Husband and I have just returned from two weeks in Bali and Lombok (3 nights only in Lombok). Will post Lombok news separately.
Stayed at Bali Rani again. Good to see the same friendly faces of the staff. Was full most of the time we were there, but mostly Nationals as there were a lot of conferences on.
Not too many Aussies the first week - mostly Dutch and German. However, more Aussies the second week - and I think they were all from Perth!
Flew with Australian Airlines. They were great! Plane half full both ways. Excellent, friendly service, plenty of liquid refreshments, food tasty. Left and arrived on time both ways - actually a bit early coming back into Perth. Didn't matter too much with their timetable, because at least we got back in to Perth at a reasonable hour, unlike Garuda's new timetable.
Immigration, VOA and Customs very smooth - no problems at all.
General Security - checking of backpacks when entering Discovery Mall, Mataharis, Poppies Restaurant, Bubba Gumps Restaurant, and presumably Waterbom (didn't go this time). Checks on vehicles into all big hotels, Discovery Mall parking area, Waterbom. Not out late so don't know security procedures for Jln Legian pubs and clubs.
Airport Security - departures. Very tight. Normal xray of bags when going in to departure area, then before reaching ticketing desk they open all your luggage and check with the drug-trace wand - so don't bother with the 'Tamper Tells' otherwise they just cut them off. Then when in actual departure lounge, there is xray of your hand luggage, then a physical 'pat down' of your body (female:female, male:male) to make sure nothing taped to you, then another thorough internal check of your carry on bags - includes testing of pens, etc. Because of this extra bit, they are calling for boarding earlier than usual.
Restaurants - ate at Green Garden, Poppies, Bubba Gumps, Bali Bagia, and a new one called Munching-Inn. Owned by a lady (Marie) from Darwin. Been open since 1st January 2006. Only open for tea. Great food (Indonesian and Aussie style) and service, clean toilet. Situated in Jl Benesari - down Poppies II from Jln Legian, turn right at the Barong Hotel, and go about 300metres. It's on the left. Look for the green sign.
Shoes and jacket made at Purple, Jln Kartika Plaza next to PT Central.
Driver to Ubud - Putu Rustika (son of Made from The Pub).
Taxis - stuck to Blue Bird. Flagfall is now 5000rp. Rounded off to nearest 5000rp - so basically from Discovery to Melasti about 10,000rp.
Exchange rate - started at 6450, then dropped to 6300, then back up to 6500 when we left on the 6th April.
Nyepi (Balinese New Year) - had a great time. Night before was Ogoh-Ogoh. Shops all closed about 4pm and many roads closed, and from about 4.30pm Ogoh-Ogoh were all lined up in Jln Legian from Bemo Corner back almost to Poppies II. All the local families and tourists went to take photos, and there were icecreams, corn, fairyfloss and toys on sale. Great carnival atmosphere. The parade was a little late starting - 7.40pm, and a bit of a gap in between each one. We were waiting at Bemo Corner, but ended up at Bali Bagia where we could sit at the bar and watch them go by. After the parade HUGE people/traffic jam along Jln Kartika from Kuta Square along to Dynasty.
Nyepi Day had planned to spend the day by the pool, but it rained on and off. Breakfast at the hotel as usual, picnic lunch of cheese and bikkies (bought the day before), a leisurely massage, and regulation buffet tea at the hotel. Not boring at all. It was great not to hear all the motorbikes - it was really peaceful. When it got dark there were blackout curtains to the street, and only very minimal lighting at the hotel. Guests were asked to leave verandah lights off, and close room curtains tight.
The day after nearly all the shops and markets were closed (some of Discovery was open), and there was a big market/fair down on the beach from the Art Markets along to Jln Pantai Kuta. All the local families were there, as well as tourists. Lots of food stalls, games of skill, and the usual assortment of market gear.
Many of the shops and restaurants opened up around 5pm.
Had a great time - one of the best out of about 12/13 times. Didn't do much shopping (no grandies yet), so unable to help the local economy much.