Hi All
Just got back this morning!
Paid VOA in Aussie dollars and got change for the taxi which is great - so much better than paying to get $US.
Flew Australian Airlines after the Air Paradise fiasco..I didn't do anything exciting except Shop(lots)and the Bali Buudaya Bike Tour which was excellent. I won't go into detail as I know alot of you have done it and for those that are thinking of doing it - do it! Not only is it fun riding your bike through different parts, you are given educational information along the way - very interesting and the last stop is Monkey Forest which is so much fun.
I booked this via Nicki at Allround Travel for $42, you can email Nicki on alltrav3@bigpond.com.au
The weather was so so - I was there for the past 8 days and it rained everyday (yes I know it is wet season!) Mostly the mornings were fine until midday then the clouds came and then the rain came by no later than 4pm - and lots of it, the streets flood so fast over there. Yesterday it was raining in the morning but fine by midday and was a beautiful day.
Our favourite Restaurants:
Poco Loco - best mexican I have ever tasted.
Pappas - food was ordinary compared to last year but the view makes up for it.
Bubba Gumps - had to do this and it is so much fun, the food is not cheap but it was great and the staff sang a song when I ordered a Margarita(couldn't understand any of it - but funny!)You get to keep the shaker too.
Cafe La Monde - great food and friendly staff.
Melasti - very good
A couple of times we went to dinner we were the only ones in the restaurant which is sad but the staff were so friendly everywhere you went and continually thanked us for coming to Bali (this happened alot - a few Balinese and also some UK people we met were told that the Aust. government is advising people not to go back).
I got a really nice suit made at Janoko Tailor in Poppies 2, for 3/4 length skirt and jacket in business type pinstripe cost AU$49. I was happy with that - it is a perfect fit with only one measure up.
Got lots of stuff at Geneva in Seminyak - such good value for money -you could easy spend a couple of hours there.
Spent alot of time at MBR Salon - so nice to be pampered, excellent service and prices - still 50% off.
Stayed at the Garden View Cottages - I can't rave about this place enough - I can not belive it is a budget hotel, the staff are fantastic, our room was No. 122 - newly renovated, heaps of space, bath tub, TV & DVD!! The DVD came in so handy when it was raining and to check all those DVD's. I had breakfast daily at GVC as it was included - it was great.. Also one night for dinner had the Sunday Roast - absolutely lovely. The pool has a swim up bar - what more could you want?
I also checked out the Lokha - wow, such a lovely hotel and the rooms look great.
I had no problems getting all of my shopping back through customs, I had the usual DVD's, wood items, frangipani painting x 3, Bali dolls, clothes - you name it I had it. My suit case was 28kg coming back and that was fine also.
I still haven't been to sleep as the flight leaves 10.55pm and comes back into Sydney 8am - so this is probably jumbled and all over the place. Let me know if you want any specifics..
Oh yeah, Security is tight. They are everywhere especially departing the airport last night, you are not able to get in the door without a flight ticket. I felt completely at ease.
Regards.