Just back from 2 weeks of total bliss and feeling soooo down about it. I keep trying to tell myself that I was lucky enough to go in the first place but it's not helping!! I only got back yesterday and I'm already at work!! Well, here's how my trip went.
We had 2 weeks in four distinct parts. Spent the first night in transit in Kuta on the way to the Gili Islands. Stayed at Simpang Inn. Great location and decent enough rooms. Don't bother going for a deluxe if you stay there. They are a bigger but not worth it. The standards look fine. We went to Ketupat for dinner which was so nice. We booked a little cabana type thing around the pool which was really private and romantic. Worth booking. There are some tables where cars literally drive past you through a little alley way every few minutes. We had a huge snapper with beautiful chili sauce.
Up the next day to start phase one. We had planned to stay on Gili Meno for 4 days but after 5 minutes realised it wasn't what we were looking for. It was totally dead! Nobody about and 90% of restaurants and bungalows closed down (and falling down!) We went to the supposed best restaurant on the island and there was no fish on the menu. When we asked about it they told us fish was seasonal. HUH?? We are on an island!!!! So we were outta there pretty fast. Spent the next three nights on Gili Air which was lovely. Heaps of delicious and super cheap restaurants right along the beach. Totally peaceful and places for a drink if you wanted one. Fantastic snorkelling right of the beach with all kinds of fish imaginable. The only thing I longed for was fresh water! Salty showers just don't do the job , especially when you wear as much rid and sunscreen as I do!!
Onto phase 2 at ALANG ALANG at Mangsit Beach near Sengiggi on Lombok. AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!! Rooms were stunning!! Huge four poster bed covered in fresh frangipanis every morning. Beautiful outdoor bathroom and a pool like out of a Vogue travelling magazine!! Exceptional service. We felt like a king and queen here. Stairs from the hotel down to a beautiful beach and snorkelling. Free shuttle to and from Senggigi at any time. If anyone is looking for a honeymoon destination for total R and R this is it!! We swam, ate, drank, read and got massaged and that's about it.
Phase 3 was 3 nights in Ubud. We stayed at Kumara Sakti. It's the sister hotel to Tjampuhan and it is lovely!! The view from our room was amazing and the windows were huge almost like doors. There was a lovely bath practically in the rice fields (watch out for the farmers when you're nude!) and a little kitchen. Exceptional staff. We felt like we were the only ones there even though it was full. It's been really well designed in that you can't see any of the other romms. All the balconies are totally private and huge! It's on the same street as Terazo about 5 minutes up but because there are only 12 rooms the shuttle service is available any time to anywhere. We sometimes got dropped off and picked up two or three times a day. I'd totally recommend this place. Not if you wanna laze about by the pool though. It's nice enough and they have 2 but it's not really designed for sitting around on lounges and sunbaking. We wouldn't have had time to do that anyway in Ubud.
We did the 3 main Lonely Planet walks in the morning followed by luch and shopping then relaxing before dinner. We ate at Barandi, Lamak and Terazo. Terazo was by far the best! I had a terrine of gelato for dessert. Coconut, licorice and rasberry served flat and looking like a checker board. YUM! It was divine. Wouldn't recommend Barandi. Quite out of the way and because there were no other customers in there we had about 4 waiters all over us which got annoying. Food very average for the prices. Lamak was good but nothing like Terazo!
Onto phase 4. 4 nights in Seminyak. We stayed at Puri Cendana. I'd really recommend this to anyone looking for a cheap place in a great location among all the really expensive places. $35 US a night. It was 2 minutes walk from Gado Gado. Rooms are big and bathrooms really light with a huge tub. It's getting old and it's certainly not flash but great value. We sat on beach lounges on the beach every day and at night had an easy stroll to La Lucciola, Mykonos, Ku de Ta. We even walked to Kori's in Kuta! All the restaurants were yummy. I loved Gado Gado. Top spot on the beach. Just one thing. If they ask if you want water only say yes if you are REALLY thirsty. They charge 12000 a glass!! I was a bit pissed off cause it just seemed a bit dishonest to me. I didn't order it. They asked me if I wanted some so I said "Yeah sure" but there's no way I'd have paid 24000 for 2 glasses!! La Lucciola was yummy. It's ashame they don't let you book specific tables. I wanted a beach front table and they said they'd try but couldn't promise anything. We got there at 6:00 and they were all taken. Oh well. It was still nice and I'm not about to start my dinner at 4pm just to get a good table!! Mykonos was great and sooo cheap!! Mmmm...all that Feta. I love it!
Well, that was my holiday. We had a ball. Hope to get back there soon and do it all over again. Hope somebody can get something out of this.
By the way, one forumite was waiting on a report from me about Kumara Sakti but I can't remember who!! I took heaps of photos for you so if it's you just let me know and I'll send you my album.
Thanks to all you guys for your help. I'm still gonna read this all the time so I can answer questions now instead of asking them!
Cheers!!