Hi to all,
Firstly before I get started ... my deepest apologiies to reiki regarding the bustrip on 12th June. Hubby suffers from migraines and night of 11th and 12th was being fed with imgrane tablets to sleep it off. Accumulation of humidity and too many bintangs i think. I hope the day went well and everyone had a great time. Sorry we missed it.
Started our trip with a stopover in singapore for 4 days, as the plane hit the tarmac the june sales started. Great shopping and hadnt hit bali yet.
Arrived in bali at midday which was a pleasant change for us as we aucklanders have always had the unfortunate priviledge of arriving in the dead of night. Stayed our first 2 nights at Nusa Dua Beach Hotel, lovely as always, nice to just blob out here for a few days to wind down from work. Was looking forward to visiting our old haunts for dinner in mengiet street only to be dissapointed that many have closed down in the past year. Have never been to Bali Bumby restaurant so made a point of doing so this time around. Was a lovely night, but for bali standards very pricey.
Next 3 nights were up in Ubud at tjampuhan Hotel and Spa. Have stayed here many times over the years and the beauty of the hotel always takes our breath away. Ubud has i beleive become even more quieter of late. One thing that struck us as in previous years we hadnt noticed the drivers being so agressive about "you need transfer" or "you have programme for today, maybe tomorrow". Within an hour one day we were asked this no less than 50 times. Things are really tough up that way.
The last 8 days were at Kumala Pantai in Legian. Hadnt stayed here before and wasnt dissapointed with our choice. Lovely pool area, clean facilities, large comfortable rooms andso nice not to see any government taxes added to the bill. Prices were really reasonable and for the first time ever didnt really bother taking out the minibar and stocking it with our supplies as very similar to street prices.
Ate out at our favourites plus a few new ones. I would have to say that the best restaurant on our list had to be Ultimo in Eat Street, seminyak, the veal in marsala sauce was to die for, at NZ$9.00. Even if the veal was Australian! The best ive ever had. Highly reccommend this place.
Another that we just never had gotten around to eat at previously was Ketupat, so didnt miss it this time. A beautiful restaurant, fantastic food and compared to Bali Bumbu for their ristafel 3 day preparation meal (forget what it was called) it was much nicer and half the price. If anyone is considering a romantic night here, prebook the little alcoves above and overlooking the pool. But take a torch and dont leave your glasses behind. Had trouble reading the extensive menu.
Shopping much the same as always, though did get to centro this time on many occassions to pick up the most amazing bread puddings at Bread Talk. Thanks to those who put us onto these beauties. Yum. Also had my wrap around gucci sunglasses made to prescription (something that NZ and Australian Optomitrists say cant be done) and picked up another new pair of progressive glasses for myself and a pair of transitional rodenstock glasses for hubby - just taking into account of the savings we made on these three items alone paid for one of our airfares and accomodation.
Bali seems to be getting better for westernised shopping- the shoes have certainly improved this time around i was able to buy 6 pairs - in the past finding size 40 was virtually impossible, and it was great finding diesel jeans at 50% off. Also anyone wanting silk sarongs make a trip into denpassar markets and the fabric shops on the adjoining road for the best prices. I paid 100,000rph each, cheaper than on the streets and a good variety.
Well back to work now for 3 days-still suffering from jet lag which isnt a bad thing, makes me feel like im still on bali time.
To all those holidaying shortly, have a wonderfully warm sunny experience.