It has taken me a week to get to this but now that the unpacking is complete, the washing is done and reality has kicked in I've made time to do this as I catch up on the footy. The Dockers are cruising to victory for a change and I 'm eagerly awaiting the Egles game.
We arrived in Bali on 3rd April on an ontime and smooth Qantas flight from Perth It was raining when we got there but it was so good to smell Bali again after a three year break. VOA and immigration was fine and we were soon on our way to Bali Mandira for the first time. Checked in smoothly and were shown to our hotel room which was new, clean and spacious. We were happy!
After a wander around the hotel we headed out for supplies and up to Melasti St for money. We were stunned by how quiet it was. people had said it was quiet but this was incredible. Things did get busier once the WA school holidays kicked in on the Thursday (we'd snuck out early) but it was still much quieter than we'd seen before. The poor taxi drivers have noone to drive around. It's very sad.
We headed off to my favourite restaurant of all time KORI and we weren't disappointed. We had a lovely meal to start off the holiday.
The next day the rest of our party arrived on the Garuda flight, also on time. We shopped while they got organised. Ou first stop was YOGI Tailor in Bakung Sari St. We'd been told by a lady we'd seen in a fashion parade that he'd made her a pair of full length leather boots only the week before. As we both have large legs it was top of our shopping list. He had them ready in three days and they fit perfectly. They were worth every cent! We later had some tops made by him too. He was very excited because he'd never done shirring elastic before. The tops were great. That night we all went out to PAPA's Cafe for dinner. It was my sister's birthday so it was her choice of restaurant. We had a nice meal and it was very busy. We ad some mixups with the bills but the service was good. They brought out a birthday cake and sang Happy irthday, Balinese style, which was a nice touch. We had a great night!
On Thursday we caught up with our Balinese friends and visited her new shop, Midori. Things are very quiet but as always they are still smiling and happy to see us. we arranged to gout to dinner with them at Seaview Cafe in Jimbaran Bay. This was a quiet place at the end of the strip and we had as expected a delicious meal and an enjoyable evening.
Friday meant more shopping. Matahari for our usual big spend up on Revlon makeup. As always we got amazing bargains. Although some things were out of stock and couldn't be ordered in, we still managed to buy up big! That night we ate at Jesons in Bakung Sari St. It was okay but two of the boys with us got a huge shock when their fish and chips turned out to be deep fried whole fish that looked like piranhas.
Following our dinner one of our party had to go to the BIMC for treatment. He spent the next five days there and was eventually flown home to Perth. The BIMC is a very clean and professional place who looked after him to the best of their ability. People should feel comfortable going there. Another man from our hotel had to got there on the same night and he was apparently happy with his treatment there and at Denpassar hospital. Luckily they are both fine and doing well.
On the Monday four of us did the Bumbu Bali cooking class. This was a real highlight of the trip. The class was very enjoyable and the food we made for our lunch was incredible. We have come back most inspired to cook for all of our friends. The shopping list is written so now we just have to shop for all the interesting ingredients.
Shopping continued to be a big focus for us and between hospital visits we managed to fit in plenty of it. The usual shirts, shorts, sarongs etc and we found some beautiful shell jewellery. We got most of it a Hakim Shop on Legian St as he had great variety and very good prices. His starting prices were actually lower that what we were ready to pay. what a bargain! Discovery Mall was a new experience for us and we tasted our first Krispy Kreme doughnuts. They were nice but we left there quickly when we noticed an unaccompanied back pack sitting in the garden bed nearby. Obviously nothing but it sent the heart racing for a while until we could laugh about by nerves.
Dinner that night at KURA-KURA Grill and Bar was delicious. It was very quiet but a friend had recommended it and she was right to do so. The service was excellent and the food top quality. Prices were very reasonable, as is all food in Bali. I can't believe that people complain about the price of food in Bali. When you can eat at a top restaurant and pay $30 for a three course meal with five cocktails, what's there to whinge about? I just don't get it!
Speaking of great food we found a gem of a place in Seminyak. LOLOAN is opposite Bodyworks II and is absolutely beautiful. The service, presentation and quality of food would match any top restaurant in Australia. Unless you know it's there you wouldn't find it so if you're looking for a special place for a romantic dinner for two or a meal away from the kids, I'd highly suggest you give it a try. It's pricey for Bali but so worth it!!!
We visited friends staying at The Villas in Seminyak. This is a very nice place to stay, especially with a family or a number of couples. We spent a nice day by their pool before heading off to Geneva. We'd been told this place was great and we weren't disappointed. We spent up very big on cushion covers for less than $3, table runners for $4 and large wood carvings for $10. If only we could have more luggeage on the plane.
On our second last night we ate at RUMOURS in Seminyak. It was so busy that we felt a little uncomfortable. It was the only time all holiday that we'd felt uneasy in a restaurant. The place, food and company were great but a bit too busy for us.
The rest of our party left on Saturday morning on Garuda. We had all day to wait around for the dreaded 1am QANTAS flight. We filled the day with final shopping, our last massage and pedicure at Melasti Spa where we'd visited every other day and dthen dinner and a show at the hotel. I even did some Balines dancing on the stage. I must have been relaxed!
We left Bali in a thunderstorm, much to my distaste as a bad flier at the best of times, but we got home safely in the early hours. As with everyone else who knows and loves Bali, we are reminiscing and talking about our next trip to the wonderful island of Bali. Maybe next year for my 40th!