Read up so much on Bali for 2 months before actually going and like what everybody say, you get addicted to Bali after the first time. It was absolutely wonderful and Bali is just so beautiful and the people absolutely accomodating and friendly. Travelled from the 24th Feb to 3rd March using Royal Brunei Airlines via Bandar Seri Begawan. 4 days were spent in Kuta, 2 in Seminyak and the last 2 in Tanjong Benoa.
Hotels
I must say, despite being a bit too 'commercialised', i loved the Hard Rock Hotel in Kuta. Location was perfect, right in front of Kuta beach and you can actually smell the sea from the lobby. Staff were great and even the superior room was very good. Another plus is the live bands playing in the lobby lounge which can be seen on tv while in the comforts of your own room. However, what i didnt like was that the breakfast buffet was not up to expectations quality wise. I also didnt really like that the television set was placed at the top of the wall, with a little bit of a hospital feel and the neck muscles get kinda stiff after a while.
Stayed also in a 1 bedroom villa with pool at the Mutiara Suites in Seminyak. Got a great deal of USD$120 per night which was fantastic because the grounds of the personal villa was really big with a huge pool.. everything was huge! Location was perfect as it was behind Trattoria Cucina and was just about a 3-5 minutes walk to the main street and another 10-15 to the beach and La Lucciola. The villa is really private with high walls and no tall buildings around so grabbed the opportunity to swim and tan in the nude. Fantastic. Would certainly stay here again.
Spend the last two days in Ramada Tanjung Benoa in a 1 bedroom villa which was really pretty despite the grounds of the hotel being a bit old. Enjoyed the villa but not anything else in the hotel as it took some walking to get to the lobby because of its big compound. During the night, it could get eerie just walking back to your room because the whole place was dimly lit. Breakfast spread was horribble! Food was refilled late and the time i was there, the hotel was filled with Taiwanese and Chinese tour groups which really added to the noise. However, the pool was good and the swim up bar was great with really friendly staff. Location was out though unless you really want peace and quiet and also for watersports. The shuttle to Geger beach and Nusa Dua Collection really came in handy as it took really long for a cab to arrive.
Shopping
Loved loved loved loved loved the shopping in Bali as everything was so so cheap. Got beautiful embroidered sarongs which were on 70% discounts at 25000 rupiah each. Bought beautiful pillow covers for 15k rupiah and also those triangular roll out cushions for 190k at Kaya Natural Wholesale, number 23, Kerobokan. Didnt really enjoy shopping in Poppies though for all the hassle of bargaining but there was this particular stall where i think the lady owner was just fed up of bargaining as well and she just offered one price for items where incidentally, is the first price that you would actually ask for when bargaining elsewhere. It's the first corner shop on the left facing the street in Poppies Lane 2. Just walk all the way up Poppies after turning in from Kuta and there'll be a bend to the left and the shops right in front of you. Practically bought all my gifts from Poppies, cocktail and sun dresses, bikinis and floppy hats along Jalan Legian. Everything in the shops along Tanjung Benoa and Nusa Dua could be found in Poppies so save your time. Was driven to Denpansars town area by our driver, Suka who recommended kebayas which are traditional embroidered tops. Got about 5 which were beautifully embroidered plus matching songket bottoms for an average of 150k each. Didnt get anything in Nusa Dua Collections because most of the shops there were what you see in Kuta Square. La Senza in Discovery Tuban was having a huge sale on lingerie and got really pretty lace nighties and gym gear with 12 items only amounting to 2million ruppiah! Such a catch.
Activities
Din't do much as the weather was terrible with storms for the 5 nights out of the 7 i was there which sometimes last till the day. Got to go to touristy areas such as Uluwatu for the Kecak (Amazing!), Tanah Lot during low tide where you get to get blessed by the priests, Ubud, and Goa Gajah. Was planning to go to Lovina, Danau Bratan, Kintamani and Taro Park but was lacking in time and it was hell far. Most days were spent just lazing on the beach and by the pool tanning when it wasnt raning.
Dining
Lunch was at Koris, the restaurant in Discovery Tuban which faced the ocean, Soho, and Tepi Sawah in Ubud. Koris was just okay for me but Tepi Sawah was great. It looked like an expensive place, but prices were really cheap just like what you'd find at a warung and food was really good as well. For dinner, we went to Ku De Ta (had roasted pork belly for starters and it practically melted in the mouth!), Gado Gado (bad service from the guy at the entrance. had a huge smile when we entered and when we told him we didnt have reservations, face turned sour. food was so so but the caramel volcano for dessert was fantastic). In Seminyak, went to Trattoria Cucina for dinner and the place was packed to the brim but food was fast and very cheap. Tried looking for Warung Taste after hearing of only rave reviews for its french cuisine but gave up after the 4th try. Even cab drivers didnt know about it and when i called the restaurant, i was given crap directions by an impatient staff (just realised that i have been looking for it at the total opposite direction. hee. .). Also ate in Uno in Nusa Dua Collections .. good food and great service, would recommend it their scallop appetizer but not their pastas. The Bolognese and Marinara were really bland.
Nightlife
Was so konked out from all the days shopping and activities most of the days that i practically fell asleep around 8 or 9! Such a waste as there were countless of pubs and lounges. Always saw that Bountys and Paddys was filled whenever passing by tho. Loads of Japanese tourists this time of the year. Went to Club 66 on Thurs because there was a DJ from Holland playing for their year long guest DJs thing. House music wasnt really my liking so spent the night entertained by watching the local males hitting on female tourists. Sad as it may sound, it was hilarious just watching these guys in shorts and thongs, looking absolutely scruffy and with little knowledge of english, trying their luck. A recommended activity when youre bored at a club.
At the end of the day, all i can say is Bali was fantastic. Although at times it was sad seeing all the poverty on the streets (Especially when you stop at traffic lights when you have kids knocking on your windows) and also the too aggresive Kuta hawkers, and the depressing wet weather, the beauty of Bali and the friendliness of the people make up for everything.