in caps and T'shirts
Had some rings made from gold coins - love them
Had way to many beers one afternoon at the Bagus Pub, Vaguely remember having a great time.
Millions of DVD's from the lovely Helgie.
Rupiah about 7300 - gotta be happy with that.
Tjampuhan Hotel In Ubud a very special place. Make the time to go and see their spa - unbeleivable.
Had one motorbike ride as we ran out of money in Poppies one so they took us back to get some more.
Think that's all for now people. Last time I wrote 7 JBR's which may or may not have been a better read. This is a condensed version through the eyes and mind of a woman who'll be back soon without a flu. Off to make myself a Bali Kopi now - Sampai Jumpa.
Happy Travels
Nicno