Well here is the JBR I promised. Thanks to all that gave me such valuable information and price/restaurant lists etc. Came in amazingly handy. TIP - take a currency converter card - you will need it.
Anyway..... there were 8 of us travelling as a group.
We flew Air Paradise from Adelaide. Got 1st/2nd row seats so that was excellent! Boarded etc and no fuss. Plane left on time and arrived early.
1st thought on Bali was - "geez it is HOT"!! Through the VOA etc only took bout 30 mins and dodged the porters and through to get a Taxi to our resort.
Initially stayed at the Ramada Bintang Resort. Would recommend this place. Breakfast is good (no banana pancakes though). Sensational pool and great grounds. Massages expensive but VERY good
We ate at many restaurants including Chi Chi's, Gateway of India, Poppies (a fave) La Luciola's, Mamas, Green Garden (awesome satay) and a few other warungs.
Then moved up to Ubud and stayed at the Tjumpuhan Resort. Beautiful setting here and we made good use of the movie room with its big screen tv at night. Must do's here are the Monkey Forest - lunch with a view and White Water Rafting! Good spot to really disconnect from the world.
Then headed back to Kuta and the Ramada Bintang again. After a few nights here well and truly ready for home. Caught the 1am flight and landed back in Adelaide 7:45 am. Only weird thing on the flight back was the Beef satay being served at 4:30 am.... - what the?
Must Dos:
White Water Rafting - went with Bali International rafting - RP 200,000 - booked in Bali
Bali Hai Island Visit - snorkelling alone was worth it but also the fabulous lunch, saltwater pool, banana boat rides and great setting..paid about $65 Aus each - definately book there.
Shopping - stay away from Denpasar if clothes shopping - better stuff around Kuta/Legian/Seminyak - Geneva is a MUST VISIT. Diannes Clothing shop (fixed price) is great - just down from the Ramada on your right hand side toward Kuta Square.
Monkey Forest - Very funny - take a guide - we had a good friend we made - Ketut (David) there and he was excellent.
Buy Dvds - personally i enjoyed sifting through and buying mine.. so i didnt use Helgie. I got a better deal through Softcompt too. They also let you test them.
Suits - I got 4 made !! Used Janoko tailors on Poppies 2 - sensational. Between the 8 of us there were 14 suits made and everyone is happy.
Bali is a great place - you gotta take the good with the bad. Kuta is ultra touristy but not overwhelming if you ease into it. Bartering can be fun and its great when you barter and get a good price but still give a tip - they really appreciate that.
Few sad things are the horse carts with the undernourished horses. Also saw some pretty awful treatment to dogs. But overall the Balinese are great people. Dont know if I can say the same about the Javanese. But go to Bali - spend some money and have a great time...