My wife and I arrived back in Sydney on the 6th October after 10 great days. We flew Garuda Business class which again was great. I always remember that great smell when you get off the plane - and the heat. Found our contact and went to the Grand Balisani Suites in Kerobokan. I liked the place from the beginning, rice fields and far enough away but still close enough to everything.
Nice people on arrival and got to our room. The only disappointment, really quiet a bad room, for future reference dont get room 116. It was very small, dark bathrooms and two very small single beds. After one night we checked out the upgrade to a junior suite - we took it for 250000 rupiahs a night. Great move, big bed, great bathroom and a very nice balcony overlooking the ocean. I recommend the upgrade if the dollars allow it.
We spent most of our days relaxing by the pool, reading (I read four books), eating and drinking Bitangs. Nice friendly crowd of mainly Europeans.
Ate out every night, comments as below:
The Living Room - nice place and great food but lacks the atmosphere of other places - great service.
Ku De Ta - what can you say, went twice and the food and service is out of the world.
Gado Gado - fabulous place with great food and service - nice view on the balcony overlooking the ocean.
La Luciola - loved this place - a pity there was a couple with two annoying children at the next table
Cafe Warisan - great and as good as last year. One comment they should ban mobile phones as everyone was talking on one, with one women playing a gameboy at dinner. Must have been a great dinner and conversation.
Poppy's - great satay and friendly service, still good after all these years.
La Porchetta in Legian - cheap meals and friendly service.
Bought some CD's and some great table runners and wall hangings at a shop near the end of JL Legian in Seminyak.
Hired a car and went to Tanah Lot - driving in Bali is a nightmare. Had the car for three days and drove it once - only cost $35 Australian for the three days so not too much of a waste.
We loved not doing anything this holiday so we mainly stayed at the hotel and went out for dinner. Made some trips to Kuta, Legian and Seminyak.
Alot as been said about the bombings, we did not find out to after lunch on the Sunday. The last few days were very sad as there appeared to be no one around and the Balinese seem to sense the oncoming decline in travel to Bali. I must admit I did not feel comfortable and we are debating about going back. I must admit being back in Australia is good, but I do miss Bali and the lovely smiles from everyone. I do want to go back and probably will, I think you need time to digest it all and then make a decision. I think what scared me was the closeness to it all and the places that were bombed we had been too. My wife who is English takes a pragmatic approach, having lived with bombings all her life, including a bomb going off near the BBC which was next to her apartment. My last comment about the bombings is that people must decide for themselves and not be swayed by eager people who would go again, or who have never been. Simply, Bali needs tourism and we should support them, but only after carefull thought. If you are unsure I would leave it for awhile.
The flight home was great, I do enjoy business as you can sleep very well. Got to the airport at Sydney and had at least 30 text messages, all asking the same question, are you alright.
This is our second visit to Bali and loved it even more, cannot rave about the Balisani - great place.
Bali has yet formed another fond memory of a great place, beautiful people and a place that should be visited.