Arrived back from a glorious week in Candidasa to the Green Garden Resort and Spa for 6 nights, not part of our timeshare.
We were warmly greeted with a welcome drink and a voucher for an hour long massage at their spa. After reading forum reviews, we asked for a room on the top floor, this was available and we weren't disappointed, we had sea views and a beautiful breeze.
The picture window which looks straight into the bathroom/loo was a bit disconcerting at first, but this can be curtained off if modesty insists! The best thing about the room, apart from its spaciousness and HUGE range of TV channels is the full size fridge, with an icebox which is actually cold enough to make icebloccks, (we always carry our own trays or disposable plastic icecube sheets) Hubby had already purchased a small eski for begging ice from the barmen for his in room Bundy and cokes!
The other amusing thing about the bathroom is that if anyone on the fourth floor flushes their loo while you are in the process of using yours, there is an alarming gurgling sound and a sudden puff of air up the pipes, made for a sudden upspring once or twice!
Anyway it was up the road to Tommy Tailor ( just luck, he was the first we came to) to organise our wedding gear for upcoming nuptials ( yes oldies in the 50's can still get married) We had taken fabric with us and pictures of what we wanted , no problem said Tommy and within 3 days had presented us with my simple dress and hubby's matching Island style shirt $250K which we were very happy with, I'm not a great bargainer but as long as I'm happy.....(I think the market ladies see me coming hence the visits to Ketut in Legian.) On hearing that the clothes were for OUR wedding he got all excited and gave us two leather handbags as a present and wished us luck.
The weather changed about this point and was wet and overcast for the next few days, we took up the offer of the free massage, with hubby resplendent in his black paper undies.. he'd been warned thanks to the forum, and generally laid around, ate too much and read. We also used a little spa (sorry can't remember the name) up the road from GGR&S, every day we walked past and never saw anyone there, so took the plunge and they were great, for foot and neck massages. Very grateful for the custom too.
The Pantai on the water at Tuban is still great,we loved the country music played, as is the SA Cafe across the road from GG R&S. The cafe at the hotel was fine for breakfast, but we thought their meals for lunch and dinner were a little bland for our taste.
So its 2 days to go, the weather is still overcast, the tan not looking as good as I would like, but its pack up and head for the Ramayana, the last timeshare stop. This a beautiful hotel, with all the whistles and bells as expected. We had a Club Resort suite on the top floor, couldn't be faulted but being timeshare it was room only and we didn't get to use any of the Club Resort facilities. How much afternoon tea can you eat? wouldn't have minded the cocktail hour though! We ate at the restaurant twice and couldn't fault the meals or sevice, not too pricey either.
Last day and its onto the beach, of course the sun has come out now. Time for a manicure, pedicure and massage from Linda and the ladies who I always see on my way home. This time there where Coles bags to distribute and an iron which I had purchased for 55K at the hardware store above Centro, my favourite real shop in Bali.This was dived on, Linda says her sister will be now able to iron the laundry she takes in. They had their eye on hubby's eski but he clung on to it as he wanted to bring it home!
All too soon its out to the airport, 100K in the prada lounge for a quiet time before Jetstar home, bit of a delay, waiting for people to wander up from downstairs, please be on time, we all just want to leave now! Good flight back to Sydney, no sleep, then a rush over to domestic for the flight back to Briz. The flights that Jetstar give you are Qantas flight so complimentary snacks and tea and coffee are nice.
Thas it, it will be 2 years before we are back and I will get my Balifix from the forum as usual. Thank you to all the contributors who provide information and amusement!
One other thing which may be helpful to those flying Jetstar direct(!!) from Briz, you check in at the International transit counter in the Qantas section at the domestic terminal, took us a while to find the right place.