Returned home from Bali last week after staying for two weeks with my hubby. We have been to Bali many times over the years and we also import from Bali for our garden/pot business.
The weather was sensational - hardly any rain and it was lovely and hot. Most nights we went out for dinner and came back to the hotel for a swim before bed. Very nice.
We always stay at the Ramayana Resort in Kuta in a poolside cottage because it's just so lovely and central to everything there. Just a few steps to the pool. After being out buying all day it's lovely to get back to our own oasis. The Ramayana has gone through quite a few changes over the years but the staff are always lovely and I think it's a great spot to stay.
We also found a lovely Thai restaurant on Kartika Plaza called Kin Khao. The penang chicken was to die for. We sat upstairs and the food was wonderful but the service could have been a little better. We would have drunk more if they had returned more than to deliver the food. But would highly recommend the food - fantastic.
We also went to many other places for meals, La Lucciano was expensive (by Bali standards) but the food is lovely and worth going. Lemon Grass was also really nice.
I had a leather jacket made from Puma - right near Bemo Corner. Jacky was the person who looked after me and he did a great job. I took over a pair of my son's favorite shorts - Dickies - and he made me 5 pairs - identical except no logo - for less than a quarter of the cost of the real ones here. Sensational.
Bali was very quiet - we hardly bumped into any other aussies, sad really but I believe Bali is changing. It's not really as lovely as it used to be - the prices have increased because of the downturn in trade and I found quite a few of them to be dishonest - something I've never really encountered in the past.
I also had to triple check at any money changers - even the ones that I had used in the past with no problems. I brought some t-shirts in one size - when I got back to my room - they were different sizes. You just couldn't take them on face value which is what I have always done in the past. The additions when bartering often were incorrect - just left me with a little bit of as bad taste in my mouth. I've always been a huge lover of Bali and I think this trip spoilt it for me - I don't think I would rush back as I have before.
We purchased two containers of goods while we were there and the prices had gone up so much since our last trip six months ago. I'm dealing with the same suppliers who tell me they aren't selling as much so they put their prices up.... I think they have outpriced themselves in the market as I'm now looking at other options - ie: China, because I can get a similar product cheaper - therefore pass on the savings to the customer.
I guess if your just going to have a lovely relaxing time - go and enjoy Bali - that side of Bali is still the same. Just be a little more careful with your dollars - check you've got what you paid for.
I also have a Bali Sim card with about Rp70,000 left on it, so the first person to send me their postal address, I will post it out to them.
cheers
Rama Girl