from 4 weeks in Bali 20/9 - 16/10'
The travelling party comprised 3 couples, long time friends in their 40s, all had been to Bali many times.
We flew Air Paradise from Perth - flights left on time, service good, plane half empty both ways.
Accommodation
Stayed at the Bali Mandira Legian as this hotel is superbly situated on the beach with good restaurants and shopping close by. The Mandira has beautiful grounds and is a well run, well maintained hotel with long standing well trained staff.
Activities
Having been many times we have done most things on offer in Bali. This trip we did two new things.
The first was a boat trip from Benoa to 6 miles south of Iluwatu to see dolphins. We all really enjoyed this, we saw many many dolphins in a well equipped boat. Cost 350,000rp per person (AUD46).
The second activity was cycling in the mountains with Bintang Tour Company at a cost of 250,000rp per person (AUD32) breakfast and lunch included. This was a well run activity involving a 7am pick up and hotel transfer to Kintamani for breakfast (which was okay), a 3 hour cycle to Ubud mostly downhill but did involve riding up a couple of hills which would require a reasonable level of fitness. At Ubud we were given lunch, the opportunity to spend an hour wandering around Ubud (which we declined), and arrived back at our hotel at 3.30pm.
Bomb
We were in Bali when the bombs went off. This is very sad for the Balinese economy and people as well as those killed or injured and their families. As a tourist it made you stop and think but we decided we were no less safe and continued on with our holiday.
Restaurants
Our favourite restaurant was Papa's Café - fantastic food and service average cost $50 AUD per couple including a couple of drinks.
Gateway to India really was good indian food in Seminyak - cost around $25 per couple.
Poppies was superb as usual and cost around $35 per couple.
La Lucciola - some thought the menu was very limited, others thought the food and service superb - cost around $50 per couple.
Poco Loco - good Mexican.
Shopping
Boughts lots of gear from surf shops which was well priced compared to Australia.
Jeans - very well priced at department stores eg Wranglers $25AUD.
Following a posting on this forum, I plucked up the courage to have 2 suits made at House of Komang Tailor in Padma Street Legian. The suits are made of 100% wool and have turned out magnificently at a cost $125 each.
All in all a fantastic trip with good company and already looking forward to next year.