Day 1.
Travelled with my husband Neil who has been lots of times and my best friend Robyn who is a Bali virgin from Melbourne on Garuda, no problems. One of first in line at VOA queue but then had to wait for over 30 minutes for bags. Our friend & driver Pucak picked us up out the front and delivered us to Kuta Lagoon Resort & Spa in Legian Rd near Melasti St. Nice enough place, staff friendly, but a long way from the shops at Kuta Square and Centro.
Had some lunch at Aroma's, very nice. Ordered tankini from Climax 225,000rp will be ready next day. Taxi to Matahari to fill up the fridge with milk, yoghurt, coke & Bintang. Had plenty of Bacardi & Johnnie Walker from Duty Free. Thank goodness as it was very hard to get any at a lot of the places we went to because of the shortage.
Early night after a few drinks and a pizza in the room.
Day 2.
Ordered 100 Stubby Holders for next years 50th birthday cost 5,000rp each. Went to Bali Tailor on Kartika Plaza St where we have been going for 10 years to get a new suit made for my husband who since last year has had gastric banding and lost 45 kilos. Rony was pleased to see Big Papa & Mumma but couldn't believe Neil had lost so much weight. I decided to get another leather jacket made a grey one this time. My girlfriend had 2 made for her & a handbag. I had shorts made for my son, the Baker, white with no pockets. Lunch at Green Garden then Neil went back to hotel while Robyn & I visited Discovery Plaza for a few hours of therapy. Ordered 2 pairs of glasses from Bali Top Optical Cost $145AUD, 1 for distance & 1 for reading, they tested my eyes too. Tea at Indonational.
Day 3. WILDLIFE DAY
Left at 9am went firstly to a Batik & Ikat production factory for a tour. Continued to Bali Bird Park & Reptile Park wandered around there for a few hours then to Ubud for lunch at Casa Luna. Went to Taro and rode the elephants watched them go for a swim then went back to Ubud to see the Monkey Forest but alas too late never mind because there was a number that had wandered out into the parking area so we didn't miss out on seeing them. Had tea at Naughty Nuri's the best ribs in Bali!!!
Day 4. VILLAGE DAY
Picked up by our friend and driver Pucak and taken to his family village, Talibeng near Klung Klung, for a Tooth Filing Ceremony and 35 year house cleansing ceremony. We were all dressed when we arrived in traditional costumes supplied by Pucak's wife Ayu. The ceremonies went all day it was very interesting we were very honoured to be invited to attend. It was good to go to see our Balinese Ibu (mother)at her house and have refreshments with her. On the way back to Kuta we stopped at a black sand beach along the way to show Robyn. Had tea at Bubba Gumps, it was as good as ever, a fun night out.
Day 5.
Bought some clothes for the grandchildren at fixed price shop in Tuban. Went to Centro and picked up my glasses they are perfect.Back to hotel for a swim before Pucak picked us up to go to Makro to buy a few things for the kids in his neighbourhood as we were going to his house for tea that night. Last year we decided to put on a Babi Gulang for his family and friends and we had a wonderful time so we decided to repeat the evening this year for Robyn, we had another great time.
Day 6.
Robyn & I went to Legian Markets after breakfast, while Neil slept in, and bought a few things we couldn't live without. Got back still early so we all went to Sanur. Visited Ricky at Besakih Beach where we stayed for a week last year then walked along the boardwalk to La Taverna for lunch. Did some shopping at Tootsies then went back to Kuta in a Bemo. Had tea at Gosha on Melasti street.
Day 7.
Pucak picked us up we went to tailor for any alterations, will all be ready tomorrow then we went to Carrefours The actual shop is very good but I wasn't impressed with all the little shops there. I did buy another pair of glasses though from the optical shop opposite Carrefours they are Calvin Kleins with magnetic clipon sunglasses 495,000rp but I will have to get them made up over here not enough time. Pucak dropped off Neil & Robyn for a swim while we went to find Jaya Pillow bought a beautiful QS quilt cover with 2 P/Cases & 50cm square cushion for 260,000rp it is made from satin in gorgeous jewel colours of turquoise, jade & purple. Then we went to The Fairy Shop where I bought a Princess outfit for my 3y.o. grandaughter 275,000rp. It has a dress, headband & sequined shoes. Back for a quick swim before going to Tanah Lot for tea & sunset. We had prebooked at Melasti Seafood Restaurant a front table as recommended by someone on the BTF a while ago. If you want to see the sunset behind the temple don't go here it is on the wrong side of the temple. The temple is a long way from the restaurant with a badly lit path that was very undulating, you couldn't even see the temple from the restaurant. The only drinks were Bintang, Hatten wine or soft drink, no spirits at all. Very limited menu with only fish available with veges or boiled rice, by Bali standards it wasn't cheap 550,000rp for 4. Also the toilet were very ordinary, only one toilet for women & one for men and not very clean but very smelly. Toilet rated 4/10.
Day 8.
Pucak had day off today we didn't do much, caught a taxi late afternoon to Tuban and picked up Stubby holders,really pleased with how they turned out. Went to tailor picked up everything from there walked to Centro for sunset then caught taxi back to hotel. Walked to Melasti St and went to Ketumbar for tea, one of the best meals we had in Bali. We sat upstairs overlooking the street with a beautiful breeze blowing off the beach. The toilets were lovely 10/10.
Day 9.
Our last day, caught the hotel shuttle to Matahari and did some last minute shopping. Went back for a swim & lunch by the pool. Pucak picked us up at 3pm we went and met Ayu & Ibu at Gold St in Denpasar to have a look and maybe buy a gold bracelet. I was disappointed at the very limited range that was available every shop seemed to have the same so we didn't buy anything there. Said goodbye to Ayu & Ibu and promised to come back next year. We went for a bit of a drive around Denpasar to show Robyn the sights by night. Went to Bali Bakery for a light snack, decent coffee & to pay Pucak before he took us to the airport. This place is better than Breadtalk but check out the toilet the men's is amazing. They have a single urinal on the wall filled with ice for the men to pee on. Apparently it gives them something to aim for any there is not as much mess on the floor to mop up. We were dropped of at the airport where we checked in only very slightly overweight so no charge. We decided to go to Prada Lounge we were told 100,000rp no haggling, went in we will be doing this every time now it was great only thing wrong was that in the smoking room you couldn't hear the boarding calls. Plenty of food, alcohol, internet, shower & even some where to have that last massage although you had to pay for that. Good trip home without any delays we were up the back quit a few empty seat so were able to spread out a bit for a sleep.
Thanks to everyone for all the information that I have discovered over the last 12 months on the Forum. I think that next year I might try booking flights and accomodation on the Internet we are going to stay at BGH. How hard is this to do?
Thanks once again for all your help.
Lynne