Hi guys,
Partner (34) and I (29) back in Bali again for the annual June getaway. Departed Melbourne May 26 flying Jetstar. Flight service excellent and on time. Comfort pack is excellent. Portable tv pack is not really worth it (they play movies on the overhead screens).
Got into Bali at 11pmish and was midnight by the time we reached our first hotel. We (planned on!) would be in Bali for 3 weeks so planned on moving around to avoid the boredom of one hotel for the duration of the stay. First up (and seeing that it was a midnight checkin for one night) we opted for the Allseasons Legian for both the price and location. There for the first two nights. The hotel has a great location, great pool, new rooms. The beds are TERRIBLE!. They are old beds from the previous hotel that stood on the site. They upgraded us on the second night but the bed wasnt much better. Such a shame as it was such a great hotel apart from that! Breakfasts were fairly (very) mediocre though.
Next up went to a private villa in Seminyak for 3 days of secluded peace and quiet. Beautiful gardens and private pool. Opposite The Legian. 90US a night. Bargain. Stayed there for 3 nights.
Next up went to Mercure Kuta. Stayed there in March 2005 and upon checkin they upgraded us to a Deluxe room (poppies lane end). The room was nice and spacious and a whole lot more noisier (aircon) than what i remember. The pool was as majestic as what i remembered and breakfasts as good as i remembered. Was nice to be able to walk out of the hotel and be amongst the action without the need for a taxi. Here for 7 nights we undertook most of our activities. Ended each day with a massage. White water rafting along the telaga waja twice (200000Rp each) Bali Quads (56US). Ask for Wayan at TJ's restaurant in Poppies 1. He is a pretty cool guy that we befriended a few years back and we go through him for all of the activities we need.
Time was flying by and was already time for our next destination Ubud. The plan was for four nights at Alila Ubud. First impressions were of a beautiful resort only it was a fair bit out of town (more on that later). Amazing pool. We checked into our deluxe room. The included breakfast was ordered off a set menu and was always brilliant. Great views. Monkeys at your doorstep. Would I stay here again. Yes I would but in a Superior room (cheaper) they are the same size as the deluxe rooms minus the outdoor shower (which i dont beleive is worth the extra money.
Seeing as though the resort was out of town (5minute car trip/10kms) My partner and I hired scooters (60000rp per day plus 15000rp petrol each day). After a nervous start, they would have been the highlight of our trip. Gave us so much freedom after being initially dissapointed by the resort location. In and out of Ubud maybe 20 or so times. The last night in Ubud after dinner and on our way back from dinner, 50METRES from the resort!!!!! :(, my scooter slid from underneath me on a the last bend. I was wearing shorts and tshirt and tumbled off landing in a gutter. Luckily wearing a helmet. Was all pretty much a blur. Pretty scary tho. Could have been so much worse. Roadworks on the road on a bend. Dirt/sand on the road that was impossible to see at night. Initially I got back up. Dogs barking all over the place, I was confronted by my distraught partner, my tshirt shredded, skin missing, helmet still on. Luckily I was wearing it as I remember my head slamming into the ground. Considering myself very very lucky. Hopped back on the scooter and mad e my way down the 2km driveway of the resort. Feeling around my body for damage I noticed a bone was sticking out of my collarbone area.
Am very thankful that the accident happened while staying at Alila. They were AMAZING. That night they drove me into Denpasar Private Hospital. Stayed there with me til 1am while I was patched up. Diagnosis: Broken collarbone = End of holiday. They gave me some painkillers which were unfortunately fairly useless and I headed back to the hotel. The next morning ran into an Aussie couple who helped me out with some Australian medicine that they had brought over for their own personal use. I can't thank them enough. If you are reading this i promise I will make it up to you somehow. Big beleiver in karma and hope they get a huge dose of good luck their way.
Jetstar/Qantas upgraded us to Starclass/ Business on trip home that next night. Had to go via Sydney unfortunately but finally made it. :)
Overall was a great holiday and have no regrets. A quick list of the places we ate at:
Indonational: Great Grilled Seafood with Garlic Butter - 55000Rp - was a nice light meal that reminded us of home.
Lalucciola: Great breakies/ meals/ view. Take the mozzie repellent.
Gateway of India: Love this place. On Dyanapura street, Best Indian have ever had. Wish we had this place in Melbourne. Rogan Josh and Garlic Naan. Yum.
Papas Cafe: Great vegetarian pizzas. Woodfired. Nice light meal.
TJ's: Mexican. The waitresses are our mates so we keep coming back. Great food.
Panterei: Greek, great Aubergine dip, 65000rp for sampler with bread. Great quality food.
Best place by far was Delicat in Ubud. Read an article that it has been voted best eat in Bali and top 5 eats in Indonesia on Lonely Planet. Is just so cheap. The food that comes out is as good as it sounds on the menu. We ate hear everyday of our stay in Ubud. The owner is a hoot. Located at rear of soccer field.
Sorry bout the long JBR. Hopefully the next one will be a little bit more pleasant. Couple of lessons learnt. Always have travel insurance - I did, and never hop on a scooter EVER again, especially when you are so far from home.
Steve.