Just a quick JBR ,whilst Ive got a minute to spare. Had 7 glorious nights on this wonderful island and this time stayed in Seminyak at the Pelangi Bali Hotel & Spa. The resort was right on the beach and the staff incredibly helpful and friendly. The rooms were a touch on the small side (but hey, you only really need them to sleep and store your shopping bargains dont you!),the resort itself was very impressive. The pool was gorgeous, just like everyone had said. Breakfast was on the ordinary side, but the french toast delicious!!!
Had two newbies with us, so we showed them around Kuta the first day, to ease them into the Bali way of life " massage, transport, braid your hair". Did a day tour on the second day, up to the North of the Island to Lovina to see the black sand. We also stopped at temple of Ulundanu on the lake, which was beautiful, Git Git waterfall (gotta love those kiddie's that follow you all the way to the falls), the Hot Springs at Banjar Village which was fantastic and highly reccomended. A very full on day, we left at 8am and got home at 7pm, but well worth every minute.
We ventured to Waterbomb park and floated around to our hearts content, we also tried out the "Boomerang", how much fun was that. One of the best waterslides Ive ever been on, I full on thought I was going to go over the edge, what a thrill. P.s The new way they now do the payment at the Park is fantastic. You pay for a wrsit strap with a barcode on it, then you literally have a tab on your wrist, you top up the wrist strap with cash and then you can lock away your money in the locker. When you buy lunch or whatever, they scan your wrist and deduct the money (you get reinbursed at the gate when you leave, if you have any remaining cash), I thought this was a fantstic idea.
Visited Centro, but found the prices to be way too expensive for everything, as did the couple we travelled with, plus its much more fun bartering on the street. The Bintang shop is worth a visit, my hubby brought 2 bags full back to the resort.
Visited Geneva, which was heaven. What a great place, fixed prices which are street worthy. I even pushed a shopping trolley in this place, imagine that, a shopping trolley in Bali (sad really). Anyway, had a absalute ball in this place and got heaps for my money, I even ducked in again before we left for home. It was one of the highlights and cant believe I had never found this jem before.If anyone wants a list of stuff I brought with prices, just ask. I wont list now, it will take too long.
Done the Telaga Waja whitewater rafting, which was awesome, as it always is. Our friends loved it, and we loved that they loved it, cause we loved it too. We booked this through our driver, whom we just plucked off the street. He was great and very very cheap.His name is Wayan Jess Ariawan mobile number 081 239 223 42. Nothing was too much trouble, and he car was always clean with aircon of course.
Went to Sharkeys at Jimbaran Bay, which is always awesome. The food and atmosphere is excellent. Definatley worth a visit. Jimbaran Bay has also been cleaned up alot. All the resturants and cafes are all similar now, and they look so nice. They have got a limit now on the amount of resturants allowed, so as to give some on the beach back to the locals to make more room or cremonies etc. Which I thought was nice.
The best night out was to "Ours", in Legian. This resturant rocks and enough cant be said about George, his sister and the staff. The food is pretty good too. We went there twise and both nights were highlights of our trip. We were dancing and carrying on like tools along with George (the owner) and staff for hours. He even extended "happy hour" permenantly for us, which made us very happy not to mention very drunk. lol. One night he even went completly out of his way and had two of the chefs, do a major detour, and drop us back at our resort on there bikes. My first time, on one, which was a highlight in itself, not to mention, a highlight of my husbands, with me actually getting on one. The drive home was very exciting. Plus I dont know of very many places where you can hitch a ride home with the chef unplanned and for free (we of course gave them a huge tip, which made their night too)...only in Bali huh.
Anyway, the place rocked, well worth a visit, its in Garlic lane, just up from the old Indonational (which we also visited).
There was so much more we did, like visit Ramayana in Denpasar (which is great for cheap kids clothes, oh my god, I had a field day) and laze by the pool, visit Matahari, eat at Bubba gumps ( which I personally thought was fun ), dance in the rain, drink way too many jam jars at the Bounty,visit a silver shop/wood carving factory and laugh and laugh at the drag show at Hulus. How funny was that.....ahhh, good times!!!
Its amazing how many things you can actually do in such a short amount of time. But the best bit, was converting to two newbies, who now have completely fallen in love with Bali, and cant wait to go back. Yay!, My job here is done!
Any questions re anything, just ask,
Cheers, Mona Sharona